Life Journal 02-16-2010

The Tithe

(S) Scripture
Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

(O) Observation
As Moses is closing out the book of Leviticus the Lord instructs him to speak to the people about what to do with what is dedicated to God. There are some strict regulations concerning what is dedicated to the Lord. One of the final instructions concerns the tithe. It is a simple but powerful statement. The tithe belongs to the Lord and is holy to him. It is a clear statement.

(A) Application
The tithe seems to be a big issue with Christians today. I hear questions about whether it is on the "net" or "gross" income. People make all kinds of excuses about why they cannot tithe but that does not change the truth or teaching of scripture. The tithe is a tenth. In this chapter it was a tenth of everything from the land and every tenth sheep. Whatever the person had, a tenth was to be given to the Lord because it belongs to the Lord and is holy to the Lord. That may be the key to our disobedience. We still think that what we have is ours. Here we are taught that the tenth belongs to God not us. That is why Malachi states, "Will a man rob God?" (Mal 3:8) I wonder how different our attitude would be if we considered the tithe to be holy. Holy – set apart - for God's work and use. How can I use for my purposes that which God says is his and is set apart for him? Tithing comes with a promise of God's blessing. My personal testimony is that there were times early on in my life when I tithed and when I didn't. When I tithed I seemed to have enough to do what I needed to do. When I didn't tithe I seemed to always be scrambling for money. I cannot explain how nine tenths goes farther than ten tenths but it does. Maybe God makes be a better steward of the nine tenths. Becky and I have practiced tithing our entire married life. We are not wealthy but our lives are rich and our needs are met. My mom began teaching our daughters to tithe when they were preschoolers. She sent them $2.00 every week. One dollar to savings, 20 cents to the church and 80 cents to do with as they pleased. Over the years they practiced and learned to tithe. What a novel thought to teach them as children to be obedient and faithful to the Lord. Today I simply want to renew my commitment to recognizing the tithe of all I have as being holy to the Lord.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for the blessing you bring to my life. Make me aware of when I am selfish or holding out on you. Let me be generous as you have been generous with me. Amen

Life Journal 02-15-2010

Truth, Arrogance, Ignorance or God's Grace?

(S) Scripture
Psalm 26:1-12 (NIV)
¹ Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
² Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
³ for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
⁴ I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
⁵ I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.
⁶ I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD,
⁷ proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.
⁸ I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.
⁹ Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men,
¹⁰ in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
¹¹ But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me.
¹² My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.

(O) Observation
At first look, David seems to have forgotten his past. If this was written before his sin with Bathsheba it seems a little arrogant and in either case he is not blameless. Is this the prayer of a faithful follower? David describes a life that I want to live. I want to mature to the point in my walk with the Lord that I could offer this psalm as a prayer. Certainly there are times when we see David being truthful, arrogant, a little ignorant or maybe naïve and especially aware of God's grace. Here he is trusting in God's Gracious work in his life and calling on God to act on his behalf. David may have had a strong sense of his identity in God.

(A) Application
I first thought how arrogant of David but then thought how much I would like to pray like that. My desire is to live so faithfully that this prayer could be mine. I am very aware that I do not have a blameless life but I do have a forgiven one and the New Testament declares that because of my faith in Christ I am blameless. I want my heart to be filled with God's truth. I do not want to take the counsel of wicked and evil men but I must confess that I feel compelled to build relationships with men whose hearts are far from God in order to talk with them about faith issues. I am aware that I cannot do thin on my own but can by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me. I ask the Holy Spirit to fill me and use me today.

(P) Prayer
Lord my desire is to live so close to you that by your grace I could pray a prayer like David did. Fill me and use me today. Let my conversations today be productive for you. Amen

Life Journal 02-11-2010

More to Learn

(S) Scripture
Acts 18:24-26 (NIV)
²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.
²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

(O) Observation
The Lord had Priscilla and Aquila at the right place, they had traveled there with Paul, at the right time. They heard Apollos speak and realized that he knew the scriptures but his knowledge was not complete. Apollos received their instruction and learned the way of God more adequately or deeply.

(A) Application
In my experience great teachers are always open to deeper understanding. Apollos was not offended or put off by the instruction from Priscilla and Aquila. He was drawn to it and embraced their instruction. I want to have that attitude. Although I am called on to teach I want to continue to learn from those who will take my understanding of the Lord to a deeper level. For that to happen I must be open to it. I must put my ego in check and submit to the instruction I need. I thank God that He is never finished with us and the opportunity to grow is always in front of us.

(P) Prayer
Lord help me to recognize the teachers in my life that will deepen my walk with you. Help me to learn from them so that I might walk closer to you. Help me to bring others along with me in the learning process. Amen

Life Journal 02-03-2010

Clean?

(S) Scripture
Acts 10:15 (NIV)
¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

(O) Observation
In Peter's dream he is told to kill and eat from the animals there. He refuses because some of them are "unclean". The Lord rebukes Peter by saying that he is not to call unclean what God has declared to be clean. This is a teaching that God will shortly use when Peter is told to share Christ with Cornelius, a Gentile.

(A) Application
So often the hardest person to forgive is yourself. We accept and trust in God's forgiveness but refuse to forgive our self. The scripture declares that when we become a Christian our sins are forgiven and we are made clean by the blood of Jesus. We are told that when we confess our known sin that God cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). When I refuse to forgive myself I am declaring that I am not clean or forgiven. I think that I need to hear God say, "Who are you to call unclean what I have declared to be clean?" I need to trust God's judgment of my condition and not my own. The devil will bring counterfeit charges that seem real but are not. I must trust God's Word. I may need to make restitution for my sin, I might need to make apologies for my actions. That is part of forgiveness and rebuilding the broken trust, What I must not do is to wallow in my own self imposed unforgiveness. Today I will seek to trust God and let Him speak for my condition before him. I will seek to agree with His declarations.

(P) Prayer
Lord, let me listen to you and not myself. Let me live in a way that shows others that I am forgiven and offer that same forgiveness to them. Teach me to listen to what you say and to keep my mouth shut. Amen

Life Journal 02-02-2010

To Know The Lord Better

(S) Scripture
Exodus 33:12-13 (NIV)
¹² Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.'
¹³ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."

(O) Observation
The Lord has expressed his frustration with the people. He has called them "stiff necked" and that is not a compliment. He tells Moses to lead the people but there is still some confusion on Moses' part. Moses then expresses this request to God. In the middle of his confusion Moses asks The Lord to teach him so he can know God better. Rather than letting the confusion drive him away Moses asks for better knowledge of God.

(A) Application
When I am confused I don't always ask for more teaching. Generally I retreat back to what I know and try to proceed from there. Moses says, "Lord if I am on the right track teach me some more of your ways." When confused I ask for less and here Moses asks for more. Today I will ask for the Lord to teach me more so that I will know him better and find favor with Him.

(P) Prayer
Father, there is lots that I don't understand but I do know that I want to know y9ou better. I want to experience your favor. I do not want to disappoint you. SO grant me your presence and teach me your ways so that I can know you better and experience your favor. Amen