Desperation for Belief--Day 64 Through the Bible

                                                Wild azalea surprises hikers with a burst of color
                                                                                 in Yancey County woodlands.

"Numbers, which records the tragic story of Israel's unbelief, should serve as a dramatic lesson for all of God's people" (Life Application Study Bible). We will soon begin to see what constitutes "unbelief" as we continue the book of Numbers. Jesus admonished the father of a sick child in Mark 9, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (verse 23). "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe, help my unbelief" (verse24). The father did not want to stand in the way of his son's healing, yet he realized he had doubts that things would ever change for his son. However, he recognized that his son's life was at risk and he was at the point of desperation.

Why did Jesus ask the father "how long" his son had been having seizures? Surely Jesus was aware of the time frame of the son's illness even as He was able to see Nathaniel under the fig tree (John 1:45-50). Where was He taking the father with this line of thinking?

Was Jesus helping this father transition from focusing on his son's illness to seeing that here was someone who cared about what he and his son had been through? The father's doubt is revealed in his statement to Jesus when he said, "But if You can do anything". The father was desperate for help and was at the point of tears. He had had to deal with his son's seizures for many years and now, not even Jesus' disciples were able to help him. Jesus told him, "If you can believe". Was He telling the man that if he could see past the hopelessness of a long, drawn out situation, he would finally see the One who really cares?

The disciples had not been able to cast out the demon. Jesus said, "Bring him to me". If we could only grasp Jesus' willingness and power to help us. Prayer and fasting serves to open our eyes to our weaknesses and to God's greatness. We, too, need Jesus to lead us away from the bondage of what we've experienced and lead us to the One who cares and is able to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). May we recognize the dangers of unbelief and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). May we come to see that our desperation is fueled, not only by what we have experienced, but by our innate desire for a relationship with our Father, the very Creator of the Universe.

"But Who Do You Say I Am?" Day 63 Through the Bible

At the Folk Art Center of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild - on the Blue Ridge Parkway between Mt. Celo Church and Asheville, NC

How the Holy Spirit Led Me in Today's Study

Sanctity of Marriage and Defilement of the Marriage Bed - (Numbers 7)  Each year that I study through the Bible I am still drawn to the large amount of Scripture - of commands from God - that deal with sexual purity - especially in marriage.  This chapter is one of the hardest to understand from a human perspective in that only the adultery of a wife is discussed and in the drinking of a potion that will either curse her or prove her innocence - The Judaic Ritual of Sotah - Jealousy/Trial by Ordeal.

Reflection - The linked Judaic article concludes with some enlightenment from my perspective.  Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch says "that the Sotah ordeal has less to do with determining her guilt or lack of guilt, and more to do with restoring the trust and peace between the husband and wife. So, if the wife died through the ordeal, the witness saw the gravity of breaking the bond between husband and wife. And if the wife survived the bitter waters, the witness likewise saw the seriousness with which the Torah treats an adulteress, even a suspected one."  What does the New Covenant say?  What does Jesus say?  Jesus said, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate," Mark 10:9 also 1 Cor. 7: 10-11 and Heb. 13:4.  Jesus said, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery," Matt.19:9. "The word in Greek for immorality is 'porneia' from which we get the word pornography.  Sexual immorality, i.e., adultery, is a grounds for divorce according to Jesus." (See source below from CARM)

Seriousness of Consecration of One's Life to God - Numbers 8 - The man or woman (!) who takes a vow of consecration as a Nazarite has commandments to follow for purity and consequences of defilement.(v. 2) Under the New Covenant, if one commits his or her life to Christ, the price of discipleship is also costly. "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself...take up his cross...follow Me...whoever desires to save his life will lose it...whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it...For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?...Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?...For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."  Mark 8: 31-38.

Lesson/Application - Am I boldly living out my life as a disciple of Christ in this world - in spite of / because of the circumstances?  Do others see Christ in me?

Who do Men Say Jesus Is? / Who Do We Believe Jesus to Really Be?  Mark 8: Most thought Jesus to be a prophet, maybe Elijah or John the Baptist resurrected.  But Peter within a few short verses has his soul exposed before God.  Here is THE key question for Peter and each of us. "But who do you say that I am? (v 29)  Peter said, " You are the Christ." But...Peter could not accept the mission and passion of Christ - that he MUST...suffer many things...be rejected by the elders, priests and scribes...be killed...and after three days rise again.  Peter rebuked Christ!  Jesus's response:  "Get behind Me, Satan!  For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of man."

Lesson/Application - Do I walk the talk?  I claim to be a follower of Christ.  Do I understand and live in accordance to ALL this implies - the sharing in His sufferings as well as the blessings I am promised under the New Covenant - both now and eternally.  Am I mindful of the things of God or the things of man?

My Prayer for You and All Believers (Numbers 6:24-26) 

"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, "What Does the Bible Teach About Divorce?"

Remembering Past Faithfulness - Day 62 Through The Bible

An antique, hand-stitched quilt by the mother of one of our church members.  This heritage craft of the Appalachian Mountains is now a dying art as most quilts are either all or partially machine-stitched. 

My Lessons and Applications from Today's Readings

God chooses the Levitical priesthood - (Numbers 3:1 - 4:49) God calls the tribe of Levi to be priests to Him.  This is the tribe of Moses, who has led them out of Egypt, who stood in the gap for the idolatrous Israelites, whose greatest desire (which was granted) was to see the glory of God.  It was also the tribe of Aaron, who was often the mouthpiece for Moses to the Pharaoh, who was High Priest to God.  But...it was not lineage or heritage that moved God to choose the Levitical priesthood - a people sanctified to Him now even above the firstborn He had sanctified to Himself at the Passover.  The reason for their choice was back in Exodus 32: 25-29 when the Levites stood with Moses, crossed the line to stand by him and for God - against the idolatrous Israelites with the fashioning of the golden calf.  The Levites carried out God's judgment on the guilty 3000.  (An interesting aside:  both John the Baptist and Barnabas in the New Testament are of the tribe of Levi.)

Lessons - God remembers and rewards faithfulness.  We see this carried over into the New Covenant - God rewarding faithful acts on His behalf.  Rev. 20:12 "The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."  And this from Union Gospel Press Bible Expositor and Illuminator for today's Sunday School Lesson (March 3, 2013, pg. 7) "To be sure, our works cannot save us. )Rom 3:20, Gal 2:16, Eph. 2:9, II Tim. 1:9); they only serve to condemn us, for "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,: (Is 64:6)  As Christians, however, our works validate our faith and are necessary to Christian service (Gal 5:6, Eph 2:10, Jas. 2: 14-26.)  The judgment of believers will determine eternal rewards (1 Cor. 3:10-15), to eternal destiny."

God Disciplines and Restores His Repentant People "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30: 5  

Lesson - Charles Stanley reminds us in the Life Principles Daily Bible (pg. 264) that while God may not remove a difficult situation, He will show us His powerful Hand in it.  Am I remaining faithful to God - even when obedience seems to bring punishment from the world?  Do I stand with the courage and steadfastness of the Levites, who were later called to be priests?  Do I live out my call as a priest to Christ under the New Covenant?  (The Doctrine of Sacerdotalism: Ex. 19:6; Hos. 14:2; Ps. 50:23; Ps. 51:17-19; Ps. 141:2; 1 Pet. 2:5-9; Heb. 13:10-16) The Priesthood of All Believers

Trust and Obey Him - REMEMBER His Promises and Past Faithfulness - The disciples caused Jesus to sigh deeply more than once.  After all He had done and taught them, they still did not remember, trust and obey in the next situation.  They witnessed the miracles of the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000, but the 3rd time the same situation presented itself, they had the temerity to ask Jesus, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?" (Mark 8:4)

Lesson - Am I in His Word daily, under the Ministry of the Word, in communion, prayer and fellowship with God, being led by His Holy Spirit continually?  Am I hearing His voice and following Him only?  Am I allowing Him to "grow me up" in the faith.

Please listen to today's Ministry of the Word that speaks to these very topics.

The Reverend Bill Ages:  Leaving, Losing, Longing for - The Promised Land.  

The audio message is accessed by clicking on the audio symbol of this message within the sermon.net archive listings. 

Jesus Doeth All Things Well--Day 61 Through the Bible

 

 “(Jesus) has done all things well” (Mark 7:37). This is truth and it is reflected in the beauty of the universe and throughout all creation. It takes longer to discern this truth in our personal lives when we are in the throes of disappointment or suffering; however, we can rest assured that this truth remains--Jesus does all things well!

Today in Numbers chapter 1, we read God's detailed instructions for the organization of the tribes of Israel into one unit that would stand with Moses in case of war. God instructed Moses in regards to the taking down and setting up of the tabernacle by the tribe of Levi only. He told them where they would set up camp in relation to the tabernacle and to each other. Too many times we fail to do things God's way because we don't see the need. There is a tremendous lesson here. God sees so much more than we do, His ways far surpass our ways (Isaiah 55:9), He knows what is coming down the pike. Our part is to trust Him. The more we know about Him, the more we will be able to understand that He knows what He is talking about. And, the more I obey Him the more blessed my life will be.

As I learn more about God, I can grasp more fully the need to listen for His voice. The fact that as a human being I can be attuned to God is a miracle in itself. I didn't make it happen, but God opened this door through the death of His Son that paid for this privilege for me. And to know that it will result in blessings for me, should create an increased attentiveness to God and what He says in His Word.

It does not surprise God when I mess up--and maybe I waste too much time bemoaning my failures. I was putting away a pile of clothes I had gradually added to and feeling dismayed that I don't always put everything away, when the thought came to me--"this is not my salvation". I put the clothes away, but this time did not agonize over my lack of neatness. Instead, I enjoyed a moment of thankfulness from my heart that God loves me regardless of what I do. This serves to endear Him to me even more. However, He is concerned about what comes from my heart and Jesus takes time to list the issues of the heart that warrant concern: "evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within and defile a man" (Mark 7:20-23).

 God says He will engrave His laws on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:16). David cried out to God and asked, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). We can be confident with the Apostle Paul, that “He who has begun a good work in (us) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). In the midst of our weakness and neediness, we can rejoice in the truth that Jesus does all things well!

Consecrate My Life to Thee - Day 60 Through the Bible

A Sunday Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway section between Celo and Asheville, NC with my daughter after the 11:00 service at Mt. Celo Church 

My Lessons and Applications from Today's Readings

The Levitical Bilateral Covenant / Blessings or Curses (Leviticus 26) - If you...then I.  God demands a faith shown through actions...if you walk...keep...perform...obey...do...observe My commandments, statutes.  It was not enough to believe.  True faith is lived out and produces fruit and receives blessings from God.  On the other hand, God made it very clear that curses would follow if the Israelites did not obey, do, observe all His commandments (Lev. 26)  The greatest blessing (v 12), "I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people."  The greatest curse (v 36), "My soul shall abhor you."  The New Testament also speaks of genuine faith revealing itself through action:  "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:17-18) "By their fruits you will know them."(Matthew 7:20)

Reflection - This is where I believe the OT and the NT - the Old Covenants and the New Covenant differ in an area rarely discussed - at least in my Bible studies through the years.  The NT does not promise material blessings.  It does promise that we, as disciples of Christ, will share in His sufferings.  I have rarely heard this preached from the pulpit, but I see it strongly taught in the NT. It does promise His greater presence with us every moment through His Holy Spirit, which enables us to persevere as saints.  Am I following the Holy Spirit's leading, His teaching as this world economic, political, moral system continues to deteriorate?  Am I willing and able through Him to stand in His teachings - regardless of life circumstances?

Consecration/Dedication - Holy to the LORD - (Leviticus 27 and Psalm 29: 1-2)  God speaks to Moses of lives and material possessions consecrated, devoted to Him - whether persons, land, animals, houses - these become holy to the LORD, a holy offering to Him.  This importance of holiness - separateness to God - is repeated at least 8 times in this one chapter.  In the NT, this is carried over into tithing - into giving money - willingly, without compulsion - to the LORD.  But, in my study through the years, it is the life dedicated to God that is most important to Him.  If that reality exists, then we understand that everything we own - even our lives - are just giving back to Him what is already His.  The land, animals, houses, money, works, our lives - are just casting crowns before Him.  …"the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O LORD, 
To receive glory and honor and power;
 For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created." (Rev. 4: 10-11)  "Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength, Give unto the LORD the glory due His name, Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."

To Do Evil is Like Sport to a Fool - (Proverbs 10:23)  I think this one line of wisdom speaks to so much of what I have personally witnessed in human depravity.  We often fall so low, that it is not just greed, control, power, that motivates evil intentions.  I have actually known people who pursued malevolence like a sport.

Traditions of Men / Spirit of the Law - As usual, Jesus cuts to the core with His truth.  We turn traditions of our own into holiness to ourselves instead of allowing God's Word and His Spirit to renew us - to make our hearts, souls, minds and lives holy and consecrated, dedicated to Him, for Him, to impact the world for His kingdom.  Jesus quotes Isaiah's prophesy (29:13):  "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." Am I living by philosophies taught by a church, a creed, a political system...or by the Word of God?  Am I carefully studying God's Word, in constant prayer and communion with Him and the leading of His Holy Spirit within me - to stay faithful to Him alone.