When we started this "read THE BOOK" campaign, in Sunday morning announcements about the readings, and in different posts on this blog we have emphasized one major point - we are not doing this simply to learn more bible trivia.
We endeavor to read the book to, first, learn more about God and the biblical story. However, it does not stop there. The second major goal is to apply what we have learned from our readings.
The Bible was not given to merely inform us. It was also given to transform us.
Today's Daily Walk notes pick up on this idea. Those notes read:
Perhaps the prophet Micah said it best. Read his words out loud twice, looking for answers to the question, What is God expecting me to do? 'O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God' (Micah 6:8).
Now close your eyes, and tell God what you read and what you intend to do about it.
We have read a lot so far. We have read some laws that clearly show God's demand for holiness in His people. We have read about God's expectation for purity in his people. We have seen stories that demonstrate God refuses to tolerate ongoing disobedience and God is unwilling to compromise.
It might be a good time to take a few minutes and reconsider the Daily Walk's challenge: close your eyes, and tell God what you have read and what you intend to do about it.
Thoughts?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
God is for Us
Today we start the book of Deuteronomy - a book the Daily Walk Bible describes as a collection of sermons that Moses gave to the Israelites. In Chapter 1, Moses retells the story. A big part of that story is what happened in a little area known as Kadesh Barnea (see Numbers 13-14; Deuteronomy 1:2-36). At Kadesh Barnea, the people refused to continue trusting God. They stopped moving forward in faith. They got anxious, dug in their heels, and became unwilling to obey God further.
What is interesting is not simply what they did (refused to trust God) but why they did it. Moses, in this first sermon, links the Israelites' refusal to obey and trust with their perception of God. Moses describes the Israelites' actions and thoughts as follows: "But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God and refused to go [into the land God had promised]. You complained in your tents and said, 'The Lord must hate us....'" (Deut 1:27)
Do you see what happened? The circumstances in which the Israelites found themselves (up against some obstacles associated with entering the land) impacted their view of God which impacted their behavior. Things were tough so they thought God hated them. And because they thought He hated them, they saw no point in trusting him.
Too often, I am tempted to do the same thing. Too often, you may be also. When God provides for us and does exactly what we want, we think that He really must love us.
When we face circumstances we do not like, encounter things we cannot control, or God doesn't give us the life to which we think we are entitled, we begin questioning. We question whether He loves us. We question whether He has forgotten us. We, like the Israelites, might even question whether He hates us. Then...we can begin questioning whether it is worth even obeying or trusting him further.
Does this sound familiar? How do we avoid it? How do we get a proper view of God that can sustain us through all of life's circumstances?
What is interesting is not simply what they did (refused to trust God) but why they did it. Moses, in this first sermon, links the Israelites' refusal to obey and trust with their perception of God. Moses describes the Israelites' actions and thoughts as follows: "But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God and refused to go [into the land God had promised]. You complained in your tents and said, 'The Lord must hate us....'" (Deut 1:27)
Do you see what happened? The circumstances in which the Israelites found themselves (up against some obstacles associated with entering the land) impacted their view of God which impacted their behavior. Things were tough so they thought God hated them. And because they thought He hated them, they saw no point in trusting him.
Too often, I am tempted to do the same thing. Too often, you may be also. When God provides for us and does exactly what we want, we think that He really must love us.
When we face circumstances we do not like, encounter things we cannot control, or God doesn't give us the life to which we think we are entitled, we begin questioning. We question whether He loves us. We question whether He has forgotten us. We, like the Israelites, might even question whether He hates us. Then...we can begin questioning whether it is worth even obeying or trusting him further.
Does this sound familiar? How do we avoid it? How do we get a proper view of God that can sustain us through all of life's circumstances?
Friday, February 8, 2008
His Glory
"I am the Lord your God."
"I am the Lord your God."
"I am the Lord your God."
That phrase is the repeated refrain echoing from the past few days readings in Leviticus. Beginning in Leviticus 18:1 and stretching well through Leviticus 25:17 we hear that refrain. That phrase accompanies the instructions and commands God is giving. Why?
See, the link between who God is and what He commands His people to do is so important. Understanding that link makes the book of Leviticus a whole lot more understandable.
So...why do you think the phrase "I am the Lord your God" accompanies so many of the commands and instructions God is giving?
"I am the Lord your God."
"I am the Lord your God."
That phrase is the repeated refrain echoing from the past few days readings in Leviticus. Beginning in Leviticus 18:1 and stretching well through Leviticus 25:17 we hear that refrain. That phrase accompanies the instructions and commands God is giving. Why?
See, the link between who God is and what He commands His people to do is so important. Understanding that link makes the book of Leviticus a whole lot more understandable.
So...why do you think the phrase "I am the Lord your God" accompanies so many of the commands and instructions God is giving?
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