Christmas Calibration

My heart and mind do not normally, automatically know and understand the mind of God. My heart and mind are bent to my own desires, my own wanting, understanding, thinking, having, doing. There is nothing in my natural way of life that thinks like God, wants what God wants, does what God would do. Even if it looks or sounds good to others, my motives are often self-seeking and self-exalting, much to my chagrin. 

If the goal is how others perceive me, I can fool a lot of people a lot of the time.

If the goal is how I perceive myself, I can also fool that person a lot of the time.

But what if that's not the goal? What if, all these years, all these moments and days, we've missed the goal?

Matthew 1:33 says, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

God with us. God will join us here. In this place. On earth. In the muck and mire, the sickness and decay, the wormwood and gal.

That was His promise to Israel:

Therefore Adonai Himself will give you a sign:

Behold, the virgin will conceive.
When she is giving birth to a son,
she will call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

That is His promise for the end of time:

I also heard a loud voice from the throne, saying,

“Behold, the dwelling of God is among men,
and He shall tabernacle among them.

They shall be His people,
and God Himself shall be among them
and be their God...." (Revelation 21:3)

The goodness, the promise, the goal of God is not life without sin. It is not a life of fulfilled desires or a lack of unmet needs. The ultimate goal is God Himself--His presence, His dwelling, or living with, me. With you. Simply being. Being in the presence of and with Almighty God.

That requires forgiveness of sin. It will result in all things beautiful, pain-free and fulfilled. Those are the by-products, or results, of God's presence, not the goal. 

This advent season, refocus. If God's greatest gift is being with us, that is what He values most. Being. Being who He created us to be. Existing as He would. The goal is not doing. Not giving. Not performing. I need time with God, in His Word, speaking to and listening to Him as a means of allowing Him to change my thinking, words, and behavior: enjoying Him throughout my moments and days. That, then, is how I come alongside and love others with less interference from my natural bent; my inclination to impress, do, perform, win, be heard and seen. 

This Christmas season is a time to recalibrate my thinking to one of enjoying the gift of being with God and others. It is time to value time, not outcomes. People, not performance. Being, not doing.

Another Gospel

Our churches are full of adults who were taught, "Obey your parents... that all will go well with you."

One woman told me, "When things were going wrong at our church and we were suffering, I thought it was my fault." She, like others, has been taught that those in authority are right. Those under authority must capitulate or accommodate leadership--and all will be well. This was not a prideful way of puffing herself up, it is a learned response to suffering. "I did something wrong. If only I figure it out, good things will result." In other words, it's a prosperity gospel that has infected our churches. "If I do right, good things happen; if I do wrong, bad things happen."

Another individual said, "It's not fair that God allowed these things to happen. I did the right thing and I'm the one being punished, not the person whose mistreating me and misleading others."

In all of this, God is twisted to be untrustworthy, un-good, capricious, showing favoritism. He is seen as un-God and man-like. This happens when Scripture is misused to accomplish the agenda or goal of some/one at the expense of others.

God is not like that. The entirety of the counsel of God's Word does not promote that. But in the time since the American moral response to war, that has been the message. "Do right to avoid bad things." To avoid war, we must seek God and do what is right. To avoid evil in government (i.e. Nazism, Vietnam, corruption, Communism), we must do right. To avoid the evils of society (i.e. the hippie movement, make love not war) we must separate ourselves.

The problem is that those solutions are man-based. We want to do right and seek God, but His favor is not the result of our efforts. Bad things continue to happen. Seeking God did not protect Abel from Cain's wrath. Seeking God did not remove Abram from the desert--it drove him there. Seeking God did not provide an escape from the cross--it took Christ there.

In the words of my friend, Pastor Warren Lamb, "God's protection is not always a protection from; it is often a protection through. While God may not protect us from difficulty (indeed, as Job's story teaches, He often ordains difficulty for our good) or even horrible circumstances, He will always protect us through each and every moment of life." (Unbound, Truth in Love Biblical Counseling, p. 97-98)

What has been adopted by many, including those in traditional biblical counseling, is the "think right + act right = a right outcome." But the outcome can be twisted, depending on the individual using it. In truth, the outcome may be suffering.  Unfortunately, this equation is used by individuals in authority, with resources and influence, to manipulate and coerce their own desired outcome. This is grooming. Teaching congregants, women, and children to submit for the purpose of controlling them and using them is wrong. The Bible word is "oppression" and God hates those who use His Word and character to subjugate others. 

Other Bible words for individuals who use "another gospel"--this prosperity gospel of "do this and you will get that" are: wolves in sheep's clothing, false teachers, dangerous reefs, shepherds who only look after themselves, waterless clouds, trees without fruit, wild waves of the sea, wandering stars, discontented grumblers who flatter others for their own advantage. (Jude)

Beware, my friends. When you see or hear someone teaching Dudley Do-Right philosophy, look more closely. What do they stand to gain? What are they trying to accomplish? Who or what is the wizard behind the veil? Don't believe the images on the screen until you know who's pulling the levers.

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened animals, but you do not tend the flock. You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and there was no one searching or seeking for them.

“‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord God—because my flock, lacking a shepherd, has become prey and food for every wild animal, and because my shepherds do not search for my flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord!

“‘This is what the Lord God says: Look, I am against the shepherds. I will demand my flock from them and prevent them from shepherding the flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves, for I will rescue my flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them.

“‘For this is what the Lord God says: See, I myself will search for my flock and look for them. As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and total darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them to their own soil. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will tend them in good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will tend my flock and let them lie down. This is the declaration of the Lord God. I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice. (Ezekiel 34:1-16)

Inside Out

If you're like me, you may have noticed all the nice Scripture decor in stores, homes, and churches. They make us feel good. But often, we read and apply them inside out. They don't fit quite right, but we try to make them say and mean what was never intended.

Funny side story (if you're interested--if not skip this paragraph and keep going, but it relates to the topic at hand); We focused on Scripture as our children were growing up and they noticed it was used in greeting cards, etc. One Sunday afternoon they were inspired to cut slips of paper and write Scripture references. It was close to Valentine's Day so with each Valentine, I included one of their hand-written notes. Weeks (months?) later, out of curiosity I looked up the references.

I don't remember the exact verses, but they were similar to Jeremiah 5:6*, Judges 8:19**, Colossian 6:13, etc. I read them, and was both puzzled and horrified. "Did you read the actual verses you wrote down?" No. No, of course they didn't. 

All that to say, it's easy to misread and misuse Scripture. 

This morning, as I read about Stephen's discourse in Acts 7, I thought of how many times people seeking deliverance refer to stories of Moses, God's promise to Israel in Jeremiah 29:11, or the conversion of Saul. Those are amazing stories! God has shown Himself powerful and strong to save.

And there's the rub--instead of putting ourselves into Scripture that is narrative in style, that recounts a specific person and situation--we would do far better to pull God off the page and focus on His wonder and grace. This God does not necessarily rescue us from a difficult situation, but shows His might and grace by seeing us through the situation.

The psalmist wrote, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."? He didn't set up camp and break out lawn chairs. He kept walking, moving forward, trusting his Shepherd to lead him to the other side.

Ephesians says God's mystery (the gospel, the purchase of our souls at the cost of Jesus' life and the inclusion of Gentiles) "... is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens." (Ephesians 3:10). 

God's power is displayed in His work through us--and in us. His Spirit changes and transforms us supernaturally. Not magically, but surely.

Today, take heart that, whether or not your circumstances change, God is working to change you. He is able. He is He who says He is and He will do what He says He will do. Instead of reading your Bible, looking longingly at people He delivered, look at the God who worked deliverance. Yes, He will and does deliver, that is what He does, but in the process, He is doing a much greater work. He is leading you to change--to depend on Him, to see the way He sees, to think the way He thinks, to act in accordance with His character instead of your own.

When you read your Bible right-side out, it fits much better!

 *"Therefore a lion from the forest shall slay them, A wolf of the deserts shall destroy them; A leopard will watch over their cities. Everyone who goes out from there shall be torn in pieces, Because their transgressions are many; Their backslidings have increased." (Jeremiah 5:6)

**Then he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the Lord lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.” (Judges 8:19)

Wisdom is Not Nice

Many times I read about the waiting virgins and oil, aghast that the wise would not share with the foolish. When the groom came in the middle of the night and the foolish virgins asked, the wise virgins said, "No, there won't be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves." (Matthew 25:1-13)

My initial response would have been to share--or to give up my place in line. Isn't that what Jesus did? He gave His life for me, the least I could do is give to others. Or that's what I was taught. That's what I believed and lived.

The problem is that Jesus' purpose and intent was the cross. He was obedient to His Father in giving His life. And He gave His life once--once for all. Once for all time. Once for all people. Once.

God did not create me to give to everyone, all the time. 

That is what many children are taught. That is what women are taught. It is what people say. But it isn't right. Or biblical. Or wise. And, often, it is taught for the ease, convenience and benefit of those with authority--not for the benefit of those in their care or under their authority.

Instead, regardless of my gender, position and station in life, God has given me responsibility.

The parable that follows this one (Matthew 25:14-30) is about a man who entrusted his possessions to his servants. In the time he was gone, the servants didn't give them willy-nilly to those in need or want. They stewarded, invested, and multiplied them with the exception of the one who hid the talent and did nothing.

The body God gave me is mine to steward. Not foolishly spend. Not foolishly give away.

The mind God gave me is mine to steward and use to wisely multiply God's goodness. 

The Spirit/spirit God has given me is mine to steward in ways that accurately reflect the Giver.

The strength God gives me is mine to steward in ways that reflect Jesus' earthly life, values, and ministry.

When/If I piddle them away or give them to fools, I am not using them the way God intended, for the purpose of righteousness. 

When I am nice, I use what God has given to feel good about myself momentarily. These good feelings are based on a fickle reaction of others. Being nice is nothing more than manipulating an outcome that paints me in a good light. But it is not sustainable. It is not healthy for me because it isn't authentic or true. It isn't loving. And it isn't godly stewardship.

When we teach people to be nice, to give to everyone, all the time, especially those in authority, we create an ungodly, human, sinful system. When those with fewer resources are punished for not giving or for not doing what is asked, it's time to step back and look at the process that got them there.

God does not call anyone--not His people, not the poor, weak, those under authority--to give to fools. Instead, He instructs us to guard our hearts, to discipline our bodies, to renew our minds. Then, from a place of stability and strength, one day we will hear Him say, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothes me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25: 36-36, 40)

These are outcomes of discipline and wise living. Wisdom is not nice.

Privilege and Power

It is a mighty, humbling experience to be used by God. At some point, as we follow Jesus, we realize we have been part of something no less than miraculous. In plain sight, in a very normal setting, God has accomplished the impossible.

In Mark 6 Jesus was offended in Nazareth and left. He commissioned the twelve. And, with increased exposure, Herod heard and confused Jesus with John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded. When the twelve returned, they reported to Jesus, and he took them to a remote place. Apparently it wasn't remote enough because the people followed. Jesus then fed them all with five loaves and two fish and we are told there were twelve baskets left.

At the end of the day, Jesus sent his disciples across the sea, dismissed the crowds, and took time to pray. "Well into the night," the passage says, "He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." The end of this story left me curious. 

Very early in the morning he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened. (Mark 6:48-52)

As I read the last sentence I wondered about their hearts being hardened. Why? What just happened? It was an amazing day--another amazing day--of being with Jesus.

Is it speaking of the disciple's unwillingness to glorify God for His provision of bread? Were their hearts hardened because they took Jesus for granted? Did they see themselves as part of God's provision to the people? Was the day's miracle somehow about them and not about Jesus? Perhaps they were afraid. 

Perhaps, as the storm raged, they grew angry. Jesus had sent them into this mess and He intentionally stayed behind. Perhaps they felt abandoned. Then, to top it all off, in spite of the miracles they performed while traveling and returning to distribute bread, they had no power over the storm. Bad things were happening to them, not others--to them--and they didn’t have the ability to change the circumstances. After they'd been at it for a few hours, Jesus showed up. “He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased."

God used them and they saw miraculous things, participated in amazing, impossible realities, but without Jesus, they had nothing. Like Superman exposed to kryptonite, they were normal, limited human beings with no special power or authority whatsoever. And their response? "Instead [of giving thanks; instead of worship] their hearts were hardened.” (phrases added)

That may not be an accurate rendering of the passage, but it serves as a warning and reminder. The work of God is always, will always be and has always been, about Him. I desire to be a vessel of His grace, mercy, and love. I choose to align myself with Him and submit to His Word and Spirit. But I must be reminded, especially after long seasons of ministry, especially in the midst of the storm, that apart from Him, I can do nothing.

If that is not my reality; if/when I see myself as influential or important, Jesus may allow me to work, strive, and flounder on my own before He calms the storm. And in that moment I have a choice: I can be humbled or hardened. It's all about who I acknowledge as the source: God or myself. 

Perhaps this serves as a reminder. Perhaps it's a warning. Either way, God is faithful and we are blessed.

Be the Change!

 If you or someone you know benefits from Seeking Sanctuary or Sydney Millage's ministry, please consider promoting Clarity in Action Ministries.

Clarity in Action Ministries is a NEW nonprofit organization that values and cares for victims of domestic abuse by providing resources to equip the local church in a Christ-honoring way.

We are concerned with the disconnect between the Body of Christ and the oppressed and needy. We are concerned for the welfare--physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological--welfare of women and children who are used to promote another's sinful agenda, especially under the guise of marriage.

Clarity in Action provides training for leaders--a 1/2 day group training and a 12-session curriculum--for God's people. Additionally we seek to put financial resources in the hands of the local church to meet specific needs of those affected by domestic oppression.

We need your help!!

• $10,000 for start up costs: insurance, website, promotional materials
• Visibility and awareness
• Opportunities to train church leaders, Bible study leaders, those who minister in local churches
• Ongoing, monthly financial support

We have reached the $1000 mark! Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Scan the QR code below or click on this link to make your mark with Monthly Giving  or Start Up Costs

Are You a Blessing or a Curse?

 Good management and stewardship results in happy people.

Solomon's humility led to wisdom. The wisdom God gave him led to fame, prosperity, and honor. It also created an environment of blessing, happiness, peace, and prosperity for his people. And the blessing of those who live under the influence of a wise, God-honoring individual results in praise and thanksgiving to God.(1 Kings 10:6-9) Blessing, righteousness, and justice come from the hand of God.

For those of us in ministry, with influence and the ability to steward authority: are you a greater benefit or detriment to those under you? Does your presence bring joy?  Or confusion, sadness, and fear? Are people happy to see you come and sad to see you go? Or is it the opposite?

Jesus is our example. Those who reflect and imitate Him walk in love and the evidence is in the response of those who don't have a choice but to interact with you. 

Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us, because He has given to us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God must also love his brother and sister. (1 John 4:7-21)

Redeeming the Mundane

I talked to an old friend yesterday. And she shared long, drawn out, incredible answers to prayer in her life over the past many months.

She mentioned it here and there, in passing, and yesterday we were able to see God's provision. He works so many intricate pieces, people, circumstances, and timings we don't see in the midst of our situation. But looking back, we marvel at how he sent one person after another, moved one circumstance, ended and began others. 

As she spoke, the thought came, "Had I prayed? Did I love and care for her enough?" Just as quickly, I thought of raising and lowering our bedroom blinds. That is/has been my prayer time for her. Perhaps it's the result of reading, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, but prayer for others is more tied to events than time. The repetitive actions of life are tied to prayer for specific people. In this way, it's possible to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). 

It doesn't happen all at once, but a coffee mug represents one person. Walking to and from the mailbox brings prayer and praise for another. Mowing the yard brings thoughts of many, back and forth. And so it goes, the mundane becomes a sanctuary, a hallowed place. It is not simply a task to be done, but a vehicle for prayer, a place of love, sacrificial giving, and connecting with God Himself.

Having a time and place set aside for prayer is an important routine in the Christian life, but living a life of prayer is to draw on His presence and power in the ordinary moments of life here on earth. It is unseen communion with the Holy One; with Life itself.

Wisdom and Growth

 A young woman in a difficult situation cried, "But I asked God for wisdom and He didn't answer me!" 

"Yes, He did. This is it. Now you know what not to do next time."

God's wisdom doesn't magically or immediately prevent hardship, trials, or discomfort. Instead, He desires to help us learn and grow through it. God shows Himself greater than the difficulty. He is with us through the difficulty. He allows difficulty to create dependence, humility, patience, steadfastness, and spiritual growth. The goal is not avoidance of difficulty--though that is often what we want. 

Asking God for wisdom does not negate or repel trouble. Asking God for wisdom and expecting it to dissipate is like the individual who ended up in the Emergency Room because he applied bear repellant--to himself--instead of the bear. We must use God's Word according to the instructions. And God says it's a life-long process of learning, growing, and depending. 

The question isn't, "Did I avoid trouble?" Instead, the questions are, "What did I learn?" "Was I dependent on God, myself or others?"  Did I worry and fret, seek to manipulate or coerce others into doing what I wanted, or did I pray and wait?

The word for "trouble" in James 1 is something we can't avoid--like Mr. Magoo we fall into the manhole of difficulty not necessarily because of sinful choices, just because. That's normal. It's how we grow. 

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8)

Moving On

As an individual that builds deep relationships with people and walks through deep waters with them, it is tempting to think change and growth is a result of my efforts. 

That happened to Moses and the people of Israel. Their freedom, exodus, and survival were all tied to Moses' life and efforts. He was used in personal, mighty, and incredible ways those 40 years. But he also made mistakes. 

Moses' most costly sin striking the rock God commanded him to speak to. Why would that make a difference? God sent the water. The people were cared for. But in that moment the people saw was Moses strike the rock. And water was provided. If Moses had spoken to the rock, there would have been no evidence of Moses efforts--only God's provision. And that is how it must be with us. God is not glorified by my efforts. His glory does not change regardless of what I do or do not do. But how others see Him, how others interact with Him, can be clouded or misguided when/if I deceive others, giving the impression that I am the source of blessing, not God Himself.

It is so easy to do! Numbers 12:3 says, Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any person who was on the face of the earth.

At the end of their journey, we see Moses repentance. And he said to them, “I am 120 years old today; I am no longer able to go out and come in, and the Lord has told me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan.’ 3 It is the Lord your God who is going to cross ahead of you; He Himself will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who is going to cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken. 4 And the Lord will do to them just as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. 5 The Lord will turn them over to you, and you will do to them in accordance with all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:2-5)

As he prepares to leave Israel, he reminds them of God's faithfulness, God's promises, and God's provision. He will not, cannot, continue. But he is not their safety. He is not the one who makes water come from the rock. He is not the one who sees and provides for their needs. God is. And God will continue His good work without Moses.

In the same way, I must be reminded that all good things come from the hand of God--including the good things that result from my involvement. As people move out of my sphere of influence, they never leave God's...and neither do I. I need Him every hour. every moment, day after day. He will not fail.

Light

Perhaps I'm the only one who gets irritated with conflict, angry when there is a lack of justice and righteousness, overcome with uncontrollable outcomes of evil? 

Our world continues to experience global, national, and personal conflict, giving rise to anxiety, depression, anger, sleepless nights, heated discussions. But I must remind myself this is normal. This is our world. Sin does that--it works death in relationships, countries, nations. 

The remedy--the only remedy--is Light. Light does not hammer darkness. It cannot be squelched or captured. Light dispels darkness. Light is. By its nature, light exposes and overcomes darkness.

Jesus is the Light of the world. He has given us Truth to dispel rumors, evil, wickedness, and danger. But I cannot drag others into the light. I cannot force them to open their eyes, nor can I make them see what they refuse to acknowledge. I can only live in the light and welcome those who wish to join me there. 

My greatest struggle, then, is not the darkness of others; it is the darkness in my own heart. The sin that crouches at the door of my heart, ready to engage in battle; ready to kill, steal, and destroy. My only hope is the full armor of God. I have no ability to withstand my own sinful self. I have no desire to turn away from being god in my life and others. I have no hope of turning aside from personal autonomy in and of myself. I, myself, must surrender to the holy, righteous, convicting work of the Spirit and open the door to my heart, welcoming the exposure of thought, motive, and deed, resting in His grace. Confident in mercy. 

And as His gentle, cleansing hand cleanses my heart and life, I can stand in His armor, ready to stand against evil--not charging in--but standing, armed with truth, righteousness, salvation, peace, and the Word of God. Arrayed with light. Dispelling darkness. Loving in the midst of the greatest battle ever fought, dependent in prayer. Trusting my Commander in Chief. Minding my own business and leading a quiet life. Failing. Falling. And standing. Every. Time. Because of God's faithfulness.

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

Wow. Just. Wow

I'm on another round through the Bible, which, honestly, is about the only time I spend in books like Leviticus and Numbers.

Curiosity got the best of me, so I made a list of what God required for each festival. If you don't receive our Christmas letter (!), you may not know that our family had a funeral and two weddings this year. Based on the forethought, cleaning, planning and preparation, my mind was spinning as I considered God's idea of a festival.

My takeaways? Sin is always there. The goat was a regular, daily reminder of our need for forgiveness. The price is great. There is no easy way out. There are no excuses. God sees and knows all. Death is the price. 

But God is greater. The celebration of God, His goodness, His holiness, His righteousness, His grace and mercy is to be celebrated, honored, revered. We are far too flippant, too easily satisfied, with our worship.

The idea of everyone ceasing from labor, gathering for a sacred assembly and presenting offerings--the priests, the labor, the cost--all point to the God they serve-!

And Jesus is our sacrifice. One sacrifice for all time. One sacrifice for all. The sufficient one. I stand amazed in the presence... of Jesus the Nazarene. And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.

How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be: How marvelous! How wonderful is my Savior's love for me.

Daily

-        2 lambs, male, unblemished, a year old

o   1 in the morning

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with

§  1 quart of olive oil

o   1 at twilight

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with

§  1 quart of olive oil

Sabbath

-        2 male lambs a year old, unblemished

o   4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

-        In addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering

Monthly, at the beginning of your month

-        2 young bulls

o   6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 quarts of wine for each bull

-        1 ram

o   4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   1 1/3 quarts of wine

-        7 male lambs a year old

o   2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil with each lamb

o   1 quart of wine for each lamb

-        1 male goat

-        In addition to the regular burnt offering with its drink offering

1^st month, 14^th day= Passover

-        Festival on the 15^th day

-        Unleavened bread for 7 days

-        1^st day= sacred assembly, no daily work

-        Offering in addition to the daily burnt offering for 7 days:

o   2 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   1 ram

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   7 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   1 male goat for a sin offering

-        7^th day, hold a sacred assembly, do no work

Festival of Weeks= sacred assembly

o   2 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   1 ram

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   7 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   1 male goat for a sin offering

-        In addition to regular burnt offerings and grain offerings

7^th month, 1^st day= Festival of trumpet blasts, offering:  do not do any daily work

-        1 young bull,

o   6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

-        1 ram

o   4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

-        7 male lambs a year old

o   2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil with each lamb

-        1 male goat

7^th month, 10^th day= Day of Atonement: do not do any work

-        1 young bull,

o   6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

-        1 ram

o   4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

-        7 male lambs a year old

o   2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil with each lamb

-        1 male goat

7^th month, 15^th day= Festival of Shelters: do not do any daily work, 7-day festival

-        Day 1

o   13 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 rams

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each ram

o   14 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each lamb

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

-        Day 2

o   12 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 rams

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each ram

o   14 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each lamb

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

-        Day 3

o   11 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 rams

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each ram

o   14 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each lamb

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

-        Day 4

o   10 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 rams

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each ram

o   14 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each lamb

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

-        Day 5

o   9 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 rams

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each ram

o   14 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each lamb

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

-        Day 6

o   8 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 rams

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each ram

o   14 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each lamb

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

-        Day 7

o   7 young bulls

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull

o   2 rams

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each ram

o   14 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each lamb

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

-        Day 8: solemn assembly; do no daily work

o   1 bull

§  6 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   1 ram

§  4 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   7 male lambs a year old

§  2 quarts of fine flour mixed with oil

o   1 male goat as a sin offering

o   In addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings

 

Response to a Hardened Heart

This blog is my place to be brutally honest. Here it is: One of my greatest struggles this last year has been with (generally) men in positions of leadership who have a hard heart, or stopped up ears, to women and their suffering. 

In the past, I have been put off by women whose desire to help (specifically in the area of abuse) comes across as brash, disrespectful, and demanding. I avoid their writing, teaching, and communication because their person and message feel so charged with anger and bitterness.

However, I have to admit that I have struggled with those same feelings and frustrations.

Recently, I have been blessed by the book of Exodus--specifically Pharaoh's hardened heart. Sometimes Pharaoh chose to harden his heart* (חָזַק "to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen"). He determined not to free Israel from his bond.

The majority of the time, the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart or it was done to him--his heart was hardened.**

Over and over and over Moses repeated the message, to free God's people from bondage and servitude for the purpose of worship. Over and over, Pharaoh said, "No"--after gaslighting, posturing, blame-shifting, intimidating, using tactics we can see and refer to in contemporary terms.

Why?
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. (7:3)

“Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, so that I may perform these signs of Mine among them..." (10:1)

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” (14:4)

And as for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. (14:17)

God does His work, not in spite of hardened hearts, but through them, in them, because of them. The work is not ours. It is His.

Moses experienced rejection after rejection. He was demeaned, belittled, and rebuffed. But, because God had given a command and God enabled him to persevere, Moses went back over and over again regardless of Pharaoh's response. He didn't need Pharaoh's approval. He served God alone. He didn't need Pharaoh's permission. But God did an amazing work and revealed Himself in ways never seen.

The example of God freeing Israel from Egypt was a sign of His might, power, goodness, and provision to this day. Generation after generation recalled the escape from Egypt. It is a picture of Jesus purchasing our freedom from sin and death.

In and through it all, what was Israel's job? First, they cried out and God heard them. Then He sent Moses. And it was theirs to listen. Trust God. And obey. Regardless of desperate circumstances--as slaves, through the plagues, as the firstborn were slain, with their backs against the Red Sea. Cry out. Listen. Trust. Obey.

When God allows people to say, "No" to a good thing, to living out the image of God in worship and freedom, we can be downhearted and disheartened. But I have been encouraged that God uses even this for His glory. In fact, He is behind it all for a greater purpose. God is God. He is working. I can trust Him. I am simply called to obey in the tasks He puts before me. I am not to give in to despair, hatred, or reviling. My words and behavior need only reflect our Lord Jesus Christ whether they are appreciated or not; listened to or not; respected or not. Pharaoh did not listen. And that was God's doing. For His purpose. For His glory. And the deliverance of His people.

As Pharaoh approached, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were coming after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord.  Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?  Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness!”

But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. As for you, lift up your staff and reach out with your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. And as for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots, and through his horsemen.” (Exodus 14:10-18)

*Exodus 8:15, 8:32, 9:34--and in this verse it is referred to as sin

**Exodus 4:21, 7:3, 7:13, 7:22, 8:19, 9:7, 9:12, 9:35, 10:1, 10:20, 10:27, 11:10, 14:4, 14:8, 14:17