Tag: Jesus Christ
Sunday rest and reflection!
March 16th, 2014
Dear Friends,
I pray that you have been blessed this week by the story of Ruth! It is set in the time of the Judges, and offers hope to all who have ears to hear!
We are so blessed to have a “close relative” in our Lord Jesus Christ! He was ready and able to pay the price to buy us back from slavery to sin and death! He placed His covering of blood over us and took us into His household! He poured abundance of provision into our laps and caused us to sing for joy at God’s grace! His shoes were removed as He bargained for us outside the city gates on the Cross of Calvary! The price of redemption was paid in full!
Let’s join together with God’s people and celebrate His redemption! Christians gather the first day of each week to worship, pray and read His Word! We gather to encourage each other to love and good deeds, awaiting the coming of our heavenly Bridegroom! What a joy it will be when we are joined forever in His presence!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday rest and reflection!
March 9th, 2014
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the wonderful Name of Jesus–our Joshua! I hope you have enjoyed the study of Joshua as much as I have! Joshua was a man of faith and a strong leader. He tried to listen to God’s instructions and God honored him with victory and possession of the Promised Land. He and Caleb obtained their inheritance through faith and patient endurance. They never cast away their confidence and received their reward!
Let’s gather today with others on the journey of faith to worship our Father and His only Son, Jesus Christ! He has demonstrated His love for us and longs to meet with us. Come expecting the Presence of our Lord!
In His Love, Pastor John
Jesus Christ and Aaron’s Rod!
Scripture Reading for February 15th: Numbers 17-20
Moses wrote about the awful deaths of Korah and his family. The earth actually opened up and swallowed them all and they went down to Sheol with loud cries. (Numbers 16:31-34) They had rebelled against the leadership of Moses. It’s easy for people to criticize leadership. Each person thinks they have a different or better way to do things. And each leader has his own faults, none are perfect! Because God chooses leaders and places them in authority, when we criticize leadership, we are criticizing Him!
God instructed the leaders of each tribe to bring their staffs and lay them before the Lord in the Tent of Meeting. The next morning, Aaron’s staff had budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds! (Numbers 17:8) The other staffs were still dry sticks of wood! God demonstrated his choice of authority! Only Aaron and his sons would be High Priests! Moses took his rod and placed it in the Tabernacle of Testimony as a reminder. He wanted to stop the grumbling and call the people to faith and godly submission.
This incident is a picture of Jesus Christ! He meekly followed God’s instructions as he lived and walked on earth. He lived a sinless life and was crucified and laid in a tomb. Religious Jews had criticized His leadership and servant ministry. But God raised Him from the dead! He produces fruit in raising to eternal life all who put their trust in Him. He is presently God’s “Rod of Authority” seated at God’s right hand. He is our High Priest forever! All those who won’t trust will end up like Korah! The earth will open up and Sheol will swallow them with weeping, crying and gnashing of teeth!
Take some time today and pray for those in authority over you. Give them a call or drop them a note and let them know that you appreciate them. Practice giving honor to God’s chosen authority!
“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” 1st Peter 2:17
The half has not been told!
Scripture reading for April 24th: 2nd Chronicles 6-9
Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived other than Jesus Christ. Solomon got his wisdom by asking for it! (James 1:5) God appeared to him early in his rule and asked him what he needed. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people. (2nd Chronicles 1:7-10) God granted him his request and gave him fame and fortune as well.
The Queen of Sheba was a foreign dignitary of Solomon’s time who had heard reports of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth. She came to see for herself and took it all in. Her recorded remark was “not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me”. (2nd Chronicles 9:6) This Gentile queen praised Solomon’s God for delighting in Solomon and placing him on the throne. She noted that the Lord loved His people and appointed Solomon as king to uphold them and rule them for God! She had great understanding herself as she stood in Solomon’s presence.
The Queen of Sheba also lavished gifts of gold and spices on Solomon. She gave him over 25 tons of gold helping to fulfill God’s word to Solomon! A king who is full of wisdom deserves great honor and recognition!
Solomon had a distant grandson, Jesus Christ, who was also filled with wisdom from God. Luke recorded that he grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. (Luke 2:51) Paul stated that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3) This same Jesus has been made unto us wisdom from God. (1st Corinthians 1:30) If we need wisdom, we can simply ask God and He will give us liberally! (James 1:5) We have record of Jesus’ unequaled wisdom, yet the half has not been told! When we see Him we will know fully what we only know in part now!
As Solomon’s fame spread far and wide, so Jesus Christ’s fame is spreading to all the nations! As the Queen of Sheba gave lavish gifts to Solomon, so we are to honor Jesus Christ and give our tithes and offerings. He alone is worthy! We are to tell of the riches of His glorious Kingdom and publish His wisdom for all who will listen! We bring Him the precious “gold” of our faith and the “spices” of prayer and worship. All nations will worship Him of whom “the half has not been told”!
Covenant Love!
Scripture reading for March 28: 2nd Samuel 8-10
Have you ever sought to help someone who would not be able to do anything for you in return? In our reading today, King David does just such a thing! David was a warrior and strong man of God. He was always ready to fight the Lord’s battles. He had been involved in a struggle for leadership following the death of Saul and Jonathan, his friend. God helped David and brought about victory over Saul’s son Ish-Boseth. Now David was king, and one of the first acts of his rulership was to seek out any relatives of Saul or Jonathan that he might show kindness to based on his covenant promise to Jonathan. What an odd thing for a king to do: show kindness to their chief rival! (2nd Samuel 9:1)
It turned out that one son of Jonathan was still alive. His name was Mephibosheth and he was crippled in both feet from a fall. David sent for Mephibosheth and greeted him warmly. He restored all his grandfather’s land and property to him and placed Ziba, his servant, in charge to work the ground for him. He gave Mephibosheth a seat at the king’s table like one of David’s own sons! (2nd Samuel 9:7) What unexpected kindness from this mighty warrior towards a rival whose grandfather had chased him and hunted him for almost thirteen years.
King David’s actions were much like that of our gracious God! God is a kind king who cares for His people. He honors those who are in covenant relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. When we are crippled because of sin, he takes us into his house and seats us as one of his own sons. He restores our property to us and lavishes us with blessing and restoration. (2nd Corinthians 5:17) We have grace and favor because of the covenant made with the King’s Son!
Because of God’s favor to you, look for a way to show kindness to someone who is handicapped, needy, or hurting today. Try to show special kindness in the way that Jesus has shown the same to you! Remember, if you have done it to the least of these, you did it to Jesus Himself! God bless you as you follow our Master today in this kindness! (Matthew 25:40)
True Friendships!
Scripture reading for March 22nd: 1st Samuel 20-23
I had a best friend named Kendal. We were in the same class at the same school from kindergarten until our junior year of high school. We camped out during the summer and loved to hunt birds and fish. We often shared our hearts with each other. Kendal was drafted into the Army and went to Vietnam. I went to college and enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. Kendal gave his life serving our country and I served as a pall-bearer at his funeral! Best friends are hard to find but even harder to loose!
David and Jonathan were best friends. The Scripture records their love for each other and how their hearts were knit together. (1st Samuel 18:1-4) Jonathan was King Saul’s son and the probable heir to the throne of Israel. David was a shepherd whom God had selected to be the next king of Israel. God placed David in Saul’s court to prepare him for his kingship. Jonathan recognized the favor of the Lord on David and they became best friends. They made a covenant that would bind them to help each other and their families.
King Saul was jealous of David’s reputation and was afraid of David’s anointing. Scripture says he was tormented by an “evil spirit from the Lord”. (1st Samuel 17:14, 23) David played his harp for Saul to comfort him. Saul tried to kill him on several occasions and David was forced to flee. Jonathan always tried to patch things up. Real friends are there through thick and thin!
Finally, David realized that King Saul meant to kill him. Jonathan tried one more time sooth his father, but was himself attacked with a spear! Jonathan sent David away with tears and reaffirmation of their friendship. (1st Samuel 20:41-42) When he could, Jonathan would slip away and meet with David. He always encouraged him in the Lord! (1st Samuel 23:15-18)
We have a friend like Jonathan in our Lord Jesus Christ! He is faithful and true to us, even when the going gets rough! We can call on him at any time and he will come. He will warn us of danger and help us to either face it or escape. He is a friend by covenant and promises to help our descendants as well! Praise the Lord–He has called us friends! (John 15:15-17)
The Law of sin and death!
Scripture reading for February 2nd: Leviticus 1-3
Yuk! Leviticus! What can we possibly learn from all this sacrificing of animals? Why all the blood and death? Why the burning of offerings? Why all the rules for priests and people about what and how they are to bring these sacrifices? Isn’t all of this a bit bizarre? How can we worship a God who would demand this from His people?
This might be your reaction to this book of Scripture. But after careful reflection, it starts to add up: sin causes death. (Genesis 2:16-17) Death spread to all men by Adam’s sin. (Romans 5:12-14) God provided the first blood sacrifice for Adam and Eve after they sinned. Their own idea was fig leaves, but God clothed them with bloody skins of animals. (Genesis 3:21) He was showing them the effects of sin each time they put their new “clothes” on.
Now in these laws in Leviticus, God was again visually helping His people to see how sin affected their lives. The Law makes us aware of sin and the death that results. (Romans 3:19-20) Sacrifices offered according to God’s instructions in Leviticus, allowed those coming to worship God to live and have their sins covered. (Leviticus 1:9,17; 2:9) God was pleased because those who obeyed were using their faith in His Word!
Today, thankfully, we enjoy the final sacrifice for sin that was made for us 2000 years ago. Jesus Christ shed his precious blood on the cross of Calvary and declared: “It is finished!” (John 19:30) When we approach this same Holy God, we can come boldly before His throne any time day or night for prayer, fellowship, or forgiveness. (Hebrews 4:14-16) What a blessing to be free from the laws and sacrifices of Leviticus! We now have a much better way made by God Himself! Take time today to thank Him for providing the sacrifice and the High Priest we needed!
“But now He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:26-28
Sunday Rest and Reflection–Patience
As I read this book of Joshua and think about what he faced in his lifetime, I am reminded of my need for patience. Patience takes strength and courage. When you know what the Lord has said and nobody around you is listening or walking in faith it is hard to have patience. When all around you grumble and complain and see only the problems, it’s hard to be positive and not loose your temper.
Joshua had to wait 40 years to enter his inheritance. He saw it as one of the spies and understood from God’s Word that He it belonged to them. He knew that God would help them with the walled cities and the giants. He had a good attitude and a good confession. He tore his clothes and pleaded with the people when they rebelled at Kadesh. (Numbers 14:5-9) He faithfully served Moses for the 40 years of wandering. He was a good second man to Moses. You never see him trying to usurp authority or grab anything for himself. He walked with those who were destined to die in the wilderness and kept his focus. He was so faithful that he was chosen by God to lead Israel after Moses’s departure. The Bible tells us that the first requirement of a steward is that they be found faithful! (1st Corinthians 4:2) Joshua was faithful through the hard times and patient to wait until God’s time came for him to enter and possess his inheritance.
As you take time to rest and pray today, thank God for his faithfulness in sending His son Jesus Christ! He is our Joshua. He keeps a good attitude even when we whine and complain. He walks with us faithfully. He kept God’s Word perfectly and is the only one who can take us into the “promised land’! He took the lowest place of a servant and God exhalted Him to the hightest place of authority. His patience with us is amazing! What courage and strength it took for Him to save us! Are you letting patience have it’s perfect work in your life today? Have a great day of rest and refreshing! Remember to gather with others of faith and worship the Lord! God bless you! Pastor John
Sunday Rest and Reflection
Greetings in Jesus’ Name!
The story of Balaam, a prophet who was hired by Balak, King of the Moabites is my reflection today. Balak was afraid of the Israelites and had heard the reports of how they had completely destroyed Sihon and Og, two other kings that opposed them. God had given them this victory. Balak sent a delegation to hire Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. Balaam, to his credit, sought God as to what he should do. God told him not to go and not to curse Israel. (Numbers 22:12)
A short time later, Balak sent more distinguished men and more money to try and entice Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. Balaam was tempted and not satisfied with God’s first instructions, he sought a second opinion. Money and men have a way of clouding God’s instructions. This time God told him to go, but do only what He instructed him. This led to the incident where Balaam’s donkey talked to him and warned him about the Angel of the Lord who was waiting on the way to kill him! God’s mercy and justice are evident here in this tension.
Balaam goes to curse the Israelites and as he stands to act, a spirit of true prophesy comes on him. Each time, he blesses God’s people instead. These blessings speak of Jesus Christ and God’s desire to bless his people. Numbers 23:6-10 records the first blessing and verses 18-24 the second blessing. God has blessed his people, who can curse them? (Numbers 23:20,23)
The tragedy of Balaam is what he did later. He evidently figured out a way to help out Balak. He told them to send in the women and seduce the Israelites and get them into idolatry, bringing a curse on themselves. Revelation 2:12-14 Jesus Christ used this incident to warn the New Testament church against bringing a curse on themselves. God desires to bless and has blessed His people with everything needed for life and godliness through Jesus Christ! We must be watchful against Satan’s attempt to seduce us.
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday Rest and Reflection
Wow! Leviticus really makes you appreciate what we have today because of Jesus Christ! I know I would have had a hard time bringing all those animals to offer for my sins. It’s hard to admit sin privately before the Lord. I can’t imagine having to confess my sins to the priest and then offer an animal that would die right in front of my own eyes! Sin might become detestable after a few times! Maybe that was God’s intent!
Being a priest would have been difficult and very messy! Killing animals daily and sprinkling blood and washing and lifting dead carcasses up before the Lord would have been gruesome work. Going into the Tent of Meeting knowing that you might die yourself would also not be exciting. I am sure that Aaron had his moments too. He lost two sons who went into that Tent, probably under the influence of alcohol. Can you imagine his thoughts each year as he had to go in with the blood of a bull for himself and his family and then the blood of a goat for the whole nation? He had to go in alone and by faith make the acceptable sacrifice. It was probably not something he took lightly!
We have it easy today! Jesus has done it all! He is our high priest and intercedes for us. He sacrificed his own body and blood for our “atonement” covering of our sins. Our sins are taken away and our consciences are cleansed! It is finished! He did not have to sacrifice for Himself, like Aaron, because He was without sin. He ever lives to make intercession for us! Take time and reflect on this past week’s reading and thank Jesus for fulfilling all the law! Ask Him to make you holy, as He is holy. By faith, claim His righteousness. True Christianity brings rest and true joy! God bless you and have a great sabbath rest!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! . . .”God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2nd Corinthians 5: 17, 21.