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timewithgod.blog-city.com — March 2008
Exodus 23-24 Saying Isn't Doing
Yesterday was our first day on the ski slopes. It came quickly back forJosh, but Joseph seemed plagued by the thought that he might fall andbreak his leg again. I started encouraging him gently, but I must admitthat by the end of the day I was threat
Yesterday was our first day on the ski slopes. It came quickly back for
Josh, but Joseph seemed plagued by the thought that he might fall and
break his leg again. I started encouraging him gently, but I must admit
that by the end of the day I was threatening to leave him at the hotel for
the next day of skiing or put him back in ski school.
All through the day, as I told him how to improve his skiing or not to
gett too close to a place because he'd have trouble getting back to where
he needed to be, he kep saying with exasperation, "I know!" or "I am!", to
which I would point out, "You're NOT! You're only saying that you are.
Saying is not doing!"
I imagine that's what God felt like with the Israelites. God, through
Moses, was telling them how to improve their spiritual lives and what to
avoid, and just as with Joseph's ready-answer-meaning-nothing, they said,
"We will do everything that the Lord has said; we will obey."
Perhaps that's exactly why God only let 74 people come up on the mountain
to actually see Him. Then later, Moses and Joshua alone went a little
farther, and then only Moses went closest to God.
My "travel" commentary quoted J. Oswlad Sanders, who said, "We are at this
moment as close to God as we really CHOOSE to be." It said "God invites us
to draw near, but often we are unwilling to do what is necessary to meet
Him."
I don't want to see my relationship with God as being like Joseph's skking
yesterday, always way behind where He is working, with me struggling just
to get close, and saying that I'm obeying His will when I know it's only
words.
Father, help me to stay close to You, no matter where I am or what I'm doing.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Josh, but Joseph seemed plagued by the thought that he might fall and
break his leg again. I started encouraging him gently, but I must admit
that by the end of the day I was threatening to leave him at the hotel for
the next day of skiing or put him back in ski school.
All through the day, as I told him how to improve his skiing or not to
gett too close to a place because he'd have trouble getting back to where
he needed to be, he kep saying with exasperation, "I know!" or "I am!", to
which I would point out, "You're NOT! You're only saying that you are.
Saying is not doing!"
I imagine that's what God felt like with the Israelites. God, through
Moses, was telling them how to improve their spiritual lives and what to
avoid, and just as with Joseph's ready-answer-meaning-nothing, they said,
"We will do everything that the Lord has said; we will obey."
Perhaps that's exactly why God only let 74 people come up on the mountain
to actually see Him. Then later, Moses and Joshua alone went a little
farther, and then only Moses went closest to God.
My "travel" commentary quoted J. Oswlad Sanders, who said, "We are at this
moment as close to God as we really CHOOSE to be." It said "God invites us
to draw near, but often we are unwilling to do what is necessary to meet
Him."
I don't want to see my relationship with God as being like Joseph's skking
yesterday, always way behind where He is working, with me struggling just
to get close, and saying that I'm obeying His will when I know it's only
words.
Father, help me to stay close to You, no matter where I am or what I'm doing.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Exodus 25-27 How Much Do We REALLY Appreciate Worship?
Even though we are staying at a motel with a television, I'm amazed at what we brought with us "to make the trip go better" -- a PS3 and two PSP's, my laptop for internet access and playing DVD's, along with our clothing and ski
Even though we are staying at a motel with a television, I'm amazed at what we brought with us "to make the trip go better" -- a PS3 and two PSP's, my laptop for internet access and playing DVD's, along with our clothing and ski clothes. It takes many trips to the car to unload it all. Yet as I read what God directed them to construct to make His Holy Meeting Tent, I'm ASTOUNDED at the bulk and weight of everything that they had to transport and set up at each stop! A huge tent with 4 layers of covering, including linene, goatskin, sheepskin, and fine leather would certainly amount to a lot of weight. But then there were tent poles, frames and bases that were covered with fine metals, not to mention the courtyard curtains making a "fence" 150'x75' around the tent and the poles to support it. I wondered if, everywhere they stopped, they had to first clear the ground of weeds and rocks and smooth out the sand before getting started? Then the unpacking and putting together of everything just to house the Ark of the Agreement so that Moses could go in and meet with God! If we had to do that each Sunday before worship, rather than simply coming in to listen, how many people would still show up? They had to have had an incredible reverence for God to do this, despite their constant ability to sin. It amazes me. Father, help me not to take lightly the privilege I have of coming to meet with You in worship at our church or anywhere else. Help me to remember what it would have been like for these people, and then help me to cherish all the more how easy You've made it for us to meet with You today.
Exodus 28-29 We Dedicate, But He Consecrates
I was struck by God's instructions for "making" Aaron and his sons priests -- "holy clothes" to give them honor and beauty and to show that they belonged to God; words on his turban so that God would accept the peoples' gi
I was struck by God's instructions for "making" Aaron and his sons priests -- "holy clothes" to give them honor and beauty and to show that they belonged to God; words on his turban so that God would accept the peoples' gifts; linen underwear that, if forgotten, would result in their death; and blood sprinkled on their beautiful clothes and dabbed on ears, thumbs, and big toes to show they belonged to God. The daily sacrifices were commanded "every day from now on." Those apparently aren't being done anymore, yet God plainly said, "When you make the offering, I, the Lord, will meet you there and speak to you .... I will live with the people of Israel and be their God. And they will know that I am the Lord their God who led them out of Egypt SO THAT I COULD LIVE WITH THEM...I am the Lord their God." At some point, they gave up, I guess, because He stopped showing up. They realized that they were no longer holy to Him. My commentary said, "We dedicate, but God consecrates. We surrender, but He sanctifies." Father, I may attempt to dedicate myself and surrender my life to You, but I must understand that You are holy and that You can have no part in "unholiness" from me. Consecrate and sanctify me with Your Holy Spirit to give me what I need to live up to what You demand. Set my eyes on You.
Exodus 30-31 Something We NON-Clergy Can Now Relate To
If any of us not engaged in full-time ministry, ordained or not, ever doubt that God is not just as involved in readying us for service as He is for those in full-time ministry, we should regularly read and absorb chapter 31, substituting our own nam
If any of us not engaged in full-time ministry, ordained or not, ever doubt that God is not just as involved in readying us for service as He is for those in full-time ministry, we should regularly read and absorb chapter 31, substituting our own names for those listed in the chapter:
[God is talking:] "See, I have chosen _______. I have filled _______ with the Spirit of God and have given him the skill, ability, and knowledge to do all kinds of work. I have also chosen _________ to work WITH __________."
God has chosen us, filled us, and given us what and who we need to do what He commands. My commentary says that "with the divine command there is divine enablement.... the work is all the Lord's, but He accomplishes it through human instrumentality, then rewards His agents."
Father, help me to come to the point where I absolutely understand that wherever and whatever You have me doing is ministry, and that You have chosen and equipped me for it. I have a work to do, not for a paycheck, but for Your glory.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Exodus 32 -- The Very Great Value And Privilege Of Intercession
Seeing that this was the chapter that told the story about the people making the golden calf, I almost hated to read what I knew would be coming, but instead of focusing me on the people's sin, God pointed me towards Moses' intercession on be
Seeing that this was the chapter that told the story about the people making the golden calf, I almost hated to read what I knew would be coming, but instead of focusing me on the people's sin, God pointed me towards Moses' intercession on behalf of them.
God was righteously angry with them for what they had done. But six little words He said must have led Moses to believe he stood a chance -- "So now do not stop Me." How could Moses even dare to dream that he could stop God?
It says that he begged God. Begging comes out of total need, not from a position of power. He asked God to temper His anger and to remember His plans for these people. Moses warned God about the negative publicity this would produce back in Egypt. He challenged God to stop being angry and to remember the promises He'd made to the patriarchs.
Rather than instantly destroying them, God allowed Moses to tell them of His great anger with them. Still, 3,000 people continued their sins and the tribe of Levi stepped up to kill that group. Once the sinning had been stopped, Moses next went back before God in an attempt to have their sins removed. In his boldest request yet, Moses said, in effect, "Forgive them, or else I don't want to be a part of what You are doing." (Actual: "Erase my name from Your book.")
God could have decided that Moses was being too brash and presuming on his familiarity with God, but instead He answered, "I will erase from My book the names of the people who sin against Me... When the time comes to punish, I will punish them for their sin."
Father, I thank You today for Your grace through Your Son's sacrifice. Thank You for not removing my name from Your book when I sin. Thank You also for this example of bold intercession. Because of my relationship with You through Your Son, I feel that I can also boldly ask for You to relent in what You've chosen to do. Help me to be an intercessor for others. Unlike Aaron, help me not to sit by and let others sin themselves into destruction.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Exodus 33 -- WOW! Imagine Hearing God Say THIS!
It is amazing listening in on the conversations between Moses and God. How incredible it must have been to clearly understand every word God said and not have to worry about whether you've heard Him correctly or not!How Moses must have flin
It is amazing listening in on the conversations between Moses and God. How incredible it must have been to clearly understand every word God said and not have to worry about whether you've heard Him correctly or not!
How Moses must have flinched then, when he heard God say, "go to the land that I promised .... I will send an angel to lead you ... but I will not go with you, because I might destroy [the Israelites] on the way since [they] are such a stubborn people."
Moses' "bravery" (I guess you'd call it) stuns me. He pleased God and felt so at ease speaking with Him that he seemed able to dare to suggest something other than what God's first desire was, and lived to hear His answer! "You have told me to lead these people, but You did not say whom you would send with me ... If I have truly pleased You, show me Your plans so that I may know You and continue to please You."
I'd have had a very hard time just saying "If I have truly pleased You," but what an incredible request the rest was!
God hints at the Trinity next, when He answers, "I Myself WILL go with You." So how can God go with them without going with them? My commentary said He went as the pre-incarnate Jesus -- as the Angel of the Lord.
What it must have been like for Moses to then hear God say, "I will do what you ask, because I know you VERY WELL, and I am PLEASED with you." (I often feel like God would instead say, "I know you very well, and how dare you even ask!")
Moses even asked to see God's face but was told he could only see His backside and live. My commentary then addressed the inevitable question: "How then do we explain passages in the Bible where people saw God and did not die?" It's answer is that "they saw Jesus Christ, sometimes as the Angel of the Lord, sometimes as a Man, and once manifested Himself as a voice.... The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father has fully declared God. Christ is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His Person. That is why He could say, 'He who has seen Me has seen the Father.' " How understandable and how true!
Father, I know that I sin, and I know that You cannot abide in the presence of sin. Still I long to hear You as Moses did. I want to be able, because of my proper actions and thoughts, to hear You say, "I am pleased with you." Please conform my will to Yours so that someday it may be a possibility.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Exodus 34-36 What God Revealed About Himself
God revealed Himself to Moses in chapter 34, and I couldn't help but think of what Henry Blackaby said in Experiencing God about taking special note of how the Lord reveals Himself in each situation.The first thing He did was to call out His Name
God revealed Himself to Moses in chapter 34, and I couldn't help but think of what Henry Blackaby said in Experiencing God about taking special note of how the Lord reveals Himself in each situation.
The first thing He did was to call out His Name, a name so revered that the Israelites believed it was a name they should never even pronounce because of their unworthiness. Moses gets to hear God say it!
God then protected Moses from seeing His face as He passed by, so that Moses wouldn't die from seeing all that glory. Then God said about Himself [my words]:
"I am The Lord. I'm a God who shows mercy. I'm kind. I don't become angry quickly, and I have great love and faithfulness. I'm kind to thousands of people (not just a few). I forgive people for evil, for sin, AND for turning against Me. BUT, I do not forget to punish guilty people. My punishments often affect up to five generations."
Upon hearing this, Moses' reaction was to quickly bow down to the ground and worship God. I imagine that he did this because he realized that God had revealed Himself as Someone deeply in love with His creation, DESPITE the flaws and disobedience of those creations. I noticed there was really only one sentence about punishment, and the reference to five generations has proven to be true. One study I've read traced the family trees of several large families, along with the actions of each member. True to what God said, the effects of one man's sin showed to have an effect on members of the next four generations!
Father, I want to have a positive effect on my boys and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I do not want my sin to effect so many people, so keep me from it. Please help me to reveal to Josh and Joseph what You show me about Yourself. Help them to grow up to be men after Your own heart.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Exodus 37-40 An Incredible Find About "Worship Filters"
There was so much repetition here as Moses related in such great detail the construction of everything related to the Tabernacle, almost like an audit report so that anyone could see that it had all been constructed exactly as directed. Still,
There was so much repetition here as Moses related in such great detail the construction of everything related to the Tabernacle, almost like an audit report so that anyone could see that it had all been constructed exactly as directed.
Still, one thing stood out for me, probably as a result of an incident with my youngest son at church last night. A boy I can only describe as a terrorist-about-to-be-certified, who has graced the Juvenile justice system with his presence many times, despite the fact that he is only in fourth grade, punched my son in the stomach, doubling him over. An adult worker brought my son to me in the youth building. We had just finished a wonderful Bible study about "moving from being out of control to being out of [not of] this world for Jesus." I'd just read Jesus' words, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him to other also..... I tell you: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Yet my anger welled up within me. This wasn't the first time he'd attacked my son, and he had a long history of rebellion. I could only think of the motto: "Evil thrives when good men do nothing."
In my anger, I told my son exactly how he was to defend himself the next time, not turning the other cheek (I think last night counted as the other cheek). I then needed to go play in the praise band, and needless to say, it was incredibly difficult to get into a worshipful mode, and Jesus' words kept rattling through my brain.
When I got home, I prayed to calm down before I called the boy's grandmother, who had graduated with me. Only by the grace of God did I manage to relate what happened without any overt threats being mentioned. This morning, it all still was rattling around my mind.
Then I came upon this in my commentary about 39:30-31, where it discusses the gold band around the high priest's turban, which was carved with the words, "Holy To The Lord." It added: "All that we do is stained with sin, but our WORSHIP and SERVICE are purged from all imperfections by our Great High Priest BEFORE they reach the Father."
God, I'm sorry that I allowed my anger to distract me from my worship. I felt like I didn't do well at all in worshiping You last night. I thank You that I can know that it was purged from all imperfection before reaching You. Please clear it all from my mind and heart so that my worship will be real and never forced.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
John 1:1 - 1:18 About The Purpose Of Living
I imagine that these verses can be tough for nonbelievers. I vaguely remember my struggle to understand them. They speak of abstract concepts which eventually are revealed as God-in-Christ. But they also tell us so much about
I imagine that these verses can be tough for nonbelievers. I vaguely remember my struggle to understand them. They speak of abstract concepts which eventually are revealed as God-in-Christ. But they also tell us so much about what God is like.
My commentary contained two sparkling nuggets this morning:
1) "The Savior was full of grace AND truth. On the one hand, full of undeserved kindness for others, He was also completely honest and upright, and he NEVER excused sin or approved of evil. To be completely gracious and at the same time completely righteous is something that only God can be."
2) "He [Jesus] provides the guidance and direction necessary for man. It is one thing to exist, but quite another to know how to live, to know the true purpose of life, and to know the way to heaven."
Father, I thank You that You pulled me away from the self-indulgence and self-pride of human knowledge and drew Me in Yourself so that I might understand Your love for me, shown through the death of Your Son, because You wanted me not simply to exist, but to truly live and to discover my true purpose in life. Thank You for helping me to understand and thoroughly believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no one comes to You, but by Him.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
John 1:19 - 1:51 It Isn't Rocket Science
It was so very interesting to watch what the first disciples did as they met Jesus. Once John the Baptist understood that Jesus was the Messiah, he lost two followers as they went to follow Jesus: John and Andrew. My commentary said
It was so very interesting to watch what the first disciples did as they met Jesus. Once John the Baptist understood that Jesus was the Messiah, he lost two followers as they went to follow Jesus: John and Andrew. My commentary said that their question of where Jesus was staying meant they wanted to be with the Lord and to get to KNOW Him better, and it mentioned that no one with a genuine desire to learn more of the savior is ever turned away.
Andrew then said five words to his brother, Simon (Peter): "We have found the Messiah!" My commentary: "We need only to tell men about the Lord Jesus in simple words, and God will take care of the rest. Andrew brought his brother to the right place and to the right Person. He did not bring him to the church.... He brought him to Jesus."
Jesus met Philip in Galilee and said only two words: "Follow me!" and Philip was instantly convinced. When he tried to tell Nathanael, Nathanael had problems, because he didn't think anything or anyone good could ever come out of Nazareth.
My commentary noted this about Nathanael's faith, by James S. Stewart:
"It never was Christ's way to demand a full-fledged faith for a beginning. It never was His way to hold me back from discipleship on the ground of an incomplete creed. And quite possibly that is not His way today. He puts Himself alongside His brethren. He bids them attach themselves to Him at any point they can. He takes them with the faith that they can offer Him. He is content with that as a beginning, and from that He leads His friends on, as He led the first group on, step by step, to the inmost secret of who He is and to the full glory of discipleship."
Father, I so remember how weak my faith was for so many years. Thank You for accepting me that way and for finally growing me to know You much better. I had too many questions and I set up a lot of hurdles. Thank You for knocking them down and for showing me how unimportant they were -- that I only needed to know Your Son and You'd take care of the rest.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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