Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
When I was learning math, I remember having to learn an "order of operations". Problems had to be worked out in the right order, or else I would get a wrong answer.
What I've come to realize is that the same thing is true in life - there is an order of operations. For things to work out right, I have to be sure to put things in the right order. Often, it's a matter or prioritizing correctly. Sometimes, though, it's just about practicality and common sense - like if I try to put the cups in my kitchen cabinet before the coffee mugs, the mugs don't fit and I end up having to take the cups back out. I know this "order of operations" because I experienced some aggravation in trying to figure out how things fit together when space is limited.
In speaking of how the Lord sent manna to the children of Israel, we find that there was an "order of operations" at work here. The Scripture says, "he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna...". AND THEN! The Lord could have sent manna from day 1. It wouldn't have been a hard thing for Him to do. He had the power. He knew that the people would need to eat. But He also knew that there was something that they needed more than food, only they didn't realize it yet. They needed HIM! Food was incidental, but the people didn't know it. So God let them go hungry. Not for long - He didn't take them to the brink of starvation or anything close to it. But He let them go hungry, and after they had been hungry for a little while, God sent the manna.
When we've waited for the manna, our faith grows - like the Children of Israel. We learn that what matters most may not necessarily be what we thought was most important. But we learn.
God provides. It's generally not in the way we expect. It's often not as quickly as we really want. But God provides.
Are you hungry today? Are you in need of something? Rest assured God knows what you need. He is not insensitive to your needs. Probably He is just stretching you to grow your faith - helping you to understand that "man does not live by bread alone."
Hang in there. Manna's coming!
...Just a thought...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A Show of Thankfulness
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! Psalm 119:1-7
I am very excited about our ministry theme for next year. We are preparing an exciting study of the Law of God, focusing on the Ten Commandments. I can hardly wait, and it's proving to be a little bit of a struggle to stay on track to finish out this year because I am so ready to get started with the new theme.
But in the midst of all my excitement, there is a bit of trepidation. What if churches aren't ready for it? The modern church has become so grace-focused, often to the total exclusion of the Law, that I wonder if taking this approach may be like ministry-suicide...?
The thing is... I don't care! I am so tired of watered-down theology, so concerned that many professing Christians really have very little understanding of salvation, that it's totally worth any risk to be sure that the truth is presented.
God gave us His Law for a reason. And no matter how many well-meaning "Christians" try to tell me, "We're not under Law- we're under grace," I will not be convinced that the Law is archaic or inapplicable to 21st century humanity.
I understand the problem. I, like many of you, have witnessed the legalistic approach often applied by those churches, schools, and organizations who have held onto the Law to the exclusion of grace. But I believe the modern church has gone too far in the other direction, preaching grace to the exclusion of the Law. I happen to believe that there is a great need for balance.
As Christians, we are called to live differently (ALIENZ). We are called to be like Christ (REPLICATORS). We are called! This is the key. We are not saved because of our works - the works follow genuine salvation. As the psalmist writes, "I will thank you by living as I should." When we truly understand what Christ has done for us on the cross, our hearts cry out in gratitude, and that gratitude will be reflected in the way in which we live our lives.
My prayer is that we can bring the teaching of the law back into the church - not as as an instrument of judgement and legalism - but for its intended purpose: as a standard for living, which points us clearly to our great need of a Savior.
As Paul says in Romans 7:7, "I would not have known what sin was except through the law."
So as I understand my need, I cry out for a Savior, who extends to me grace. He frees me from the consequences of breaking the law, while calling me to a higher standard of living than the law ever did.
Are you truly thankful today? The evidence will be found in the way we live our lives.
...Just a thought...
I am very excited about our ministry theme for next year. We are preparing an exciting study of the Law of God, focusing on the Ten Commandments. I can hardly wait, and it's proving to be a little bit of a struggle to stay on track to finish out this year because I am so ready to get started with the new theme.
But in the midst of all my excitement, there is a bit of trepidation. What if churches aren't ready for it? The modern church has become so grace-focused, often to the total exclusion of the Law, that I wonder if taking this approach may be like ministry-suicide...?
The thing is... I don't care! I am so tired of watered-down theology, so concerned that many professing Christians really have very little understanding of salvation, that it's totally worth any risk to be sure that the truth is presented.
God gave us His Law for a reason. And no matter how many well-meaning "Christians" try to tell me, "We're not under Law- we're under grace," I will not be convinced that the Law is archaic or inapplicable to 21st century humanity.
I understand the problem. I, like many of you, have witnessed the legalistic approach often applied by those churches, schools, and organizations who have held onto the Law to the exclusion of grace. But I believe the modern church has gone too far in the other direction, preaching grace to the exclusion of the Law. I happen to believe that there is a great need for balance.
As Christians, we are called to live differently (ALIENZ). We are called to be like Christ (REPLICATORS). We are called! This is the key. We are not saved because of our works - the works follow genuine salvation. As the psalmist writes, "I will thank you by living as I should." When we truly understand what Christ has done for us on the cross, our hearts cry out in gratitude, and that gratitude will be reflected in the way in which we live our lives.
My prayer is that we can bring the teaching of the law back into the church - not as as an instrument of judgement and legalism - but for its intended purpose: as a standard for living, which points us clearly to our great need of a Savior.
As Paul says in Romans 7:7, "I would not have known what sin was except through the law."
So as I understand my need, I cry out for a Savior, who extends to me grace. He frees me from the consequences of breaking the law, while calling me to a higher standard of living than the law ever did.
Are you truly thankful today? The evidence will be found in the way we live our lives.
...Just a thought...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Through the Deep
When you go through the deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2
Often when we talk about our trusting in the Lord, we present our faith as based on His blessing us and helping us through difficult times. This line of thought leaves us with a distorted view of God and salvation. God is holy, and cannot tolerate sin. If we want to be with God, we have to deal with our sin problem. Jesus Christ offered His life as payment for our sins. This is the basis of our salvation.
Now, for the rest of the story. Along with salvation, the Lord has offered us some "fringe benefits". These benefits are based on God's goodness - not our worthiness. Sometimes, these benefits are misrepresented. I often hear well-meaning people (and I have been guilty of this as well) talk about how God has changed their life and given them peace, joy, deliverance, what ever... While peace, joy, deliverance, and all those other blessings are wonderful gifts from God, they are just fringe benefits of our relationship with God.
In other words, if I come to God just for what He's going to do for me, I will find myself feeling let down, disillusioned, maybe even unloved. I think this may be much of what has happened in modern Christianity - in focusing on the benefits, we have lost sight of the relationship, and the reason we truly need a Savior. People who came to Christ looking for a better life have run into the harsh realities of life. Life is hard. It's often not fair. The good guys don't always win. And being a Christian doesn't mean things will always go right for you. What it really means is that while things are going wrong, you're not alone.
Notice what Isaiah says, "WHEN you go through deep waters... (emphasis mine)." There is not the feel good message of, "Don't worry - God will get you out of the deep waters." The promise is that when we find ourselves in deep waters, God will be with us. He might deliver us - and sometimes He does and it's wonderful. But ALWAYS He will be with us.
Do you find yourself in deep waters today? If you know the Lord, then you can rest in the knowledge that you are not alone.
Be encouraged! ...Just a thought...
Often when we talk about our trusting in the Lord, we present our faith as based on His blessing us and helping us through difficult times. This line of thought leaves us with a distorted view of God and salvation. God is holy, and cannot tolerate sin. If we want to be with God, we have to deal with our sin problem. Jesus Christ offered His life as payment for our sins. This is the basis of our salvation.
Now, for the rest of the story. Along with salvation, the Lord has offered us some "fringe benefits". These benefits are based on God's goodness - not our worthiness. Sometimes, these benefits are misrepresented. I often hear well-meaning people (and I have been guilty of this as well) talk about how God has changed their life and given them peace, joy, deliverance, what ever... While peace, joy, deliverance, and all those other blessings are wonderful gifts from God, they are just fringe benefits of our relationship with God.
In other words, if I come to God just for what He's going to do for me, I will find myself feeling let down, disillusioned, maybe even unloved. I think this may be much of what has happened in modern Christianity - in focusing on the benefits, we have lost sight of the relationship, and the reason we truly need a Savior. People who came to Christ looking for a better life have run into the harsh realities of life. Life is hard. It's often not fair. The good guys don't always win. And being a Christian doesn't mean things will always go right for you. What it really means is that while things are going wrong, you're not alone.
Notice what Isaiah says, "WHEN you go through deep waters... (emphasis mine)." There is not the feel good message of, "Don't worry - God will get you out of the deep waters." The promise is that when we find ourselves in deep waters, God will be with us. He might deliver us - and sometimes He does and it's wonderful. But ALWAYS He will be with us.
Do you find yourself in deep waters today? If you know the Lord, then you can rest in the knowledge that you are not alone.
Be encouraged! ...Just a thought...
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