January 31, 2010 Exodus 12:14-13:16, Matthew 20:29-21:22, Psalm 25:16-22, Proverbs 6:12-15

Dear Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in your site for you are our Rock and our Redeemer.

Response to Exodus 12:14-13:16. 

One of the problems many people in our world have with religion is that there are too many rules and not enough love.  Sharia law is considered by many to be oppressive for this very reason, but Christianity often gets bogged down by rules and judgementalism also.  Therefore, as I respond to this reading, I am purposefully looking for loving reasons to the rules as the Old Testament is too well known for it's wrath.  Did you know that the word "love" is never listed in the Quran? However, it is the theme of the Bible.  Love, Forgiveness, Grace.  Judaism, Islam, and Christianity all claim these readings we share today and I welcome every and all comments; From those who believe, from those who want to believe, and from those who choose not to.  My one requirement is that you keep your comments clean from profanity and judgement of your fellow man.  This Word of God is meant to change each of us from the inside out first of all - not to personally "lord" it over our fellowman - especially if they are not part of the body. 

This is all said as we deal with these laws as the children of God (Israel in this first covenant) prepare to leave a world of slavery (Egypt) to proceed to enter a wilderness of confusion and despair and eventually reach the promised land.  Removing the yeast from their presence is a major theme, don't you think? Perhaps this is just because the yeast will just increase their burden and it was important to pack lightly. I am anxious to hear your thoughts on what these laws represent.

I would like to venture the idea that removing the yeast for a season in our own lives is remembering that day we first experienced conversion.  That day meant something different for each of us, but in general as born again Christians, this meant that we realized we were sinners and that Jesus Christ had died on the Cross to redeem us from our sins.  However, now as we travel through the wilderness, we are continuously met with confusion and despair.  It is so easy to get bogged down by the rules, theologies, and apparent empty promises from a God who supposedly loves us.  Perhaps then, it is good to return to our first love and remember that love of God we first recognized at our first conversion. Remember the day we realized we had been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Remember, we are part of this group called "The Children of God" and remember that in spite of the hardships and struggles of life, we are on the way to the promised land! And that is all that matters. Perhaps it's good to set apart a season to rededicate our lives to Him for His gift to us all over again.

Response to Matthew 20:29-21:22

This passage tells the story of Jesus leaving Jericho and going to Jerusalem, often known today as Palm Sunday in Christian circles. Two blind men asked for and received their site. Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem and there is a reference to Zechariah 9:9. The people shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" with reference to Psalm 118:26. He is called a prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. He overturns the tables of the money changers. The sick and the lame turn to Him for healing. Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7 "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise." and He dries up the fig tree with a curse and chalenges our faith and the strength of our belief.

There is a lot of material for discussion here, and I do not wish to fill up the space with only my own thoughts as I too am blind in many ways.  I need you to help me to open my eyes to understand how Jesus is revealing himself to you in this passage so that together, we may continue to find the way.

I do believe that as Jesus rode into the city of God as the Prince of Peace, he was riding a donkey - not the majestic steed of a warrior declaring victory over all his enemies.  In fact, the people did not recognize him and most still do not today.  Even today, many Christians, who claim to know this Prince of Peace imagine Him to come again in majesty and great glory to destroy the infidels on the earth.  Without getting bogged down in theology here, let me just say there are other opinions about this and it is ok to interpret the Bible in a much more loving way.  I imagine Jesus would be more than happy to accept you into His loving arms today to the Glory of God, our Father.

That brings me to the fig tree that Jesus cursed that day because it had no fruit.  This reference reminds me of a story he told regarding any branch of the vine that does not bear fruit will be cut off and thrown into the fire. For many, this would be a reference to Hell.  If so, may I suggest that if we are not producing fruit in our lives, we are as guilty as any man and in danger of Hell? Thus, just another reminder that we are all bozo's on the bus here. We must reach out to our fellowman with the Love of God so that others will desire to know Him more and realize that they too are worthy of the redemption provided by God through Jesus Christ. This Story we are reading is all about Love. At least, that's the way I see it, what do you think?

Response to Psalm 25:16-22

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 6.  However, I knew of Him before that day - in fact, I don't remember a day I was not aware of something greater than myself.  I believe this is true of all of you also - was there ever a time - especially when you were a child - that you were not in awe of Creation and something greater than yourself or your big parents?

Yet, even after I accepted Jesus, my life was still plagued with sin. I made wrong choices and heaped addictions, justifications, obsessions, and feelings of hatred or pride into my life. As I grow in strength with Christ, I continue to undue a lot of the worldly influences that had caused me pain when I originally had thought them meaningless and even enjoyable.  So much of my own sin left me feeling lonely and afflicted as David mentions in verse 16.  The troubles of my heart multiplied and caused me anguish.  Although David often speaks of his enemies of flesh and blood, The New Testament tells us our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and demons. We are called to worship in Spirit and in Truth. This shall remain beyond our scope of understanding, but the prayer David prays remains ours today. Guard my life and rescue me. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. 

This Word we are studying recommends a lot of rules that are worth following as they improve our lives. They were given in Love and for our well-being which we will see over and over.

Proverbs 6:12-15

This passage made me think of a Baseball player or coach; "winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers" It also made me think of the Preacher's kid in "To Save a Life." If we are plotting evil and devising dissension in our hearts, disaster lies in our path. What does that look like for you? Any experiences to share?

Time to go to church.  Until Tomorrow, thanks for reading and responding.

January 30, 2010 Exodus 10:1-12:13, Matthew 20:1-28, Psalm 25:1-15, Proverbs 6:6-11

And so we begin! Too bad I wasn't more on the ball so we could have started at the very beginning on January 1, but I guess better late than never.  Let's open each session with words based on Psalm 19:14, shall we?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in thy site, Oh Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer."

Response to Exodus 10:1-12:13

I think it's important here to remember that God Almighty is following through on His covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to bring them out of Egypt and return them to the promised land. He has referred to Himself as El Shaddai (God Almighty), and He certainly shows his power in the 10 plagues which devastate Egypt. The end result is that the world certainly takes notice and respects the power of God Almighty, both in that time and culture and yet today.

You have to have a bit of compassion on Pharoah though, don't you?  He seemed to know the deck he was being dealt, yet he remained powerless against the hand of God.  How many of us can relate to that - and yet, even the bad things that happen to us work out to the glory of God if we let God use our life stories to His ultimate glory.

Up to this point in our reading of the Bible, we have had quite the history lesson beginning in Genesis 1.  Although Moses had access to the greatest libraries of the era, he has spoken of a culture which ages before Egypt. Paddan Aram is referred to often as Northwest Mesopotamia. Check your history and find that this is considered by historians as the cradle of civilization. Moses has documented for us some of the most ancient writings available to man! This holy book outdates other holy books by thousands of years! Amazing.  Historians rank most older history as pre-history as there is no written record.

But, now we are into the present day for Moses, and the beginning of Judaism. See Exodus 12:2; "This is to be for you the first month..." and there begins our story for 2010.  This first of the Judeo-Christian religions begins with the Passover and the death of the lamb and the salvation of it's blood. Fitting.

Response to Matthew 20:1-28

I noticed as I read this scripture that it wasn't about when we were saved, but when we began working for the Kingdom.  I have wondered how many of us claim to have that relationship with God or with Jesus Christ.  What are you doing with it and why? Does it bother you that salvation for some can come at a much later date than others? Does it bother you that some people seem to have much more fun? If your greatest enemy found their way to Heaven, would that be the worst thing that could ever happen? Do you think it makes a difference whether you just believe or if you actually work at serving the master? Pick a question and respond. I can't wait to hear.

Do you have trouble comparing the humble Spirit of Jesus Christ with the awesome Power of God Almighty? We read so far of God's awesome power in the Egyptian plagues and then we finish today's New Testament reading with : "whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Interesting dichotomy, wouldn't you agree?

Response to Psalm 25:1-15

Today, we read a Psalm of David. Psalm 25:1-15; If you are not familiar with who this is, please ask.  We will read his stories and the history of David in May.

Two of my themes are found in this Psalm. My hope for all of us is found in Psalm 25:4-6a "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

David was a warrior and often had to fight for his life.  He had a common theme that God was His God, and prayed for deliverance from his enemies. He often called for the wrath of God - and that type of prayer has continued in God's people to this very day regardless of the Love of God they recognize through Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately for David, God would not let him build the temple as he was a man of war.  That priviledge was left to David's son who lived in more peaceful times.  We shall see over and over that through the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ, God offers his great mercy, love, and salvation to all men.  Most often, I believe the reason the world does not know Him is that He has been misrepresented in religious circles. However, I feel a Spirit of renewal coming and I hope we can wade into that flow through our sharing in this blog.

Response to Proverbs 6:6-11

Our final reading comes from Proverbs 6:6-11.  Again, we are called to work.  Not only in the Kingdom of God, but also in life here on earth.  We are not called to poverty, we must work for our living.  If our humbleness is based on our sorrow and misfortune, I think we need to read the scripture again, and so we shall. 

Please share your thoughts, God bless, and we'll see you again tomorrow.