Freedom is not Free

The Israelites begged for delivery from slavery and he delivered them out of Egypt.  They thought freedom was for their political and physical realm.  Freedom means the conditions are there for you to know God and HIS freedom. It may or may not be political or physical.

Numbers 14:2-3 (TLB) 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. “We wish we had died in Egypt,” they wailed, “or even here in the wilderness, 3 rather than be taken into this country ahead of us. Jehovah will kill us there, and our wives and little ones will become slaves. Let’s get out of here and return to Egypt!”

8/30/2020

Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego boldly showed that even the worst threats against them were no threat to God. Declare the same. Trust God in your worst circumstances. He will be with you and bring you out without bitterness or resentment and your faith will encourage others. 

Daniel 3:24-28 (MSG) 24 Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?” “That’s right, O king,” they said. 25 “But look!” he said. “I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!” 26 Nebuchadnezzar went to the door of the roaring furnace and called in, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the High God, come out here!” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of the fire. 27 All the important people, the government leaders and king’s counselors, gathered around to examine them and discovered that the fire hadn’t so much as touched the three men—not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them! 28 Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him! They ignored the king’s orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own.

8/23/2020

Unless the Lord Builds the House

The Psalmist says your best efforts will lead to naught if you do not include God in them. Earthly protections can be illusive or you can be deceived by others.  Only God gives you right foundation, purpose and protection in this world.  

Psalm 127:1 (TLB)  1 Unless the Lord builds a house, the builders’ work is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, sentries do no good.

8/16/2020

Biblical Legality

The Pharisees misinterpreted God’s standards and felt superior to others  This persists today in Biblical legality. Jesus said his work was for those out of relationship with God and in sin, not the self-righteous.  He wants all to know his mercy and forgiveness. 

Matthew 9:9-13 (TLB) 9 As Jesus was going on down the road, he saw a tax collector, Matthew, sitting at a tax collection booth. “Come and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him, and Matthew jumped up and went along with him. 10 Later, as Jesus and his disciples were eating dinner at Matthew’s house,there were many notorious swindlers there as guests! 11 The Pharisees were indignant. “Why does your teacher associate with men like that?” 12 “Because people who are well don’t need a doctor! It’s the sick people who do!” was Jesus’ reply. 13 Then he added, “Now go away and learn the meaning of this verse of Scripture,‘It isn’t your sacrifices and your gifts I want—I want you to be merciful.’For I have come to urge sinners, not the self-righteous, back to God.” 

8/12/2020

No Downside to God's Ways

God’s ways are not all as direct or written in stone as the 10 Commandments. Many come from inference, metaphor and patterns in passages in the Bible. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. There is no down side to learning God’s laws and ways. 

Psalms 19:7-11 (TLB) 7-8 God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. 9 God’s laws are pure, eternal, just. 10 They are more desirable than gold. They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. 11 For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them. 

8/9/2020

Made in Holiness

Psalms 51:1-6 is an honest confession by David for luring Bathsheba to his bed and then killing her husband Uriah so he alone could have her. It is against you and you alone I sinned.  Sexual sin and murder transgress the holiness and sacredness of life God created.

Psalms 51:1-6 (TLB) 1 O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. 2 Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. 3 For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night. 4 It is against you and you alone I sinned and did this terrible thing. You saw it all, and your sentence against me is just. 5 But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom. 

8/2/2020