Amberlea and Me

This week @ Amberlea Church July 27th 2011

2011-07-27T16:44:00.000-04:00

Now that the extreme heat of last week is only a memory, I trust you all get a chance these beautiful days to enjoy our incredible weather. Now if we could just get some nighttime showers to save the lawns, so much the better.

Here is your weekly update:

1. Food Bank Offering - Thank you for your donations this summer. Especially thanks to those of you I saw over at the Pickering Town Centre Farmer's Market, putting donations into the Pickering Cares bin. In the first day of operation, we collected 192 food items. For the next few weeks at Amberlea we are going to focus on pasta sauce and cake mixes.

2. Prayer Requests - Please pray for Simon Coolman's mom in Trinidad. She is seriously ill. Also remember my brother Ray who gets some important test results tomorrow. Keep Rudy in your prayers as he faces more surgery and treatment. Please bring the whole congregation before our Heavenly Father. It seems a week never goes by without someone sharing with me a deep burden; whether it be health, finances, marriage, loneliness or anxiety.

3. This Sunday - We are continuing in our series "When God says "__________". This week may be the toughest week to preach. What happens when He says nothing? What do we do when our prays seem to fall on deaf ears or bounce back from the ceiling? Where is God when we can't feel His presence? Join us if you can. We had a great summer turn out last Sunday which is such an encouragement to all of us that participate.

May the good Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again.

This week @ Amberlea Church July 21st 2011

2011-07-21T10:55:00.000-04:00

I trust you are somewhere cool today on the hottest day in memory. Here is your weekly update.

1. Food Bank Offering - We will continue to bring in cake, muffin and cooking mixes (boxed) for the next week.

2. Prayer Requests - We especially are praying for folks that have important tests and appointments this week. Also remember to pray for spouses that have been dealing with ill partners for extended periods of time. May Gods grace be evident to them.

3. This Sunday - We are continuing in our series "When God Says _______". This week is another tough one: When God Says "Wait". How do we know that God's timing is better than ours? How do we know He cares? Hope to see you Sunday

This week @ Amberlea Church July 14th 2011

2011-07-14T10:38:00.000-04:00

Food Bank Offering - They are requesting boxes of cake mix, muffin mix and cookie mix over the next few weeks.

Prayer Requests - Thanksgiving for Maureen's report of being 100% cancer clear.

Continuing prayer for Rudy as he faces continuing challenges of a serious nature

Claudette's co-worker having brain surgery and her young family

Vicki's friend starting Chemo again.

My brother Ray facing tests Thursday.

Our church's vitality during the summer months including youth relationships

This Sunday - We begin a new series on God answering prayer. The first one is a challenging message to deliver.The Bible gives some great examples. "When God says, "No." If you can't come Sunday, remember that the messages are posted on our web-site early each week.

May we remember each other in prayer

Malachi Day 22

2011-04-15T10:46:00.000-04:00

Malachi 4:4-6 (The Message)

⁴"Remember and keep the revelation I gave through my servant Moses, the revelation I commanded at Horeb for all Israel, all the rules and procedures for right living.
^5-6"But also look ahead: I'm sending Elijah the prophet to clear the way for the Big Day of God—the decisive Judgment Day! He will convince parents to look after their children and children to look up to their parents. If they refuse, I'll come and put the land under a curse."

As we come to the end of Malachi, you might wonder how God would sign off before 400 odd years of silence. Now you know. He first encourages them to keep the promises they made to God in the time of Moses. They received the law with joy and committed themselves to it.

Then God directs them to look to the future for the Day of the Lord. As best as we can understand it, God is saying to look for the new Elijah (John the Baptist) to clear the way for the Messiah (Jesus). Then God spells out the most interesting result of all of this: The parents and children will be convinced to be in proper relationship with each other.

Was this all that God wanted? Why didn't He just say so. Why all the accusations and evidences? Here is what I think. (I would love to hear your theory)

All of Malachi has been about parent -child relationship. We are the children and we have stopped honouring our Heavenly Father and treating Him like we really look up to Him. In turn, He has has promised to look after us, His children, but acknowledged that blessings are held back until we return to our promises.

The key is that through all this He has been faithful. His love has never wavered. We limit the benefit of the relationship by our unfaithfulness. In a way it is parallel to the story of the Prodigal son. The Father's heart aches for us to be home again, under His roof.

Malachi Day 21

2011-04-14T11:52:00.000-04:00

Malachi 4 (The Message)

The Sun of Righteousness Will Dawn

^1-3 "Count on it: The day is coming, raging like a forest fire. All the arrogant people who do evil things will be burned up like stove wood, burned to a crisp, nothing left but scorched earth and ash— a black day. But for you, sunrise! The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking. And you'll tromp on the wicked. They'll be nothing but ashes under your feet on that Day."

God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.

God through Malachi is continuing to show that it really makes a difference to those who follow Him in obedience. There will be a Judgement. There will be consequences. There will be life and death.

There will be either great joy or something to fear with all our hearts. It will be the greatest day we have ever experienced or the worst. How ironic that we should be remembering two receptions that Jesus received in Jerusalem over the next 10 days. First, on Palm Sunday, he was received with joy. Not a week later, he was received with the call to crucify Him.

To many, Jesus is Saviour and Lord. To many, He is rejected: by people who don't believe, people who think they can save themselves, people who want to tell God whom to save and whom to damn, people who won't allow for Jesus to be the way, the truth and the life, people who create God and faith in their own image, minds and heart to fit themselves.

John 1:12 (New International Version, ©2011)

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Malachi Day 20

2011-04-13T11:49:00.000-04:00

Malachi 3:16-18 (The Message)

¹⁶Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God's name.

^17-18God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "They're mine, all mine. They'll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving him."

It doesn't seem to matter what part of Biblical history and I assume all history and even the present, that there are those who are faithful. We want to honour God with our lives, but we can so easily get caught in the same traps as Malachi's people. We need to be reminded of who God is and how important honouring Him is.

When even a small group of people begin to focus on what they need to do and not what they can get away with, God blesses them. When God's favour is on them, there is growth spiritually and usually in every other way too. It is all part of loving the Lord our God with all of our hearts. It is acknowledging Him in all we do. It is honouring Him with our best and first, long before we look after ourselves.

We are getting close to the end of this study. Sometimes Malachi feels like sand paper on tender skin. The most important thing to ask is this: "What would God have each of us learn that we can change in our lives today to honour Him?"

Blessing

Fred

fred@pastor.com

Malachi Day 19

2011-04-12T07:52:00.000-04:00

Malachi 3:13-15 (The Message)

The Difference Between Serving God and Not Serving Him

¹³God says, "You have spoken hard, rude words to me. "You ask, 'When did we ever do that?'
^14-15"When you said, 'It doesn't pay to serve God. What do we ever get out of it? When we did what he said and went around with long faces, serious about God-of-the-Angel-Armies, what difference did it make? Those who take life into their own hands are the lucky ones. They break all the rules and get ahead anyway. They push God to the limit and get by with it.'"

God makes another charge against His people. "You have been rude and disrespectful to me." God's people are certain they have never done that, so they aggressively challenge back, asking for evidence. God, of course, is ready for them. Here is His evidence:

1. They question if it was worth it to be one of the ones that served God.

2. They question whether their total obedience, done grimly and seriously made any difference,

3. They envy the ones who rebelled against God.

4. They envy the ones who broke all the rules and prosper.

5. They envy the ones who pushed God to the limit and got away with it.

God has already shown His evidence that His people do not obey Him and do not serve Him. He has shown their worship to be false and their sacrifices to be insufficient. He has shown their robbery and lying. And yet, they accuse God.

The challenge is now fully in front of us. Are we growing into the kind of God followers Malachi is describing or are we growing into the kind of God followers that honour Him with our lives, our service and our resources? He is not going to accept anything less. The stakes are high.

Malachi Day 18

2011-04-11T08:12:00.001-04:00

Malachi 3:8-12 (The Message)

^8-11"Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.
"You ask, 'How have we robbed you?'
"The tithe and the offering—that's how! And now you're under a curse —the whole lot of you—because you're robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers." The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
¹²"You'll be voted 'Happiest Nation.' You'll experience what it's like to be a country of grace." God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.

Yesterdays reading ended with the question "But how do we return?" God through Malachi continues His economy with ideas and words. "Stop robbing Me" says God. This is a theme that occurs with Jesus also. The issue is that we cannot serve God and be materialistic. Why? Because if WE are first in our financial priorities, there is never a proper sharing with God.

If someone is being unfaithful to another, they tend to cheat them of emotion, time and resources. They are often leaving their family scratching for necessities while lavishing expensive gifts on the new object of their affections. That's how we can be with God. We no longer have time, or heart, or offering to Him because we are living in an improper relationship with materialism and all the things we 'must' have and enjoy.

God is saying though that they can return to Him. His message to the people through Malachi has that purpose; to draw them back to Himself. God promises two consequences of our return. His house will be blessed and we will be blessed.

Malachi Day 17

2011-04-08T11:39:00.000-04:00

Malachi 3:5-7 (The Message)

⁵"Yes, I'm on my way to visit you with Judgment. I'll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless—anyone and everyone who doesn't honor me." A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
^6-7"I am God—yes, I Am. I haven't changed. And because I haven't changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven't been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven't done a thing I've told you. Return to me so I can return to you," says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
"You ask, 'But how do we return?'

We haven't talked a lot about the phrase "God-of-the-Angel-Armies". These words have been translated in a number of ways over the years. "Lord of Hosts" and the "Lord Almighty" are two you may be familiar with. Malachi wanted us to know it was a powerful and awesome God who was speaking through him. He wanted to add the whole weight of Almighty God to the words he was passing along to us.

This is a God to be taken seriously. HE is not to be trifled with or ignored. We are accountable for our unfaithfulness even though and maybe especially because He us faithful to us. God's message through Malachi isn't in the form of a threat. Rather He is speaking the truth to us that has eternal implications. If God left us to our own devices and damned us for our sin, that would be unjust and unloving. But God provided the means of salvation for all who will respond to His call through the most costly of sacrifices: HIs own Son.

Malachi is a wake up call for God's people and those who God is calling to be His children. We need to heed His call.

Malachi Day 16

2011-04-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

Malachi 3:2-4 (The Message)

^2-4But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?
He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.

I wish I could understand fully what it means for God to be holy. It is hard for us to think outside of our human experience, so it comes out that God is really nice all the time. However, the Bible is pretty clear that God is so perfect that He stands against every sin and impurity, however minor, in us and this world. And someday He will reclaim His perfect creation that was so damaged in the fall.

Who can survive His coming? We know, in the light of the Gospel, that only those who have gained the Righteousness of Jesus Christ will have their sins and imperfections cleaned away. This Sunday we are talking about having our names in the Book of the Redeemed. IF your name is there, you will be forever with the Lord. We will answer the question, "How do I know my name is in the Book?"

Malachi Day 15

2011-04-06T08:17:00.001-04:00

Malachi 3:1 (The Message)

The Master You've Been Looking For

¹ "Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!" A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Part of the message of Malachi is the unchanging, covenant keeping God. Ironically, it is also about God not waiting forever to deal with our unfaithfulness and covenant breaking. So, here in the Old Testament, 450 years before His coming, Jesus is promised. God promised the Messiah and in His time, the Messiah showed up.

That is so very similar to today. God keeps on being faithful, keeping His covenant with us and often we are unfaithful and it seems most people don't consider themselves in a relationship of any kind with God. God showed Malachi echoes of Jesus Christ's second coming. God, in His perfect timing, will bring an end to sin, pain and death for those who are in relationship with Him by the sacrifice of Jesus.

Unfortunately, many people play games with God saying, "There is lots of time to get right with God" or "They have been saying for 2000 years He is coming back and I just don't believe it anymore." And yet God has never shown Himself unfaithful concerning His promises.

2 Peter 3:8,9

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

He holds back the end of history for one reason alone, there are still those who will believe and come to Him.

RealSimpleChurch: What do you value?

2011-04-05T17:18:00.000-04:00

RealSimpleChurch: What do you value?

Malachi Day 14

2011-04-05T08:32:00.000-04:00

Malachi 2:17 (The Message)

¹⁷You make God tired with all your talk.
"How do we tire him out?" you ask.
By saying, "God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all." And also by saying, "Judgment? God's too nice to judge."

Another significant area where the people in Malachi's time parallel folks today is in taming God and His Holiness, God hates sin and will judge all of us one day. Sin will not enter our eternal rest with us. It will end when sin and rebellion against God ends. It may not be popular to see God as Judge but the results of Him not judging leave us without hope.

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. His intention was not to condemn the world but to save it. He calls to all people to bow the knee to Jesus as Lord and Saviour; even to those who believe on His name. But there is a time when in each life, we run out of time and there is a time when this whole creation runs out of time. Then sin must be judged and those that have chosen sin over forgiveness, rebellion over adoption, Satan's future over a future with Jesus will be separated forever from God and His people, His children.

Everybody will spend eternity somewhere. We need to pray daily for all those who have not accepted Him and His Kingdom yet; especially those closest to us.

Malachi Day 13

2011-04-04T08:15:00.000-04:00

Malachi 2:13-16 (New International Version, ©2011)

¹³ Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. ¹⁴ You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
¹⁵ Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
¹⁶ “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the LORD Almighty.
So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.

It appears the God through Malachi moves freely between using marriage to stand for the relationship between Him and His people and marriage as its own meaning. He it challenging the people to get back to the relationships that have priority because they are covenant relationships. He has not broken covenant with them and it is not an option, in God's eyes and heart, for us to break any of the covenants we enter in.

Modern day attitudes about keeping faithful and pledging to love someone we are marrying until death, while really meaning "As long as I am happy and it works for me" seem similar to what Malachi faced. But it is also how we treat God. "I want you to help me when I need it, and I will consider you and follow you when I have time." We want to have it all; the materialism, the consumerism, the me-ism and still act like we put God first.

My prayer for today is for me to see myself accurately and not romanticize my relationship with God; but see it for what it really is. Then I can understand again how far I have to go so I will lean on Him to grow.

Malachi Day 12

2011-04-01T09:09:00.000-04:00

Malachi 2:11-12 (The Message)

^11-12Judah has cheated on God—a sickening violation of trust in Israel and Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the holiness of God by falling in love and running off with foreign women, women who worship alien gods. God's curse on those who do this! Drive them out of house and home! They're no longer fit to be part of the community no matter how many offerings they bring to God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

If you have been tracking us on Sunday mornings, you will know that there are two layers to what God, through Malachi, is talking about here. The little remnant of God's Chosen people was in danger of being destroyed by assimilation into the neighbouring peoples through intermarriage. But also, the people were bringing in foreign gods and religious practices, even into the temple of God.

When we look at what this means for us today we need to understand a major difference in the people of God then and now. Then, it was a particular nationality, in a particular place. Today, rather than nationality, it is spirituality that bonds us into a people. What we need to do in order to not "violate" God's trust, to not cheat on Him is to keep the faith, the historic Biblical faith. Beware of anyone who would add or subtract to what the Bible says.

That means we need to know what God says and requires of us. Thank you to this group who are studying along in Malachi. May God bless your learning.

Malachi Day 11

2011-03-31T08:10:00.000-04:00

Malachi 2:10 (The Message)

¹⁰Don't we all come from one Father? Aren't we all created by the same God? So why can't we get along? Why do we desecrate the covenant of our ancestors that binds us together?

This is probably one of the questions of the ages. Why can't we get along? Imagine a prophet 2500 years ago asking this question. And nothing has changes. God, through Malachi, is saying to them and us and everyone in between, "You bring disgrace to your God and your relationship with Him when you can't get along with each other."

Loving God and loving each other are not really two commandments but one. If you don't love God, you can't love each other. If you don't love each other, you can't really love God. It is the same thing. It is the rule of love.

Malachi Day 10

2011-03-30T07:07:00.000-04:00

Malachi 2:7-9 (The Message)

^7-9"It's the job of priests to teach the truth. People are supposed to look to them for guidance. The priest is the messenger of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. But you priests have abandoned the way of priests. Your teaching has messed up many lives. You have corrupted the covenant of priest Levi. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so. And so I am showing you up for who you are. Everyone will be disgusted with you and avoid you because you don't live the way I told you to live, and you don't teach my revelation truly and impartially."

We are called and commanded to live and lead with truth. God, through Malachi, is saying that when there is a breakdown in this, we cause many lives to be messed up. In yesterday's reading, Levi, God's ideal leader 'kept people out of the ditch". In all our areas of influence, at home, at school, at work or even at church, we have responsibility for peoples' lives.

But Malachi is not talking about programs, socials or services. He is talking about staying with the truth; both in our teaching, and in our daily walk with the Lord. That means we need to be students of the truth and disciples of the Saviour. It is because we don't take this part seriously that I believe the North American Church has become more like the time of Malachi than any other time in the last many centuries.

My prayer for us this morning is that we run to God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and spend time in His presence with open and changeable hearts. He will do the changing if we make ourselves available.

Malachi Day 9

2011-03-29T09:41:00.000-04:00

Malachi 2:4-6 (The Message)

^4-6"Maybe that will wake you up. Maybe then you'll realize that I'm indicting you in order to put new life into my covenant with the priests of Levi, the covenant of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. My covenant with Levi was to give life and peace. I kept my covenant with him, and he honored me. He stood in reverent awe before me. He taught the truth and did not lie. He walked with me in peace and uprightness. He kept many out of the ditch, kept them on the road.

God longs for those who will keep covenant with Him. We promise God all kinds of stuff and sometimes fall quite short when the time comes to deliver. God never falls short. But there are consequences of how we keep covenant with Him. Levi was one who took God seriously and God honoured him.

Imagine if we all turned back to what God calls us to be and to do. What would a community of Christ followers be like if there was no compromise, no shortfall, no credibility gap between our talk and our walk?

Malachi Day 8

2011-03-28T08:21:00.000-04:00

Malachi 21-3 (The Message)

Desecrating the Holiness of God

^1-3 "And now this indictment, you priests! If you refuse to obediently listen, and if you refuse to honor me, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, in worship, then I'll put you under a curse. I'll exchange all your blessings for curses. In fact, the curses are already at work because you're not serious about honoring me. Yes, and the curse will extend to your children. I'm going to plaster your faces with rotting garbage, garbage thrown out from your feasts. That's what you have to look forward to!

It seems that the Prophets had been warning Israel for a long time. Their exile had been prophesied as a consequence of their disobedience. But they didn't listen and lost their freedom and homes. Now God, through Malachi is being completely clear. "You people will lose all the blessings I have for you." "Even worse", he says, "they will be replaced by curses."

There is something in the stubborn, human heart that says that we can get away with disobeying God. It is the rallying call of any rebellion. And because we all do it, we somehow think there is strength in numbers. Not so! God remains in control. What we sow is what we will reap.

My prayer today is for God to show me where I disobey but also give me the wisdom and strength to obey. "And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

Malachi Day 7

2011-03-25T08:34:00.000-04:00

Malachi 1:11-14 (The Message)
Offering God Something Hand-Me-Down,

¹¹"I am honored all over the world. And there are people who know how to worship me all over the world, who honor me by bringing their best to me. They're saying it everywhere: 'God is greater, this God-of-the-Angel-Armies.'
^12-13"All except you. Instead of honoring me, you profane me. You profane me when you say, 'Worship is not important, and what we bring to worship is of no account,' and when you say, 'I'm bored—this doesn't do anything for me.' You act so superior, sticking your noses in the air—act superior to me, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! And when you do offer something to me, it's a hand-me-down, or broken, or useless. Do you think I'm going to accept it? This is God speaking to you!
¹⁴"A curse on the person who makes a big show of doing something great for me—an expensive sacrifice, say—and then at the last minute brings in something puny and worthless! I'm a great king, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, honored far and wide, and I'll not put up with it!"

Malachi is communicating a charge against the Israelites that is serous. The chosen people are profaning God while others honour Him. I have always been challenged by the generosity of the African and Cuban Christians who have so little while in North America and Europe, giving has fallen to an all time low. We have so much and we choose to not honour God with it. It reminds me of the story in Luke 21 about the widow's two mites. Her offering honoured God more than the showoff's big display of giving because she gave sacrificially from the heart.

I think the problem is how we think about God these days. Until we really have a crisis, we are happy to park God in the corner and bring Him out for a little bit, once in a while. A lot in our lives comes first. In fact, until we really need Him, almost everything in our lives comes first. The lesson from Malachi is that God is not pleased and He will not be profaned for long. Sound the alarm! Wake up! Let's put God back in first place. Let's honour Him. Let's start now!

Malachi Day 6

2011-03-21T07:57:00.000-04:00

Malachi 1:10 (The Message)

¹⁰"Why doesn't one of you just shut the Temple doors and lock them? Then none of you can get in and play at religion with this silly, empty-headed worship. I am not pleased. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies is not pleased. And I don't want any more of this so-called worship!

I wonder how many of the people back in Malachi's time realized that their worship was doing more harm than good? I would guess that many of them thought they were getting some of it right and would probably very sure that they were doing some of it the only right way there was. But God was frustrated and angry.

How about today. Are our actions and opinions about worship centred on what pleases God or what pleases us. Do we remember that we are showing our love and respect for the Creator of the universe and the Saviour of our eternal souls? I wonder.

Malachi Day 5

2011-03-18T07:39:00.000-04:00

Malachi 1:9 (The Message)

⁹"Get on your knees and pray that I will be gracious to you. You priests have gotten everyone in trouble. With this kind of conduct, do you think I'll pay attention to you?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.

This language scares me. Have we gone too far? Even when we dive to our knees to seek mercy, is there danger He won't hear us? The message is this: "There are consequences to playing with God."

God continues to state the seriousness of our attitudes and actions in this book of Malachi. But the Gospel is here too and soon we will see it but not before God makes all His charges against the Israelites and us.

What prayer could we pray today to deal with what we have read so far?

Malachi Day 4

2011-03-17T08:46:00.001-04:00

Malachi 1:6b-8 (The Message)
"You say, 'Not so! How do we despise you?'
"By your shoddy, sloppy, defiling worship.
"You ask, 'What do you mean, "defiling"? What's defiling about it?'
^7-8"When you say, 'The altar of God is not important anymore; worship of God is no longer a priority,' that's defiling. And when you offer worthless animals for sacrifices in worship, animals that you're trying to get rid of—blind and sick and crippled animals—isn't that defiling? Try a trick like that with your banker or your senator—how far do you think it will get you?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.

God charges the priests with despising Him. They respond almost defiantly. It is almost that they would accept anything except for the word 'defiling'. It is harsh and speaks of judgement of both the sacrifice and the intent. God is affronted by their loss of love for His worship and the fake sacrifices they bring Him which are worthless but they pretend are appropriate.

God asks how they expect to get away with this because if they tried to pay their mortgage or taxes that way they know what would happen to them. Why do they think God will accept it?

This should cause us to think carefully about how we worship and sacrifice to God. He is worthy of our best, not our left overs. He is entitled to actions and attitudes that show our gratitude and love, not our indifference or even worse, our distain. I pray for forgiveness for each time I have taken God for granted or tried to shortchange Him. I pray that I will always give Him my first and my best, in all that I have. Join me in this prayer if you will.

Malachi Day 3

2011-03-16T09:40:00.001-04:00

Malachi 1:6a (The Message)

⁶"Isn't it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I'm your Father, where's the honor? If I'm your Master, where's the respect?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies is calling you on the carpet: "You priests despise me!

We probably think that issues with authority are relatively recent. You can hear people complaining that teachers, bosses and parents don't get the respect they used to. God argues here that if parents and bosses are to receive honour and respect, isn't He at least worthy of that much. Of course we would quickly say today that we honour and respect God. Maybe we would answer even a little too fast.

So God is calling the priests onto the carpet. Most of you relax a little and say, "Well at least He isn't talking about me." I would remind us of 1 Peter 2:4,5

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are about to hear why God says we despise Him. Most of us will argue that we love Him. How could He think otherwise? Tomorrow we look at why He says it. My question today is this: When God challenges His people, are we humble enough, tender enough and searching enough to learn, grow and become closer to Him? Or are we defensive, distracted and dismissive of His word? I pray for me that I hear what God has to say to me and to us today from His Word. I pray that for you too.

Malachi Day 2

2011-03-15T10:21:00.000-04:00

Malachi 1:2-5 (The Message)

^2-3God said, "I love you." You replied, "Really? How have you loved us?" "Look at history" (this is God's answer). "Look at how differently I've treated you, Jacob, from Esau: I loved Jacob and hated Esau. I reduced pretentious Esau to a molehill, turned his whole country into a ghost town." ⁴When Edom (Esau) said, "We've been knocked down, but we'll get up and start over, good as new," God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "Just try it and see how far you get. When I knock you down, you stay down. People will take one look at you and say, 'Land of Evil!' and 'the God-cursed tribe!'
⁵"Yes, take a good look. Then you'll see how faithfully I've loved you and you'll want even more, saying, 'May God be even greater, beyond the borders of Israel!'

God's first words are words of love. The first thing He wanted Israel to know is that He loved them. THe first thing He wants people today to know is that He loves them.

Then comes the hard part to understand. (That assumes we understand what would cause God to love us.) We discussed on Sunday that the words 'love' and 'hate' in this context have a meaning much closer to 'choose' and 'reject' than how we would mean the words today. Why did God choose the younger brother to receive the blessing from Isaac when it was the older brothers birthright? It is too simple an answer that Jacob tricked Esau. That doesn't explain why God treated the descendants of Jacob as His chosen ones and rejected the descendants of Esau. I think sometimes we have to let God be God and worry about our choices and trust Him with His.

In terms of understanding Malachi, just remember that Israel was a broken, little, poor nation that had been enslaved, captured in war, exiled to Babylon, and only 2 or 3 generations back in the land. God wanted them to understand that while He loved them, He would use anything to draw them back to faithfulness.

Verse 5 calls to them and to us to acknowledge how much we are loved, how faithful God has been, how He never gives up on us and only wants us to want more of Him. And may His Kingdom spread beyond our borders because our faithfulness responds to His.

Malachi Day 1

2011-03-14T09:41:00.002-04:00

Malachi 1:1 from the Message

1 A Message. God's Word to Israel through Malachi:

The truth is that all of the Bible is God's Word through each of the inspired authors. But don't you think there is something very powerful about a book of the Bible starting this way. "Attention" it says to me, "What follows is directly from God to you." But you may ask "Why is a message to Israel for me?" I would answer, "Because the Bible (Romans 11) says that through Jesus Christ we have been grafted into the Nation of Israel, the chosen people of God."

So, in a specific and significant way, Malachi delivers a message to us directly from God. It is our challenge to understand it and obey.

What do you think some of the challenges will be in understanding the message?

This Week at Amberlea

2011-03-09T10:59:00.001-05:00

This Sunday we begin a new series. Once a year we choose a book of the Bible to study as a series. This year it is Malachi. This is an important book to study; especially for those of us who crave a closer and more intimate relationship with our God. Although each of the messages over the next couple of months does not depend on the previous message, there is great value in hearing the whole series. As always, the messages will show up on the web site www.amberleachurch.ca in the week following.

We are going to send out daily email meditations while we journey though Malachi, but they will only be sent to those who specifically ask. It will be posted daily here on this blog so you can read it here or request it to be sent fromthere also. Just let me know what your wish is.

Pray for our church. There are as many challenges today as at any time since I came over 3 years ago. Both our attendance and our givings are down significantly from last year. So, pray for our ministry, our youth programs, our small groups and each other. Pray for Rudy deVries who is having surgery today. Pray for Anita as she continues to recover from surgery and is receiving treatment. Pray for Ray as he receives treatment preparing him for surgery.

Pray for PIckering Cares food drive. Last year, we were able to witness a miracle partially because almost every one who calls Amberlea Church home helped in some way to reach our objective.

Pray for our elders and me as we lead the church in challenging times. IN turn, I commit to pray for all of you. And may God richly bless you as you strive to know Him better and do His will.

This week @ Amberlea Church

2011-03-05T14:32:00.000-05:00

We had an encouraging start to our Leadership Nights with 19 people attending the video. There was some good discussion following. We have scheduled the next Leadership Night April 5th @ 7:30 and hope you will invite a friend.

Tomorrow is Communion Sunday and our message it titled "God, I am so confused." Please remember to bring a non-perishable Food Bank offering.

Remember our Parenting Night coming up March 22 @ 7PM. We will be discussing a great book called "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity." The first talk will be on Family Value #1 "Widen the circle." Any parent, future parent or grandparent would benefit from the talk and the discussion that follows. After a break, there will be an optional time of prayer for our families.

Leadership Night

2011-02-28T13:31:00.001-05:00

   Tomorrow, Tuesday March 1st, is our first ever night dedicated to leadership development. Everyone is invited. Our agenda is simple. We want to gather together and watch one of the best presentations from one of the best leadership conferences currently available and then to informally discuss the issues and information that the video introduces.
   The location will be the auditorium of Amberlea Presbyterian Church.
   The time will be 7:30 PM sharp
   Please feel free to bring your coffee or tea (preferably with a top affixed) to enjoy during the video.

Welcome Back

2011-02-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

In a few short weeks our congregation will be studying the book of Malachi. Watch for the daily posts as we discover together the relevance of ancient prophesy to our lives today. We will kickoff our study on Sunday, March 13, 2011. Join us at 11am at Amberlea Church for the introduction that day if you can. In any case, follow us day by day right here.

Holy Week - 4

2010-04-03T09:30:00.002-04:00

Luke 23

⁵⁵The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. ⁵⁶Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

This is the only information about Saturday, the Hebrew Sabbath that was between Good Friday and Easter. They rested. They were not anticipating a resurrection. They were just preparing to do more work to lovingly prepare the body of Jesus.

We live in another reality. We know Easter comes tomorrow. Our hearts already are filled with excitement and hope. But I think it is worthwhile to reflect on what that Sabbath Saturday 2000 years ago would have been like. I don't think "Hope" was a common word that day.

Holy Week - 3

2010-04-02T08:10:00.001-04:00

The Crucifixion

Luke 23

³²Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

⁴²Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

⁴³Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

⁴⁴It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, ⁴⁵for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

⁴⁷The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." ⁴⁸When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. ⁴⁹But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus accepted death as an act of love. He sought forgiveness for his executioners as an act of love. He offered salvation to one of the thieves crucified with him as an act of love. In the center of a brutal Roman execution, it is not the crushing, punishing brutality that shines through; it is the love. I find myself overwhelmed sometimes that God – Father, Son and Spirit – loved me at all, let alone this much.

Holy Week - 2

2010-03-30T08:02:00.001-04:00

Holy week continues as Jesus actually enters the city.

Matthew 21

¹⁰When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

¹¹The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

¹²Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³"It is written," He said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

¹⁴The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things He did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

¹⁶"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.

"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,

"'From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise' ?"

¹⁷And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.

There was a problem. The crowds seemed to love Jesus but the religious powers that controlled Jerusalem were indignant. Jesus was on a mission and He knew it would bring Him face to face with those who could not just harm Him but take His life. Still Jesus did what was right and he cleaned out the crooks from the temple. For the needy that came to Him, however, He didn't show anger. He showed compassion and healed them.

There are three Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) verses referred to by Jesus. The final week of His life was not a set of surprising developments. It was a carefully laid out plan that was revealed by the prophets of old.

Isaiah 56

⁷these I will bring to my holy mountain

and give them joy in my house of prayer.

Their burnt offerings and sacrifices

will be accepted on my altar;

for my house will be called

a house of prayer for all nations."

Jeremiah 7

¹¹Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you?

But I have been watching! declares the LORD.

Psalm 8

²From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise

because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

Holy Week - 1

2010-03-29T08:23:00.002-04:00

Holy week begins with the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Here is Mark's account of that day.

Mark 11

¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ²saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'"

⁴They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" ⁶They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

"Hosanna!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

¹⁰"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"

It was a great day to be a follower of Jesus. There was a lot of buzz in Jerusalem that day. Jesus was a celebrity. The crowd came to pay homage. You could understand the disciples thinking Jesus had been wrong when He predicted doom and gloom for Himself. It all looked to wonderful.

For those who are interested, there is a tie-in to one of the Psalms written 1000 years before. Here it is:

Psalms 118

²⁵O LORD, save us;

O LORD, grant us success.

²⁶Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.

From the house of the LORD we bless you.

Exodus – Reading 25 – Exodus 22:1-31

2009-10-23T08:16:00.001-04:00

This will be my last reading for a while. I head out of town next week for four weeks. When I get back we will finish Exodus and then I would like to head into Luke in time for Christmas. The conference that we attended yesterday was amazing. Bret and I will have a lot to talk about this morning.

In yesterday's reading some of the laws are very harsh. If they were the law of the land today, it's unlikely anyone would ever raise a hand against their parents. Which laws do you find hard to understand or agree with? Why do you think God included them for this people at this time? Why are some of God's laws for all people for all time and some laws just for the Israelites back then?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 22:1-31

¹"If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

²"If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; ³but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed.

"A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft.

⁴"If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.

⁵"If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.

⁶"If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.

⁷"If a man gives his neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor's house, the thief, if he is caught, must pay back double. ⁸But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he has laid his hands on the other man's property. ⁹In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, 'This is mine,' both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.

¹⁰"If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to his neighbor for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, ¹¹the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the LORD that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person's property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required. ¹²But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner. ¹³If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, he shall bring in the remains as evidence and he will not be required to pay for the torn animal.

¹⁴"If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, he must make restitution. ¹⁵But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss.

¹⁶"If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. ¹⁷If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.

¹⁸"Do not allow a sorceress to live.

¹⁹"Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.

²⁰"Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.

²¹"Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.

²²"Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. ²³If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. ²⁴My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.

²⁵"If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. ²⁶If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, ²⁷because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

²⁸"Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

²⁹"Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.

"You must give me the firstborn of your sons. ³⁰Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.

³¹"You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.

As God laws continue to be set out, there is more and more indication of how God wants this people to honour Him and to respect each other. Some of the laws seem strange or even offensive to us today. Sometimes we forget how long ago this was and where we are on the line of civilization. This is before the Greeks and Romans, before the Babylonians, and even before the Persians. God's laws were bringing order to chaos and creating a new kind of community.

I wonder how much we are conscious, on a moment by moment basis, of God's design for how we should live. I often feel my task as a preacher is basic. Show what God says and then show how we live is out. Basic, but certainly not simple.

Exodus – Reading 24 – Exodus 21:1 - 36

2009-10-22T07:48:00.001-04:00

Today I get to spend the whole day and evening with different groups of Amberlea folks. First, some of us will be in Oakville, hearing the premier expert in family ministry speak to church people from all over Ontario. Then I have coffee with one of our congregation. Then I get to spend some time with the nominating team for session / elders for Amberlea and last spend time in a small group of guys that are looking to grow spiritually and relationally. Whew! But great!

In yesterday's reading, can you find the first of God's laws that has a curse and a blessing and the first that has a promise? Why do you think God added these elements to these two laws?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 21:1 - 36

¹"These are the laws you are to set before them:

²"If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. ³If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. ⁴If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

⁵"But if the servant declares, 'I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,' ⁶then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

⁷"If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as menservants do. ⁸If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. ⁹If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. ¹⁰If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. ¹¹If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

¹²"Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. ¹³However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. ¹⁴But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.

¹⁵"Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death.

¹⁶"Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death.

¹⁷"Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.

¹⁸"If men quarrel and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist and he does not die but is confined to bed, ¹⁹the one who struck the blow will not be held responsible if the other gets up and walks around outside with his staff; however, he must pay the injured man for the loss of his time and see that he is completely healed.

²⁰"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, ²¹but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property.

²²"If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. ²³But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, ²⁴eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

²⁶"If a man hits a manservant or maidservant in the eye and destroys it, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the eye. ²⁷And if he knocks out the tooth of a manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the tooth.

²⁸"If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. ²⁹If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death. ³⁰However, if payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded. ³¹This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. ³²If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull must be stoned.

³³"If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, ³⁴the owner of the pit must pay for the loss; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.

³⁵"If a man's bull injures the bull of another and it dies, they are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. ³⁶However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up, the owner must pay, animal for animal, and the dead animal will be his.

It is almost the case that the 10 commandments given in yesterday's reading form the basis of God's law while today's reading provide some of the details. What I always find interesting about this part of the Bible is how much it still shows up in our laws and principals thousands of years later.

As Moses led the people out of Egypt where they were subject to Egyptian law and power, it was necessary to create an understanding of Israelite law and leadership. Instead of a Pharaoh, they were subject to God alone. Instead of laws and practices based on superstition, cruelty and slavery, they were given a new understanding that was to separate them from the other nations as a holy people.

God had a plan and a people. He was taking them to a land and a future in Him. All they needed to do was trust and obey. Being people, they couldn't do either for very long.

Exodus – Reading 23 – Exodus 20:1 - 26

2009-10-21T08:12:00.001-04:00

Did you ever notice that some mornings it is really hard to get up and get going? I am not talking about when you aren't feeling well or when you were up half the night. I am talking about some days, out of the blue, even though it's not dark and rainy, or cold and blustery, you just can't seem to get going. Well, today is my day. I have to push through. There is a lot to do.

In yesterday's reading, God gave a special calling for the Israelites, even though the whole world was His. Can you not just find it, but figure out what it means? In very important ways, these are desires God has for His church.

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 20:1 - 26

¹And God spoke all these words:

²"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³"You shall have no other gods before me.

⁴"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

⁷"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

⁸"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. ¹¹For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

¹²"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³"You shall not murder.

¹⁴"You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵"You shall not steal.

¹⁶"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

¹⁷"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

¹⁸When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance ¹⁹and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."

²⁰Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

²¹The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

²²Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites this: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: ²³Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

²⁴"'Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. ²⁵If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. ²⁶And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.'

God speaks His law to them before the tablets of stone are ever carved. This is what He requires of them. It is clear and understandable. It places God is His proper place and requires each Israelite to honour parents and respect neighbours. It is perceived by Jewish people up to this day as the greatest gift of God's love that He would care enough about them to give them His law.

Exodus – Reading 22 – Exodus 19:1 - 25

2009-10-20T08:09:00.001-04:00

This morning I meet with our sermon collaboration group. It is always a powerful and refreshing time. This time Bret, our youth pastor is coming along because he is doing one of the sermons when I am away. Then this afternoon I will enjoy the good weather with a walk. Lastly, I will spend this evening in Presbytery, our denominations regional meeting.

In yesterday's reading, do you think verses 9 – 12 is when Jethro became a God follower? I would like to hear what you think and why.

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 19

¹In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on the very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. ²After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

³Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ⁴'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. ⁵Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, ⁶you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

⁷So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. ⁸The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.

⁹The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.

¹⁰And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes ¹¹and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. ¹²Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. ¹³He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him. Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.' Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain."

¹⁴After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. ¹⁵Then he said to the people, "Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations."

¹⁶On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. ¹⁷Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. ¹⁸Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, ¹⁹and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

²⁰The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up ²¹and the LORD said to him, "Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish. ²²Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them."

²³Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, 'Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.'"

²⁴The LORD replied, "Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them."

²⁵So Moses went down to the people and told them.

In this reading, we see God calling His people to something more than ordinary lives. He is calling them to live holy, God fearing lives. I sometimes wonder if our idea of God is too tame. We want the love of God in our lives, but have never really felt the earth tremble or seen the smoke. We never think of consecrating ourselves before approaching a holy God. Take time today to challenge your ideas of God. If they are too small and too safe, determine to be open to more of Him.

Exodus – Reading 21 – Exodus 18:1 - 27

2009-10-19T08:26:00.001-04:00

It looks like we are going to have another couple of great, sunny, fall days. That makes me smile. There is something about crisp, sunny days that just make me feel good. I think a nice, long walk is in my future.

In Friday's reading, we see Moses doing something that controls the result of the battle. Why do you think God used this way of determining whom would be victorious?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 18

¹Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

²After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her ³and her two sons. One son was named Gershom,^ for Moses said, "I have become an alien in a foreign land"; ⁴and the other was named Eliezer,^ for he said, "My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh."

⁵Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God. ⁶Jethro had sent word to him, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons."

⁷So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. ⁸Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them.

⁹Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹⁰He said, "Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹¹Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly." ¹²Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

¹³The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. ¹⁴When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"

¹⁵Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. ¹⁶Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."

¹⁷Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. ¹⁹Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. ²⁰Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. ²¹But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²²Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. ²³If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

²⁴Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. ²⁵He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²⁶They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

²⁷Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

Moses is trying to do it all. His father-in-law drops in from Midian and soon sees the problem. He gives Moses a far better way of leading. This may be the first written experience with a consultant. He came with fresh eyes so that he could see what the people there could not see. He came with fresh ideas to suggest what the people had not thought about. Then he left. You might ask why God didn't just tell Moses what to do in this instance. They seemed to be on daily talking terms. Yes God always seems to use other spiritual people to speak into our lives as a way of reaching us. Who do you listen to?

Exodus – Reading 20 – Exodus 17:1 - 16

2009-10-16T08:41:00.001-04:00

Today I get some time visiting with a friend who lives in England now. She is home in London for awhile due to the illness of her father. I pray that I might encourage her. She is having a pretty hard time.

In yesterday's reading the grumbling Israelites describe their time in Egypt in a strange way. Can you see how they now tell of their time in slavery under the brutal yoke of the Egyptians? It makes me wonder if, when we are complaining, we are really honest and objective.

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 17

¹The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. ²So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."

Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?"

³But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"

⁴Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."

⁵The LORD answered Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. ⁶I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. ⁷And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

⁸The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. ⁹Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."

¹⁰So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. ¹¹As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. ¹²When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. ¹³So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

¹⁴Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."

¹⁵Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. ¹⁶He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."

The LORD is my banner. I wonder how to own that statement. I think of a small country in a large continent. It chooses its friends and allies carefully, so that it is safe from the overwhelming forces of all the other nations. We have the ultimate secure protection when we live under the banner showing we are the LORD's. HE is not just my Redeemer and Provider. He is my Protector.

Exodus – Reading 19 – Exodus 16:1- 36

2009-10-15T09:14:00.001-04:00

Today is all about todo lists. There is a lot that needs to be done. Sometimes the number of things that need to be done can seem overwhelming. However, when I put them on a list and start attacking the list, most everything seems to get finished.

In yesterday's reading, the LORD's right hand is mentioned a couple of times. Now we know God is spirit and therefore this is figurative language but what does His right hand signify? I'd love to hear your theories and for some of you, what your study Bible says.

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 16: 1- 36

¹The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. ²In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. ³The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD'S hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

⁴Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. ⁵On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."

⁶So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, ⁷and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?" ⁸Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."

⁹Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, 'Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'"

¹⁰While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.

¹¹The LORD said to Moses, ¹²"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"

¹³That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. ¹⁴When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. ¹⁵When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was.

Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. ¹⁶This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.'"

¹⁷The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. ¹⁸And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.

¹⁹Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning."

²⁰However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

²¹Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. ²²On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. ²³He said to them, "This is what the LORD commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.'"

²⁴So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. ²⁵"Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. You will not find any of it on the ground today. ²⁶Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any."

²⁷Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. ²⁸Then the LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? ²⁹Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out." ³⁰So the people rested on the seventh day.

³¹The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. ³²Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'"

³³So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come."

³⁴As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept. ³⁵The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.

³⁶(An omer is one tenth of an ephah.)

By the way, if you wonder how much an omer is and verse 36 doesn't clarify it enough for you, we believe it is about 2 liters.

This reading reminds me that God is our provider and He provides exactly what we need: not more and not less. He doesn't provide what we want necessarily or even what we think we need. He provides exactly what we where gratitude can be nurtured. Have you thanked God for His provision today? If not, this is a good time to do it. That's what I am going to do; before I make any todo lists.

Exodus - Reading 18 – Exodus 15:1- 27

2009-10-14T10:36:00.001-04:00

I met with a dozen pastors this morning for prayer and breakfast. It is a wonderful thing to do. It is so encouraging to know that there are other congregations praying for us on a regular basis. It was also great listening to some of the ways these other congregations are partnering up to meet some of the needs of the Ajax/Pickering area.

In yesterday's reading there is a statement about how God works. See if you can find it. A clue is that it is what happens when God's people are afraid and don't know what to do. What is God's action? What is ours?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 15

¹Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:

"I will sing to the LORD,

for he is highly exalted.

The horse and its rider

he has hurled into the sea.

² The LORD is my strength and my song;

he has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise him,

my father's God, and I will exalt him.

³ The LORD is a warrior;

the LORD is his name.

⁴ Pharaoh's chariots and his army

he has hurled into the sea.

The best of Pharaoh's officers

are drowned in the Red Sea.

⁵ The deep waters have covered them;

they sank to the depths like a stone.

⁶ "Your right hand, O LORD,

was majestic in power.

Your right hand, O LORD,

shattered the enemy.

⁷ In the greatness of your majesty

you threw down those who opposed you.

You unleashed your burning anger;

it consumed them like stubble.

⁸ By the blast of your nostrils

the waters piled up.

The surging waters stood firm like a wall;

the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.

⁹ "The enemy boasted,

'I will pursue, I will overtake them.

I will divide the spoils;

I will gorge myself on them.

I will draw my sword

and my hand will destroy them.'

¹⁰ But you blew with your breath,

and the sea covered them.

They sank like lead

in the mighty waters.

¹¹ "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD?

Who is like you—

majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory,

working wonders?

¹² You stretched out your right hand

and the earth swallowed them.

¹³ "In your unfailing love you will lead

the people you have redeemed.

In your strength you will guide them

to your holy dwelling.

¹⁴ The nations will hear and tremble;

anguish will grip the people of Philistia.

¹⁵ The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,

the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,

the people of Canaan will melt away;

¹⁶ terror and dread will fall upon them.

By the power of your arm

they will be as still as a stone—

until your people pass by, O LORD,

until the people you bought pass by.

¹⁷ You will bring them in and plant them

on the mountain of your inheritance—

the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling,

the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.

¹⁸ The LORD will reign

for ever and ever."

¹⁹When Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. ²⁰Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. ²¹Miriam sang to them:

"Sing to the LORD,

for he is highly exalted.

The horse and its rider

he has hurled into the sea."

²²Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. ²³When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. ) ²⁴So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"

²⁵Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. ²⁶He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

²⁷Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

This reading starts with the Israelites singing a brand new song to the Lord because he delivered them. Not long later, it records God's people grumbling. I want my life to be more faithful than that. God's faithfulness is perfect and complete.

Exodus – Reading 17 – Exodus 14:1-32

2009-10-13T08:28:00.001-04:00

Thanksgiving weekend is a transition time for our family and likely for you too. Summer clothes are put away and sweaters and scarves are found. Sandals make way for shoes and boots. Everyone seems to settle into their fall routine and then one of my favorite days of the year comes. You might be able to guess what it is. It happens now on the first Sunday morning of November. The clocks are rolled back and we all get an extra hour of sleep. Yeah sleep.

In Friday's reading it talks about Joseph's bones and the promise he had received. What was ironic about Joseph's reasoning and what really happened?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 14:1-31

¹Then the LORD said to Moses, ²"Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. ³Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.' ⁴And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this.

⁵When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!" ⁶So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. ⁷He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ⁸The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. ⁹The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.

¹⁰As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. ¹¹They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? ¹²Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

¹³Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

¹⁵Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. ¹⁶Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. ¹⁷I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. ¹⁸The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen."

¹⁹Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, ²⁰coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

²¹Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, ²²and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

²³The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. ²⁴During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. ²⁵He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."

²⁶Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen." ²⁷Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. ²⁸The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

²⁹But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. ³⁰That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. ³¹And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Even though God had saved them from slavery, the Israelites we quick to doubt Him. God did something even more visible and miraculous in the eyes of the Egyptians. He underscored His intention to save His people. It is like He wanted everyone there and everyone since to know that He would do whatever was necessary to save His people.

Two thousand years ago, God even went farther to save us. HE sent His Son to save us. He self-gave Himself in an absolutely unique and singular event in human history. He again proves He will do whatever is necessary to save us.

Exodus – Reading 16 – Exodus 13:17- 22

2009-10-09T09:25:00.001-04:00

Because I won't do another reading until Tuesday, allow me to wish you and yours a great Thanksgiving. May you celebrate it well with family and friends. May you stop to count your blessings. May you remember to give thanks for all that God has given us.

In yesterday's reading it talks about something on their hands and foreheads. For you keeners that love to research this stuff, what is this referring to? Can you find the Bible reference that clarifies it?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 13:17-22

¹⁷When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." ¹⁸So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

¹⁹Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place."

²⁰After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. ²¹By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. ²²Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

God's care for the Israelites is evident in this short reading. He knew they were not ready for conflict with the neighbouring peoples. Just a few days ago they were slaves making bricks in Egypt. He also gave them a continuing sign of His presence in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. Sometimes I wish we had visible signs of God's presence and care. Then I remember that we have God's Word and the Holy Spirit that together accomplish the same thing. We also have Jesus' church and so share the journey with brothers and sisters who love us and care for us as the Body of Christ. For that I am truly thankful.

Exodus – Reading 15 – Exodus 13:1-16

2009-10-08T08:33:00.001-04:00

Today, I get to spend time with some of my favorite pastors talking about upcoming sermons. We are starting an interesting series after Thanksgiving called "Go Fish." I am not much of a fisherman though. Sitting in one place watching water ripple is not really my idea of a good time. I'd rather sit with a good book.

In yesterday's reading it talks about regulations for the Passover celebration. Who was included? In today's Communion celebration who is included? Why the change?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 13:1-16

¹The LORD said to Moses, ²"Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal."

³Then Moses said to the people, "Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the LORD brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. ⁴Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. ⁵When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites—the land he swore to your forefathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this ceremony in this month: ⁶For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the LORD. ⁷Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. ⁸On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' ⁹This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. ¹⁰You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

¹¹"After the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your forefathers, ¹²you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. ¹³Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

¹⁴"In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ¹⁵When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.' ¹⁶And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand."

I have the privilege to share in Passover meals most years. And to the day, the youngest son asks the oldest man, "What does this mean?" And the oldest man says "With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt."

God set a price on their freedom. He claimed the oldest male of the Israelites and their flocks forever. They had to redeem the firstborn with an offering. God also asked for the first fruits of their harvests. God wants to be first. He saved them and He saves us. He gave His Son for us. Our response should be clear and generous.

I keep thinking of all the things I am thankful for. That God came down and lived among us and died for us ranks so much higher than anything else because its importance lasts forever.

Exodus – Reading 13 – Exodus 12:1-28

2009-10-06T07:54:00.001-04:00

Thanksgiving is coming. It is a time for us to share with our families. The only hard part is negotiating a time we can all get together. Looks like it will be Monday this year. I love Thanksgiving so much that I will celebrate it again in Florida in November. You can't have too much turkey or football.

In yesterday's reading, God tells Moses to get the Israelites to ask their neighbours for something. Can you see what it was? That's the easy part. Why do you think God wanted them to do it? That's the hard part.

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 12:1-28

¹The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, ²"This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. ³Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. ⁴If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. ⁵The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. ⁶Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. ⁷Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. ⁸That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. ⁹Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. ¹⁰Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. ¹¹This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD'S Passover.

¹²"On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. ¹³The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

¹⁴"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance. ¹⁵For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. ¹⁶On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat—that is all you may do.

¹⁷"Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. ¹⁸In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. ¹⁹For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. ²⁰Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread."

²¹Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. ²²Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. ²³When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

²⁴"Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. ²⁵When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. ²⁶And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' ²⁷then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.'" Then the people bowed down and worshiped. ²⁸The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron.

The blood on the doorway, both top and sides, was a sign to the destroyer not to enter in. The Israelites were commanded to remember forever that God spared them while taking the firstborn of the Egyptians. They had instructions to have a time every year to bring the story of how they were spared and freed by the mighty hand of God.

In the same way, we are commanded to regularly have a time to remember when Jesus' blood was spilt so that we could be spared and be freed. We call it communion or the Lord's Table. In a very powerful way, centuries before Jesus, God was preparing them for the greatest story by how he was writing their story.

Exodus – Reading 12 – Exodus 11:1-10

2009-10-05T08:30:00.001-04:00

Today I get to play golf with some pastors. It may be the last chance this year for me. Your prayers are appreciated for my golf game. Only a miracle can save it.

In Friday's reading, God asks a question for the ages. "How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?" Someday everyone will bow before Him. What foolishness when we refuse to bow now.

Here is today's rather short reading:

Exodus 11:1-10

¹Now the LORD had said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely. ²Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold." ³(The LORD made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh's officials and by the people.)

⁴So Moses said, "This is what the LORD says: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. ⁵Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. ⁶There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. ⁷But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any man or animal.' Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. ⁸All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' After that I will leave." Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.

⁹The LORD had said to Moses, "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you—so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt." ¹⁰Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.

All of the drama between Moses and Pharaoh is over. But God has one final statement to make. It will cause the Egyptians to push the Israelites out of Egypt. God had written a final act that would be remembered for all time. It would speak of His power and it would speak of His judgement.

Exodus – Reading 11 – Exodus 10:1-29

2009-10-02T08:41:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was another packed fall day. I started my first meeting at 9am with Bret, our Youth Pastor. It's great to listen to his passion for youth ministry and some of the plans up to Christmas. I continue to be encouraged by the number of kids in our two programs and the number of college aged and high school helpers he has each week.

Yesterday I posed a question about the plagues. Wayne Rhoden had the best answer. Most of you know him and should give him a pat on the back next time you see him. Now here is our reading for today:

Exodus 10:1-29

¹Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them ²that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD."

³So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me. ⁴If you refuse to let them go, I will bring locusts into your country tomorrow. ⁵They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields. ⁶They will fill your houses and those of all your officials and all the Egyptians—something neither your fathers nor your forefathers have ever seen from the day they settled in this land till now.'" Then Moses turned and left Pharaoh.

⁷Pharaoh's officials said to him, "How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the LORD their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?"

⁸Then Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "Go, worship the LORD your God," he said. "But just who will be going?"

⁹Moses answered, "We will go with our young and old, with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, because we are to celebrate a festival to the LORD."

¹⁰Pharaoh said, "The LORD be with you—if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are bent on evil. ¹¹No! Have only the men go; and worship the LORD, since that's what you have been asking for." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out of Pharaoh's presence.

¹²And the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over Egypt so that locusts will swarm over the land and devour everything growing in the fields, everything left by the hail."

¹³So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the LORD made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts; ¹⁴they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again. ¹⁵They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail—everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.

¹⁶Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. ¹⁷Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me."

¹⁸Moses then left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. ¹⁹And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind, which caught up the locusts and carried them into the Red Sea. Not a locust was left anywhere in Egypt. ²⁰But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.

²¹Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt—darkness that can be felt." ²²So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. ²³No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

²⁴Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, "Go, worship the LORD. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind."

²⁵But Moses said, "You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God. ²⁶Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the LORD our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the LORD."

²⁷But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he was not willing to let them go. ²⁸Pharaoh said to Moses, "Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die."

²⁹"Just as you say," Moses replied, "I will never appear before you again."

In this reading, Pharaoh was willing to do part of what God wanted, but not complete obedience. I think this is where we live a lot of our lives. We convince ourselves that God is okay with us being partially obedient. This chapter ends with the sad and final words of Moses. Here he speaks for God as he has all along. 'It's over Pharaoh. Time is up. God's patience is run out. This game of yours is over.' His words are actually much fewer than that, but they carry the full meaning. "Just as you say" Moses says. 'You are making your choice Pharaoh. Is this your final answer? Well, yes it is.'

And lastly those powerful and true words, "I will never appear before you again." While we live in the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to remember that one day all our games will end. One day will be our last. Then we will be brought to account for all our disobedience and our partial obedience.

Exodus – Reading 9 – Exodus 7:25 – 8:32

2009-09-29T08:18:00.001-04:00

For all of you that have been asking about Kate, she wrote her last exam last night and did pretty well in her own estimation. Her health continues to improve day by day. She just has a computer skills course to complete over the next couple of weeks and then a month long placement to get her diploma.

In yesterday's reading, there are a couple of places where God told Aaron and Moses exactly what to do and then it tells how they responded. In what manner did they respond? Sometimes we respond inconsistently to what we know God is calling us to do. Can we learn from these two men?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 7:25 – 8:32

^7:25Seven days passed after the LORD struck the Nile. ^8:1Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. ²If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. ³The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. ⁴The frogs will go up on you and your people and all your officials.'"

⁵Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.'"

⁶So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land. ⁷But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.

⁸Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD."

⁹Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile."

¹⁰"Tomorrow," Pharaoh said.

Moses replied, "It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God. ¹¹The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile."

¹²After Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the LORD about the frogs he had brought on Pharaoh. ¹³And the LORD did what Moses asked. The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields. ¹⁴They were piled into heaps, and the land reeked of them. ¹⁵But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.

¹⁶Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,' and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats." ¹⁷They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats. ¹⁸But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. And the gnats were on men and animals.

¹⁹The magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.

²⁰Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh as he goes to the water and say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. ²¹If you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you and your officials, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians will be full of flies, and even the ground where they are.

²²"'But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in this land. ²³I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will occur tomorrow.'"

²⁴And the LORD did this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh's palace and into the houses of his officials, and throughout Egypt the land was ruined by the flies.

²⁵Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land."

²⁶But Moses said, "That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the LORD our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable in their eyes, will they not stone us? ²⁷We must take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, as he commands us."

²⁸Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God in the desert, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me."

²⁹Moses answered, "As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the LORD, and tomorrow the flies will leave Pharaoh and his officials and his people. Only be sure that Pharaoh does not act deceitfully again by not letting the people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD."

³⁰Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD, ³¹and the LORD did what Moses asked: The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained. ³²But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

As a person that doesn't like flies, bugs or other insect life, these plagues seem disgusting. However, the part that I see in this reading, is Pharaoh thinking he can play with God. He says 'yes' and he says 'no'. He wants to negotiate with God by not agreeing fully to what Moses says He commanded. We all know God will win in the end. In what way might we be playing with God right now? Are we responding fully to the things he call us to do?

Exodus – Reading 8 – Exodus 7:1-24

2009-09-28T17:40:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I get a greater burden to pray than at other times. I think it is when there are circumstances that weigh on me that I can do nothing about; except pray. Today is one of those days. I am reminded that He is the one who can solve problems, provide resources, heal the sick and comfort the suffering. Pray with me today. You don't need to know the names or situations. You need to know there are people in great need of God's help and comfort.

In yesterday's reading, it states the reason that the Israelites would not listen to Moses. Can you see it? Is it possible that God was using the plagues that were to change Pharaoh's mind to work on the minds and hearts of His people also?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 7:1-24

¹Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. ²You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. ³But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, ⁴he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. ⁵And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it."

⁶Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them. ⁷Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

⁸The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ⁹"When Pharaoh says to you, 'Perform a miracle,' then say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' and it will become a snake."

¹⁰So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. ¹¹Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: ¹²Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. ¹³Yet Pharaoh's heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

¹⁴Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. ¹⁵Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the water. Wait on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. ¹⁶Then say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the desert. But until now you have not listened. ¹⁷This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. ¹⁸The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.'"

¹⁹The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs'—and they will turn to blood. Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in the wooden buckets and stone jars."

²⁰Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. ²¹The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt.

²²But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh's heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said. ²³Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart. ²⁴And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile to get drinking water, because they could not drink the water of the river.

'By this you will know….' is a phrase that will be repeated. Pharaoh will know that He is the Lord. Pharaoh will remain stubborn. Pharaoh won't give in. Pharaoh will have a hard heart. But, he will know the truth. I talk to a lot of people that know there is a God and an eternity. They just are not willing to let Him into their lives. Their hearts are hard. It's possible that many, like the crowds in Jesus' time, would even see miracles and not follow Him.

Exodus – Reading 7 – Exodus 6:1-30

2009-09-25T08:31:00.001-04:00

For those of you that have asked about my daughter Kate, she was able to write her second of three finals last night and was pleased with her effort. She will be writing the last final on Monday night. She seems to have recovered from her time in hospital and is gaining strength each day.

In yesterday's reading, it struck me that people are seldom neutral to God's requests. They either obey them or get angry about them. How did Pharaoh respond? What can we learn about ourselves when we respond to Him?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 6:1-30

¹Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country."

²God also said to Moses, "I am the LORD. ³I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,^ but by my name the LORD^ I did not make myself known to them.^
⁴I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they lived as aliens. ⁵Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

⁶"Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. ⁷I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. ⁸And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.'"

⁹Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.

¹⁰Then the LORD said to Moses, ¹¹"Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country."

¹²But Moses said to the LORD, "If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips^?"

¹³Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

¹⁴These were the heads of their families^:

The sons of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These were the clans of Reuben.

¹⁵The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon.

¹⁶These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.

¹⁷The sons of Gershon, by clans, were Libni and Shimei.

¹⁸The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.

¹⁹The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.

These were the clans of Levi according to their records.

²⁰Amram married his father's sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.

²¹The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg and Zicri.

²²The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan and Sithri.

²³Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

²⁴The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph. These were the Korahite clans.

²⁵Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas.

These were the heads of the Levite families, clan by clan.

²⁶It was this same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions." ²⁷They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. It was the same Moses and Aaron.

²⁸Now when the LORD spoke to Moses in Egypt, ²⁹he said to him, "I am the LORD. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you."

³⁰But Moses said to the LORD, "Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?"

God wants to be known as a powerful God who uses His power to redeem His people. Clearly at this part of the story there are three problems. Pharaoh doesn't buy it. The Israelites don't buy it. Even Moses doesn't buy it. We have the benefit of knowing the end of the story, and yet many times we look at folks in bondage to addictions or materialism and question God's ability to free them. Our God: Father, Son and Spirit, is a redeeming God. And He is powerful enough to do it.

Exodus – Reading 6 – Exodus 5:1-23

2009-09-24T21:00:00.001-04:00

I guess this weather and season qualify as Indian Summer. It is my favorite time of year. Cool nights and warm days are perfect Canadian weather. Now if this could just last until January….

In yesterday's reading, Moses said he couldn't speak for God. How did God respond? Do you think sometimes we are so concerned about our limitations that we forget that it is God that is doing the asking?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 5:1-23

¹Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.'"

²Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go."

³Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword."

⁴But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" ⁵Then Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working."

⁶That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: ⁷"You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. ⁸But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' ⁹Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies."

¹⁰Then the slave drivers and the foremen went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will not give you any more straw. ¹¹Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.'" ¹²So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. ¹³The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." ¹⁴The Israelite foremen appointed by Pharaoh's slave drivers were beaten and were asked, "Why didn't you meet your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?"

¹⁵Then the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way? ¹⁶Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people."

¹⁷Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are—lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' ¹⁸Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks."

¹⁹The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." ²⁰When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, ²¹and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

²²Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? ²³Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

Sometimes the early results of doing God's bidding leads are not what we expect. We would rather that obedience leads to clear sailing. Sometimes the opposite is true. It's like God says that anyone can stay obedient when the going is smooth but can you be obedient when it results in conflict and persecution? Pharaoh will be a tough protagonist for Moses but he is no match for God. He can delay, but God's will cannot be denied.

Exodus – Reading 5 – Exodus 4:1-31

2009-09-23T08:18:00.001-04:00

I was reading a book on organizing your life recently. As with many books and talks about this area, the advice was to ensure that your effort is primarily focused on the objectives that are most important to us. If you spiritual growth is of primary importance to you, and I pray that it is, how much of your time and energy will be invested in that objective today, this week and this fall? I encourage you to spend a couple of minutes each day reviewing your objectives and planning your time in such a way that you will get closer each and every day to the goals that you have set for yourself. Even with your spiritual life, a failure to plan is a plan for failure.

In yesterday's chapter of the story, Moses asked God a poignant question about God choosing him. Can you relate to his question? Has God asked you to do things that were a real stretch for you? That's another way we grow. We love new challenges and opportunities in school and work. Otherwise we would all still be in kindergarten. Are we as prepared to be stretched in ministry and mission?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 4:1-31

¹Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"

²Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"

"A staff," he replied.

³The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground."

Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. ⁴Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. ⁵"This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you."

⁶Then the LORD said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, like snow.

⁷"Now put it back into your cloak," he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.

⁸Then the LORD said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. ⁹But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground."

¹⁰Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

¹¹The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? ¹²Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

¹³But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."

¹⁴Then the LORD'S anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. ¹⁵You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. ¹⁶He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. ¹⁷But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."

¹⁸Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go back to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive."

Jethro said, "Go, and I wish you well."

¹⁹Now the LORD had said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who wanted to kill you are dead." ²⁰So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

²¹The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. ²²Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, ²³and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.'"

²⁴At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. ²⁵But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it.^ "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said. ²⁶So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)

²⁷The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the desert to meet Moses." So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. ²⁸Then Moses told Aaron everything the LORD had sent him to say, and also about all the miraculous signs he had commanded him to perform.

²⁹Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, ³⁰and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, ³¹and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

One note before I talk about Moses' call. In the paragraph starting with verse 24, the name of Moses does not appear in the original Hebrew. Rather is just says 'Him'. Many scholars believe that God was threatening to punish Moses and his wife for covenant disobedience because they had not circumcised their son, which was a requirement from the time of Issac.

Moses is a reluctant leader. He isn't sure people will take him seriously. He isn't sure he can speak well enough. He isn't sure he will be safe in Egypt. But God has a plan and everything Moses needs for leadership has been provided. It is good to remember that God chooses to equip the ones he calls rather than simply calling the ones who are equipped. I believe he does this so that He gets the glory.

Exodus – Reading 4 – Exodus 3:1-22

2009-09-22T19:22:00.001-04:00

This is going out in the evening because this is the first pause in my day. Plus, in just a few minutes I am leaving for another meeting. September seems to be like that. But, more than the business, my heart is full for folks in our congregation that are facing major challenges with health issues. Take a few minutes and pray for Ralph and Jean, Jim and Elsie, Doreen and Bob, and Scott. May God heal and bless each one of our community that is suffering and stressed with illness.

In yesterday's reading there are a couple of instances where that right person is in the right place to accomplish God's plan. Can you see them? I wonder how often we have been in that place without even knowing it. On the one hand, we serve an awesome God who is working out Eternity right before our eyes. On the other hand, He is still looking for men and women that will make themselves available to Him for whatever He may require.

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 3:1-22

¹Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. ²There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. ³So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

⁴When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"

And Moses said, "Here I am."

⁵"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." ⁶Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

⁷The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. ⁸So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. ⁹And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. ¹⁰So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

¹¹But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

¹²And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you^ will worship God on this mountain."

¹³Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

¹⁴God said to Moses, "I am who I am.^ This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I am has sent me to you.'"

¹⁵God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD,^ the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

¹⁶"Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. ¹⁷And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.'

¹⁸"The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.' ¹⁹But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. ²⁰So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.

²¹"And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. ²²Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians."

It never really tells us anything about Moses' experience with God before the burning bush. It probably didn't matter; nothing could prepare him for that. God taught Moses a lot about Himself in a very short time. One of the most important things was how God still cared for His people and had a plan to redeem them from slavery. But what this chapter is all about is God's call for Moses to lead. We will see how he responds to this call.

Remember, call has called may folk to life changing tasks. He used a burning bush only once. But He does get our attention. What would it take for Him to get yours?

Exodus – Reading 3 – Exodus 2:1-25

2009-09-21T09:28:00.001-04:00

First, I need to thank everyone for their concern and prayers for Kate. She came home on Friday and slept most of the weekend away. She is doing fine and goes back to her exams tomorrow. I am always glad when things return to a more normal basis.

In Friday's reading, the midwives were blessed by God. That was the result of something they did. Can you find what preceded their blessings? Can you see how that could apply to our lives today?

Here is today's reading:

Exodus 2:1-25

¹Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, ²and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. ³But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. ⁴His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

⁵Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. ⁶She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said.

⁷Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?"

⁸"Yes, go," she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother. ⁹Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you." So the woman took the baby and nursed him. ¹⁰When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water."

¹¹One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. ¹²Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. ¹³The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"

¹⁴The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."

¹⁵When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. ¹⁶Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. ¹⁷Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock.

¹⁸When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, "Why have you returned so early today?"

¹⁹They answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock."

²⁰"And where is he?" he asked his daughters. "Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat."

²¹Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. ²²Zipporah gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, "I have become an alien in a foreign land."

²³During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. ²⁴God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. ²⁵So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

This story should be made into a movie. Wait a minute, I think they did! There is so much interesting detail and a clear indication of God preparing his leader for the Israelites. He could have been killed but God spared him and put him in the safest place possible: the palace.

God is preparing to act. He will keep His promises to His people.

Exodus – Reading 2 – Exodus 1:1-22

2009-09-18T09:10:00.001-04:00

This has been quite the week. My daughter Kate has spent most of the week in hospital. She appears to be okay and is now only there because she has some flu symptoms; but they won't risk discharging her until they have run a bunch more tests. I am always reminded of people who have loved ones in hospitals and other institutions on an ongoing basis just how much time and energy it takes to visit and spend some time there every day.

So here we begin a new book of the Bible. This is the story of Moses and him leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Chapter 1 is as follows:

Exodus 1:1-22 (NIV)

¹These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: ²Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; ³Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; ⁴Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. ⁵The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt.

⁶Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, ⁷but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.

⁸Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. ⁹"Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. ¹⁰Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country."

¹¹So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. ¹²But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites ¹³and worked them ruthlessly. ¹⁴They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly.

¹⁵The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, ¹⁶"When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." ¹⁷The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. ¹⁸Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"

¹⁹The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."

²⁰So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. ²¹And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

²²Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live."

The glory days of Joseph in Egypt are not only gone, but largely forgotten. (So much for living your life for fame and riches.) The Israelites are becoming a threat to the Pharaoh and he takes a heartless and vicious step to limit the growth of the ale population. He couldn't do it the secret way through midwife malfeasance because they feared God. So, he takes the very public step of commanding all Hebrew newborn boys be thrown into the Nile.

It is a strange introduction to this important story and yet it certainly grabs our attention. Stay tuned for the next episode Monday. Have a great weekend.

Exodus – Reading 1 - Intro

2009-09-17T07:53:00.001-04:00

I went to hear a preacher Rob Bell at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre last night. He talked for 110 minutes and we were still wanting more when he wrapped up. Rob brings a lot of original ideas and always allows me to see things in new ways.

In yesterday's reading, Paul warns them about a group of people. What does this group do and how should they be dealt with? A tougher question is this. How did Paul, who had never been to Rome, know about these people?

In terms of a brief intro to the book of Exodus, I would simply say two things:

It is hundreds of years after Joseph and his brothers cam to Egypt.
This is an epic story of God rescuing His people and leading them to the promised land.

We have an opportunity to learn a lot about God and prayerfully, a lot about ourselves, in this book. Chapter 1 tomorrow.

Romans – Reading 30 – Romans 16:1-27

2009-09-16T07:09:00.001-04:00

This morning I have early prayer and breakfast with the majority of the other pastors in Ajax/Pickering. It is a time to share what God is doing in our churches and to continue to express our unity in Christ. We are really one church in many locations.

In yesterday's reading it is apparent Paul's heart is for a certain stage of mission work. Can you identify what stage he does? Do you think God equips each of us for unique ministry AND unique stages in that ministry?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 16:1-27

Be sure to welcome our friend Phoebe in the way of the Master, with all the generous hospitality we Christians are famous for. I heartily endorse both her and her work. She's a key representative of the church at Cenchrea. Help her out in whatever she asks. She deserves anything you can do for her. She's helped many a person, including me.

Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked hand in hand with me in serving Jesus. They once put their lives on the line for me. And I'm not the only one grateful to them. All the non-Jewish gatherings of believers also owe them plenty, to say nothing of the church that meets in their house.

Hello to my dear friend Epenetus. He was the very first Christian in the province of Asia.

Hello to Mary. What a worker she has turned out to be!

Hello to my cousins Andronicus and Junias. We once shared a jail cell. They were believers in Christ before I was. Both of them are outstanding leaders.

Hello to Ampliatus, my good friend in the family of God.

Hello to Urbanus, our companion in Christ's work, and my good friend Stachys.

Hello to Apelles, a tried-and-true veteran in following Christ.

Hello to the family of Aristobulus.

Hello to my cousin Herodion.

Hello to those Christians from the family of Narcissus.

Hello to Tryphena and Tryphosa—such diligent women in serving the Master.

Hello to Persis, a dear friend and hard worker in Christ.

Hello to Rufus—a good choice by the Master!—and his mother. She has also been a dear mother to me.

Hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and also to all of their families.

Hello to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas— and all the Christians who live with them.

Holy embraces all around! All the churches of Christ send their warmest greetings!

One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They're only in this for what they can get out of it, and aren't above using pious sweet-talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.

And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in these matters—I couldn't be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every "good" thing is the real thing. Don't be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!

And here are some more greetings from our end. Timothy, my partner in this work, Lucius, and my cousins Jason and Sosipater all said to tell you hello.

I, Tertius, who wrote this letter at Paul's dictation, send you my personal greetings.

Gaius, who is host here to both me and the whole church, wants to be remembered to you.

Erastus, the city treasurer, and our good friend Quartus send their greetings.

All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter.

All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes!

On first glance this chapter is simply a personal close to a letter. There is much more. I will focus on just one part. In the last two paragraphs, Paul promises strength in Jesus Christ and identifies Jesus as the mystery of the prophetic scriptures. This is not an ongoing mystery because in Jesus, the mystery is solved. This is good news for 'All the nations of the world."

Lastly, ALL of our praise is to be focused through Jesus on our God. Lifting high the name of Jesus is our rightful praise. Celebrating all that God has revealed and given us in Christ is our rightful response.

Romans – Reading 29 – Romans 15:22-33

2009-09-15T08:39:00.001-04:00

So if anyone is really keen, they will notice that I made a mistake yesterday in recording the scripture portion. The version of the message I have on my computer doesn't have verse numbers, so I sometimes get it wrong. So, yesterdays reading ended with verse 21. I trust you will all forgive me. Tomorrow will end Romans. I'd like to take a quick survey of what to do next. Just email me the title of a book of the Bible today and your vote will count.

In yesterday's reading, Paul said he needed their help in something. It's something I need everybody's help in too. Can you see what it is? Can you help?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 15:22-33

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And that's why it has taken me so long to finally get around to coming to you. But now that there is no more pioneering work to be done in these parts, and since I have looked forward to seeing you for many years, I'm planning my visit. I'm headed for Spain, and expect to stop off on the way to enjoy a good visit with you, and eventually have you send me off with God's blessing.

First, though, I'm going to Jerusalem to deliver a relief offering to the Christians there. The Greeks—all the way from the Macedonians in the north to the Achaians in the south—decided they wanted to take up a collection for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were happy to do this, but it was also their duty. Seeing that they got in on all the spiritual gifts that flowed out of the Jerusalem community so generously, it is only right that they do what they can to relieve their poverty. As soon as I have done this—personally handed over this "fruit basket"—I'm off to Spain, with a stopover with you in Rome. My hope is that my visit with you is going to be one of Christ's more extravagant blessings.

I have one request, dear friends: Pray for me. Pray strenuously with and for me—to God the Father, through the power of our Master Jesus, through the love of the Spirit—that I will be delivered from the lions' den of unbelievers in Judea. Pray also that my relief offering to the Jerusalem Christians will be accepted in the spirit in which it is given. Then, God willing, I'll be on my way to you with a light and eager heart, looking forward to being refreshed by your company. God's peace be with all of you. Oh, yes!

Paul never made it to Spain as far as we can tell. He made it to Rome in chains. HE did get the offering from all the churches he started back to Jerusalem where the poverty was incredible. Did God not answer their prayers? Paul knew that there was a plan that he only could see a little of. That's why he puts in the "God willing" comment. God will accomplish what God will accomplish and Paul accepted many the detour, trial, persecution and sickness so that he could partner in what God was doing.

God wants people who will value God's agenda way more than our own. Then we will see radical results of Kingdom proportions.

Romans – Reading 28 – Romans 15:14-21

2009-09-14T08:08:00.002-04:00

A new week begins. Everyone seems to be settling into their fall routines. Although that signals an end to summer, I have to admit that fall is my favorite time of year. I love fall golf and I love eating outside in the fall. I love the growing momentum in church life.

In Friday's reading, it talked of something Jesus didn't avoid. Can you see how He didn't make it easy for Himself? Do we show the same love and compassion as Jesus?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 15:14-24

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Personally, I've been completely satisfied with who you are and what you are doing. You seem to me to be well-motivated and well-instructed, quite capable of guiding and advising one another. So, my dear friends, don't take my rather bold and blunt language as criticism. It's not criticism. I'm simply underlining how very much I need your help in carrying out this highly focused assignment God gave me, this priestly and gospel work of serving the spiritual needs of the non-Jewish outsiders so they can be presented as an acceptable offering to God, made whole and holy by God's Holy Spirit.

Looking back over what has been accomplished and what I have observed, I must say I am most pleased—in the context of Jesus, I'd even say proud, but only in that context. I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders. In such ways I have trailblazed a preaching of the Message of Jesus all the way from Jerusalem far into northwestern Greece. This has all been pioneer work, bringing the Message only into those places where Jesus was not yet known and worshiped. My text has been,

"Those who were never told of him—

they'll see him!

Those who've never heard of him—

they'll get the message!"

Paul could really get exciting about telling people about Jesus. While he did spend time working with those inside the Kingdom of God, his real passion and mission was for those still outside; especially those that had never heard. May our passion today extend to all the world; especially those that need the life giving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans – Reading 27 – Romans 15:1-13

2009-09-11T10:31:00.001-04:00

Fridays can be mixed for me. On the one hand, I look forward to the weekend and all that will happen. On the other hand, I wonder if we are ready, if we have planned well and if we have prepared well. This weekend we start fall programming at the church. We also are starting a new series called True[ish] which is challenging material as we discuss statements many accept as true but at best can only be described as trueish.

In yesterday's reading, it talks about people that have different views of what is the right way to eat. We don't have much controversy in the church about that. We have found other things today that we can disagree about. Can you read yesterday's reading with something that bothers you that others in the church are doing in mind instead of food rules? Can we be 'critical and condescending' as Paul describes?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 15:1-13

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! Jesus, staying true to God's purposes, reached out in a special way to the Jewish insiders so that the old ancestral promises would come true for them. As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God. Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do! For instance:

"Then I'll join outsiders in a hymn-sing;

I'll sing to your name!"

And this one:

"Outsiders and insiders, rejoice together!"

And again:

"People of all nations, celebrate God!

All colors and races, give hearty praise!"

And Isaiah's word:

"There's the root of our ancestor Jesse,

breaking through the earth and growing tree tall,

Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!"

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

The fact that the 'Good News' of what God has done in His Son Jesus is for all peoples get Paul pretty excited. He calls us to this reality and to service. Calling on the example of our Saviour, we are to lend a hand and not avoid the troubles of others. Paul's vision for a community of hope, working together, believing together and moving forward together should be our vision also.

I will send the next email on Monday as I will be skipping the weekends from now on. Blessings to you all.

Romans – Reading 26 – Romans 14:1-23

2009-09-10T08:42:00.000-04:00

Today is one of those days where it seems there is too much to do and too little time. Maybe I need to spend a little time prioritizing so that if there is anything at the end of the day that is still undone, it will be the stuff that can wait. Taking that little bit of time is hard, but necessary.

In yesterday's reading, it talks about how you can miss God in your day. Can you see what it says? Are we in danger of this way too often? (Am I in danger of this today?)

Here is today's long reading:

Romans 14:1-23

Cultivating Good Relationships

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume all Christians should be vegetarians and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.

Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.

What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It's God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture:

"'As I live and breathe,' God says,

'every knee will bow before me;

Every tongue will tell the honest truth

that I and only I am God.'"

So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I'm convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it.

If you confuse others by making a big issue over what they eat or don't eat, you're no longer a companion with them in love, are you? These, remember, are persons for whom Christ died. Would you risk sending them to hell over an item in their diet? Don't you dare let a piece of God-blessed food become an occasion of soul-poisoning!

God's kingdom isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness' sake. It's what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault. You're certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God's work among you, are you? I said it before and I'll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don't eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.

Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

Paul doesn't mince words here. We are responsible to God and Him alone for our interpretation of what we need to do. All of us should be way more concerned with our relationship with God than with what others are doing. It is another warning of how easy and damaging it is when we let our unity be hurt by things that don't matter to God.

Encourage one another and let God do the correcting. Live according to your beliefs. Use your energy to get along with one another.

Romans – Reading 25 – Romans 13:8-14

2009-09-09T10:43:00.001-04:00

I am involved in a major conference on the internet today. 70 of the greatest Christian leaders in the world today are giving 9 minute talks on church leadership. I love to listen to people that are passionate about Christ's church.

In yesterday's reading, Paul says something that God loves. Can you see what it is and can you understand what God's motivation is?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 13:8-14



Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.

But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Here is a place in the Bible where Jesus' teaching is summed up by another (Paul). It's all about Love for God and Love for others and getting active in what God is doing(Go). God has salvation work and we need to get up and join it. Love, Love and Go.

Romans – Reading 24 – Romans 13:1-7

2009-09-08T12:06:00.001-04:00

I am sure that some of you wondered if we would ever start back with our daily readings. Well, here we are. Thank you for the break. I just needed to back off a little and get a week of holidays in and finish cottager church for the year and…….

As always, if you do not want to receive this daily email, just drop me a quick line and I will take you off of this list. (This list is only used for the daily readings. There is another list for any occasional news from the church.)

Well, today is a big day for kids and parents as they head back to school. It affects commuters as well as traffic increases. It is often seen as the beginning of the fall season and in our world, the start of fall programming for the church happens this weekend.

In our last reading it was talking about how we relate to others. Paul wanted us to treat everyone well, even our enemies. Can you see what kind of treatment he asks of us for enemies? Can we apply that to our lives today?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 13:1-7

To Be a Responsible Citizen

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.

Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That's why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live.

That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

This is a surprising change of gears. What was Paul interested in civil obedience and government for? Remember, he was writing to a church in Rome that while he hoped to visit, had never been there and didn't know many, if any, of the people. I am thinking he was looking to set a high standard in daily conduct as a witness to their fellow Romans who took their citizenship very seriously. There were many cults and factions in those days that resisted the government and rebelled against it. Paul already had a vision for Christians of being mainstream members of society even though Christianity did not become recognized fully for hundreds of years after him.

Our call today is to be above reproach. Part of that call is to be good citizens and fulfill all our obligations in society. Then, people cannot discount our faith and message just because we live selfishly and against the grain.

Romans – Reading 23 – Romans 12:9-21

2009-08-03T09:10:00.001-04:00

Today is a family day. We will spend it with Jake and Kate and find something we can all agree on doing. Probably we will go to a show and share a meal together. The important thing is just spending time with each other. That's how relationships are built and kept strong.

In yesterday's reading Paul talks about us finding our meaning and function (or purpose). Can you see what he is saying? Can you say that your meaning and purpose are ties to this?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 12:9-21



Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

This is teaching based on what Jesus taught. It is radical and world changing. It is definitely part of who we are as a Christ Followers. Love the unlovable. Give your friendship as a gift looking for what you can do for somebody and not what the friendship can do for you. Treat your enemies well.

Why is this so important? It is because we can limit evil by choosing to do good. We can keep evil from controlling us. We can best exemplify Jesus, who focused His love on us even though we were enemies and certainly unworthy to be called His friends. Go and do likewise.

Romans – Reading 22 – Romans 12:1-8

2009-08-01T15:29:00.001-04:00

August 1^st is a summer benchmark. When we used to spend weekends up north, it was the middle long weekend. When I was in public school, it was the halfway mark of the summer. Now in ministry, it is the beginning of serious planning for the fall. Today, it is a nice, summer day.

In yesterday's reading it explains everything. Where does everything come from? How does everything happen? Where does everything end up? My question today is whether this is how you think and act.

Here is today's reading:

Romans 12:1-8

Place Your Life Before God

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.

If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

I could preach a sermon on almost every verse of Romans 12. But here is the big idea that strikes me today: "The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." There is infinite truth in this verse. We continue to define ourselves and others by appearances and possessions. We are impressed by talent and charisma. But Paul says that is inaccurate. We are the creation and created beings. It speaks more of the Creator than us. But much more than that, we are who we are because of God's loving movement into our world in Jesus. For us to understand ourselves and others, we desperately need the light of God's grace and truth.

Romans – Reading 21 – Romans 11:25-36

2009-07-31T11:28:00.001-04:00

Two days in a row without rain. It must be summer now. I trust you can spend some time outside over the next few days. It will certainly make a difference to me. I can feel the lack of sun very quickly, but I also feel better just as quickly when it returns.

In yesterday's reading, Paul talks about 'deadwood'. Why does he say they are deadwood? What does that call us to do and to be?

Here is today's reading.

A Complete Israel

I want to lay all this out on the table as clearly as I can, friends. This is complicated. It would be easy to misinterpret what's going on and arrogantly assume that you're royalty and they're just rabble, out on their ears for good. But that's not it at all. This hardness on the part of insider Israel toward God is temporary. Its effect is to open things up to all the outsiders so that we end up with a full house. Before it's all over, there will be a complete Israel. As it is written,

"A champion will stride down from the mountain of Zion;

he'll clean house in Jacob.

And this is my commitment to my people:

removal of their sins."

From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends. God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.

There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you. Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in. In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in.

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.

"Is there anyone around who can explain God?

Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?

Anyone who has done him such a huge favor

that God has to ask his advice?"

Everything comes from him;

Everything happens through him;

Everything ends up in him.

Always glory! Always praise!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

There is a lot that I don't understand about God. I scratch my head over how He will bring back the Jewish people. So, when it says "Is there anyone around who can explain God," I say, "It's not me!" But I do know that He gracefully and generously brought me from being an Outsider to being an Insider. I know He doesn't want any of us to forget what it was like to be an Outsider and to do everything in our power to reach people with the Truth.

Romans – Reading 20 – Romans 11:11-24

2009-07-30T08:59:00.001-04:00

The Blue Jays were hot in Seattle yesterday. No, they didn't win, they were just hot as Seattle experienced the warmest day in its recorded history of 103.8 degrees F. When are we getting some of that? There are mushrooms starting to grow on my front lawn in unshaded areas.

In yesterday's reading, there is a lot to think about. But the part that stood out to me was when Elijah thought he was alone in his faith God announced He had 7,000 who were still faithful. I think the evil one wants us to feel alone in our faith. God wants you to experience Christian Community so that you know you are on this journey with a crowd of like hearted people.

Here is today's reading:

Romans 11:11-24

Pruning and Grafting Branches

The next question is, "Are they down for the count? Are they out of this for good?" And the answer is a clear-cut no. Ironically when they walked out, they left the door open and the outsiders walked in. But the next thing you know, the Jews were starting to wonder if perhaps they had walked out on a good thing. Now, if their leaving triggered this worldwide coming of non-Jewish outsiders to God's kingdom, just imagine the effect of their coming back! What a homecoming!

But I don't want to go on about them. It's you, the outsiders, that I'm concerned with now. Because my personal assignment is focused on the so-called outsiders, I make as much of this as I can when I'm among my Israelite kin, the so-called insiders, hoping they'll realize what they're missing and want to get in on what God is doing. If their falling out initiated this worldwide coming together, their recovery is going to set off something even better: mass homecoming! If the first thing the Jews did, even though it was wrong for them, turned out for your good, just think what's going to happen when they get it right!

Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit. Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.

It's certainly possible to say, "Other branches were pruned so that I could be grafted in!" Well and good. But they were pruned because they were deadwood, no longer connected by belief and commitment to the root. The only reason you're on the tree is because your graft "took" when you believed, and because you're connected to that belief-nurturing root. So don't get cocky and strut your branch. Be humbly mindful of the root that keeps you lithe and green.

If God didn't think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn't give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot. But don't presume on this gentleness. The moment you become deadwood, you're out of there.

And don't get to feeling superior to those pruned branches down on the ground. If they don't persist in remaining deadwood, they could very well get grafted back in. God can do that. He can perform miracle grafts. Why, if he could graft you—branches cut from a tree out in the wild—into an orchard tree, he certainly isn't going to have any trouble grafting branches back into the tree they grew from in the first place. Just be glad you're in the tree, and hope for the best for the others.

Why all this talk about Outsiders. Does God care more about them than insiders? I love that Jesus describes the Shepherd leaving the 99 sheep in the fold and going out to find the one lost sheep. God cares for the Outsider and the Prodigal more than we can understand. Let us pray to share His heart.

Romans – Reading 19 – Romans 11:1-10

2009-07-29T11:11:00.001-04:00

It is possible that God's way of dealing with our treatment of the rain forests is to turn Ontario into one? As I look out on another rain storm it seems like spring will never end and summer is only a dream.

In yesterday's reading there is a prediction of how the insiders will respond when the gospel is directed to outsiders. Why do you think our hearts are so wrong sometimes? How can we view things differently so that we celebrate outsiders coming to faith?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 11:1-10

The Loyal Minority

Does this mean, then, that God is so fed up with Israel that he'll have nothing more to do with them? Hardly. Remember that I, the one writing these things, am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham out of the tribe of Benjamin. You can't get much more Semitic than that! So we're not talking about repudiation. God has been too long involved with Israel, has too much invested, to simply wash his hands of them.

Do you remember that time Elijah was agonizing over this same Israel and cried out in prayer?

"God, they murdered your prophets,

They trashed your altars;

I'm the only one left and now they're after me!"

And do you remember God's answer?

"I still have seven thousand who haven't quit,

Seven thousand who are loyal to the finish."

It's the same today. There's a fiercely loyal minority still—not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think. They're holding on, not because of what they think they're going to get out of it, but because they're convinced of God's grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago.

And then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn't succeed. The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy. The "self-interest Israel" became thick-skinned toward God. Moses and Isaiah both commented on this:

"Fed up with their quarrelsome, self-centered ways,

God blurred their eyes and dulled their ears,

Shut them in on themselves in a hall of mirrors,

and they're there to this day."

David was upset about the same thing:

"I hope they get sick eating self-serving meals,

break a leg walking their self-serving ways.

I hope they go blind staring in their mirrors,

get ulcers from playing at god."

The Bible is so tough on religious people who don't know God. It's as if we think that a stranger would be obligated to us if we mindlessly repeated words and actions that have long since lost their real meaning. Paul is calling us to much more than 'self-serving meals' and 'self-serving ways.' And just as God still had high regard for the small minority in Paul's day, He continues to offer us the grace and mercy we need to live right and be saved.

Don't ever trade your faith for religious activity. Our God in the persons of Father, Son and Spirit want relationship with you.

Romans – Reading 18 – Romans 10:1-21

2009-07-28T07:43:00.001-04:00

I spent most of yesterday in The Toronto General Hospital waiting for Ralph Higgs to have his lung surgery and wake up. As soon as I saw him, I was asking him how he was and he was more interested in me, my family and my motorcycle. ( The surgery went well and early indications are that Ralph got through it in fairly good shape.) Take some time today to pray for all our folks in hospital.

In yesterday's reading Paul gives us a good reason not to question or talk back to God. Can you find this point and can you accept Paul's argument? What is it in us that wants to judge what God does?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 10:1-21

Israel Reduced to Religion

Believe me, friends, all I want for Israel is what's best for Israel: salvation, nothing less. I want it with all my heart and pray to God for it all the time. I readily admit that the Jews are impressively energetic regarding God—but they are doing everything exactly backwards. They don't seem to realize that this comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God's business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily hawk their wares. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it.

The earlier revelation was intended simply to get us ready for the Messiah, who then puts everything right for those who trust him to do it. Moses wrote that anyone who insists on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it's not so easy—every detail of life regulated by fine print! But trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story—no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, no dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. So what exactly was Moses saying?

"The word that saves is right here,

as near as the tongue in your mouth,

as close as the heart in your chest."

It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God—"Jesus is my Master"—embracing, body and soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That's it. You're not "doing" anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right between him and me!"

Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it." It's exactly the same no matter what a person's religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. "Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help."

But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That's why Scripture exclaims,

"A sight to take your breath away!

Grand processions of people

telling all the good things of God!"

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: "Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?" The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to.

But haven't there been plenty of opportunities for Israel to listen and understand what's going on? Plenty, I'd say.

"Preachers' voices have gone 'round the world,

Their message to earth's seven seas."

So the big question is, Why didn't Israel understand that she had no corner on this message? Moses had it right when he predicted,

"When you see God reach out to those

you consider your inferiors—outsiders!—

you'll become insanely jealous.

When you see God reach out to people

you think are religiously stupid,

you'll throw temper tantrums."

Isaiah dared to speak out these words of God:

"People found and welcomed me

who never so much as looked for me.

And I found and welcomed people

who had never even asked about me."

Then he capped it with a damning indictment:

"Day after day after day,

I beckoned Israel with open arms,

And got nothing for my trouble

but cold shoulders and icy stares."

"But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?"

This is the challenge of the ages to God's people. When someone asks you why we think we need to tell people about Jesus, you can point them to this passage. We are called by God to share the Good News with all the nations. It starts with our community. It ends with the whole world.

Romans – Reading 17 –Romans 9:1-33

2009-07-27T10:12:00.001-04:00

The sun is actually shining. How sad for all those returning from wet weekends and vacations. How wonderful for all those golfers trying to complete the Canadian Open.

In yesterday's reading, we are told how we can know what our original design was meant to work before sin distorted everything. Can you find the part that speaks about this? How you experienced any of this?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 9:1-33

God Is Calling His People

At the same time, you need to know that I carry with me at all times a huge sorrow. It's an enormous pain deep within me, and I'm never free of it. I'm not exaggerating—Christ and the Holy Spirit are my witnesses. It's the Israelites … If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I'd do it in a minute. They're my family. I grew up with them. They had everything going for them—family, glory, covenants, revelation, worship, promises, to say nothing of being the race that produced the Messiah, the Christ, who is God over everything, always. Oh, yes!

Don't suppose for a moment, though, that God's Word has malfunctioned in some way or other. The problem goes back a long way. From the outset, not all Israelites of the flesh were Israelites of the spirit. It wasn't Abraham's sperm that gave identity here, but God's promise. Remember how it was put: "Your family will be defined by Isaac"? That means that Israelite identity was never racially determined by sexual transmission, but it was God-determined by promise. Remember that promise, "When I come back next year at this time, Sarah will have a son"?

And that's not the only time. To Rebecca, also, a promise was made that took priority over genetics. When she became pregnant by our one-of-a-kind ancestor, Isaac, and her babies were still innocent in the womb—incapable of good or bad—she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that his purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by his decision, flowing steadily from his initiative. God told Rebecca, "The firstborn of your twins will take second place." Later that was turned into a stark epigram: "I loved Jacob; I hated Esau."

Is that grounds for complaining that God is unfair? Not so fast, please. God told Moses, "I'm in charge of mercy. I'm in charge of compassion." Compassion doesn't originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God's mercy. The same point was made when God said to Pharaoh, "I picked you as a bit player in this drama of my salvation power." All we're saying is that God has the first word, initiating the action in which we play our part for good or ill.

Are you going to object, "So how can God blame us for anything since he's in charge of everything? If the big decisions are already made, what say do we have in it?"

Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn't talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, "Why did you shape me like this?" Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans? If God needs one style of pottery especially designed to show his angry displeasure and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious goodness, isn't that all right? Either or both happens to Jews, but it also happens to the other people. Hosea put it well:

"I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies;

I'll call the unloved and make them beloved.

In the place where they yelled out, 'You're nobody!'

they're calling you 'God's living children.'"

Isaiah maintained this same emphasis:

"If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered

and the sum labeled 'chosen of God,'

They'd be numbers still, not names;

salvation comes by personal selection.

God doesn't count us; he calls us by name.

Arithmetic is not his focus."

Isaiah had looked ahead and spoken the truth:

"If our powerful God

had not provided us a legacy of living children,

We would have ended up like ghost towns,

like Sodom and Gomorrah."

How can we sum this up? All those people who didn't seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their "God projects" that they didn't notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:

"Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road

to Mount Zion,

a stone you can't get around.

But the stone is me! If you're looking for me,

you'll find me on the way, not in the way."

This is a whole lot to absorb and try to understand. For me, the question is if we trust God and give Him the right to make decisions. Often we don't understand what God does or permits. Can we question God? Sure. The Psalms are full of it. Can we judge God? Beware! You have not the knowledge, the perspective or the right to judge your maker. This section talks of those who didn't trust God and therefore missed the significance of Jesus.

The best part of this is the quote from Hosea. He made somebodies out of nobodies and beloved out of the unloved. We are significant because of God's decision to love us.

Romans – Reading 16 – Romans 8:18-36 (Yesterday s.b. 1-17)

2009-07-26T07:42:00.001-04:00

I look forward to Sundays. Doing church, whether as a leader or a worshipper, is one of my favorite things. That is one of the signs God has begun a new work in me. I used to have a thousand excuses for missing church. Maybe you know some of them.

In yesterday's reading there is a statement of why we now think more of God than ourselves. Can you find it? This is a big truth. Is it true for us today?

Here is today's reading:

Romans 8:18-39



That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

"They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.

We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one."

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Nothing can get between us and God's love. NOTHING! That is a great, eternal truth. So with God on our side, how can we lose? I trust that this scripture blesses you the way it blesses me. No matter the pain and difficulty of this present age, God has and is bringing all things back into His perfect created order through Christ. We have a glorious future in Him. Praise God! Thank you Jesus!

Amberlea and Me

This week @ Amberlea Church July 27th 2011

This week @ Amberlea Church July 21st 2011

This week @ Amberlea Church July 14th 2011

Malachi Day 22

Malachi 4:4-6 (The Message)

Malachi Day 21

Malachi 4 (The Message)

Malachi Day 20

Malachi 3:16-18 (The Message)

Malachi Day 19

Malachi 3:13-15 (The Message)

The Difference Between Serving God and Not Serving Him

Malachi Day 18

Malachi 3:8-12 (The Message)

Malachi Day 17

Malachi 3:5-7 (The Message)

Malachi Day 16

Malachi 3:2-4 (The Message)

Malachi Day 15

Malachi 3:1 (The Message)

The Master You've Been Looking For

RealSimpleChurch: What do you value?

Malachi Day 14

Malachi 2:17 (The Message)

Malachi Day 13

Malachi 2:13-16 (New International Version, ©2011)

Malachi Day 12

Malachi 2:11-12 (The Message)

Malachi Day 11

Malachi 2:10 (The Message)

Malachi Day 10

Malachi 2:7-9 (The Message)

Malachi Day 9

Malachi 2:4-6 (The Message)

Malachi Day 8

Malachi 21-3 (The Message)

Desecrating the Holiness of God

Malachi Day 7

Malachi 1:11-14 (The Message)Offering God Something Hand-Me-Down,

Malachi 1:11-14 (The Message)

Malachi Day 6

Malachi Day 5

Malachi Day 4

Malachi Day 3

Malachi Day 2

Malachi Day 1

This Week at Amberlea

This week @ Amberlea Church

Leadership Night

Welcome Back

Holy Week - 4

Holy Week - 3

Holy Week - 2

Holy Week - 1

Exodus – Reading 25 – Exodus 22:1-31

Exodus – Reading 24 – Exodus 21:1 - 36

Exodus – Reading 23 – Exodus 20:1 - 26

Exodus – Reading 22 – Exodus 19:1 - 25

Exodus – Reading 21 – Exodus 18:1 - 27

Exodus – Reading 20 – Exodus 17:1 - 16

Exodus – Reading 19 – Exodus 16:1- 36

Exodus - Reading 18 – Exodus 15:1- 27

Exodus – Reading 17 – Exodus 14:1-32

Exodus – Reading 16 – Exodus 13:17- 22

Exodus – Reading 15 – Exodus 13:1-16

Exodus – Reading 13 – Exodus 12:1-28

Exodus – Reading 12 – Exodus 11:1-10

Exodus – Reading 11 – Exodus 10:1-29

Exodus – Reading 9 – Exodus 7:25 – 8:32

Exodus – Reading 8 – Exodus 7:1-24

Exodus – Reading 7 – Exodus 6:1-30

Exodus – Reading 6 – Exodus 5:1-23

Exodus – Reading 5 – Exodus 4:1-31

Exodus – Reading 4 – Exodus 3:1-22

Exodus – Reading 3 – Exodus 2:1-25

Exodus – Reading 2 – Exodus 1:1-22

Exodus – Reading 1 - Intro

Romans – Reading 30 – Romans 16:1-27

Romans – Reading 29 – Romans 15:22-33

Malachi 1:11-14 (The Message)
Offering God Something Hand-Me-Down,