GIDEON INTERRUPTED

GIDEON INTERRUPTED

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Judges chapters 6 through 8

  Gideon lived during Israel’s 4^th apostasy and its resultant servitude under the harsh hand of the Midianites that had come like a plague of grasshoppers. The conquerors designed “to leave no sustenance for Israel” (6:4-6). Their cruel effort being one of a number of historical attempts to eradicate the Jew.

  He was the youngest son of Joash, his father a practicing idolater of the clan of Abiezer in the tribe of Manasseh. His family was a minor one. Sacrifices to Baal were common among the whole clan. Gideon became the chief leader of Manasseh and the fifth recorded judge of Israel. The record of his life is found in Judges 6 through 8.

  Gideon thought of himself as a nobody. If the pop psychologists of that day offered a self-esteem program they would have had him on their bulk mail list. He did however exercise considerable courage brought on by dietary dispossession.

  So there he was flailing away at clandestine civil disobedience working in a cloud of dust when God interrupted his labor as part of the Hebrew resistance. He reacted by questioning God and then putting himself down then challenging God for absolute proof of calling him to lead. Sound a tad bit reluctant?

  Once assured, in commitment Gideon did things God’s way. Ways that were unorthodox then: special forces and psychological warfare among them. (7:7-22)

  Then soon after the dust of the fleeing Midianites settled came the after-victory challengers from among those freed from oppression. Sometime later Gideon during his rule he played the religious political game that though his solution settled the nation it was a snare.

  Responding to God’s call for beyond talents and gifts service in light of the first 2 commandments and 1Corinthians 13 is a delightful and yet fearful thing. Not the least of which is once the high points are past, maintaining consistency for the rest of the term; a practice that Moses and Gideon had serious difficulty with.

EBB4

MOSES INTERRUPTED

MOSES INTERRUPTED

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Luke 14:27-28 [Jesus explained] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

  As stated in a previous DT, contrary to our expectations discovering God’s will beyond the general orders of lovingly investing talents and gifts may involve interruption and disruption. God’s will may be spelled “Not according to my plan.” Moses story is a case in point.

  Imagine: Rescued into a royal life of 40 years. My surrogate mom, though in lineage, being female couldn’t inherit the throne of her superpower nation. According to historian Josephus and other authorities I probably would have. Then one day I lost my temper and killed a man. Then the people I was trying to help witnessed against me. I went on the lam to family in a far province. There I was obviously safe as the police hadn’t knocked on our door for almost 40 years.

  At 80 or so years of age life was good, far from royal, routine, but good. I married and adapted to the simplicity of desert life.

  Then God interrupted.

  After getting my “but”excuses and reluctance out of the way I returned to the area of my crime to in God’s name deal with the hard-hearted Pharoah, my biological people that fluctuated between trust and fear; joyous singing and whining.

  Finally let go I lead the now happily singing soon-to-be again complaining people on a miraculous journey that includes testing and provisions.

  Then, after a wonderful time communing with God on Mount Sinai, I return and find my people immersed in idolatry.

  Then after all His works we had seen and experienced, in fear there was a majority vote not to trust God. Though I and others trusted God we too were required to along with the doubters wander for decades in the wilderness.

  Finally, in frustration I again lost my temper one time too many and consequently did not realize my personal dream.

EBB4

EQUIPPED TO INVEST

EQUIPPED TO INVEST

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Matthew [ESV] 25:14-29 "For [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. [Est.4:14-15] [This parable was given immediately following other dire warnings. Also keep in mind that our kingdom citizenship as Christian is not future, it is current. Phil.3:20]

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

  Salvation is not singularly about going to heaven when we leave this life. Personally trusting Jesus for eternal redemption also includes being immediately equipped for His service. The Father’s Holy Spirit indwells us and we are furnished with various capital and particular ministry gifts. (Mt.25:15; Rom.12:6-8; 1Cor.12:4-11; 12:28-30; 2Tim.3:16-17)

  Please be aware that we will never get more of the Holy Spirit than initially received. The issue is not “more” it is whether we suppress or allow expansiveness. (1Cor.6:19; 1Thes.5:19) As Pastor Don McKnight often stated the issue, “The question is not how much of the Holy Spirit I have, the question is how much of me does the Holy Spirit have?”

  The parable of the talents metaphorically speaks of individual capacity in equipping. (Mt.25:15; 2Tim.3:16-17) Then as was with Adam the individual decides on how, where, in what to invest the wealth of God’s equipping. Said investments should always be in light of Jesus’ foremost law, Paul’s exhortation, and the Counselor’s guidance. (Mt.22:36-40; 1Cor.13; Jn.14:26; 16:13)

EBB4

PS. For those interested in discerning their particular ministry gifts here is a simple test format: http://bible-time-line.com/echarts/Rose_Bible_eCharts_Spiritual_Gifts.pdf   If desiring more in-depth verification please confer with pastor or teacher that Biblically understands the matter.

GOD'S WILL 101

GOD’S WILL 101

Monday, June 12, 2017

Romans [GW] 12:1-5 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all members do not have the same function, so we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another.

Philippians 2:12-16 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings, so that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. Among these you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice with you in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain nor labored in vain.

  The following is a succinct summary of a big topic: God’s will for one and all. It is a subject that too often is decided by hearsay religious folklore rather than what Sovereign God says in His Word. Beginning yesterday the first draft took me over 2 hours work. I have returned to the matter several times. Read on.

  To live according to God’s will we must read and study His Word, strive to understand, accept, and in and by faith work at compliance. (2Tim.2:15-16; 3:16-17; Rom.12:1-5; Phil.2:12)

  Individually beginning with trusting in His gift of everlasting redemption we immediately move into general service implemented by further repentance; rethinking all things according to God’s Word. (Rom.12:1-3) Doing otherwise suppresses God’s Holy Spirit within us, thereby diminishing the fruit of the Spirit plus leaving us vulnerable to the devourer & company. (1Cor.6:19; 1Thes.5:19; Gal.5:22; Eph.5:9; 1Pet.5:6-9)

  Let it be understood that general service as a follower of Christ is unchanged from Eden. As was for Adam and Eve it is a matter of our choices. For some reading these paragraphs it involves this day choice as to whether look up Bible references on this page, read, thoughtfully ponder, examine life, and possibly need to make some serious decisions. (Gen.2:15-17; Mt.25:15-29)

  Let it be known that Moses/Gideon/Saul/Samantha service is exclusively Sovereign God’s choice. This is not to say individual or groups of Christians cannot rise to notable responsible positions, for they may. But receiving an unexpected interrupting directive from God Almighty is distinctively different. For one thing, it not being our choosing, plus it may involve considerable reluctance on the listener’s part; at times with His opportunity being passed on to another. (Est.4:14-15)

  Last but not least please know that serving God is a privilege. He does not need you or I to accomplish.  Whether we think and act in accordance with God’s Will by His general directives, interrupting order, or not will not alter the Master’s paramount plan one iota. It will however result in our individual or group status now and forevermore.  (Dan.12:3; 1Cor.3:8-18; 9:17; Rev.2:1 – 3:22; 22:12)

  Let us be wise for this is God’s will.

EBB4

SEEKING GOD'S WILL

SEEKING GOD’S WILL

Friday, June 09, 2017

Ephesians 2:1-10 And He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

  Something that had to be clarified for me decades ago; “Choose the correct paramount statement: I want God’s will in my life.” or “I want to live according to God’s will.”

  I am not alone in that I had to change my mind on this topic. In the past I prayed for an understanding of and direction for God’s specific will in my life. Wise mentors pointed out that what I was doing was my wanting to leapfrog. They maturely showed me this by asking “Do you believe as to His will He gave us general marching orders?” Of course I did! “How are you doing on understanding and complying with them?” Oh oh!

  Yep, enlightened I realized I had fallen prey to my ego as I looked for significance by my standard, not His.

  Wanting me to be factually aware they told me that finding God’s specific will for me beyond God’s general orders for one-and-all could be spelled “Miserable unmemorable martyrdom.”

  Then Ann again gently presented me with her Bloom Where You’re Planted advice. “If God has a specific will for us beyond His Word He’ll let us know.”

  Thinking about the above as I awakened this morning was followed by further thoughts as I sat down to this keyboard. One in particular is when God calls to the specific it often is an interruption. Consider Moses in the sheep meadow (Ex.3:1-12), Gideon at subterfuge on the threshing floor (Jdg.6:11-16), Saul on the road to Damascus (Act.9:1-6), Peter on the rooftop Act.10:11-14; 11:1-10), other Bible characters plus others we personally know of requiring serious denial of self. (At the moment I’m thinking very much of Samantha Knaub in Zambia, a young woman that had otherwise life plans.) Then there are the countless others as yet unnamed.

  It is a good thing to pray “Here am I, send me.” (Isa.6:8), but first let us look to our standing on God’s will as clearly presented in His Word. Something this man is still working on, “For it is God who works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure. I am to do all things without murmurings and disputings, so that I may be blameless and harmless, a son of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse world. Among these I am to shine as light in the world, holding forth the Word of Life, so that God, my mentors and others may rejoice with me in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain nor labored in vain.“ (Phil.2:13-16 personalized.)

EBB4

PS. Please be aware that my quotes are from memory not tape, though accurate in sense, are not verbatim.

INVESTIGATING PASTURES

INVESTIGATING PASTURES

Thursday, June 08, 2017

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

  Among the problems of Bible study is that we don’t always seriously do so. Not doing so effects our relationship with God and people, for as we ignorantly assume so do we frame Him, self, other people, and life and death.

  Even when investing time and effort we may mistakenly associate descriptions in Scripture with our immediate existent knowledge. The much beloved 23^rd Psalm is an example of this.

  When we read, hear, or say “green pastures” what do we visualize?

  Past tense I pictured our farm pastures verdant after a spring rain. Pastures well watered that fed one grown cow per acre or less. Our flock of 40 sheep with lambs was kept in a pasture of a few acres.

  “Your vision is geographically limited. You need to research the agriculture where David wrote the Psalm.” urged one of my mentors.

  After investigation I saw the pasture of the 23^rd Psalm as a far different place. The pastures referred to were and still are sparse on greenery. They are places where if cattle could thrive on rocks, stones, and grit they would do well. They require considerable movement to stay nourished!

  Now how do we picture the restorative rest God provides? How do we see the rest He sometimes may compel us to take? Considering sickness or injury or fatigue or aging or other . . . how now may we see it? As loss or gain?  As a place where we not only refresh but may serve in ways we never considered before?

EBB4

PS. To the inmates reading this: Could your place be “maketh me to lie in green pastures … still waters” that you very much needed?

DAY

DAY

Wednesday, June 07, 2017

Genesis 1:5, 8, 13  And God called the light Day,^H3117 and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.^H3117 … And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.^H3117 … And the evening and the morning were the third day.^H3117 . . . Psalm 118:24 This is the day^H3117 which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. . . . Malachi 4:3, 5  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day^H3117 that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. … Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day^H3117 of the LORD …….

  After a few years of Public Elementary School, my only granddaughter and her brother pleaded to be homeschooled. I was privileged to be their word teacher.  Spelling, reading, writing, critiquing, grammar, editing et al were my enjoyable responsibility. Their parents, Ann and others taught the other subjects. And as the students will still tell you, “There is no out-of-school time with homeschooling. If you’re with a teacher you’re in a classroom.”

  In teaching we encouraged questions, for questions stimulate. We believe it is Biblical to discuss using questions whether presented by teacher or student; Job and company being representative.

  This morning I ran across the following:

Shandree Sullivan

June 2, 2014

The Six Days of Creation

I bet you didn’t know that the word “day” is used 2,301 times throughout the whole bible, and yet most people only question it in the book of Genesis. Why do you think that is?

  It is an insightful thought provoking question.

  Please do think about its significance for on our answer hinges much pertainingg to the days of our lives.

EBB4

PS. I again thank friend and brother in Christ Fred Gilmour for teaching me that all basic theology is anchored in the first chapters of the Book of Genesis.