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Word for the Day By Joyce Wyrostek
2/7/12 Creative Imagination The details of the ark, holy place, curtains, table, utensils and everything needed for the tabernacle of meeting were given to Moses on the mountain where He met with God. It is interesting to note that these things were to be made from what the Israelites offered and would make from what they gathered. Since they were in the middle of the desert in an uncivilized part of the world they had to have been very creative or supernaturally endowed with wisdom to imagine what God was requiring them to manufacture from their available raw materials. In the centuries that have followed this incredible design; artistic license has ‘dumbed down’ the true depiction of original intent. Take for example the cherubs that were placed within the blueprint and replicate in several places throughout. At the time who had seen one of these supernatural being that were of the highest ranking angles in the kingdom of God? Genesis 3:24 says that God, “…stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tee of life” These magnificent creatures were warriors of God that were mighty, powerful, and frightening to behold. How then have they come to be pictured as fat little babies with wings? Christians throughout the world have adopted the visuals given by mythological artists who incorporated their gods into Biblical historic facts. This does not change the fact that our God is a mighty God sending His flaming servants (angels) to war on our behalf. Moreover we have been selected for a ‘mission impossible’; very much like the building of the tabernacle in the desert. God has a plan, He provides the design, and has given each of us the mind to create what He wishes to convey to the world. Don’t let someone or something else illustrate it for you. Like Pastor Jim says, quiet yourself and allow God to give you the ‘thought’ based entirely on the creative imagination He has given to you personally.
2/6/12 Let My People Think Most crises are the result of thoughtless actions which could be avoided if the person/s involved had stopped to think prior to performance. Doubtless most of us would agree that we believe the power of life and death are in the tongue (because the Bible says so), yet we thoughtlessly allow words to flow from our mouth that damage relationships, feelings, and our own character. The Israelites were given a list of societal rules and regulations by God through Moses. Obedience to these rules brought a distinction to them as a nation and would glorify God; the covenant blessings were also pictured and conveyed. Upon hearing them the people readily said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Their response is typical of the reply coming from most of mankind when a good deal presents itself. The scripture does not say that the people took any time to consider what they were committing to; neither does it indicate that any of them sought to hear from God directly. It seems they were content to let Moses get word and bring it back. They were ok with giving verbal ascent without examining content or substance; they followed what could be called a crowd mentality. Going with the flow is quite common among all people groups. In our culture, the unsuspecting sit in front of televisions and computers believing, and participating in behavior that provides no clue of the impact it will have on them. This happens because no one has equipped them to think and they are unable to decipher truth from fiction. The opinions of many are simply a regurgitation of what has been seen or heard from the group they hang with. It is as rare today to find those who will think through what they have heard before agreeing to commit. Thank God, He has given us leaders in the church who inspire us to take the time to think!
2/5/12 Saved to Serve The deliverance of Israel from the land of Egypt and slavery under Pharaoh’s heavy hand is a picture of salvation that is experienced in each individual rebirth. The nation of Israel was removed from service to Egyptian rule to become servants of Jehovah, the one true God. Man was created as a servant of God to carry out His will upon the earth and have dominion over every created thing. The point that is often misunderstood is that we have been given the freedom to choose whose servants we will become, not whether or not we will be servants. It is not God’s desire that we serve Him to appease Him but to please Him out of loving devotion to Him. There is a spiritual, mental and physical transition that takes place when one is redeemed from slavery. The first phase is to know God, discover His character and then out of love willingly become His bond slave which in the Greek is (doulos). God reaches out to us to come and serve Him willingly, but He will never force us to obey Him. It remains a choice, just as it was in the Garden of Eden. Plus He clearly explains the conditions and reward for service to Him, “If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The next transition is from slave to son; in the first chapter of the gospel of John verse twelve we read, “To all who receive Him, who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the sons of God”. Later in his first epistle John writes, “Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the sons of God.” (1 John 3:1) This indicates that through obedience and maturity in the word of God we make a transition from becoming doulos to being sons. Obedience to the word may not influence our salvation (that is obtained by belief in the sacrificial substitution of Jesus Christ for my sins) but it does affect our position in the kingdom.
2/4/12 Words of Wisdom When we are consumed by the works undertaken for the kingdom of God; exhausted by the demands upon our time, and energy the Lord will give us instruction in how to lighten the load. We suppose that it is only in the privacy (closet) of prayer that the answers comes but often it will come from one who is on the outside looking in. This is how it was with Moses in the wilderness when he was engaged from morning to night with the concerns of the people. His father-in-law simply observed what was happening and offered the solution that brought structure and order to an otherwise fatiguing situation. His wise words indicated that the current way of doing thing would not just weaken the leadership but also the people. It is doubtless that this was a message from God but the question may be asked, “If Moses heard from God, why would God send Jethro, his father in law to instruct him in such a simple procedural plan?” It’s a good question and not directly answered in the scripture but can be speculated it to mean that when we are as busy as Moses was, from morning until evening; being drawn away from an intimate time with the Lord; a way will be made by God to get the message across to us. Because of all the continuous demands on his time the Lord sent His word to Moses through an uncircumcised observer. It is important to note that Jethro was not a stranger; he had a forty year relationship with Moses and was obviously a respected friend. The most imperative point is that God cares for our well-being in the midst of what we are doing. We never have to abandon our post because we are burned out; as it was with Moses, He will give us the exact strategy to accomplish more. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)
2/3/12 Burning Bridges Our salvation comes from the mighty hand of God, who takes us out of the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light. He tells those who have been thus delivered to listen for His voice, pay attention to what He says, adhere to His instruction and we will be free from all the things that come upon those who don’t. By His powerful hand He also annihilates the possibilities of returning to our former life of slavery to the powers of that which held us in bondage. He gives us the power and the ability to depart and when we are still (hold back our fear and complaints) He will see to it that the enemy who pursues us dies trying. This happened for the Israelites when they were brought out of Egypt and crossed over the red sea. It happened for Paul after he was struck by the power of God on the way to Damascus. It happens to everyone who experiences the truth of what Jesus did on the cross for their sin and by faith receives His forgiveness. The cross over from one kingdom to another requires faith to step out and a life of freedom on the other side requires faith to maintain. Even that is given as a gift; everyone receives the measure of faith. The operative word in the promise of abundant life in the land of freedom is ‘IF’! If we will hear his voice…In the Old Testament God spoke through the prophet, in the New Testament He speaks through the spirit that dwells within us. His instructions are clear in both instances. Often we construct a mental image of life being better (more fun) in our former life and we assume we can keep what we have and combine the two lives (past and present) taking what we enjoy from both and thus avoid struggles, battles, and warfare. Sorry we can’t have it both ways; we must do what the apostle Paul declared to those who followed his teaching, “Forget what lies behind and strain for that which lies ahead. Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippines 3:13-14).
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