Day 51 a note from God: Numbers 11-13

“Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The LORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”
Numbers 11:18-20 NIV

You want meat. I'll give you meat.

Ever wanted something so bad and then after getting it wish you had never had it.

God has grown tired of the complaining coming from the people.

We read the story and think of the Israelites as a bunch of ungrateful brats.

Considering all that God has done for them, what right do they have to complain?

But wait, WE are the Israelites in the story - Not then, but now.

Consider the complaints that we have and then consider all that we have.

We must sound ridiculous to God on most days.

If we got all that we asked for . . .

Jonah: A Never Ending Story

Jonah goes to Nineveh. Jonah gives a half-hearted address.

Jonah entered the city, went one day's walk and preached, "In forty days Nineveh will be smashed." Jonah 3:4 The Message

Jonah preaches his sermon, leaves the city, puts up a "tent" and camps out to wait for the fire and brimstone. I imagine Jonah counting 40, 39, 38, 37 . . . as the zero day advances, his expectations are more and more aroused — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . Day 40 dawns, but there is no fiery spectacular. No great ball of fire — no thunder claps of destruction - no earthquake — no smoke - no sulphur - Nothing!

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. Jonah 3:5 NIV

Talk about a far-reaching and life-changing revival! It touched everyone in that city, even the king. It humbled them, and brought them to repentance (a fancy way of saying - they changed). God relented and decided to spare them.

Surprise! – that was the problem all along for Jonah. But in this story we are not done. God was not done surprising Jonah. There would be a few more surprises: A Castor Bean plant; A Worm; and A Wind.

Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” Jonah 4:5-11 NIV

God was teaching Jonah about Grace. Grace belongs to God. This was a shocking revelation for Jonah. Much of God’s Grace falls in that category – we never see it coming. Then again it shouldn’t surprise us. This is the same God that used a Big Fish to get Jonah going in the right direction!

This then would seem to be the end of the story. As with all good stories, we have our moral – Grace belongs to God.

But with respect to late night advertisers – “Wait! There is more!”

This story will not end.

Quick Review of our story:

• Hear God
• Don’t Listen
• Run Away
• God surprises us
• We Repent (Change our ways)
• We Enjoy the blessings
• Get bored and return to our old ways (Surprise!?)
• We Hear God (Surprise!) and off we go again in our seemingly never ending story.

God gives second chances, but theses chances are not without expiration .

Nineveh changed, but the change didn’t last. Zephaniah predicted Nineveh’s destruction (again because of their wickedness). In another 200 years Nineveh was destroyed. God is patient, but God’s patience has its limits.

Does that surprise you? Did you think that your second chance didn’t have an expiration date?

Jonah is the short story version of the Old Testament and to a larger extent our own lives still today.

• We hear God.
• We don’t listen.
• We run away.
• God surprises us in some way.
• We repent (change our ways).
• We enjoy the blessings of our change and God’s grace.
• We get bored and return to our old ways (Surprise!?).
• We hear God (Surprise!) and here we go again . . .

Where are you in the cycle?

Ready for something new?

Break free from the never ending story and live within the loving arms of God’s amazing Grace.

Day 50 a note from God: Numbers 8-10

Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.
Numbers 9:17-18 NIV

John Wesley once said, "God generally guides me by presenting reasons to my mind for acting in a certain way."

The Israelites began their relationship with God with specific directions. God guided them with a pillar of cloud and fire. HE also gave them specific instructions to follow during their journey.

So often we look for God for direction, but then fail to follow the signs that God provides.

What signs are you following?

What has God asked you to do?

What are you waiting for?

Day 49 a note from God: Numbers 5-7

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the LORD as a Nazirite, they must . . ."Numbers 6:1-3

This is a good one to 'dog ear' for a later reference to the Nazirite Vow.

Why is it important?

Moses and Aaron already had a special relationship with God. For everyone else they interacted with God as a community. This vow allowed for a person to make a choice to have a more individually committed relationship with God. And the vow serves to illustrate the cost of discipleship for the believer today.

For example, the Nazarite could not cut his hair during the time of separation. If his vow was for a long time, his hair would grow long. But in the Biblical Era, long hair on a man indicated shame. Someone who willingly takes upon himself that which causes shame has conquered his pride. The disciple must be willing to take upon himself that which causes the world to scorn and laugh at him.

Sounds a lot like if anyone calls himself my disciple they must be pick up the cross . . .

Our relationship with God is an individual relationship by choice.

What choices have you made to deepen your relationship with God?

Day 48 a note from God: Numbers 1-4

Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. Numbers 1:2 NIV

Really? What could the point of having pages of names listed in the Bible?

Wouldn't it be more interesting if you told us something about the people? What did they do? What did they look like?

But don't you see? That is the point (or at least I think it is).

God doesn't care about what you do or what you look like.

God knows you by name and that is all He needs to know.

Have you taken time to get to know His name?

Day 47 a note from God: Leviticus 24-27

In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to their own property.
Leviticus 25:13

Although the year of Jubilee was prescribed by God, there is no record that it was ever celebrated.

I find that interesting and here is why . . .

With all the debate and angry talk about God's law prohibiting homosexuality (see Leviticus 18:22) why hasn't anyone taken up the call for the year of Jubilee?

Why not keep the rest of the law?

The Bible was not written such that you could take parts you want and discard the parts you don't - Apparently that hasn't kept us from doing that.

Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people Leviticus 18:29 NIV

The "Church" does a great job (note my sarcasm) in cutting off the people we choose to cut off. This job of cutting people out was God's and not ours!

Perhaps we need a reminder that we do not live under the law, but instead have been freed by Christ's sacrifice to live a life of love and service.

Have you been keeping others under the law, while claiming your own freedom?

Day 46 a note from God: Leviticus 19-23

So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed festivals of the LORD.
Leviticus 23:44 NIV

God establishes several holidays for the Israelites. These holidays were to symbolize the special relationship that God had with the people.

Special Holidays remind us of the past. They help us to remember and celebrate that which has happened in the past and look to the promise of what can happen in the future.

What if we approached every Sunday as a holiday? Celebrating fully all that God has done in the past and renewing our hope for all that is yet to come.

Day 45 a note from God: Leviticus 14-18

He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.
Leviticus 16:21-22

As I read through Leviticus again, I am reminded that prior to the mid 19th century the OT was considered the most reliable history book for the area (after that archaeology stepped in and began to speak for history). BTW, all those archaeologists have done is continually prove the accuracy of the Bible.

Today's passages read more like history than Bible. What are we to glean from today's reading?

The directions for The Day of Atonement provide another early picture that speaks meaning to the death of Christ and His sacrifice.

One goat was sacrificed and then sin was confessed over the second goat and this goat was set free in order to portray the removal of sin from God's presence. This is a picture of what Christ did for us in the taking away of our sin through His sacrificial death.

This chapter, like the rest of the Old Testament, is made clearer when we discover the fulfilment of all the Law in the life of Christ.

Day 44 a note from God: Leviticus 8-13

Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’”
Leviticus 10:3 NIV

Reading through the OT can lead one to ask, "Why doesn't God reveal Himself today like then?"

Today you find the answer in Leviticus.

Even today when we seek to approach God when can discover that God is holy.

Our problem is we often approach God with disrespect or we approach God as if it is incumbent on God to prove His existence.

When we humble ourselves and approach God, we will discover that HE is Holy.

When is the last time you sought after God?

Jonah: Surprise! Surprise!

Ever felt like 'they' got what they deserved.

For Jonah the Assyrians – The Ninevites – were the 'they.'

Why? Because they had it coming.

To turn a phrase they were are all just getting there . . . “just deserts.”

Deserts (yes one S), in the sense of 'things deserved' has been used in English since at least the 13th century. A citation in which it is linked with 'just' came in 1599, in Warning Faire Women.author unknown:

"Upon a pillory - that all the world may see, A just desert for such impiety."

Deserts is now almost always used in reference to desolate and arid regions of land. The use to mean 'that which is deserved' is now limited to this phrase.

Desserts - the last or sweet course of a meal - is widely used and is pronounced the same way as the deserts in 'just deserts'. So, when hearing the phrase with the pronunciation like 'desserts', people think it must be the same word.

We like the idea of come uppance or just deserts. Especially when applied to others and not ourselves. We quickly forget the whole “Speck in your eye: plank in my own” thing that Jesus talked about.

So, What do you do in your own life when you are seemingly delivered that which you deserved?

That was the dilemma that Jonah was about to find himself in as he was thrown overboard.

Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 NIV

Remembering that there are no atheists in a foxhole. Jonah prays:

1From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said:
“In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” Jonah 2:1-9 NIV (also see Psalm 42:7-8)

We like grace in our lives. Others – were not sure of - they should get what they deserve. Parable of the workers in the vineyard told by Jesus.

"He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?' Matthew 20:13-15 The Message

We respond like the workers. We respond like Jonah. Jonah’s response is our response. In the midst of the trouble created by the disobedience of our lives, we cry out to God. We cry out for grace.

And in those moments when the deep is coming in from all sides – in that moment when it would be so easy for God to say – you got what you deserved, “Take your just deserts.”

God’s grace overwhelms us. God’s grace surprises us. God was not done surprising Jonah.

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah 2:10 NIV

Shocking solution – Jonah didn’t see it coming. He certainly didn't see the second chance that was to follow (see chapter 3).

Then again it shouldn’t surprise us.

This is the same God who:

Protected Daniel after he was tossed into the Lion’s Den

Saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo after they were placed in the firey furnace

Rescued one baby from all that were condemned to die from the river in order to save His people

Split the Red Sea

Felled the walls of Jericho

Called the smallest of shepherd boys to be king

Used a persecutor of Christians to build the church

Sent a baby born in a manger to be the Messiah.

Allow the God of surprising grace to surprise you today.

Allow the surprise of grace to enter your life.

Allow the surprise of grace to enter your relationships.

Allow the surprise of grace to replace just des---erts – with the dessert of God’s grace.

Day 43 a note from God: Leviticus 1-7

These, then, are the regulations for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering and the fellowship offering, which the LORD gave Moses at Mount Sinai in the Desert of Sinai on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the LORD.
Leviticus 7:37-38 NIV

Wow! Seven chapters of prescriptions for different types of offerings to be given.

And to think people often complain about passing a plate once a week for an offering!

Think how they might react if we still lived under the law and had all the offerings to go through as presecribed.

This then is the Law that Jesus said, "I have fulfilled."

We can be thankful that these offerings as directed by God have been completed in the person and sacrifice of Jesus.

We now are free to give as Jesus gave of all that we have and all that we are.

Give Thanks . . . and pass the plate!

Day 42 a note from God: Exodus 39-40

Moses placed the table in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain and set out the bread on it before the LORD, as the LORD commanded him.
Exodus 40:22-23

I am amazed once again at the detail steps taken within the temple for worship.

God left nothing to guess work. Take the time to study more about the tabernacle and you will be amazed by the thoughtful detail and imagery that is still important today.

While you are at it, consider the formality of the worship described and prescribed.

Then ask yourself, "How does that play out in my life's approach to worship?"

Have we become to casual in our approach to worship?

Do we pay enough attention to the traditions of the past in our haste to create worship that is contemporary in nature?

Perhaps we can still learn from the old and allow ancient wisdom to speak anew in our lives today.

Day 41 a note from God: Exodus 36-38

So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded.
Exodus 36:1 NIV

Every person who God had given skill to carried out the work.

I like that thought. Especially when you consider that everyone has some type of talent or skill.

That means as the church was being built there was a place for everyone to participate (by design) from the beginning. In the wilderness, God was working to include everyone!

I have a friend who has taken this a step a further. He has helped start a church called Bezalel. This church helps reach out to those artistic type people that are often left out of today's more traditional churches.

Considering the church was designed to be inclusive, who might you reach out to that might have been left behind?

Day 40 a note from God: Exodus 33-35

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ Exodus 33:1 NIV

"Are we there yet?" is a familiar chorus that rings out from many a back seat.

It certainly was a chorus of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness.

Consider that this was also the chorus of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The promise had been given soooooo long ago. How many times must we ask, "Are we there yet?"

The time is coming. God has promised.

We grow impatient and cry out to God, "How much longer must we wait?"

God promises. We wait. Are we there yet?

Good News. God is faithful. God's promises come true.

Are we there yet? Not quite, but be patient. Your time is coming.

Hold on to your faith for just a while longer . . .

Day 39 a note from God: Exodus 30-32

So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”
Exodus 32:24 NIV

We read this story and we immediately see the foolishness of Aaron.

This has to go down as one of the all time worst excuses ever given. As if Moses is going to believe the story Aaron is telling.

And yet, how silly we must sound as we bargain with God, as we make excuses for our behavior, as we rationalize our actions to God.

Whose the foolish ones now?

Day 38 a note from God: Exodus 25-29

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
Exodus 25:8-9

They just don't build 'em like they used to.

Have you ever considered that without Christ - the Messiah - we would still be building temples to these specifications?

We might end the worship wars of contemporary vs traditional. We would certainly have a lot of interested spectators when it came time for the sacrifices.

Consider all the worldly goods and possessions that were given to construct the tabernacle.

Now think of how begrudgingly we give to maintain our church buildings or to build new ones.

Just some thoughts to consider while reading through the description of the good old days spent in the desert with God.

Day 37 a note from God: Exodus 22-24

Does your Bible have headings that proceed different sections?

Today I was struck by the headings in these chapters.

The Law is being given to Moses by God. The Law goes beyond the ten commandments and is more detailed.

The headings for the laws being given just jumped out at me today:

Protection of Property

Social Responsibility

Laws of Justice and Mercy

Sabbath Laws

You read the simple rules given under these grand canopy of headings and I respond with a "Duh?!"

Then I turn to the headlines of today and realize that we still can't get it right. We are still rebelling against the same rules given in the desert so long ago.

When will we wake up? When will have our "Duh?!" moment and commit to living as God intended us to live? Some make absolute sense. Others need the context of the culture and the day.

But I ask, when we will protect people's property rights, live with social responsibility, enforce laws of justice and mercy, and keep the sabbath.

BTW, the idea about annual festivals might be a good one . . . Just sayin . . .

Jonah: Run Away! Run Away!

(This is sermon 2 of 4 in a series Jonah: Rated PG)

A couple was enjoying a Sunday morning breakfast when the wife went to get her Sunday church clothes on. When she returned, the husband was still in his bathrobe.
“Aren’t you going to church this morning?” asked the wife.
“No, I’m not going this morning. In fact, I’m not going to church anymore at all.”
“What do you mean, we’ve gone to church for years, so why the change?
He responded, “Look, there are people at that church who don’t like me, and frankly, there are people at that church that I don’t like, and I’M NOT GOING!”
She calmly answered back, “I’ll give you two good reasons why you need to go to church. One, you’re 45 years old. Two, you’ve gotta go, you’re the pastor.”

Jonah finds himself in that type of situation. He is God’s prophet. He has a job to do – a message to deliver, but he doesn’t want to do it. God wants him to go to Nineveh and preach. Jonah doesn’t want to go.

Nineveh was about 500 miles northeast of Jerusalem in the country of Assyria. On the banks of the Tigris river. Guess what part of the world that is now? Northern Iraq just east of the town of Mosul. At the time, it was one of the largest cities of the Assyrian Empire. It had 120,000 people. The land was good for growing barley and onions and apples and grapes and the land had a lot of marble. Even today, this area exports marble all over the world.

Assyrians and Jews were long-time enemies – attacked Israel again and again. Anthropologists tell us that the Assyrians were one of the cruelest people ever to live on the face of the earth (Top 3 – Aztecs, Assyrians, Vikings).
When they went to war, they were brutally vicious. Every man they captured they tortured to death. Every child prisoner was killed. Every woman prisoner was taken as a slave. There are records of whole towns who committed mass suicide rather than fall into the hands of the Assyrians. The Assyrians practiced child sacrifice, burning babies as an act of worship to their demon gods.

You know, I kinda like Jonah. He’s real – and he struggles with issues I struggle with: What do you do when you don’t want to do what God wants you to do? What do you do when you know what’s right, but that’s just not the path you want to travel? What do you do when God’s plans and your plans just don’t match? What do you do when you can’t trust God – when you just know that somehow he’s going to rip you off?
Perhaps the worst struggle of all – has God ever commanded you to do something you resented doing?

These are Jonah’s dilemmas. Are they ever yours?

I believe there’s a Jonah lurking in the heart of every one of us – times our will is locked in a power struggle with God!

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 1:1-3 NIV

He decides to get as far away as possible. Instead of going to Nineveh which was 500miles east of Jerusalem, he decides to go sailing 2000 miles west of Jerusalem. He heads for Tarshish, which was the farthest point known to him. Instead of traveling the 500 miles God asked, Jonah sets out on a journey that will take him 2000 miles away.

God speaks and we run. Our natural tendency is to run away from God. We hear the word of God - we know the character of God - we know what it means to be faithful - to do what is right - to live God’s way - to have the right priorities and goals in life - YET, we avoid it, we make excuses, we will not listen, we choose to go in the opposite direction and often take a more difficult and treacherous journey than needed.

Resisting God is easy, disobedience is natural. When you disobey God - when you choose to live your way - when you avoid what God says about life for you - He lets you do what you want. If you choose to stop reading the Bible, he does not send a storm to get you reading again. If you choose to stop coming to church, he does not send an earthquake to shake you up. If you choose to pursue a relationship with a non-Christian, he does not send a flood to overwhelm you. If you choose to put your career or work first, he does not send a fire to wake you up. NOT AT FIRST - he allows you to do what you want - to pay for your own foolishness (reminder behavior has consequences).

What are your escapes?

Let’s face it we all do things to escape: Videogames, computer, Music, Alcohol, Self-injury, Drugs, Work, Hobbies, smoking, sports, shopping, driving, reading, working out/fitness, Food

In our desire to escape the things of God and our responsibilities we escape and many spend a life time, buying passage to the "Tarhishes" of the world.

Not all escapes are bad.

But when God makes:

A call to change your behavior – but instead you do everything you can to avoid the topic
A call to be more public with your faith – but instead you hide your faith
A call to forgive someone for harm they have done to us – but instead you avoid them in order to keep your grudge
A call to quietness and prayer – but instead you fill your life with really important busy things
A call to a specific use of your gifts – but instead you put it on the back burner until a more opportune time
A call into relationship with God through Jesus – but instead you throw yourself into the things of the world.

Try as we might there is no escape from God. The Psalmist reminds us of this:

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you're there!
If I go underground, you're there!
If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon,
You'd find me in a minute— you're already there waiting!
Psalm 139:7-9 The Message

So like us, Jonah runs. But he can’t hide, because God won’t let him go – and that is a good thing – because the worst place to be in is running away from God! The good news is that God pursues Jonah through a storm. The storm is not a bad thing (I am sure it took some convincing to those that went through it).

The Good News for you is that God is pursuing you.
And You have no need to hide from God.

God is not coming to punish. (Remember Jesus’ words “I come not to condemn, but to save”).

We can learn things from this story:

1) Don’t run from God – it just doesn’t work – God will pursue you – God will not give up on you
Are you running from God? What is God’s call on your life right now? Is it to give your life to Him? To step out in faith? To stop a certain behavior?

2) Recognize God in the Storms of life
Not every storm that comes our way is sent by God, but some are. Even the ones that are not sent by God (but may result from our own behavior) can be used for His purpose. We need to ask what is God calling us to amidst the storms?

3) God gives second chances
The first two verses of chapter 3(Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”) are a carbon copy of the first two verses of chapter one – Jonah gets a second chance!

God is the God of second chances. Is there anyone here today who is running from something that they know God wants them to do? You have your excuses (just like Jonah) Maybe you’re afraid that there won’t be enough money. Or that you’ll lose some important friendships. Maybe you’re worried that God might make you go someplace in the world where you don’t want to go. We all have our “Nineveh” that scare us right down to our bones and send us running.

Can I tell you this - Stop running!

God is the God of second chances. Maybe today is yours?

Day 36 a note from God: Exodus 19-21

The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.
Exodus 19:8 NIV

A likely response. God provides everything for them and they respond, "We'll do everything."

Who wouldn't want to do what God asked based on God's performance in the recent past? Kinda like an athiest in foxhole."

I wonder how they would have responded if they knew what God was going to say in the next few chapters?

I wonder how often we say yes on Sunday morning, but then come monday . . .

Day 35 a note from God: Exodus 16-18

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! Exodus 16:3a

Here we go again! (someone should write a song about that)

We have nothing to eat! - Here's some food.

We have nothing to drink! - Here's some water.

There are attacking us! - I will give you victory.

There is too much to do! - I will provide a plan.

What's you complaint?

Ever thought that God might have a plan?

Try trusting Him today.

Try listening for God's voice.

God has never failed to plan - we have only failed to trust.

Day 34 a note from God: Exodus 13-15

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
Exodus 14:10-15 NIV

The complaining begins as the journey out of Egypt begins.

The car isn't out of the neighborhood and already the shouts are coming from the back seat, "Are we there yet? How much longer?"

God's patience is displayed again. This time he parts the sea in spectacular fashion. Surely the people will then know that God is with them to protect them!

Can you imagine the celebration as the sea crashed in on the pursuing army? Their captors are now finally defeated and they are truly free.

I think the sea filled back in so that the people would know that there was not a road back to Egypt - a road back to captivity (Remember it won't be long before they are faced with difficulty and begin again to wish for the "good old days").

We are often like that in our relationship with God. We love God when life is good, but send a little difficulty into our lives and we are ready to return to our old ways - the ways we wanted release from. How quickly we too forget.

In your relationship with God, what is calling you back to captivity?

Do you need a reminder that there is no turning back?

Day 33 a note from God: Exodus 10-12

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.”

But Moses said, “You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the LORD our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the LORD.”
Exodus 10:24-26 NIV

I can't even recall how many times I have heard, read, watched this story. But today I saw something new. Pharoah tried to strike a bargain. Pharoah offered Moses a deal. Go, leave, worship, but leave behind your flocks and herds.

Moses stood strong and would not accept the compromise. His people neeeded the animals for sacrifice and worship as God had prescribed.

I would have been tempted to take the deal. After 430 years of captitivity in Egypt, this was the chance to leave! But not at this expense says Moses.

I wonder what we have sacrificed in getting to where we are as a people of faith?

Is our worship as prescribed by God?

Is it possible, we so quickly found our freedom for worship that we have forgotten how to freely worship?

Day 32 a note from God: Exodus 7-9

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me.”
Exodus 9:1

Make no mistake from the beginning God pursued us for the purpose that we were designed - WORSHIP.

Yes, the people in Egypt were slaves, but there release from slavery was not because the captivity was so bad (remember how they got themselves into this situation?).

God's purpose in releasing them from captivity was so that they might worship God freely. Their captivity was a barrier to their ability worship.

The call is not only "Let my people Go!" - you need to finish the sentence "so that they may worship!"

If God were to release you from that which keeps you from worship, what would you be released from?

What holds you captive today?

Day 31 a note from God: Exodus 4-6

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”
Exodus 4:13 NIV

There is a recurring theme that comes from Moses in these three chapters. Did you notice it?

There is no end to the excuses that Moses has for not doing the things that God asks him to do. I know that when I read it I can't help but get frustrated with Moses. I want to yell at the pages, "Suck it up. You are Moses! Get on with it!"

It is in that moment that I wonder if that is not how God thinks of me sometimes. How often have I made excuses. How often have I said, "Send someone else."

As the guilt sets in, I am comforted as I remember that God was patient with Moses. I pray HE will continue to be patient with me. Until then, today, Send Me. Today, I am ready.

We'll talk again tomorrow . . .

Day 30 a note from God: Exodus 1-3

Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor
Exodus 1:8-11

A cowboy riding on the frontier plains comes across an Indian lying flat with his ear to the ground. The Indian looked up at the cowboy and said, "Wagon; four horses; two passengers; woman wearing calico gown; heavy man driving; thirty minutes away."
The cowboy's jaw dropped in amazement and said, "That is amazing! You can tell all of that just by putting your ear to the ground?"
The Indian replied, "No. They ran over me a half hour ago!"

The Israelites in Egypt must have felt run over at his point in the story.

Perhaps you can relate. Feeling run over by life, by finances, by health issues, by family?

The relish in the story of Exodus for God is there. The God who reveals Himself as the great I AM still comes into our midst. HE still comes into our broken and desperate lives. HE comes not to judge, but to rescue. Not to condemn, but to save. Good News this story is the forerunner of the Greatest Story ever told.

You may have been run over, but be encouraged your salvation is coming!

Day 29 a note from God: Genesis 48-50

But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
Genesis 48:14 NIV

Here we go again . . .

Does any of this sound familiar?

This is not the folly of one who can't see. This is a deliberate action to pass the blessing on to the younger. Now do you see the familiar?

The patience of God to continue to pursue a people so entrenched in doing it their own way.

We would never catch ourselves repeating the same mistakes over and over. Would we?

It has been said, When we do not learn the lessons of history, the lessons we repeat come with greater consequences.

What have you failed to learn?

Jonah: Can you Hear Me now?

Many people approach the story of Jonah as a big fishing story – a great story but hard to swallow as true.

One could conclude the book of Jonah is a historically reliable document if presented with enough facts:

The book does not say who wrote it. It is unlikely that Jonah was the author. The story is not very favourable towards Jonah. No writer in the Bible tells such a bad story about himself.

Until the middle of the 19th century, the Bible was the only historical source for knowledge of parts of Asia before about 550 B.C. Only the Bible had anything to say about a period of history that stretched back into the past. In the bible peoples and names cropped up about which even the Greeks and Romans no longer knew anything. Before Nineveh was discovered in the 1800's we only had the biblical record of its existence.

Jonah was a prophet in the land of Israel about 800-750 BC. During this time Israel shared its northern border with Syria. When the army of Syria defeated the army of Israel in war, it took some of Israel’s land. Then the army of the country of Assyria defeated Syria in war, which made Syria weak. Then Jeroboam the King of Israel from 793-753 BC was able to get his land back. Jonah had said that God would cause this to happen (2 Kings 14:25). Flavius Josephus was a Jewish historian who referenced these events and Jonah. However, when the people of Israel won battles against their enemies, they became proud of their power. The people forgot the special relationship that Israel had with God.

It was at this time that the Lord sent Jonah to the city of Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of the land of Assyria. God wanted Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh that He was going to punish them soon because of their evil lives.

Although the people of Nineveh did repent at the preaching of Jonah, their ancestors did not follow in their footsteps. Zephaniah (2:13-15) foretold the destruction of Nineveh around 640c-609 BC, which is about 145 years after Jonah. According to a chronicle of the Babylonian King Nebopolassar, the united forces of the Chaldeans and the Medians destroyed Nineveh in 612 BC which is somewhere between 3- 28 years after Zephaniah foretold of its destruction.

As to Jonah being swallowed by a big sea creature, one thing to consider is that there are at least two known instances of this happening. BUT then again who cares? Do we need the miracles of the Bible to happen again in order to believe? The idea of a miracle is that it is a unique and otherwise unexplainable event. Only one man ever returned from the Dead and ascended to heaven and yet here we are believing!

So, why is Jonah so important? When asked for a sign that He was the Son of God Jesus declared, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40 NIV

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3 NIV

I find it interesting that the book of Jonah begins with the statement - “the word of the Lord came to Jonah.” Why is that interesting? Because Jonah doesn’t listen to God. Jonah was a prophet. Listening to God and doing what HE asked was part of his job! The book doesn’t begin by saying the word of the Lord came to Jonah, but he questioned its validity. The Bible says the Word came – Jonah knew the Messenger and the Message - and he didn’t listen.

Sometimes it is really hard to understand human behavior. Even today it is hard to understand. I think at least trying to understand why Jonah having received a message from God chose to not listen and run away is at least comprehendible.

1. Bias. Simply put, Jonah did not like the Assyrians. The idea of passing by was more appealing than getting dirty – a precursor to the Good Samaritan Parable perhaps?

2. Grace is great when you receive it. But when you are asked to practice grace yourself it isn’t particular fun.
Jonah would like God to destroy Nineveh – they deserve it. I strongly believe Jonah didn’t want the Assyrians in Nineveh to escape God’s judgment. He simply wanted the aggressors to get what was coming to them, understandable, right? But if I go, God will show them grace. I (can I make the letter I any bigger?) do not want that.

3. Defiance. I just don’t want to. We see this in our children - “I don’t want to do that!” But there is much of the same in our lives as adults – call it defiance – call it being stubborn – call it being set in our ways – whatever it is – we just refuse to do what we are asked to do.

I think perhaps that all three of these reasons played into Jonah’s response. But why is this story important to us today?

I believe God still speaks to us today and we need to learn to listen. We need to learn to not be Jonah. Isn’t that true in our lives so of our best examples are the bad ones we learn from – we just have to choose to learn the right stuff from the bad examples.

Here is what I hope we can learn from Jonah:

1. God’s word reaches us at our level just as it did Jonah. That is one of the amazing things about God. God stoops to our level. God comes to us. In the condition that we are in – in the places that we are – God speaks.

2. God still speaks today. One way that God speaks to us is through what I call “the ought to” – that is the time when we know what we ought to do. We know it in our heart and in our head. We didn’t learn it and it certainly makes no sense, but we know we ought to. (IE be compassionate, caring, kind, loving, forgiving, be quiet, etc)

3. When we are honest, we all want to “hear” God speak to us. But the problem with God speaking to most of us is that we are not quiet long enough to allow God to speak and we are not prepared to hear Him speak into our lives.

It is easy to discuss and theorize Jonah’s reasons for not doing what God told him to do, but what is our reason?

My question for you is: “What is keeping you from listening to God?”

As the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts Hebrews 3:7-8 NIV

Day 28 a note from God: Genesis 46-47

When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.”Genesis 47:15

I often get tired of hearing how bad the "haves" are in comparison to the "have nots". This chapter is an interesting story of the "have nots" willingly giving everything away in order to have food and then get this they say "thank you!"

We often forget that the accumulation of wealth is frequently the means for helping the poor. I am all for helping the poor and the needy. I get the "cup of cold water" in the name of Christ. I am just tired of hearing how "bad" the wealthy are. Lest you think you are not included: Remember that YOU are the wealthy in relationship to the world.

I have never thought of myself as being wealthy. If you want to change your perspective try travelling outside the US or just read up on Haiti, Mexico, or Guatemala. Our vacation destinations are the gutters of the World. But things can change. UMCOR is at work in Haiti. Missionaries like Tom Heaton are at work in Guatemala making a difference. Murriel Henderson is working to make a difference in Mexico.

Trying to develop a system to distribute everything fairly is a problem with dealing with the poor. What is fair? Who should be included? These are questions that have been around since before Christ and still are around today.

Perhaps that is why Christ reminded us that "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.” John 12:8 NIV

I am mindful that I have much, but I am still trying to figure out how to provide for others in manner that would honor Christ . . . How about you?

For a more detailed thrological discussion on this try reading A Proper Perspective of Poverty and Prosperity by Bob Deffinbaugh.

Day 27 a note from God: Genesis 43-45

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Genesis 45:3-7 NIV

Belief in the sovereign nature of God allows the believer to be forgiving rather than vindictive.

Many things happen in our life that bring us to today - some we do - some are done to us - but I believe that in all things God is in control.

Have you been harboring ill feelings because of something that happened in the past?

Allow God to turn your thoughts to forgiveness . . .

Day 26 a note from God: Genesis 40-42

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?
Genesis 30:8b

2012 is approaching.

Rioting and War in the Middle East.

Winter Storms cover 38 states.

Hurricanes and Flooding hit Australia.

Earthquakes devistate Haiti.

Aren't these all the signs?

You can't help but see the news and wonder.

And then the Bible speaks today and reminds us that interpretation belongs to God.

Man has long tried to figure things out for God - And gotten it wrong!

How about letting God be God. HE is the Great I AM after all.

As the cold continues, as the news comes in, remember the words of the great hymn . . .

Trust and Obey for there's no other way . . .

And then Remember, God loves you and He has a plan - He's just not in the business of letting you know all that He has planned.

Day 25 a note from God: Genesis 38-39

At that time . . . Genesis 38:1a

I got to admit there are parts of the Bible that I just have to pause in the middle of reading and ask why?

Why is this even in here?

Stop for a moment and consider this . . .

Prior to the mid-1800s the Bible was the only historical record for the world prior to 500 BC. History is never pretty. History contains the good, the bad, and the downright ugly parts of our past. Except in the cases when we choose to revise history so that we are made to look better.

I guess that is what I appreciate about the Bible. The Bible is the story of God's love for us. The Bible is not a revised history of mankind.

There we are in the pages of the Bible with all of our imperfections on display.

AND despite all those imperfections, God chooses to speak to us, walk with us, and love us.

So, quit trying to gloss over you imperfections. Admit your faults (God calls them sin) and accept God's love.

God's been doing that since time began.

Day 24 a note from God: Genesis 35-37

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. Genesis 35:2-4 NIV

Removing ear rings as a symbol of the left behind foreign gods. Remember this day. Still to come is the moment that the descendants of Jacob will take there ear rings and forge for themselves a golden calf in opposition to God.

We really are people that live in cycles. We learn from our past, but seem to also be lost in repeating the mistakes of the past.

Be thankful that although we repeatedly fail God - God remains faithful in HIs pursuit of those who will call upon His Name.

Cast aside the things you have put before God. And then in those moments when you fail and pick them up again - Remember God still loves you and call again upon His Name.