Today as I was catching up on my devotions, I realized that probably one of my favorite sections of the Bible is in Deuteronomy 5-8. I had some back reading because my kids are on break and I've slacked on my daily devotions. Even then, I believe that in our inconsistency, that timing is always in God's hands. He truly orders our steps.
In my journey through the Bible, this section of passages, I have more scripture highlighted probably than any other. In Chapter 3, Moses had been told by God that because of some of his past mistakes, he would not be allowed to enter the promised land. I wonder what Moses thought when he realized that even though he stood his ground with Pharaoh, lived with some cranky people for 40 years and now finding out that he can't go in, if he was a bit frustrated. Its through his story that I see as a leader, how important it is to be obedient to God and live a life of integrity. God even said in a few books back, that Moses was the most humble man. When God told him to be quiet about it, Moses obeyed and never said another word. Instead, Moses recapped with the Israelites all that he had been taught by God. In Chapter 5 Moses went over the Ten Commandments again with them.
As one reads through this book, one senses the end is near. It truly is a shortened version of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers but even more of a book of remembering promises made back in the first year. There are so many "don't forget...." Its kind of like a grandfather on his death bed having his last moments reminding the family of what they will inherit.
God has a special relationship with Moses. I think that was Moses' reward. Being in God's presence as much as he had been, he was probably content with the answer he got. After all no one else had had that kind of relationship with God. Deuteronomy 5:30-31 says "Go, tell them to return to their tents. 31 But you stay here with me so that I may give you all the commands, decrees and laws you are to teach them to follow in the land I am giving them to possess." 32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33Walk in all the ways that the Lord you God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess."
Chapter 6 is instructions on how to pass this down from generation to generation. Deuteronomy 6:6 & 7 says "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Just today I was visiting a friend and we were talking about raising our children with faith in God. I always love spending time with her as we usually always end up talking about the Lord. I was reminded of this verse. Its about doing the best at living our lives out in front of our children and always pointing them back to the Bible. The other day my daughter Jordanne came in with an essay she had to write about the gold rush. She had to make up a fictional story about her and some of her classmates in 1849. In her story she was a maidservant of a wealthy man who had invited her to go to California with him and some others. She read the story to us and then told us why she chose to be a maidservant. She said, "Aren't we here to be servants to serve others like Jesus did." Jeff and I just looked at each other in awe. The seeds have been planted and getting to see fruit in everyday things is so rewarding. I can't imagine what God thinks of us when He sees us respond like that.
Deuteronomy 6:10-12 says "When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you-a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things that you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant-then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." God truly keeps his promises. Why is it that we can't even stay on track most of the time? God fulfills His promises to us, we are grateful for the moment, then next thing we know, we're back doing the things we did before. Mostly forgetting the promises to God that if He got us out of our mess that we would ...
In Chapter 7 God is reminding them that He didn't choose them because they were a large group, but because He loved them and because of the promises that He had made in the past to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Back in Chapter 1, verse 10 it says "The Lord your God has increased your number so that today you are as many as the stars in the sky." Isn't that what God promised Abraham way back in Genesis? God is not a man who renegotiates his words or lies. He reminds them over and over, if they obey the law that nothing but blessing will be upon them. He tells them not to be afraid of the other people they will have to face. God has already given them over to Israelites. But He also warns them not to fall into greed of the other nations gold and silver. It is detestable to the Lord. Deuteronomy 7:26 says "Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction." Whoa, fast forward to our current world. We've allowed so much detestable things in our homes when it comes to material wealth, knowledge, pornography and most of it comes to us through our televisions and computers.
The very first verse in chapter 8 says "Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and posses the land that the Lord promised and oath to your fathers." What things have you forgotten that God promised you? Have they yet to be fulfilled? Maybe its because its for the generation after you. Or possibly could it be you've allowed too much of the influence of the culture today to rob you of your promise. The incredible thing today, unlike the Israelites stepping into their promise, is Jesus came to be our negotiator. He is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Don't forget that . Its something to always remember and be incredibly thankful for.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Resurrection Day
Brightly colored eggs, baskets, chocolate bunnies, easter lillies, crosses and communion. All of these things are the main ingredients to a Christian holiday that is also celebrated by non-Christians. Today happens to be the day of this particular celebration. We find ourselves celebrating it March 23 this year. When I went to buy my daughters dress a few weeks back, the clerk asked what it was for. I said, "It's her Easter dress." She replied, "Wow, you're buying it so early." I don't think she had noticed the calendar said it was coming early this year.
Why are we celebrating it so early? Apparently it has to do with the Vernal Equinox, the first full moon after the first day of spring. The last time we celebrated this early in March was in 1913 and it won't ever happen again in my life time. It only comes around about every 100 years. I also discovered while reading up on it, that it was decreed by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 as part of the Gregorian calendar.
This actually got me thinking, again. Why is a Christian holiday, that supposedly happened at Passover by the Jewish calendar, so secular? According to Mark 14:12-26 it was Passover. This was when Jesus had is final meal with his disciples. "12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
In fact, last night, Jeff and I were watching The Ten Commandments on television. At first, I thought that was neat that they would show a Biblical program the night before Easter. Then I realized, why are they showing the Ten Commandments? Its Easter. That movie is about Passover. See even now the world is confused. Rather than showing the movie "Jesus of Nazareth" or "King of Kings" we watch Charlton Heston as Moses, not Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus.
I am thankful for the bravery of Moses going before Pharaoh and putting up with complaining people for forty years. But I am more grateful and thankful for the courage and willingness that Jesus had to take my punishment for sin and go to the cross for me. Jesus didn't do it for just one group of people, he was a hero for all of mankind.
Passover isn't until April 19th. I think we as believers should celebrate our biggest holiday again at that time. God is gracious and merciful enough to give us second chances. We have allowed our holiest day to be so diluted with other things that it has lost the excitement and gratefulness that is due. I think we should celebrate it at Passover time. If we gather as a Church body one more time this year, and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus without all of the colored eggs and candy, we might have the opportunity to truly be thankful for what Jesus did for us. God is merciful and gracious enough to give us a second chance at eternal life, I'm sure He'd be open to giving us a second chance to celebrate the resurrection of His Son.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Why are we celebrating it so early? Apparently it has to do with the Vernal Equinox, the first full moon after the first day of spring. The last time we celebrated this early in March was in 1913 and it won't ever happen again in my life time. It only comes around about every 100 years. I also discovered while reading up on it, that it was decreed by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 as part of the Gregorian calendar.
This actually got me thinking, again. Why is a Christian holiday, that supposedly happened at Passover by the Jewish calendar, so secular? According to Mark 14:12-26 it was Passover. This was when Jesus had is final meal with his disciples. "12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
13So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."
16The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."
19They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"
20"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.
24"This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
26When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. "
This is where I realized that the holiest day of the year for Christians has been become less about the resurrection and more about Easter eggs and candy. We have diluted it with pagan rituals. Like everything, we mix in a few compromises here and there, then you loose the whole flavor. Kind of like the two cakes I baked this weekend for our family celebration. I used two different cake mixes and one with name brand ingredients and one with some substitutions. The one cake was definately not as good as the cake with the brand name ingredients.In fact, last night, Jeff and I were watching The Ten Commandments on television. At first, I thought that was neat that they would show a Biblical program the night before Easter. Then I realized, why are they showing the Ten Commandments? Its Easter. That movie is about Passover. See even now the world is confused. Rather than showing the movie "Jesus of Nazareth" or "King of Kings" we watch Charlton Heston as Moses, not Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus.
I am thankful for the bravery of Moses going before Pharaoh and putting up with complaining people for forty years. But I am more grateful and thankful for the courage and willingness that Jesus had to take my punishment for sin and go to the cross for me. Jesus didn't do it for just one group of people, he was a hero for all of mankind.
Passover isn't until April 19th. I think we as believers should celebrate our biggest holiday again at that time. God is gracious and merciful enough to give us second chances. We have allowed our holiest day to be so diluted with other things that it has lost the excitement and gratefulness that is due. I think we should celebrate it at Passover time. If we gather as a Church body one more time this year, and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus without all of the colored eggs and candy, we might have the opportunity to truly be thankful for what Jesus did for us. God is merciful and gracious enough to give us a second chance at eternal life, I'm sure He'd be open to giving us a second chance to celebrate the resurrection of His Son.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Jesus at 12
Remember that tv show in the 80's called "James at 15" with Lance Kerwin? After reading today's passage in Luke, I couldn't resist that as my title for today. But seriously, what was Jesus like at 12?
My son turned 12 just seventeen days ago. Where he is at emotionally and in his maturity doesn't sound anything like Jesus at 12. The story of Jesus at the temple when he was 12 years old is found in Luke 2:41-52. It reads like this:
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
I can't even imagine what Mary and Joseph must have felt. The sick feeling of losing him, the guilt they must have felt not double checking that he was with them, and most of all, since Jesus never did anything wrong, that disappointment that he had been disobedient. Then it made me think about what kind of boy Jesus must have been. He must have been quiet mannered, probably an observer, a gentle spirit, but very confident and intelligent.
This got me thinking about what Mary must have been thinking when she realized he was not with them. That feeling is not a good one. My 12 year old would never do that because he barely lets me walk out of the house without fearing that I've left him alone. He's my homing pigeon. The scripture says it took them 3 days to find him. Probably because the last place they would have expected to find him was in the temple courts with the religious teachers. The scripture says his parents didn't know what to think or in the NIV they were astonished. As any parent, even though they may have been angry, probably a bit proud to find their son interacting with these men. Its says that Jesus was listening and asking questions. I wonder what kind of questions he was asking. I do wish the scripture had mentioned that, but I wonder if he was speaking to them the same as he did later on, in parables. Did they disregard him because he was a 12 year old? But I think the key action here that Jesus did was listen.
When they finally found him, his mother asked him why he did that to them? Jesus responded, "Why did you have to search? Didn't you know I'd be in my Father's house?". It said they didn't understand. Had Joseph and Mary taken so much of the parenting role in Jesus' life that they had forgotten whose son he was? Did they forget that God was ordering every step of Jesus' life? That Jesus was God in the flesh?
I also find it interesting that it was three days. Having been to the Old City, it would not have taken 3 days to find him. Its not that big. It was three days that Jesus had been in the grave after his death. On the third day he arose and was found by his "family." Jesus at 12 missing for three days was a snapshot of what was to come. When they found Jesus at the temple, was his countenance different after having been in his Father's house? Did they not recognize him? Much like the women in the garden that morning of his resurrection or the men on the road to Emmaus after Jesus had been with his Father in His Heavenly Home.
Let me ask this question? Would you know the difference if Jesus was missing in your own life for a few days? Do you find yourself anxious? Do you find yourself scattered? Do you find yourself searching for something? Maybe you are not convinced that Jesus makes that much of a difference in your life. I sure can tell when I haven't spent time with him. I am all of the above.
I don't know if Mary truly understood the 12 year old that she was raising. The scripture says that Mary stored these things in her heart. She was his mother. Maybe we don't understand everything that God does in our life and why, but the truth is Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Even in those times of panic, fear, anxiety and feeling lost, he is standing at the door, knocking. All you have to do is invite him in.
My son turned 12 just seventeen days ago. Where he is at emotionally and in his maturity doesn't sound anything like Jesus at 12. The story of Jesus at the temple when he was 12 years old is found in Luke 2:41-52. It reads like this:
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
49
51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. (NLT)
I can't even imagine what Mary and Joseph must have felt. The sick feeling of losing him, the guilt they must have felt not double checking that he was with them, and most of all, since Jesus never did anything wrong, that disappointment that he had been disobedient. Then it made me think about what kind of boy Jesus must have been. He must have been quiet mannered, probably an observer, a gentle spirit, but very confident and intelligent.
This got me thinking about what Mary must have been thinking when she realized he was not with them. That feeling is not a good one. My 12 year old would never do that because he barely lets me walk out of the house without fearing that I've left him alone. He's my homing pigeon. The scripture says it took them 3 days to find him. Probably because the last place they would have expected to find him was in the temple courts with the religious teachers. The scripture says his parents didn't know what to think or in the NIV they were astonished. As any parent, even though they may have been angry, probably a bit proud to find their son interacting with these men. Its says that Jesus was listening and asking questions. I wonder what kind of questions he was asking. I do wish the scripture had mentioned that, but I wonder if he was speaking to them the same as he did later on, in parables. Did they disregard him because he was a 12 year old? But I think the key action here that Jesus did was listen.
When they finally found him, his mother asked him why he did that to them? Jesus responded, "Why did you have to search? Didn't you know I'd be in my Father's house?". It said they didn't understand. Had Joseph and Mary taken so much of the parenting role in Jesus' life that they had forgotten whose son he was? Did they forget that God was ordering every step of Jesus' life? That Jesus was God in the flesh?
I also find it interesting that it was three days. Having been to the Old City, it would not have taken 3 days to find him. Its not that big. It was three days that Jesus had been in the grave after his death. On the third day he arose and was found by his "family." Jesus at 12 missing for three days was a snapshot of what was to come. When they found Jesus at the temple, was his countenance different after having been in his Father's house? Did they not recognize him? Much like the women in the garden that morning of his resurrection or the men on the road to Emmaus after Jesus had been with his Father in His Heavenly Home.
Let me ask this question? Would you know the difference if Jesus was missing in your own life for a few days? Do you find yourself anxious? Do you find yourself scattered? Do you find yourself searching for something? Maybe you are not convinced that Jesus makes that much of a difference in your life. I sure can tell when I haven't spent time with him. I am all of the above.
I don't know if Mary truly understood the 12 year old that she was raising. The scripture says that Mary stored these things in her heart. She was his mother. Maybe we don't understand everything that God does in our life and why, but the truth is Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Even in those times of panic, fear, anxiety and feeling lost, he is standing at the door, knocking. All you have to do is invite him in.
Friday, March 14, 2008
So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt....
Recently my sister Jill discovered a popular website where we can revisit out youth. We have been going all the way back into our childhood to find television shows and songs that bring back good memories. One of those for me was the song by Keith Green "So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt..." Part of the reason I think this song seems so fresh in my head is that I have been reading through the first books of the Bible and am currently in Numbers.
Going back to Egypt was big for the children of Israel. It seems like every time things didn't seem to go the way they had planned or wanted, they began to complain and the first thing out of their mouths was "Why did you take us out of Egypt? Did you bring us into the desert with no food and water so we could die?" You know that old saying, "misery loves company" was a motto for them, I believe. They cried about being slaves in Egypt then God answered their cry and the next thing they know they're free. Then they complained about being free. I'm embarrassed to say, I can relate! I wish I could say I was beyond that, but the fact is, I'm not.
As I'm reading through these scriptures, my first reaction is to respond with "can't you be grateful?" But in my own heart, its actually too familiar. I too am guilty of crying out to God for freedom in areas of my life and when I get them, I find something to complain about.
What's really interesting to me in the book of Numbers, Moses sends 12 men to spy out the promised land. Ten of the twelve came back with a negative perspective. Those ten guys spoke so negative about the place God had promised to give them that it literally spread like a disease throughout the camp. Only two of the men, Joshua and Caleb, whose names are remembered for their positive attitude, came back with a "more than a conquerer" mentality.
God was so angered by these ten men and the negativity they spread throughout the camp, that God decided to cut them off from their inheritance. He told them that no one from that generation could enter the promised land, except Joshua and Caleb. Wow, I bet that was a shock for those people. Forty years wandering around in the desert and now they would never get to see, let alone live in the promised land.
What a wake up call for me. What kind of negative words have I spread throughout my circle of friends and family? Have I caused some to be cut off from God? God has given us His Word so that we can learn from it. I need to pay attention to the consequences of those people. Because of Jesus and what he did for me at Calvary, and because I believe and he is my savior, I will get to enter my eternal promised land. But its not about me. Its about others in my life. Have I said something that might cause someone else to doubt? I hope not, but that is the problem with words, once they are out there, you can't take them back.
Personally, I want to be much more responsible for the words that I speak. I think if we all were a bit more responsible for what comes out of our mouths, we'd see more people come to Jesus, more healing and more power, that the body of Christ is supposed to have. Rather than whining and complaining about the "good ole' days" and wishing things could be like they used to be and when life seemed more innocent, I should be thankful for the days we are in now. Jesus said the last days would be like a woman in labor. The birth pains are getting closer together. Things have changed considerably over the last 40 years. But today I am much closer to the "eternal promised land" than I was 40 years ago! No I don't wanna go back to Egypt.
Going back to Egypt was big for the children of Israel. It seems like every time things didn't seem to go the way they had planned or wanted, they began to complain and the first thing out of their mouths was "Why did you take us out of Egypt? Did you bring us into the desert with no food and water so we could die?" You know that old saying, "misery loves company" was a motto for them, I believe. They cried about being slaves in Egypt then God answered their cry and the next thing they know they're free. Then they complained about being free. I'm embarrassed to say, I can relate! I wish I could say I was beyond that, but the fact is, I'm not.
As I'm reading through these scriptures, my first reaction is to respond with "can't you be grateful?" But in my own heart, its actually too familiar. I too am guilty of crying out to God for freedom in areas of my life and when I get them, I find something to complain about.
What's really interesting to me in the book of Numbers, Moses sends 12 men to spy out the promised land. Ten of the twelve came back with a negative perspective. Those ten guys spoke so negative about the place God had promised to give them that it literally spread like a disease throughout the camp. Only two of the men, Joshua and Caleb, whose names are remembered for their positive attitude, came back with a "more than a conquerer" mentality.
God was so angered by these ten men and the negativity they spread throughout the camp, that God decided to cut them off from their inheritance. He told them that no one from that generation could enter the promised land, except Joshua and Caleb. Wow, I bet that was a shock for those people. Forty years wandering around in the desert and now they would never get to see, let alone live in the promised land.
What a wake up call for me. What kind of negative words have I spread throughout my circle of friends and family? Have I caused some to be cut off from God? God has given us His Word so that we can learn from it. I need to pay attention to the consequences of those people. Because of Jesus and what he did for me at Calvary, and because I believe and he is my savior, I will get to enter my eternal promised land. But its not about me. Its about others in my life. Have I said something that might cause someone else to doubt? I hope not, but that is the problem with words, once they are out there, you can't take them back.
Personally, I want to be much more responsible for the words that I speak. I think if we all were a bit more responsible for what comes out of our mouths, we'd see more people come to Jesus, more healing and more power, that the body of Christ is supposed to have. Rather than whining and complaining about the "good ole' days" and wishing things could be like they used to be and when life seemed more innocent, I should be thankful for the days we are in now. Jesus said the last days would be like a woman in labor. The birth pains are getting closer together. Things have changed considerably over the last 40 years. But today I am much closer to the "eternal promised land" than I was 40 years ago! No I don't wanna go back to Egypt.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Whine and Dine
I can't believe its already March 8th. It has been a really busy week. Last weekend we celebrated my son's 12th birthday. It's hard to believe that we are embarking on the teen years. It seems like yesterday that he was born.
This past week, I happen to catch a pastor on t.v. talking about whiney Christians. He said that sometimes he gets so tired of hearing people whine he asks them if they need some cheese. I half laughed at that because often times I'm guilty.
Today the Bible reading was from the book of Numbers. The chapter was 11 and the particular section was "Quail From the Lord." It starts with verse 4 "The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, 'If only we had meat to eat! 5We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost-also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!'" Wow, does that sound like me sometimes. The manna bread that fell from heaven. Baked in the heavenly ovens then delivered to their door everyday. I have a friend who researched and found a similar recipe that might have been what manna tasted like. Its was similar to a waffle cone that you get at an ice cream store.
Then I came to verse 10. It says "Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled." Here God was giving them something that was special that could not be replicated. Think about it, the women didn't have to get up early to get the oven hot or coals and spend all morning baking bread for the family. The men didn't have to go out and grow the grain and harvest the grain needed to make the bread. It sounds so much like me. How ungrateful I am more often than not, that I can drive to the market and get what I need and it only takes me an hour of my week. And I still complain about going to the grocery store.
Verse 18 says "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, "If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!" Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. 19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 But a whole month-until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it-because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying "Why did we ever leave Egypt?" They whined and dined. But probably not the way they had anticipated. Be careful what you ask for. How many times has God given me exactly what I wanted and after I got it, wasn't so happy about it? In fact, sometimes it becomes a burden in my life.
Then I read verse 33, "But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34 Therefore the place was names Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food." Ouch! I can remember one time in my life when I was blessed with a great little car. My great-grandmother told me to pick a car that I would like. We went to the dealer and she paid cash and I drove off the lot in a brand new car with no car payments. Other than replacing the battery, I never had a problem with that car. Then a few years later, a new model came out and I really wanted it. So I decided to trade in my payment free car for a newer model and now I was having to make car payments every month. Needless to say, that car ended up being a lemon. Because I didn't have any problems with the previous car, I opted out of the warranty. This car had problem after problem and because of it, put me deep in credit card debt.
I don't think God's feelings were hurt because the people got tired of the manna, I think it was more about their attitude. God is pretty clear on his expectations of our heart and character. Thankfulness is where He prefers us to be. Philippians 2:14 & 15 says, 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." He is holy and whining and complaining doesn't line up in the holy category.
This passage hit pretty close to home for me. Down deep in my heart, I really don't want to be a whiner. I really need to watch how I talk from now on. Its so easy to point out and complain about the things in my life that aren't the way I would prefer. I need to be more thankful for the things the Lord has provided for me. Its more important for me to be grateful. Thats is what is pleasing to Him. Psalm 100:4 says to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart and to enter his courts with praise." I don't think there will be whiners in Heaven.
This past week, I happen to catch a pastor on t.v. talking about whiney Christians. He said that sometimes he gets so tired of hearing people whine he asks them if they need some cheese. I half laughed at that because often times I'm guilty.
Today the Bible reading was from the book of Numbers. The chapter was 11 and the particular section was "Quail From the Lord." It starts with verse 4 "The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, 'If only we had meat to eat! 5We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost-also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!'" Wow, does that sound like me sometimes. The manna bread that fell from heaven. Baked in the heavenly ovens then delivered to their door everyday. I have a friend who researched and found a similar recipe that might have been what manna tasted like. Its was similar to a waffle cone that you get at an ice cream store.
Then I came to verse 10. It says "Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled." Here God was giving them something that was special that could not be replicated. Think about it, the women didn't have to get up early to get the oven hot or coals and spend all morning baking bread for the family. The men didn't have to go out and grow the grain and harvest the grain needed to make the bread. It sounds so much like me. How ungrateful I am more often than not, that I can drive to the market and get what I need and it only takes me an hour of my week. And I still complain about going to the grocery store.
Verse 18 says "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, "If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!" Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. 19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 But a whole month-until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it-because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying "Why did we ever leave Egypt?" They whined and dined. But probably not the way they had anticipated. Be careful what you ask for. How many times has God given me exactly what I wanted and after I got it, wasn't so happy about it? In fact, sometimes it becomes a burden in my life.
Then I read verse 33, "But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34 Therefore the place was names Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food." Ouch! I can remember one time in my life when I was blessed with a great little car. My great-grandmother told me to pick a car that I would like. We went to the dealer and she paid cash and I drove off the lot in a brand new car with no car payments. Other than replacing the battery, I never had a problem with that car. Then a few years later, a new model came out and I really wanted it. So I decided to trade in my payment free car for a newer model and now I was having to make car payments every month. Needless to say, that car ended up being a lemon. Because I didn't have any problems with the previous car, I opted out of the warranty. This car had problem after problem and because of it, put me deep in credit card debt.
I don't think God's feelings were hurt because the people got tired of the manna, I think it was more about their attitude. God is pretty clear on his expectations of our heart and character. Thankfulness is where He prefers us to be. Philippians 2:14 & 15 says, 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." He is holy and whining and complaining doesn't line up in the holy category.
This passage hit pretty close to home for me. Down deep in my heart, I really don't want to be a whiner. I really need to watch how I talk from now on. Its so easy to point out and complain about the things in my life that aren't the way I would prefer. I need to be more thankful for the things the Lord has provided for me. Its more important for me to be grateful. Thats is what is pleasing to Him. Psalm 100:4 says to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart and to enter his courts with praise." I don't think there will be whiners in Heaven.
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