I have heard people say they are going to "tie a string around their finger" so they will not forget something. I admit I have never seen anyone with a string tied around their finger. With the use of BlackBerry's and other technology, we have better ways to help us remember. Let's face it, we are so busy we do forget things if we don't use ways to help us remember. I'm still stuck in the "old days." I have a tablet that sits by our phone that I use to jot down everything I need to remember for that day or the week to include things to do, people to call and food to buy. It works for me.
In Numbers 15 the Lord instructs the children of Israel to make tassels on the corner of their garments and a blue thread in the tassels of the corners (v.38). Notice He says to do this "throughout their generations." This was to be done so they could look on the tassel and be reminded to keep the commandments of the Lord and do them (v.39). He wanted them to remember to be holy as He is holy (v.40). He also wanted them to remember "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; I am the LORD your God" (v.41).
We shouldn't need to be reminded to remember the Lord and keep His commandments, but we are just like the children of Israel and prone to forget His commandments and holiness. Perhaps it is a good idea for us to choose the color blue as a reminder to us of these things. Should we hang a "tassel with blue" from our key chains as a reminder at all times of God's holiness and His instructions for us to "do His commandments?" It is easy for us to get busy in our day and forget His holiness and commandments, as well as His forgiveness, grace and love to us through Jesus Christ. Maybe the color blue can have a whole new meaning for us. Look at it and be reminded!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
You're Just Like Your Father
My parents divorced when I was 5. Sometimes when I would do something wrong or something that made my mother angry she would say "You're just like your father."
Ephesians 5 opens with Paul telling the Ephesians that they were to be imitators of God as dear children. He goes on to say that if we are imitators of God, fornication, covetousness, foolish talking, and course jesting is unfitting for us. Because our children spend so much time with us, there are ways in which they imitate us. Little girls like to help mom clean and bake. Little boys like to help dad build and fix things. This is why the retail store sells products for children such as toy vacuum cleaners, ovens, dishwashers, lawn mowers and tools. However, children not only imitate what we do, but who we are. Many times we see ourselves in the strengths and weaknesses of the behavior of our children.
What does it mean to be "imitators of God?" 1 Peter 1: 15, 16 says "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'." We know we will never be completely holy until we go to be with Him in the final resurrection, but we are to strive to be holy as He is holy. No one has ever seen our holy Father except Jesus, but He became flesh to dwell with us and show us who He is (John 1:14). In John 14:9 after being asked by Philip to show him the Father, Jesus says "He who has seen Me has seen the Father."
If we want ourselves and our children to be imitators of God, we must spend time with Him actively in His word. Can you imagine my thoughts today if my mother said "You're just like your Father."
Ephesians 5 opens with Paul telling the Ephesians that they were to be imitators of God as dear children. He goes on to say that if we are imitators of God, fornication, covetousness, foolish talking, and course jesting is unfitting for us. Because our children spend so much time with us, there are ways in which they imitate us. Little girls like to help mom clean and bake. Little boys like to help dad build and fix things. This is why the retail store sells products for children such as toy vacuum cleaners, ovens, dishwashers, lawn mowers and tools. However, children not only imitate what we do, but who we are. Many times we see ourselves in the strengths and weaknesses of the behavior of our children.
What does it mean to be "imitators of God?" 1 Peter 1: 15, 16 says "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'." We know we will never be completely holy until we go to be with Him in the final resurrection, but we are to strive to be holy as He is holy. No one has ever seen our holy Father except Jesus, but He became flesh to dwell with us and show us who He is (John 1:14). In John 14:9 after being asked by Philip to show him the Father, Jesus says "He who has seen Me has seen the Father."
If we want ourselves and our children to be imitators of God, we must spend time with Him actively in His word. Can you imagine my thoughts today if my mother said "You're just like your Father."
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Aimless Conduct
In 1 Peter 1:18, 19, Peter is telling the Jews they were redeemed from their aimless conduct received by tradition from their fathers.
Just as the Jews had to forget the traditions of their fathers that were not the Lord's traditions, we need to forget the traditions that lie behind us - those traditions and values that would not support the teachings of Christ. If you were not raised to know the Lord, like me, you probably have traditions, instructions and values in your background that did not uphold the teachings of Christ.
When we come up against trials, we often fall back to the "aimless conduct" that was taught to us by our parents. Instead, we need to remember that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ and that we now belong to Him. Our conduct now is not aimless. We are guided and led by the resurrected Christ who dwells in us. We have a tendency to forget this. Let us gird up the loins of our minds and rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 13).
Just as the Jews had to forget the traditions of their fathers that were not the Lord's traditions, we need to forget the traditions that lie behind us - those traditions and values that would not support the teachings of Christ. If you were not raised to know the Lord, like me, you probably have traditions, instructions and values in your background that did not uphold the teachings of Christ.
When we come up against trials, we often fall back to the "aimless conduct" that was taught to us by our parents. Instead, we need to remember that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ and that we now belong to Him. Our conduct now is not aimless. We are guided and led by the resurrected Christ who dwells in us. We have a tendency to forget this. Let us gird up the loins of our minds and rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 13).
Monday, May 17, 2010
Strength from the Lord
If you go to the grocery store and purchase several bags of groceries, chances are you will take them out to your car in a shopping cart. You probably would not think about trying to carry them out in your arms all at once, nor carrying a couple at a time until they were all placed in your car. You would use the strength of the grocery cart to carry them.
When we are faced with difficult times or people who may be our enemies, how quick are we to depend upon the strength of the Lord? Many times we struggle and depend on our own strength to help us through. Yet, there is the Lord always ready to help in our time of trouble (Psalm 27:5). I have this picture in my mind of us struggling in our difficulties while the Lord is standing right there ready to carry them for us (Psalm 25:22). It would be like saying to the "bagger" at the grocery store, "Oh, don't put them in the cart where it would be much easier to carry. Just let me take them out a couple at a time and come back for more." You may think my thinking is a little warped, but I think it makes the point.
"For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places" (Psalm 18: 31-34). These are Davids words when he is delivered from the hands of his enemies. Just as you would let the strength of the cart carry your groceries, let the strength of the Lord carry your burdens. He is a shield to all those who trust in Him and His way is perfect (Psalm 18: 30).
When we are faced with difficult times or people who may be our enemies, how quick are we to depend upon the strength of the Lord? Many times we struggle and depend on our own strength to help us through. Yet, there is the Lord always ready to help in our time of trouble (Psalm 27:5). I have this picture in my mind of us struggling in our difficulties while the Lord is standing right there ready to carry them for us (Psalm 25:22). It would be like saying to the "bagger" at the grocery store, "Oh, don't put them in the cart where it would be much easier to carry. Just let me take them out a couple at a time and come back for more." You may think my thinking is a little warped, but I think it makes the point.
"For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places" (Psalm 18: 31-34). These are Davids words when he is delivered from the hands of his enemies. Just as you would let the strength of the cart carry your groceries, let the strength of the Lord carry your burdens. He is a shield to all those who trust in Him and His way is perfect (Psalm 18: 30).
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
The phrase "The pot calling the kettle black" is an idiom used to accuse a person or thing of being marked with or guilty of the very thing they are pointing out.
This is what was taking place in Romans 2 when Paul tells the Jews they are as guilty as the Gentiles. The Jews in Rome were blaspheming God through their behavior. The Gentiles heard the Jews teaching the law, yet their actions were no different than the pagan Gentiles. Paul says "You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, Do not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples" (vs. 21, 22)?
We do the same today. As believers (spiritual Jews), we have His name upon us, yet our behavior does not square up with what we teach and believe. Marriages are falling apart and believers are bailing because they don't want to work at the commitment. We gossip and judge others without all the facts. We complain about our spouses, children, jobs, houses, and many times do not have a spirit of thankfulness to the Lord for who He is and what He has done for us. Yet, we are quick to teach others God's law.
"But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God"(v. 29). Let us be the Christian whose inward thoughts and desires reflect God's character, and whose outward appearance squares up with what we teach and believe.
This is what was taking place in Romans 2 when Paul tells the Jews they are as guilty as the Gentiles. The Jews in Rome were blaspheming God through their behavior. The Gentiles heard the Jews teaching the law, yet their actions were no different than the pagan Gentiles. Paul says "You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, Do not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples" (vs. 21, 22)?
We do the same today. As believers (spiritual Jews), we have His name upon us, yet our behavior does not square up with what we teach and believe. Marriages are falling apart and believers are bailing because they don't want to work at the commitment. We gossip and judge others without all the facts. We complain about our spouses, children, jobs, houses, and many times do not have a spirit of thankfulness to the Lord for who He is and what He has done for us. Yet, we are quick to teach others God's law.
"But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God"(v. 29). Let us be the Christian whose inward thoughts and desires reflect God's character, and whose outward appearance squares up with what we teach and believe.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Blood
"Blood" is a word that brings different kinds of thoughts to us and I would be right in saying most of those thoughts are frightening. Blood is the lifeline of our veins and when someone is bleeding and losing blood their lives are slowly dying. Some faint at the sight of blood, while others may get sick at their stomach.
Exodus 12 is where the Lord institutes the Passover. As you know, the Lord requires His people to kill a lamb without blemish and take the blood and "put it on the lintel of the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it"(v.7). The reason is that He intends to kill the first born of every living creature to bring judgment on the Egyptians. The blood over the doorposts of the Israelite houses will be a sign that He will not destroy them while He is striking the land of Egypt. In other words, the blood of that lamb saves them.
In 1 Peter 1: 18, 19 we find these words, "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." This passage refers to the Exodus 12 passage.
Regardless of what you thought of the movie "The Passion", it did a terrific job depicting the horror, pain, agony and bloodiness of Jesus' crucifixion. It is easy to gloss over Jesus' death on the cross and it's details. Thinking about the "blood" gives us a better picture of what had to happen for us to be forgiven and saved by God's grace. Just as the Lord passed over the doorposts, He passes over us in judgment because what He sees is the "blood" of Christ, shed and placed upon us for redemption.
Take some time today to give praise to our Lord for His plan of salvation through the shedding of the blood of the precious, spotless lamb which He provided for us - His Son.
Exodus 12 is where the Lord institutes the Passover. As you know, the Lord requires His people to kill a lamb without blemish and take the blood and "put it on the lintel of the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it"(v.7). The reason is that He intends to kill the first born of every living creature to bring judgment on the Egyptians. The blood over the doorposts of the Israelite houses will be a sign that He will not destroy them while He is striking the land of Egypt. In other words, the blood of that lamb saves them.
In 1 Peter 1: 18, 19 we find these words, "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." This passage refers to the Exodus 12 passage.
Regardless of what you thought of the movie "The Passion", it did a terrific job depicting the horror, pain, agony and bloodiness of Jesus' crucifixion. It is easy to gloss over Jesus' death on the cross and it's details. Thinking about the "blood" gives us a better picture of what had to happen for us to be forgiven and saved by God's grace. Just as the Lord passed over the doorposts, He passes over us in judgment because what He sees is the "blood" of Christ, shed and placed upon us for redemption.
Take some time today to give praise to our Lord for His plan of salvation through the shedding of the blood of the precious, spotless lamb which He provided for us - His Son.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Why Go to Church?
"PRAISE the Lord!
I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation" (Psalm 111:1).
Some people say they don't have to go to church to be a Christian. This is true. However, if you are a Christian growing in the knowledge of the Lord, you will desire to be in church with God's people. All too often we do not clearly understand the reason for church membership or participation. We go because of what we can get out of it not what we can put into it - our praise and worship of the Lord.
If you have trouble finding reasons to praise the Lord, here is a list from Psalm 111 that will give you a wonderful guideline of reasons to praise Him. His works are great, His works are honorable, his righteousness endures forever, He is gracious and full of compassion, He will always remember His covenant with us and He has sent redemption to His people. As you spend time in His word, there are more reasons than you can possibly count to praise Him.
If you have a church home, be there as often as it is possible with you to give praises to the Lord. If not, find a church home that teaches the truth of God's word and be there to worship and praise Him with His people!
I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation" (Psalm 111:1).
Some people say they don't have to go to church to be a Christian. This is true. However, if you are a Christian growing in the knowledge of the Lord, you will desire to be in church with God's people. All too often we do not clearly understand the reason for church membership or participation. We go because of what we can get out of it not what we can put into it - our praise and worship of the Lord.
If you have trouble finding reasons to praise the Lord, here is a list from Psalm 111 that will give you a wonderful guideline of reasons to praise Him. His works are great, His works are honorable, his righteousness endures forever, He is gracious and full of compassion, He will always remember His covenant with us and He has sent redemption to His people. As you spend time in His word, there are more reasons than you can possibly count to praise Him.
If you have a church home, be there as often as it is possible with you to give praises to the Lord. If not, find a church home that teaches the truth of God's word and be there to worship and praise Him with His people!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Bloom Where You are Planted
The title of this blog is a quote from Mary Engelbreit. Perhaps you have used this quote before in conversation with others. Recently, I was having a conversation with someone about this quotation and what it means. We both concluded that because it is used so often it is viewed as somewhat "trite." However, the more I thought about, it the more I realize it is pretty rich with meaning. The conversation we were having had to do with serving the Lord in the workplace as well as on the mission field.
When Jesus called the fishermen to be His disciples in Matthew 4:18-22, we see that these fisherman immediately left their nets, their boat and their father to follow Jesus. In other words they gave up a lucrative career to go on the mission field. Many times we think that to serve or follow Jesus full-time, we have to be in a labeled full-time ministry. The Lord does call some to that type of work, but He calls all of us to live each day for Him no matter what our duties or jobs are. I know many people who are in the workplace, and they are aware every day that the Lord has placed them there not only to be a diligent and hard worker, but to take every opportunity to be salt and light in that environment (Matthew 5:13-16). Whether we work as a missionary, a vice president in food service, carpenter, business analyst, manager of a restaurant, real estate agent, teach computer in college, olympic skater, or a homemaker, etc., we are called by the Lord to use that work to further His kingdom - to show others to know the Lord and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. As salt and light, we are to be a reflection and proclamation of the gospel of Christ.
The Lord may not be asking you to leave a lucrative career to follow Him, but He calls us to follow Him wherever we are working. Joe Stowell, a writer for "Our Daily Bread" says, "We are tempted to think that we should make something of our lives and at the same time follow Jesus. Wrong! He calls us first to follow Him, and then he makes something of our lives."
When Jesus called the fishermen to be His disciples in Matthew 4:18-22, we see that these fisherman immediately left their nets, their boat and their father to follow Jesus. In other words they gave up a lucrative career to go on the mission field. Many times we think that to serve or follow Jesus full-time, we have to be in a labeled full-time ministry. The Lord does call some to that type of work, but He calls all of us to live each day for Him no matter what our duties or jobs are. I know many people who are in the workplace, and they are aware every day that the Lord has placed them there not only to be a diligent and hard worker, but to take every opportunity to be salt and light in that environment (Matthew 5:13-16). Whether we work as a missionary, a vice president in food service, carpenter, business analyst, manager of a restaurant, real estate agent, teach computer in college, olympic skater, or a homemaker, etc., we are called by the Lord to use that work to further His kingdom - to show others to know the Lord and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. As salt and light, we are to be a reflection and proclamation of the gospel of Christ.
The Lord may not be asking you to leave a lucrative career to follow Him, but He calls us to follow Him wherever we are working. Joe Stowell, a writer for "Our Daily Bread" says, "We are tempted to think that we should make something of our lives and at the same time follow Jesus. Wrong! He calls us first to follow Him, and then he makes something of our lives."
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