This weeks scriptures reminds us again that our lives are to be examples of God's work within our lives. We see Joshua finally entering the promise land with God's people and Joshua is reminded by God that He is in control and will take care of the details. All Joshua has to do is let God exalt him in the sight of Israel. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the message they received from him was God's good news, and not the words of Man. God gave Paul the strength he needed to work a full time job and at the same time spread the gospel. Finally we see Jesus telling the crowds to listen tot the Pharisees teaching but to not follow their example. The Pharisees are looking to be exalted by man and not God. Jesus shows us that God wants us to be humble and open to His calling in our lives and He will exalt us far beyond our own power. Do your actions reflect the God's calling in your life? Where are some places in our lives we focus more on what people think of us rather than taking the opportunity to spread God's love?
What people might think of me has more impact on opportunities to spread God's word than His love. I often hesitate in this regard because I am afraid of rejection or that I'll offend someone. This fear devalues the good news because it suggests the news is not so good after all.
Joshua needed exalting because he had to fill a mighty big pair of shoes. Moses would be a tough act to follow! But God was there for Joshua, ensuring that the man the Lord had appointed to lead Israel after Moses' death would receive the support he needed. So, too, is God with us, 'exalting' us by equipping us to do the good works which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
It always amazes me when God places correlating Scripture and teachings in my path. After reading Kevin's note about this week's Scriptures, and then reading Pastor Matt's comments, this is what I found in my daily devotional:
[In Ephesians 1:4] Paul describes how God views us "in Him [Christ]". God sees us as "holy and blameless" because Christ our Savior is holy and blameless. . . . Despite our exalted position in God's sight, our practice often falls far short of His holy standard. Therefore, the challenge of Christian living is to increasingly match our practice to our position. . . . How do we meet that challenge? By prayer, Bible study, and yielding our life to the Spirit's control. Commit yourself to those priorities today as you seek to fulfill the great purpose to which you've been called---the "good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
Effective leaders lead from a position as servants. Joshua 3 7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. . . . . By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites Joshua led from a position as the Lord’s servant. The goal: the Promised Land. Psalm 107 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. . . . . 7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. . . . .That they may establish a city for a dwelling place, 37 And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest Our longsuffering LORD leads by His humble Servant Jesus. The goal: a City Matthew 23 . 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them . . . . 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Jesus led from a position as a servant. The goal: Servants yoked with Him in a light burden. 1 Thessalonians 2 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. . . . . 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe . . . 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. Paul led from a position of a servant. The goal: The Kingdom of God.
Both Trish and Dr. Vic make excellent points. God’s exaltation is a direct response to our exaltation of Him in our lives. Our three “servant leaders” give us 3 characteristics of what it takes to allow God to make us capable to do his work. First we see Joshua’s steadfast faith in God’s words. Throughout Joshua’s life God has been in communion with Moses, while Joshua watched in the background. Joshua has seen God’s words in action. Joshua knows God’s word to be true and trust Him whole heartedly. In order for us to be used by God to do the work he has set out before us, we need to be listening. Joshua had a big task ahead of him, he has to take the Promise Land, but there is a barrier in the way, a river. He has an entire army, sitting on the shores of the Jordan, and no way across. Joshua knew God would fulfill His promise so he waited for God’s command. When God tells Joshua His plan, to “part” the river, he listens and he follows through in complete faith. Joshua knows who is leading and instead of striving to make himself look like the hero, he takes a backseat to God who in turn exalted Joshua in the eyes of the people. We can learn from Joshua’s example, and see what happens when we let God give the orders in our lives. What barriers are in your life preventing you from His Promise? What is preventing you from listening to God?
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” ~ Matt 23:12. You have to love how God flips our world upside down. Jesus again points out that the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time, missed the point. The Pharisees were the authority, sitting on Moses’ Seat, reading and teaching from God’s law, which was not the problem. Jesus’ problem was the Pharisee’s actions and the reasons for those actions. Jesus could see their inward appearance and their reasoning for the show they were putting on. The Pharisees were looking for praise from men, to be exalted as amazing teachers and leaders. Jesus tells the crowd that humility is the way to go. Humility is the understanding of one’s own importance. Jesus is asking us to trust in him and in order to do that, it requires humility. Without humility we cannot give up control of our lives to God, the one who knows what is best. Where do you struggle with Humility? What parts of your life are you putting on a good show and not letting God take control?
"Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others." (Matthew 23:5-7) Boy does this describe me! It is so hard to give In a way that honors and exalts God without seeking in some way to honor and exalt myself. How I love to be called "good." How I love to be thought of as "generous." And yet in doing so I receive my reward in full (Matthew 6:2) If we are to avoid that, we must learn to give in such a way that our right hand does not know what our left hand is doing. When we do that, our reward resides where it belongs, in heaven, while God is honored and exalted here on earth.
"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south." (Psalm 107:2-3) Here is a way in which we can genuinely honor and exalt the Lord our God—by telling our story to our family, friends and neighbors. It needn't be an especially exciting or dramatic story, either, because God is not often heard in the lightning or the raging storm, but in the quiet stillness which encourages us to listen and hear what is being said. So many times the Lord has "turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs" for me. Where there was no life and no hope, God brought both through His Son. Through Him I have "yielded a fruitful harvest" as the Lord blessed me, and that is a story worth telling. How has the Lord accomplished that in your life, and when will you let someone else know what He has done, for His honor and to His glory?
God has brought me out of a pit of self destruction many many of times. Without Christ living in me, I would be dead. He has called me to share this with our youth, as well as with my family, friends, coworkers, patients and strangers so they know it is God who works in my life. I share His love with others. Love that I could not give if it were not for Him. I often hear "Why are you smiling ?" My answer is "Because I am full of joy, God fills me with it !" So when I get to share, listen, give comfort or just say "I'm praying for you", it is for God's glory !
“For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” (1 Thess 2:9) God is so amazing, using a flawed vessel like Paul, like you, like me to speak His words. Paul reminds us here that we are proclaiming the gospel in our everyday lives, at our jobs, in our homes, at the grocery store. It is not just about the words we say; it is the way our actions reflect the changing love of Christ in our lives. Paul says he took care of the Thessalonians like father, encouraging and exhorting them to walk in a manner worthy of God. Paul didn’t just tell the Thessalonians about God’s Love for them, he showed them! Are our lives and our actions reflecting the love and sacrifice God made for us? Do we see God as our father who is willing to sacrifice His Son for us? Is our walk in life reflecting that love? If our words and our lives are parallel, we give the people watching the opportunity to hear the Gospel.
I have been spending time in daily devotions in the book of Matthew over the past week. In Matthew 5:5 Jesus teaches " Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." This Beatitude came to me as I was reading what you wrote above Kevin. We must submit to God in order to do his will here on earth. "Meekness is an attitude of submission and trust that accepts all of God's way's with us as good, and therefore does not murmur, dispute, or retaliate. It realizes that what comes to us from man is permitted and used by God for our discipline and thus for purifying us. Meekness is a trusting attitude that looks beyond circumstances and beyond man to the sovreign God and, bowing the knee say's, "Lord, what pleases Thee pleases me."( Kay Arthur ) When we submit to our Lord, we can do the rest. The Pharisees asked Jesus "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law ?'' Matthew 22:36 - Jesus replied: "Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40. So, I chose to submit to my Lord, and by doing this, I then can reflect his love to others !
Geography and Time – our God is in control of both.
NIV Version note for the stopping of the Jordan: “The stoppage nearly 20 miles upstream would have happened several hours earlier to make the events coincide.” Coincidence?
The word of God is at work in those who believe. In spite of our struggles to be humble servants, even though we worry far too much about what people think, although we tend towards exalting ourselves rather than God, His word is at work within us. What an encouragement that is to us as God's people. Today, as you honor the Sabbath by keeping it, know that as you engage God's word the Lord will begin a work within you, and even better, "that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
This weeks scriptures reminds us again that our lives are to be examples of God's work within our lives. We see Joshua finally entering the promise land with God's people and Joshua is reminded by God that He is in control and will take care of the details. All Joshua has to do is let God exalt him in the sight of Israel. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the message they received from him was God's good news, and not the words of Man. God gave Paul the strength he needed to work a full time job and at the same time spread the gospel. Finally we see Jesus telling the crowds to listen tot the Pharisees teaching but to not follow their example. The Pharisees are looking to be exalted by man and not God. Jesus shows us that God wants us to be humble and open to His calling in our lives and He will exalt us far beyond our own power. Do your actions reflect the God's calling in your life? Where are some places in our lives we focus more on what people think of us rather than taking the opportunity to spread God's love?
ReplyDeleteWhat people might think of me has more impact on opportunities to spread God's word than His love. I often hesitate in this regard because I am afraid of rejection or that I'll offend someone. This fear devalues the good news because it suggests the news is not so good after all.
DeleteJoshua needed exalting because he had to fill a mighty big pair of shoes. Moses would be a tough act to follow! But God was there for Joshua, ensuring that the man the Lord had appointed to lead Israel after Moses' death would receive the support he needed. So, too, is God with us, 'exalting' us by equipping us to do the good works which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me when God places correlating Scripture and teachings in my path. After reading Kevin's note about this week's Scriptures, and then reading Pastor Matt's comments, this is what I found in my daily devotional:
ReplyDelete[In Ephesians 1:4] Paul describes how God views us "in Him [Christ]". God sees us as "holy and blameless" because Christ our Savior is holy and blameless. . . . Despite our exalted position in God's sight, our practice often falls far short of His holy standard. Therefore, the challenge of Christian living is to increasingly match our practice to our position. . . . How do we meet that challenge? By prayer, Bible study, and yielding our life to the Spirit's control. Commit yourself to those priorities today as you seek to fulfill the great purpose to which you've been called---the "good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
Oops - I neglected to note that the above citation comes from "Drawing Near, Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith" by John MacArthur.
DeleteEffective leaders lead from a position as servants.
ReplyDeleteJoshua 3 7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. . . . . By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites
Joshua led from a position as the Lord’s servant. The goal: the Promised Land.
Psalm 107 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. . . . . 7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. . . . .That they may establish a city for a dwelling place,
37 And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest
Our longsuffering LORD leads by His humble Servant Jesus. The goal: a City
Matthew 23
. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them . . . . 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Jesus led from a position as a servant. The goal: Servants yoked with Him
in a light burden.
1 Thessalonians 2 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. . . . . 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe . . . 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Paul led from a position of a servant. The goal: The Kingdom of God.
Both Trish and Dr. Vic make excellent points. God’s exaltation is a direct response to our exaltation of Him in our lives. Our three “servant leaders” give us 3 characteristics of what it takes to allow God to make us capable to do his work. First we see Joshua’s steadfast faith in God’s words. Throughout Joshua’s life God has been in communion with Moses, while Joshua watched in the background. Joshua has seen God’s words in action. Joshua knows God’s word to be true and trust Him whole heartedly. In order for us to be used by God to do the work he has set out before us, we need to be listening. Joshua had a big task ahead of him, he has to take the Promise Land, but there is a barrier in the way, a river. He has an entire army, sitting on the shores of the Jordan, and no way across. Joshua knew God would fulfill His promise so he waited for God’s command. When God tells Joshua His plan, to “part” the river, he listens and he follows through in complete faith. Joshua knows who is leading and instead of striving to make himself look like the hero, he takes a backseat to God who in turn exalted Joshua in the eyes of the people. We can learn from Joshua’s example, and see what happens when we let God give the orders in our lives. What barriers are in your life preventing you from His Promise? What is preventing you from listening to God?
ReplyDelete“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” ~ Matt 23:12. You have to love how God flips our world upside down. Jesus again points out that the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time, missed the point. The Pharisees were the authority, sitting on Moses’ Seat, reading and teaching from God’s law, which was not the problem. Jesus’ problem was the Pharisee’s actions and the reasons for those actions. Jesus could see their inward appearance and their reasoning for the show they were putting on. The Pharisees were looking for praise from men, to be exalted as amazing teachers and leaders. Jesus tells the crowd that humility is the way to go. Humility is the understanding of one’s own importance. Jesus is asking us to trust in him and in order to do that, it requires humility. Without humility we cannot give up control of our lives to God, the one who knows what is best. Where do you struggle with Humility? What parts of your life are you putting on a good show and not letting God take control?
ReplyDelete"Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others." (Matthew 23:5-7) Boy does this describe me! It is so hard to give In a way that honors and exalts God without seeking in some way to honor and exalt myself. How I love to be called "good." How I love to be thought of as "generous." And yet in doing so I receive my reward in full (Matthew 6:2) If we are to avoid that, we must learn to give in such a way that our right hand does not know what our left hand is doing. When we do that, our reward resides where it belongs, in heaven, while God is honored and exalted here on earth.
Delete"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south." (Psalm 107:2-3) Here is a way in which we can genuinely honor and exalt the Lord our God—by telling our story to our family, friends and neighbors. It needn't be an especially exciting or dramatic story, either, because God is not often heard in the lightning or the raging storm, but in the quiet stillness which encourages us to listen and hear what is being said. So many times the Lord has "turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs" for me. Where there was no life and no hope, God brought both through His Son. Through Him I have "yielded a fruitful harvest" as the Lord blessed me, and that is a story worth telling. How has the Lord accomplished that in your life, and when will you let someone else know what He has done, for His honor and to His glory?
ReplyDeleteGod has brought me out of a pit of self destruction many many of times. Without Christ living in me, I would be dead. He has called me to share this with our youth, as well as with my family, friends, coworkers, patients and strangers so they know it is God who works in my life. I share His love with others. Love that I could not give if it were not for Him. I often hear "Why are you smiling ?" My answer is "Because I am full of joy, God fills me with it !" So when I get to share, listen, give comfort or just say "I'm praying for you", it is for God's glory !
ReplyDelete“For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” (1 Thess 2:9)
ReplyDeleteGod is so amazing, using a flawed vessel like Paul, like you, like me to speak His words. Paul reminds us here that we are proclaiming the gospel in our everyday lives, at our jobs, in our homes, at the grocery store. It is not just about the words we say; it is the way our actions reflect the changing love of Christ in our lives. Paul says he took care of the Thessalonians like father, encouraging and exhorting them to walk in a manner worthy of God. Paul didn’t just tell the Thessalonians about God’s Love for them, he showed them! Are our lives and our actions reflecting the love and sacrifice God made for us? Do we see God as our father who is willing to sacrifice His Son for us? Is our walk in life reflecting that love? If our words and our lives are parallel, we give the people watching the opportunity to hear the Gospel.
I have been spending time in daily devotions in the book of Matthew over the past week. In Matthew 5:5 Jesus teaches " Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." This Beatitude came to me as I was reading what you wrote above Kevin. We must submit to God in order to do his will here on earth. "Meekness is an attitude of submission and trust that accepts all of God's way's with us as good, and therefore does not murmur, dispute, or retaliate. It realizes that what comes to us from man is permitted and used by God for our discipline and thus for purifying us. Meekness is a trusting attitude that looks beyond circumstances and beyond man to the sovreign God and, bowing the knee say's, "Lord, what pleases Thee pleases me."( Kay Arthur ) When we submit to our Lord, we can do the rest. The Pharisees asked Jesus "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law ?'' Matthew 22:36 - Jesus replied: "Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40. So, I chose to submit to my Lord, and by doing this, I then can reflect his love to others !
DeleteGeography and Time – our God is in control of both.
ReplyDeleteNIV Version note for the stopping of the Jordan: “The stoppage nearly 20 miles upstream would have happened several hours earlier to make the events coincide.” Coincidence?
Imagine the distress of the Canaanites at Adam!
The word of God is at work in those who believe. In spite of our struggles to be humble servants, even though we worry far too much about what people think, although we tend towards exalting ourselves rather than God, His word is at work within us. What an encouragement that is to us as God's people. Today, as you honor the Sabbath by keeping it, know that as you engage God's word the Lord will begin a work within you, and even better, "that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
ReplyDelete