Foolishness and folly

Reading: Numbers 5-6 and 1 Corinthians 1

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22-24, For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Thoughts: We have been called and in that calling offered the power and wisdom for God. The world looks at us as fools, the idea that the spoken word of someone who believes has any more power or authority than any other word seems crazy. Until you have seen it or walked it out it is hard to understand. I have heard Prophets and heard of healings around me but until I traveled 300 miles and laid hands on my aunt, I did not truly understand the power that God can work through me. God’s call can sometime look foolish but when we walk it out, we get to see signs and wonders. I will never forget how it felt to be apart of my aunts healing. 

Prayer: Father God I thank you that you can use me in your plans, I long to walk in your presence all my life. I ask that you help me to stay connected to you and walk in your power and your authority. Open then eyes of the world to need your truth and seek you. 

What kind of love?

Reading: Numbers 4, Psalm 21, and John 21

Scripture: John 21:15-17, When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Thoughts: In English we have one word “Love” that we use in many ways where in the Greek they have five. From Agape a selfless love to Philautia a self-love. In this passage the first two times Jesus asked Peter he used Agape and on the third time asked Phileo (brotherly love). I had heard teachings that said the first two Peter said Phileo and the third said Agape. But as I was checking the Greek it appears that Peter never moved from Phileo for all three times. We are called to love God with all our mind, all our heart and all our soul (Luke 10:27). This love is the Agape love, Peter apparently was struggling with loving that way, as do we all, it is easier to have the respect, regard and friendship then to go all in and love as God loves. Let us strive to get to the unending, unconditional love God calls us too. 

Prayer: Father, you are love, you pour it out upon us and ask us to do the same to those around us. Lord forgive me of not loving you as I should and placing conditions on my love. Help me to love better those around me, especially my family and friends that sometime get the short fuses in my life. Pour your love into me that I may pour it into others. 

Too much to put in the book

Reading: Numbers 3, Psalm 67, and John 20

Scripture: John 20:30-31, Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Thoughts: In all four of the Gospel accounts there are lots of miracles and signs, there are recordings of individuals being healed, large groups and even small groups, not to mention the feeding of thousands of people on just a little bread and fish. Almost everywhere Jesus went people were seeking him out. Getting the reminder that as much as we get from the four Gospels that there was so much more that he did that was not included. 

Prayer: Father God I thank you for your Narrative, the account of Jesus’ life and the truth that is shows. I thank you that you have given us the desire to seek you. I thank you that you are leading us and teaching us new things in your word every day. Your word is nourishment to my soul. 

Be afraid

Reading: Numbers 2, Psalm 46, and John 19

Scripture: John 19:7-8, The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.

Thoughts: We are all sons and daughters of God though the adoption that happened when we accepted the gift offered to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Pilate knew the stories going around about Jesus and even his wife had a dream about who he was, and when the priest and high officials of the Jews is saying we want you to kill this man who says he is the Son of God. I would have been scared myself. By the adoptions though Jesus we are given the power and authority to do as it says in John 14:12, to do the works that I do and greater works. As sons and daughters, we need to walk in the authority and power that has been given us, the world should be afraid to cross the church we are not called to be pacifist but to be the front line for those things that are right.

Prayer: Father God you are the commander and chief, you are in control. I thank you for the ability to be apart of your army and fight the way, the truth, and the life that bring honor and glory to you. Refine me and make me into the vessel you have called me to be. 

How big is our Army

Reading: Numbers 1 and John 18

Scripture: Numbers 1:45-46, So all those listed of the people of Israel, by their fathers’ houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel— all those listed were 603,550.

Thoughts: In 2018 the US standing Army was 1.3 Million soldiers. As Israel prepared for the first opportunity to go and take the Promised Land they had and army of almost half the us forces today. There are estimates there are over 2 billion Christians in the world today. We are God’s army, We are told that a hundred will chase ten thousand, are we stepping up to the battle and declaring our victory in the Lord. We are the world’s Largest army let us walk in victory against the evil one. 

Prayer: Father God you are the great orchestrator, you lead us and guide us in your battle plans. You give us the power and authority to overcome all evil. Mobilize your army to reach those who do not know you. Open the eyes of those we interact with to see your love and your mercy that you are wanting to pour out upon then. I pray for the 7.8 trillion people in this world. Help us to be your light into this world. 

 

Steadfast love

Reading: Leviticus 27, Psalm 136, and John 17

Scripture: Psalm 139:1, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Thoughts: We define things by our own moral values, those who don’t have God as the true north that our moral compass to point to will over time start going astray. The truth it that God is the one who defines Good and when we focus on him we strive for that good. We are told that no one does good in several scriptures like Psalm 53:3 and Romans 3:12. Give thanks to God for he is the true good we seek and his unending, unfailing, steadfast love is pouring over us every day. 

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, you pour out your love upon us every day. I thank you that you are the true good and we have you to strive to and that we are more than a happy accident. 

Rak Chazak Amats!! Our Battle cry

Reading: Leviticus 26, Psalm 12, and John 16

Scripture: Leviticus 26:8, Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Thoughts: As I read this passage about with God’s favor upon Israel they would have the power to overcome enemies to the point of 100 to 1. We have been adopted into the family through Christ and in Ephesians 6:17 it says to take the helmet and the Sword. Even though today we don’t have swords and helmets to battle our enemies in the physical but we have been given God’s armor and that includes the Sword of the Spirit. We have been given the ability to win our battles against the evil one even we are outnumbered. Let us raise a battle cry unto the lord and walk in the victory that Christ has already secured for us. Let us raise up a battle cry Rak Chazak Amats!

Prayer: Lord God you are the victory. I thank you that you are our strength and power to overcome all things. Help us to raise up our battle cry every day as we go to battle in this fallen world. 

Gathering and reading

Reading: Leviticus 22-23 and John 14

Scripture: Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.

Thoughts: As I was reading this morning the term convocation stood out to me, not that I had not heard it before but that I did not have a deep grasp on the meaning. Just as when you read a textbook, or a story and you come across a word you do not know you gather an idea of its meaning by the context around it. When I looked up the Hebrew it was the word miqra the meanings that were listed were reading, a calling together, and sacred assembly. So, on these Feast days and days of rest they were told to gather together for the reading of scripture. Are we setting aside time for God, and for the reading of scripture? We are to be gathering together to be able to hold each other accountable. This statute that was set up around 3000 years ago not to force us to hear scripture but to give us the opportunity to slow down and focus on God and rest our bodies are not meant to be an extension of our work week. 

Prayer: Father God you are worthy of our time, you are worthy of all I have and all my praise and worship. I thank you that you do call us to gather, you know our every need and every desire. I ask that you help me to recognize your sabbath and honor it as you have called us to gather and to be in your word. 

Who is the master???

Reading: Leviticus 20-21 and John 13

Scripture: John 13:16, Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Thoughts: The world around us is constantly raising people up onto pedestals and telling us that we need to listen to them because they have a voice, to later tell us that their voice is not worth listening to because of something in their past or because their opinions differ from the narrative they are telling. This has been more prevalent in the last 18 months and there have been many differing views that have come to a head and are competing for relevance. The biggest issue is that the majority of the voices are only out to get power and are not the master or the one who sent them. We are the servant and the messenger; we are the ones sent to share what God has done and are we spreading the Gospel or are we letting those people out there dictate what we are thinking. We are given the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong, and we have the Word of God to help us to see through the lenses of the Father. Our Master and one sending us if greater than the one who sends then and is trying to deceive the world. Let us step up to our podium that God has for us and speak his word. 

Prayer: Father, you have a plan that you have called us to be apart of. You speak through your word and through your spirit interacting in our lives. I ask that you help us to obey our Master and speak the message you have given us. 

The Harvest???

Reading: Leviticus 18-19 and John 12

Scripture: Leviticus 19:9-10, When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.

Thoughts: As I was reading, this law about reaping the harvest stuck out to me. I know most people are not out with large vineyards or fields of grain where this is applicable. But we do work there was a time I was working 50 plus hours a week, I was putting my work and how I was providing for my family above my relationship with my family. We are called to leave some for those less fortunate in this law. Today we work for money and most people live pay check to pay check and sometime on credit cards when the checks are not enough. I see this living as reaping to the edges and gathering the fallen grapes. When we are living without a buffer built into our budget for unexpected giving, unexpected bills or anything that could come up how are we to thrive as we are told we can. Christ said he came to give us life more abundant, that life is not just the good stuff when you look at what life is, then say God is giving us more. In my last 40 years of life there have been great mountain top moments and some deep dark valleys and lots in between, we are told we are getting more life. Yes, God will provide but we also need to be good stewards of what he has given us. What is left of your harvest at the end of the month. 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful and generous, you take care of our needs and provide for them. I thank you for all you do and give us. I ask that you help me to better steward that which you give me and help me be more generous. 

Called

Reading: Leviticus 16-17 and John 11

Scripture: John 11:28-29, When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.

Thoughts: God is calling each and every one of us, He longs to have a relationship with us. Even growing up in the church, going to Sunday school, summer camps and be baptized in my teens, I did not understand God’s calling or really listen. I went to Bible college for a year because I thought it was what I should do. After two failed marriages and running toward my own desires, I heard God calling me I finished a degree in ministry, I met a Godly woman and together we found a church that has been discipling us. When Mary was told that Jesus was calling her in the midst of her grief, she went to him immediately, she did not put it off or say let me grieve then I will come, she rose and quickly went. Is there a calling to go or do something that you have been putting off or not wanting to do? Let us rise quickly and go to the Father who calls us and wants to incorporate us into his plan.

Prayer: Father God, you are calling, you have a plan that is greater than our plans, you call us to be apart of your work. I pray that our hearts, our eyes and our ears be opened to your calling, your directions and your plan. Help us to be the stewards of this life that you have given us. 

One flock

Reading: Leviticus 15, Psalm 103, and John 10

Scripture: John 10:16-17, And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

Thoughts: The Church has so many divisions since the beginning, there are well over 40,000 different denominations today. We are all called the sons and daughters of God, we have all been saved be the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. In the time spoken of Jesus appeared to be speaking about the Gentiles that would be brought into the family with the Jews who accepted him. Be discerning about your church in that if they are straying from the Word of God or teaching another gospel. We are to walk together as one family the teach the Word of God. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the diversity that you have created in this world and that we are all one family. I thank you that you give discernment and ears to hear when we are being lead astray. Help us all to recognize the truth and cast out the spirit of deception. 

What happened to you???

Reading: Leviticus 14 and John 9

Scripture: John 9:25, He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

Thoughts: We are called to share the good news, that good news is what Christ did for us. Within that good news we have our story of how God touched our lives. There are great blessings and miracles that happen every day. The man who had been healed all he could say was, “I was blind and now I see.” That is what we are to do, I was one thing and now I am another. Our stories may not be instantaneous, God is not bound by our time. What is your story? Have you shared it with someone lately? 

Prayer: Lord God you are the great healer, you are the one who gives and takes away, you supply all our needs. I thank you for all you are doing in my life, the molding and refining, and the provisions you have poured out on us. Help me to be open and transparent to all and to share with those how need to hear. 

Doing what your father did!!!

Reading: Leviticus 13 and John 8

Scripture: John 8:39, They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did.

Thoughts: Jesus was reminding these Jews that their actions were not in line with that faith and covenant that God set with Abraham, by reminding them that Abraham walked by faith and they are not. We are Christians and when that term first started being used it was to be derogatory meaning “little Christ” and we are called sons and daughters of God. Being called “little Christ” and sons and daughters of God, are we doing the things God or Jesus would do or are we walking in the ways of the world? 

Prayer: Father God, your mercies are sufficient for me, I thank you that you sent your Son and prepared a way for me. Help me to walk in your ways, to do as you would do and not as the world would. Give me the means and the boldness to speak your love. 

On who's authority?

Reading: Leviticus 11-12 and John 7

Scripture: John 7:16-17, So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

Thoughts: When reading this I thought about when someone questions something we are doing at work, we always refer to those who are in authority above us, or go get someone who has more authority than the one trying to question us. This is exactly what Jesus was doing and the one who sent him and has the higher authority is God the Father. As we spend time in the word and learn God’s voice and know his word like Jesus we can say this has come form above and they can choose to believe or not. We are all called to preach the good news to the world. Are we telling those around us about that good news. 

Prayer:  Father God, you are worthy of all praise and honor, your glory shines upon your creation and your creation shouts your praise. I thank you for all you do in my life. I ask that you help me to be more open and have the boldness to shine your light to those around me.