Fresh Blog

My Bad Attitude

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 09:36:49 -0600

Scripture
“Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land.” - Deuteronomy 12:19

Observation
The Levites were supposed to be shown appreciation and consideration by the rest of Israel because they had a special standing as God’s priests. This was a place of honor, but simultaneously meant that they could not own land. Serving God as a Levite was an admirable position, but the priests had to make sacrifices. God instructing the Jews to not neglect the Levites probably means that they previously had or were prone to do so.

Application
I am naturally skeptical of anyone in the same position as I. I get upset at groups like Westboro Baptist (the Fred Phelps group) that give Christians a bad reputation. That is an extreme example, but when I visit other churches I am usually critical of worship leaders—pastors, too—yet I desperately want people to appreciate my work and to “not neglect” me. I am quick to see what others are doing “wrong” while not giving credit for their service. How would I feel if they did the same to me?

Prayer
Lord, this verse revealed an attitude that I need to change. Help me be quick to support my fellow servants in Christ, instead of being so critical.

Listen to Him

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 09:34:42 -0600

Scripture
“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” - Mark 9:7

Observation
Jesus is transfigured, Peter and the others don’t know what to say or do, Peter gets an idea to pitch some tents, and then God says simply: “Listen to Jesus.”

Application
I don’t like leaving things unsettled. I don’t like waiting. I am a doer. Even if a problem can’t be completely resolved, I want to do something about it. If my wife is sad, I want to make her happy. I am a fixer.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always how God works. Sometimes, God asks for my patience. God tells me to wait. In this verse, God instructs us to listen. Listening is hard. It requires my attention. It requires me to stop talking and stop doing. It requires me to forfeit my solutions and trust God’s answers. Even my good intentions, like Peter putting up shelters for the prophets, aren’t always what God wants from me. “Listen to him.”

Prayer
(silent and listening)

Riddles

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:31:52 -0600

Scripture
“When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.” - Numbers 12:6-8

Observation
Moses’ faithfulness was rewarded by being allowed to have face-to-face conversations with God. The reward of being faithful to God is a deeper relationship with Him. God can speak to all of us, but those who are faithful to obey will receive His words with greater clarity.

Application
The application is obvious: be faithful to God if you want to hear Him speak to you clearly instead of in riddles and dreams. The more faithful we show ourselves to be, the more God trusts us with His plans.

Prayer
God, I want to know you more deeply and understand you more clearly. Please increase my faith. Amen.

Cannibalism?

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:22:00 -0600

Scripture
“You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters.” - Leviticus 26:29

Observation
God is not commanding cannibalism in this verse; rather, He is explaining the consequences of disobeying His laws. One of the more frightening aspects of sin is that it breeds more sin.

Application
It is hard work to follow God, but it is even more grueling to try to stop sinning once its snowball effect has begun. Sin is progressive in nature and it can quickly go from bad to worse. Things once unimaginable become acceptable when the mind is twisted by sin.

Prayer
Lord, may this verse be the impetus I need to center my day around choosing to follow you instead of choosing to sin.

The Messenger Matters

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:26:27 -0600

Scripture
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune‑telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.” - Acts 16:16-18

Observation
The slave girl was speaking the truth, but her life did not bear witness to the truth. She reminds me of a corrupt televangelist.

Application
How I live matters as much as what I say. I can preach, quote scripture, assert a Biblical worldview when debating with others, etc., but my lifestyle must match what I say.

Prayer
Lord, keep me blameless before others. Keep me on guard from spiritual attacks and keep my eyes on You and Your Word.