Obedience and Punishment

Why do you want to obey God’s laws?  Because there is punishment or reward involved? Obey and punishment may be emotive terms to you. Switch the emphasis: God’s ways are templates for how things work best and they do. Live by them in faith for that reason.

Deuteronomy 5:29 (TLB)  29 Oh, that they would always have such a heart for me, wanting to obey my commandments. Then all would go well with them in the future, and with their children throughout all generations!

3/31/2019

One God

Jealousy is weak and petty so why does God describe himself as jealous?  Because the Hebrew root of the word is different than how we use it today. It refers to zeal. God zealously loves and protects those who trust him as the singular God, not as one god of many.

Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT)  4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.

3/24/2019

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

You are personally made by a Holy God - fearfully and wonderfully made.  Morality in the Bible and much of secular law springs out of this sacredness. Thank God everyday for who he is and you will cultivate the sacred in yourself and how you treat others.

Psalms 139:13-14 (ESV)  13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

3/17/2019

Freedom of Choice

It is a modern idea that freedom of individual choice is the apex of life. Jesus said love God and your neighbor with all you have. All God's laws, purpose and fulfillment flow from this love. Your freedom of choice is first to choose to base your life in this love.

Matthew 22:37-40 (TLB)  37 Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ 38-39 This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’ 40 All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets stem from these two laws and are fulfilled if you obey them. Keep only these and you will find that you are obeying all the others.”

3/13/2019

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark was carried by the Israelites everywhere they went. In it were God’s laws and his covenant with them. It was made of acacia wood and layers and layers of gold. God’s laws, promises, and his covenant with you is pure gold. Let it lead you everywhere you go.

Exodus 25:10-22 (TLB)  10 “Using acacia wood, make an Ark 3¾ feet long, 2¼ feet wide, and 2¼ feet high. 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, with a molding of gold all around it. 12 Cast four rings of gold for it and attach them to the four lower corners, two rings on each side. 13-14 Make poles from acacia wood overlaid with gold, and fit the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 15 These carrying poles shall never be taken from the rings, but are to be left there permanently. 16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the tablets of stone I will give you, with the Ten Commandments engraved on them. 17 “And make a lid of pure gold, 3¾ feet long and 2¼ feet wide. This is the place of mercy for your sins.18 Then make two statues of Guardian Angels using beaten gold, and place them at the two ends of the lid of the Ark. 19 They shall be one piece with the mercy place, one at each end. 20 The Guardian Angels shall be facing each other, looking down upon the place of mercy, and shall have wings spread out above the gold lid. 21 Install the lid upon the Ark, and place within the Ark the tablets of stone I shall give you. 22 And I will meet with you there and talk with you from above the place of mercy between the Guardian Angels; and the Ark will contain the laws of my covenant. There I will tell you my commandments for the people of Israel.

3/10/2019

Delayed Gratification

Prayer is the practice of delayed gratification. Miracles result from prayer and other times God simply provides them but both come from being able to delay what you want until the Lord give it to you.  Trusting God’s timing and waiting on the Lord takes maturity and strength. 

Psalms 27:14 (NIV)  14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

3/3/2019