SCRIPTURE - Joshua 22;11,12; 1 Cor. 10:23,24
And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others
OBSERVATION
When the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh went home on the other side of the Jordan after completing the wars on behalf of their brother tribes, they built an altar to the Lord on their side of the river. If they had used it for sacrifices it would have been rebellion against the Lord. The rest of Israel heard that they had built this altar and assumed rebellion. They then prepared for war to attack and destroy their brothers thinking they were in rebellion. In the end the brothers were not in rebellion, but only wanted to have a connection to the Lord since they were so far away from the real altar of sacrifice.
APPLICATION
The Israelites heard their brothers had built an altar on the other side of the Jordan and immediately assumed they were sacrificing on it, in direct violation of God’s laws. The ten tribes prepared for war and gathered all the fighting men together. They must have spread the word throughout the nation that their brothers across the river were in rebellion and they got the entire nation riled up, talking about it and then suited up to go to war. They all gathered at Shiloh and were ready to cross the river and “do them in”. Then it appears that someone finally had some sense and decided to send Phineas over to check it out. He inquired what the altar was for and only then did they avoid war with their brothers. Looking at the other side of this situation, though, maybe the Reubenites, Gadites and half Manasseh should have told their brothers ahead of time what they were doing since building an altar would obviously have been controversial.
What a great example for me on “appearances”. I know I do this a lot myself and I am sure many others do it also. We see something – a person, a situation – and we make assumptions and judgments about that person or situation based on our own preconceived ideas, thoughts, etc. And we often assume the worst. We seldom assume the good. Whatever interpretation I gain from my limited observation, I usually will assume something negative.
In 1 Cor 10:23,24, Paul is beginning his explanation about freedom by talking about “appearances”. He says that we have tremendous freedom in Christ, but that we can’t always use that freedom because it will appear to others like we are doing something wrong and it may injure them. He further explains that we don’t want to cause others to stumble - inside the church or outside the church by our actions (v 32).
Such a good balance in these two sections of scripture. We need to be aware of our actions so they don’t cause others to make wrong judgments (as the Israelites did) or cause others to stumble like Paul is talking about in 1 Cor. But we also need to not make those judgments toward other brothers and sisters when they appear to be doing something wrong without first checking the details to see what is actually going on.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. Help me to live a balanced life. Living a pure and holy life before you and avoid using my freedom in ways that might cause others to stumble. And help me also to not make judgments of others when they may appear to be doing something “off track”. Help me to love them, maybe inquire as appropriate and then pray for blessings on them as they also grow in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
STEWARDING GOD'S GRACE. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - 1 Corinthians 10:6-11
6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
OBSERVATION
Paul reveals that the accounts recorded in the OT about the wanderings of the people of Israel for 40 years in the desert are not just cute stories for Sunday school. They are more than that! They are clear illustrations of what could happen in our own personal journey with the Lord. We may think that because God's grace manifests in His provision and blessings over our lives, we can do whatever we want. Israel had the miraculous provision of food, shelter, and protection. Yet, they practiced idolatry, immorality, ingratitude, and rebellion. And even though God's grace was upon them, God was not pleased with them. What happened to them is a warning to us. We cannot take God's grace for granted. We need to examine our hearts and repent from any weakness of character as we travel our journey with the Lord.
APPLICATION
Sometimes we think we can get away with our consistent sinful behavior because God's grace has no limits. We are sorry, we make a prayer of repentance, but we don't live in repentance. We go back again to the same sin like a dog goes back to its vomit. And sadly, we think this behavior is not a big deal. This is the reason why so many people walk with God's grace but without pleasing the Lord.
In my own personal life I see this sinful tendency as well. I believe in God's grace and I proclaim it every time I can. But I can see in my behavior how sometimes I think I can give up in temptation because of God's grace. Well, first of all, God's grace is not for me to keep on the same sins. On the contrary, God's grace gives me the opportunity to walk away from them in freedom and victory. God's grace purpose is to set me free from my sin, not to keep me slaved to my sin. And what happened to the people of Israel in the desert could happen to me as well. I could walk enjoying the blessings of God's grace, and still miss the promised land because I'm displeasing the Lord.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, this morning I realize how easy is to take your precious grace for granted. Please forgive me for the many times I gave up in temptation because I knew that your grace would cover my faults. Let me not only enjoy your blessings, but also please you with a life of obedience and constant surrender to your ways. Let me avoid idolatry, immorality, grumblings, rebellion, and ingratitude. My heart is to have a life that pleases you, and today, once again, I commit to live such a life. Please allow me to use your grace correctly in such a way that every thing in me is pleasing to you. Amen!
6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
OBSERVATION
Paul reveals that the accounts recorded in the OT about the wanderings of the people of Israel for 40 years in the desert are not just cute stories for Sunday school. They are more than that! They are clear illustrations of what could happen in our own personal journey with the Lord. We may think that because God's grace manifests in His provision and blessings over our lives, we can do whatever we want. Israel had the miraculous provision of food, shelter, and protection. Yet, they practiced idolatry, immorality, ingratitude, and rebellion. And even though God's grace was upon them, God was not pleased with them. What happened to them is a warning to us. We cannot take God's grace for granted. We need to examine our hearts and repent from any weakness of character as we travel our journey with the Lord.
APPLICATION
Sometimes we think we can get away with our consistent sinful behavior because God's grace has no limits. We are sorry, we make a prayer of repentance, but we don't live in repentance. We go back again to the same sin like a dog goes back to its vomit. And sadly, we think this behavior is not a big deal. This is the reason why so many people walk with God's grace but without pleasing the Lord.
In my own personal life I see this sinful tendency as well. I believe in God's grace and I proclaim it every time I can. But I can see in my behavior how sometimes I think I can give up in temptation because of God's grace. Well, first of all, God's grace is not for me to keep on the same sins. On the contrary, God's grace gives me the opportunity to walk away from them in freedom and victory. God's grace purpose is to set me free from my sin, not to keep me slaved to my sin. And what happened to the people of Israel in the desert could happen to me as well. I could walk enjoying the blessings of God's grace, and still miss the promised land because I'm displeasing the Lord.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, this morning I realize how easy is to take your precious grace for granted. Please forgive me for the many times I gave up in temptation because I knew that your grace would cover my faults. Let me not only enjoy your blessings, but also please you with a life of obedience and constant surrender to your ways. Let me avoid idolatry, immorality, grumblings, rebellion, and ingratitude. My heart is to have a life that pleases you, and today, once again, I commit to live such a life. Please allow me to use your grace correctly in such a way that every thing in me is pleasing to you. Amen!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
LEFTOVERS. By Pastor Jan Tomai
SCRIPTURE - Joshua 16:10
“However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor.”
OBSERVATION
During this fast, left overs have become even more of a “fall back” for quenching my hunger...rice, fruit, anything to stop the desire. I am on a constant hunt for the thing that will stay the cravings for the former things. God knew that the Isrealites would constantly hunger for what they shouldn’t have and wisely instructed them to “drive out” the inhabitants of the land. But, they did not obey.
APPLICATION
It is far too easy to hunger for the former life, former diet, former habits. We think we can control these urges by putting them in slavery to our wants and desires. But, if left to germinate, like a seed of mistrust, our hunger and thirst for the “old” overtakes the new land that God has placed before us for our inheritance. My son, Emmett, shared with me why he was teaching his boy, Evan, to quickly obey...no hesitation, dallying, no excuses. Evan would be put in time out. Lecture and explanation would not be necessary because Evan had been told ahead of time what to expect regarding disobedience. Emmett said: “If Evan can not obey me now, how will he obey God in the future.” This oversight of not obeying is so subtle that I am often down that road before the full impact hits me. It is not the path that I want to take, and it will start with just one act of disobedience. The aftermath is a life shackled to this earth instead of free and walking with God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see clearly when old habits, hungers, and desires are overtaking your Word of direction. That it is disobedience no matter how subtle or small...sin is sin. Lord, do not let me stray so far.
“However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor.”
OBSERVATION
During this fast, left overs have become even more of a “fall back” for quenching my hunger...rice, fruit, anything to stop the desire. I am on a constant hunt for the thing that will stay the cravings for the former things. God knew that the Isrealites would constantly hunger for what they shouldn’t have and wisely instructed them to “drive out” the inhabitants of the land. But, they did not obey.
APPLICATION
It is far too easy to hunger for the former life, former diet, former habits. We think we can control these urges by putting them in slavery to our wants and desires. But, if left to germinate, like a seed of mistrust, our hunger and thirst for the “old” overtakes the new land that God has placed before us for our inheritance. My son, Emmett, shared with me why he was teaching his boy, Evan, to quickly obey...no hesitation, dallying, no excuses. Evan would be put in time out. Lecture and explanation would not be necessary because Evan had been told ahead of time what to expect regarding disobedience. Emmett said: “If Evan can not obey me now, how will he obey God in the future.” This oversight of not obeying is so subtle that I am often down that road before the full impact hits me. It is not the path that I want to take, and it will start with just one act of disobedience. The aftermath is a life shackled to this earth instead of free and walking with God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see clearly when old habits, hungers, and desires are overtaking your Word of direction. That it is disobedience no matter how subtle or small...sin is sin. Lord, do not let me stray so far.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
AWESOME GRACE! By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
OBSERVATION
David understood something amazing a bout God's grace. Even though it's a gift from God, it comes when God finds delight in my ways. Now, my ways are not perfect. I will slip once in a while when the desires of my selfish nature overcome the desires of my spirit. I stumble in my walk with the Lord, yet God is always there because somehow He finds delight in me. This is very humbling. I don't deserve God's blessings because of my constant stumbling. But God is faithful to His covenant of love, even when I'm not faithful.
APPLICATION
God's grace is humbling. It always puts me in a place of awe towards God. He wins my heart bacause of his steadfast love never ends. And even though He finds delight in me, I don't want totake this for granted. I want to stay away from stumbling again. I want to be faithful because of His love for me. I'm not sure what I've done right to have God delighted in me. All I can say is that His grace covers a multitude of wrongdoings.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, today I come to you with my heart broken once again because of the many time I stumble in my selfish nature. As a wretched sinner I come so humbled by your infinite grace, not with a heart to take advantage of it, but with a sincere desire to praise you and honor you. Your love for me motivates me be more passionate about fighting my selfish nature. Please help me during this season to put the works of my flesh at the cross adn to experience the power of the resurrection in my personal life. Let me walk in obedience and devotion to your ways. Keep me closer to you and guide me in the way I should go. Amen!
If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
OBSERVATION
David understood something amazing a bout God's grace. Even though it's a gift from God, it comes when God finds delight in my ways. Now, my ways are not perfect. I will slip once in a while when the desires of my selfish nature overcome the desires of my spirit. I stumble in my walk with the Lord, yet God is always there because somehow He finds delight in me. This is very humbling. I don't deserve God's blessings because of my constant stumbling. But God is faithful to His covenant of love, even when I'm not faithful.
APPLICATION
God's grace is humbling. It always puts me in a place of awe towards God. He wins my heart bacause of his steadfast love never ends. And even though He finds delight in me, I don't want totake this for granted. I want to stay away from stumbling again. I want to be faithful because of His love for me. I'm not sure what I've done right to have God delighted in me. All I can say is that His grace covers a multitude of wrongdoings.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, today I come to you with my heart broken once again because of the many time I stumble in my selfish nature. As a wretched sinner I come so humbled by your infinite grace, not with a heart to take advantage of it, but with a sincere desire to praise you and honor you. Your love for me motivates me be more passionate about fighting my selfish nature. Please help me during this season to put the works of my flesh at the cross adn to experience the power of the resurrection in my personal life. Let me walk in obedience and devotion to your ways. Keep me closer to you and guide me in the way I should go. Amen!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
GOD'S WAY IS ALWAYS BETTER. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Deuteronomy 12:4-7
4 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way. 5 But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; 6 there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
OBSERVATION
God was very clear with the people of Israel about the way He wants to be worshiped. He Himself established the patterns of true worship. He does not accept alterations made by man. God chose the way to do it and the place to do it. Unfortunately, the people of Israel came up with their version. They were worshiping God but according tho their way. The chose a different way and a different place. Such behavior caused them over time to loose the blessing of God over their lives. It started very subtle, with good intentions, perhaps to make things more convenient. But at the end, it ended up so far away from God's plan.
APPLICATION
In our sinful nature there is a tendency to always do things our way, especially our worship to God. Some people think that being a good person gives them access to a relationship with God, but they define in their own terms what a "good person" is and it is usually far from God's design. Others surrender to God's ways, but after a while they realize that things can be simplified according to their personal taste. Thy have their own version of obedience and create an alternative to be in compliance with God's Word. They hide behind grace to worship God in a way He does not want to be worshiped. They make their own version of what a church is, of what tithing is and how is given, etc. Influenced by this mindset, I have heard people making excuses for immorality, greed, unforgiveness, pride, and even abuse of power. That's why is better to always air on the side of God's Word and follow God's patterns of worship.
In the past I remember rationalizing God's Word to make it fit to what was convenient for me. I was completely deceived by my selfish nature and sin. And even though this happened many years ago, I can see this tendency keep lurking in my heart, trying to derail God's will for me, and replace it it in a subtle way with a man made version. I cannot give up to what is convenient for me. I must surrender everything to God and walk in full obedience to His word.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please give me strength to follow your ways without twisting them and without making them more convenient for me. The truth is following you is not very easy at times. It requires a constant attitude of surrendering and yielding. I don't think you want things your way because you are unreasonable. Our thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways. You want to be worshipped in a certain way becasue your plan is better than ours. Our best variations will never be better than your worst instructions. Please help me to stay faithful to your patterns and always humble and obedient to your instructions. Amen!
4 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way. 5 But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; 6 there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
OBSERVATION
God was very clear with the people of Israel about the way He wants to be worshiped. He Himself established the patterns of true worship. He does not accept alterations made by man. God chose the way to do it and the place to do it. Unfortunately, the people of Israel came up with their version. They were worshiping God but according tho their way. The chose a different way and a different place. Such behavior caused them over time to loose the blessing of God over their lives. It started very subtle, with good intentions, perhaps to make things more convenient. But at the end, it ended up so far away from God's plan.
APPLICATION
In our sinful nature there is a tendency to always do things our way, especially our worship to God. Some people think that being a good person gives them access to a relationship with God, but they define in their own terms what a "good person" is and it is usually far from God's design. Others surrender to God's ways, but after a while they realize that things can be simplified according to their personal taste. Thy have their own version of obedience and create an alternative to be in compliance with God's Word. They hide behind grace to worship God in a way He does not want to be worshiped. They make their own version of what a church is, of what tithing is and how is given, etc. Influenced by this mindset, I have heard people making excuses for immorality, greed, unforgiveness, pride, and even abuse of power. That's why is better to always air on the side of God's Word and follow God's patterns of worship.
In the past I remember rationalizing God's Word to make it fit to what was convenient for me. I was completely deceived by my selfish nature and sin. And even though this happened many years ago, I can see this tendency keep lurking in my heart, trying to derail God's will for me, and replace it it in a subtle way with a man made version. I cannot give up to what is convenient for me. I must surrender everything to God and walk in full obedience to His word.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please give me strength to follow your ways without twisting them and without making them more convenient for me. The truth is following you is not very easy at times. It requires a constant attitude of surrendering and yielding. I don't think you want things your way because you are unreasonable. Our thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways. You want to be worshipped in a certain way becasue your plan is better than ours. Our best variations will never be better than your worst instructions. Please help me to stay faithful to your patterns and always humble and obedient to your instructions. Amen!
WATCHING? By Pastor Mark Olson
SCRIPTURE - Mark 13:33-36
Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
OBSERVATION
At the beginning of this chapter Jesus and the disciples are leaving the temple and the disciples point out the beautiful stones. Jesus replies by telling them that in the future the stones of the temple will be torn down. When the disciples ask when this will be, Jesus proceeds to tell them all about the end times and concludes with the importance of being on guard for we don’t know when those times will come.
APPLICATION
Every morning I wake up as the most spiritual man on the planet ! I have all kinds of ambitions to serve God with everything that is in me. I intend to get up, do my devos, pray, and attack the day for God. My heart and mind are fully committed and I am ready to go for it ! Then I get out of bed ……. !
I am pretty consistent about doing my devos in the mornings, but I am also easily distracted by what’s going on around me. Even this morning, I got distracted during devos by the sprinklers going on - they were just repaired yesterday and this is the first time they’ve worked on their own in over a year. I had to get up and go see them. Then the trash truck came and I had to get up to see if he dropped some of my trash since the can was really full. Then I realized Shadow (my dog) had gone over the fence and was running around the neighborhood so I had to look out the window to see if I could see her. I didn’t bother to go get her (after all – I’m supposed to be doing my devotions ! Ha !), but I was preoccupied by her absence. Then I had to get that second cup of coffee, and on and on …….
I finally finished reading and started writing this journal entry and began to realize that I am not alert, not watching, not paying attention to God like I should – even during my devos. What a mess ! It’s become like brushing my teeth. I can brush my teeth in the morning and be thinking about something completely unrelated. I finish and leave the bathroom and don’t even remember being in there. That’s how devos are sometimes. I’m doing the task, but not being attentive to what I’m doing. I’m like the one who Jesus assigns to be at the front door and watch (in verse 34) but instead of watching the front sidewalk to see when the master of the house is coming home, I’ve turned aside to watch what’s going on in house or in the neighbor’s yard or somewhere else. That’s pretty sad.
We (or at least me) are so easily distracted in our Christian life. It’s not that we do horrible things all the time. But we are not attentive like we should be. We get so easily distracted by petty details that are minor and have no importance in comparison to God’s kingdom and his calling in our lives. As the result of one simple question from his disciples about when the prophesy will be fulfilled and the temple torn down, Jesus warns them very strongly to pay attention, be on guard, be alert and watch ! His admonition must be important. I need to pay attention. God wants to speak to me all day, every day, not just before I get out of bed in the morning !
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. My heart and mind are constantly distracted. I admit that things in the world around me draw my attention. Help me to stay focused on you. Help me to listen for that still small voice every moment of every day. Speak to me and remind me of your word as I go about the tasks of the day. Keep my heart and mind fixed on you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
OBSERVATION
At the beginning of this chapter Jesus and the disciples are leaving the temple and the disciples point out the beautiful stones. Jesus replies by telling them that in the future the stones of the temple will be torn down. When the disciples ask when this will be, Jesus proceeds to tell them all about the end times and concludes with the importance of being on guard for we don’t know when those times will come.
APPLICATION
Every morning I wake up as the most spiritual man on the planet ! I have all kinds of ambitions to serve God with everything that is in me. I intend to get up, do my devos, pray, and attack the day for God. My heart and mind are fully committed and I am ready to go for it ! Then I get out of bed ……. !
I am pretty consistent about doing my devos in the mornings, but I am also easily distracted by what’s going on around me. Even this morning, I got distracted during devos by the sprinklers going on - they were just repaired yesterday and this is the first time they’ve worked on their own in over a year. I had to get up and go see them. Then the trash truck came and I had to get up to see if he dropped some of my trash since the can was really full. Then I realized Shadow (my dog) had gone over the fence and was running around the neighborhood so I had to look out the window to see if I could see her. I didn’t bother to go get her (after all – I’m supposed to be doing my devotions ! Ha !), but I was preoccupied by her absence. Then I had to get that second cup of coffee, and on and on …….
I finally finished reading and started writing this journal entry and began to realize that I am not alert, not watching, not paying attention to God like I should – even during my devos. What a mess ! It’s become like brushing my teeth. I can brush my teeth in the morning and be thinking about something completely unrelated. I finish and leave the bathroom and don’t even remember being in there. That’s how devos are sometimes. I’m doing the task, but not being attentive to what I’m doing. I’m like the one who Jesus assigns to be at the front door and watch (in verse 34) but instead of watching the front sidewalk to see when the master of the house is coming home, I’ve turned aside to watch what’s going on in house or in the neighbor’s yard or somewhere else. That’s pretty sad.
We (or at least me) are so easily distracted in our Christian life. It’s not that we do horrible things all the time. But we are not attentive like we should be. We get so easily distracted by petty details that are minor and have no importance in comparison to God’s kingdom and his calling in our lives. As the result of one simple question from his disciples about when the prophesy will be fulfilled and the temple torn down, Jesus warns them very strongly to pay attention, be on guard, be alert and watch ! His admonition must be important. I need to pay attention. God wants to speak to me all day, every day, not just before I get out of bed in the morning !
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. My heart and mind are constantly distracted. I admit that things in the world around me draw my attention. Help me to stay focused on you. Help me to listen for that still small voice every moment of every day. Speak to me and remind me of your word as I go about the tasks of the day. Keep my heart and mind fixed on you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
DESPERATE MEASURES. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Mark 11:15-17
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
OBSERVATION
The system of the temple after years of religious activity lost its purpose and mission. Rather than being a house of prayer, the temple became a money exchange floor. The religious authorities were blind to that fact because of their greed and love for power. That's why Jesus does something radical. He breaks the protocol imposed by men rather than the law given by God. He overturned the tables of money changers and created panic. But he left people thinking about what matters the most. For some people Jesus became a hero, and for others he became a menace. Very sad that the temple system was so broken that Jesus had to do something that dramatic to make a point.
APPLICATION
Recently I found out about the radical actions of another pastor in our denomination. For several years, he work hard trying to make our denomination more effective in accomplishing its mission. The work was difficult and exhausting. He felt ignored as his recommendations were not taken seriously. When a recent negative report about the effectiveness of the denomination became public, he had enough. After 33 years of faithful compliance to the denomination, he challenged one of the instructions given in our bylaws and consciously made a decision to not follow through with it in some way. This is a common practice by many pastors in our denomination, but nobody really speaks openly about it. But this pastor did something different. He informed a large group of peers about his decision and explained his reasoning for it. Great controversy was created in the group listening. Some people considered him a courageous leader, others considered him impetuous, and even others considered him borderline rebellious.
What saddens me the most about this episode is not that this pastor made this decision, but that our systems can become so difficult to work with that causes good people to take desperate measures to create positive change. While many others just heard the part the he was not following through with a bylaw, others were listening to his plea for a better system, where the house of the Lord becomes what it is supposed to be.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I'm not a judge to determine this pastor's actions as sinful or righteous. All I know is that I don't want the systems I'm involved with, our denomination, our networks, church, and other ministries, to become so religious and difficult to correct that I have to make drastic and desperate measures to bring positive change. Please save us to become that way. Give me endurance and wisdom to bring your will into our movement and to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. This will be an uphill battle, but I want to fight honorably all the way to the finish line. Many pastors in my denomination are tired of trying for decades and they are taking desperate measures. Please help the new generation of leaders to never consider those options because my generation takes responsibility to fix it and make it effectively missional again. Amen!
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
OBSERVATION
The system of the temple after years of religious activity lost its purpose and mission. Rather than being a house of prayer, the temple became a money exchange floor. The religious authorities were blind to that fact because of their greed and love for power. That's why Jesus does something radical. He breaks the protocol imposed by men rather than the law given by God. He overturned the tables of money changers and created panic. But he left people thinking about what matters the most. For some people Jesus became a hero, and for others he became a menace. Very sad that the temple system was so broken that Jesus had to do something that dramatic to make a point.
APPLICATION
Recently I found out about the radical actions of another pastor in our denomination. For several years, he work hard trying to make our denomination more effective in accomplishing its mission. The work was difficult and exhausting. He felt ignored as his recommendations were not taken seriously. When a recent negative report about the effectiveness of the denomination became public, he had enough. After 33 years of faithful compliance to the denomination, he challenged one of the instructions given in our bylaws and consciously made a decision to not follow through with it in some way. This is a common practice by many pastors in our denomination, but nobody really speaks openly about it. But this pastor did something different. He informed a large group of peers about his decision and explained his reasoning for it. Great controversy was created in the group listening. Some people considered him a courageous leader, others considered him impetuous, and even others considered him borderline rebellious.
What saddens me the most about this episode is not that this pastor made this decision, but that our systems can become so difficult to work with that causes good people to take desperate measures to create positive change. While many others just heard the part the he was not following through with a bylaw, others were listening to his plea for a better system, where the house of the Lord becomes what it is supposed to be.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I'm not a judge to determine this pastor's actions as sinful or righteous. All I know is that I don't want the systems I'm involved with, our denomination, our networks, church, and other ministries, to become so religious and difficult to correct that I have to make drastic and desperate measures to bring positive change. Please save us to become that way. Give me endurance and wisdom to bring your will into our movement and to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. This will be an uphill battle, but I want to fight honorably all the way to the finish line. Many pastors in my denomination are tired of trying for decades and they are taking desperate measures. Please help the new generation of leaders to never consider those options because my generation takes responsibility to fix it and make it effectively missional again. Amen!
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