I finished Numbers a few days ago. my heart went out to Moses as he led stiff-necked Israel through the wilderness. what struck home with me was the absolute, unnecessary delay of God's blessing. Jon Courson said "You can't destroy God's purpose, but you can delay His blessing." Numbers is exactly that.
God gave me a great lesson in the census of all males from 1 month old and above. simply that He counts everyone. it resonated with me the little hands of the children and the frail hands of the aged all count equally to Him. it was very personal to me as a future pastor that I should be equally ministering to everyone God brings me.
of course the tragedy of Israel's refusal to enter the Promised Land is a prominent feature of the account. equally tragic are the many believers who refuse to enter into the Spirit-filled life promised to us in Scripture.
several outbursts of opposition to Moses checked my heart and prepared me to deal with that myself. anyone God is using will face opposition...even from family and friends. I must prepare my heart and simply leave it to the Lord to vindicate me when those times come.
Moses' and Aaron's angry episode at the rock ended their ministry prematurely. sin is just that serious. 40 years of faithful ministry can be brought to an end by 4 minutes of sinful outburst.
the book finishes with regulations regarding offerings and inheritance, all of which were a blessing to read. and it's interesting in the final census that Israel hasn't grown at all during their wilderness wandering. so with us, time spent in disobedience is completely lost.
something else of note. a few weeks ago at men's prayer, Pastor David offered me an internship. soon we'll be meeting regularly to pray together and talk about ministry. we'll also work through the affiliation requirements so I can be a Calvary Chapel pastor. how exciting!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Leviticus - Loving Instructions
I found Leviticus a very loving book and a quick read. its mostly God's instructions to the Levites along with only two historical accounts. what I received from the book as a whole is God's loving care for the details of our lives and the amazing scientific methods of healthcare written over 3,000 years ago.
I sped thru the first several chapters which deal with offerings. next came the instructions for consecrating the priests and the account of Nadab and Abihu's violent deaths. this section of Scripture gave me the seriousness God places on the ministry. it isn't something to be taken lightly for sure.
the following several chapters deal with the Divine healthcode, which I found fascinating. it spoke volumes to me on God's care for us. the remaining chapters outline moral, civil, and ceremonial code. there were various verses that blessed me but nothing overwhelming.
I did notice chapter 27 has instructions for people and property vowed to God, which reminded me of Jephthah. if only he had studied Leviticus he would have known better than to offer his daughter as a sacrifice. he is a grave example of diluting God's word with pagan practice and the responsibility leaders have to go by the Book and only the Book.
I sped thru the first several chapters which deal with offerings. next came the instructions for consecrating the priests and the account of Nadab and Abihu's violent deaths. this section of Scripture gave me the seriousness God places on the ministry. it isn't something to be taken lightly for sure.
the following several chapters deal with the Divine healthcode, which I found fascinating. it spoke volumes to me on God's care for us. the remaining chapters outline moral, civil, and ceremonial code. there were various verses that blessed me but nothing overwhelming.
I did notice chapter 27 has instructions for people and property vowed to God, which reminded me of Jephthah. if only he had studied Leviticus he would have known better than to offer his daughter as a sacrifice. he is a grave example of diluting God's word with pagan practice and the responsibility leaders have to go by the Book and only the Book.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Exodus - Receiving the Ministry
I finished Exodus a couple days ago and its been a life of it's own. for me Exodus was a beautiful unfolding of receiving the ministry. it begins with Moses and details his preparation and ministry to Israel.
its cool that I would be in Exodus leading up to the Pastors Conference in Houston. the Lord confirmed in my heart how well I fit with the Calvary guys and my call to pastor a church. it really blessed me that just as I had prayed, David offered me the affiliation stuff. whatever God has for me I don't want to grasp it, just freely receive it. that was easily the best weekend of my life. David, Laura, Katie, and I stayed with the Ryding's and were soaked in awesome teaching and fellowship. I really can't imagine a better weekend this side of marriage.
some key points in Exodus for me.
several times the Lord refers to Israel as "My armies". ha! is He joking? broken-down brickmakers with sticks? isn't it just the beautiful grace of God to use us as His armies.
God told Moses Pharoah would drive them out with a strong hand. and the Pharoah who was so determined not to let Israel go, found himself driving them out of the land, just as God said. "the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, and He turns it wherever He will like rivers of water"
the relationship Moses had with God blessed me. he drew in tight and his fellowship enabled him to endure his ministry.
and its always a blessing to read that God filled craftsmen with the Spirit to build the tabernacle. I'm not skilled in practical ways and its relieving to see God call people specifically to that.
one final thing worth noting. the first evening of the Pastors Conference, Ron Hindt spoke on prayer "in the trenches". the teaching was very stirring and challenging, and I filled up with the Spirit so much I just started praying in tongues silently. we had a brief prayer time which led into worship. and during worship God gave me a vision.
I felt moved to pray, "God fill their censers with oil. that anointing, life-giving oil." then I saw two gold lamps, like aladdin lamps, with their lids open and empty. God said, "No one is pouring into them." then I saw another gold lamp with four spouts pouring oil into four lamps like the first two. God said, "Who will pour for Me?" I answered with a laugh, "I guess that's me again."
needless to say, I enjoyed this time thru Exodus.
its cool that I would be in Exodus leading up to the Pastors Conference in Houston. the Lord confirmed in my heart how well I fit with the Calvary guys and my call to pastor a church. it really blessed me that just as I had prayed, David offered me the affiliation stuff. whatever God has for me I don't want to grasp it, just freely receive it. that was easily the best weekend of my life. David, Laura, Katie, and I stayed with the Ryding's and were soaked in awesome teaching and fellowship. I really can't imagine a better weekend this side of marriage.
some key points in Exodus for me.
several times the Lord refers to Israel as "My armies". ha! is He joking? broken-down brickmakers with sticks? isn't it just the beautiful grace of God to use us as His armies.
God told Moses Pharoah would drive them out with a strong hand. and the Pharoah who was so determined not to let Israel go, found himself driving them out of the land, just as God said. "the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, and He turns it wherever He will like rivers of water"
the relationship Moses had with God blessed me. he drew in tight and his fellowship enabled him to endure his ministry.
and its always a blessing to read that God filled craftsmen with the Spirit to build the tabernacle. I'm not skilled in practical ways and its relieving to see God call people specifically to that.
one final thing worth noting. the first evening of the Pastors Conference, Ron Hindt spoke on prayer "in the trenches". the teaching was very stirring and challenging, and I filled up with the Spirit so much I just started praying in tongues silently. we had a brief prayer time which led into worship. and during worship God gave me a vision.
I felt moved to pray, "God fill their censers with oil. that anointing, life-giving oil." then I saw two gold lamps, like aladdin lamps, with their lids open and empty. God said, "No one is pouring into them." then I saw another gold lamp with four spouts pouring oil into four lamps like the first two. God said, "Who will pour for Me?" I answered with a laugh, "I guess that's me again."
needless to say, I enjoyed this time thru Exodus.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Genesis - A New Era
I finished Genesis this morning, as rain fell lightly on the window. I began reading thru the Bible my second time on October 1st. God told me back around 2 John to "continue in My word" so I'm going thru again. I prayed God would make this a new era in my life, and He has.
During these weeks He has produced a more pure flow of the Spirit from my heart. I've been singing the song "I've got a river of life flowing out of me". I love Him more and see my life differently. Reading the 1st 2000 years of human history really effected me. I saw the men who lived 900 years and thought of how many cultural acheivements they witnessed. They had so much time to experience life, yet they accomplished nothing. Only a few men, out of 2000 years, had the words "walked with God" by their name. I want that to be me.
As I read Abraham I saw how God blessed him with wealth and a heritage. I know He's given the same to me. And like Abraham, I want to walk thru life simply as a friend of God, letting go of earthly things (plain of Jordan) and prepared to rescue weaker believers (Lot).
Isaac followed in his father's footsteps, unstopping the old wells and providing for his family.
Jacob's life is very encouraging. Through his decisions, good and bad, God's blessing and purpose were accomplished. I don't want God to have to use bad decisions in my life. I love where Jacob is at the end of his life, prophesying and blessing everyone he meets.
Joseph ofcourse is amazing to read. He ministered to prisoners and was confident the moment he was called before Pharoah. He had complete forgiveness waiting for his brothers and saw God at work with so little evidence. I admire the consistency of his walk with God and his great faith.
Words can't express all Genesis has meant to me. God's given me a larger soul, an older perspective, more peace, more joy, more confidence talking with people, more love, more humility, and more Spirit flowing thru me. I had one test day to speak of. I felt tempted to help God grow our college ministry with some kind of fun event. But the Spirit reminded me of how Jacob ranked his family when he was to meet Esau. His lack of faith left him unable to love his family, and I would also begin to rank people if I didn't leave the group to the Lord. I made the right decision and the Lord told me "you don't need a tent" (an attraction).
These have been the best weeks of my life. I can only look forward to more of the same in Exodus tomorrow morning.
During these weeks He has produced a more pure flow of the Spirit from my heart. I've been singing the song "I've got a river of life flowing out of me". I love Him more and see my life differently. Reading the 1st 2000 years of human history really effected me. I saw the men who lived 900 years and thought of how many cultural acheivements they witnessed. They had so much time to experience life, yet they accomplished nothing. Only a few men, out of 2000 years, had the words "walked with God" by their name. I want that to be me.
As I read Abraham I saw how God blessed him with wealth and a heritage. I know He's given the same to me. And like Abraham, I want to walk thru life simply as a friend of God, letting go of earthly things (plain of Jordan) and prepared to rescue weaker believers (Lot).
Isaac followed in his father's footsteps, unstopping the old wells and providing for his family.
Jacob's life is very encouraging. Through his decisions, good and bad, God's blessing and purpose were accomplished. I don't want God to have to use bad decisions in my life. I love where Jacob is at the end of his life, prophesying and blessing everyone he meets.
Joseph ofcourse is amazing to read. He ministered to prisoners and was confident the moment he was called before Pharoah. He had complete forgiveness waiting for his brothers and saw God at work with so little evidence. I admire the consistency of his walk with God and his great faith.
Words can't express all Genesis has meant to me. God's given me a larger soul, an older perspective, more peace, more joy, more confidence talking with people, more love, more humility, and more Spirit flowing thru me. I had one test day to speak of. I felt tempted to help God grow our college ministry with some kind of fun event. But the Spirit reminded me of how Jacob ranked his family when he was to meet Esau. His lack of faith left him unable to love his family, and I would also begin to rank people if I didn't leave the group to the Lord. I made the right decision and the Lord told me "you don't need a tent" (an attraction).
These have been the best weeks of my life. I can only look forward to more of the same in Exodus tomorrow morning.
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