Grace but consequence... Moses and the tablets of stone

"When God had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two flat stones on which he had written all of his laws with his own hand." Exodus 31:18

"As Moses got closer to the camp he saw the idol, and he also saw the people dancing around. This made him so angrey that he threw down the stones and broke them to pieces at the foot of the mountain." Exodus 32:19

"One day the Lord said to Moses, 'Cut two flat stones like the first ones I made, and I will write on them the same commandments that were on the two you broke." Exodus 34:1

"The Lord told Moses to put these laws in writing, as part of his agreement with Israel. Moses stayed on the mountain with the Lord for forty days and nights, without eating and drinking. And he wrote down the Ten Commandments, the most important part of God's agreement with his people." Exodus 34:27-28

So let's sum this story up... God carved out the stones and engraved the tablets for Moses to bring to the Israelites. What a package to deliver. (Go Fed Ex) And what does Moses do with this special delivery... He gets angry over something he already knew about.. (God had told him that the Israelites had built a golden calf - Exodus 32:7-8)
And he threw the tablets, hand carved by God, on the ground and broke them.

Did God give Moses and Israel a second chance... yip... But the catch was the treasure Moses brought to Israel...The Law, the Word carved by the very hand of God... was not duplicated. Moses was the one who carved the second set of commandments.

I've harped on consequences before... but this story is a gem. I'll leave it open for the majority of personal interpretation.... but just remember the story. God did something, Man destroyed it... God didn't duplicate it. Sometimes we get second chances... sometimes the treasure of the moment is a one time thing. And when we screw it up we don't get it back.

I would have had more compassion for Moses if he didn't know about the golden calf before he saw it. Then his burst of temper would have been justified. But he knew and he still blew it. So God said to Moses (in a nutshell)... We'll do it again, but it won't be the same. Grace, but consequence..."

Writing to tell you I love you

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

“So I decided that my next visit to you would not be another one to make you sad. If I make you sad, who will make me glad? Only you can make me glad—particularly the person whom I made sad. I wrote you a letter for this reason: that when I came to you, the people who should make me happy would not make me sad. I felt sure of all of you, that you would share my joy. When I wrote you to you before, I was very troubled and unhappy in my heart, and I wrote with many tears. I did not write to make you sad, but to let you know how much I love you.”

One can only understand the whole of this passage after reading Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Ever been there? Have you ever written a letter, (or email) and have it blow up in your face? Paul had to address the Corinthians on some serious issues... and the response musn't have been one of joyful acceptance. We are not privy to the response the Corinthians have Paul after the first letter... too bad.

But in his second letter, Paul spends some time sweeping up a mess. Maybe the Corinthian church didn't understand Paul's motives for his first letter. Sometimes we get news we focus more on the message than the messenger. I like what Paul said in his second letter.

"I did not write you to make you sad, but to let you know how much I love you."

I looked up in my Greek New Testement just what he meant by "I love you" I found the word "agape". That's were Paul's heart was. The same words he used to tell the Corinthians about God's love... this was the word he used to tell them that he loved them. Paul's agape for the Corinthians was lost to them when they got a slap on the wrist. How could he have communicated that agape love to them in the first place?

There is an application in all of this. I'm thinking of a letter I wrote a few years back. When I read this passage, I thought of my motives in writing a letter that was met with sadness, not joy. I wondered how I could have better communicated my "agape" love for this person. Now, I don't know if he really understands how much I still love (agape) him. (You know... that unconditional choice one makes in life, not based on feelings, but on God's richness and mercy.... that kind of love)

So if I had a chance to write another letter to my friend.. I would tell him the same thing that Paul wrote to the Corinthians...

I didn't not write my letter to make you sad, I thought you would share my joy. I just wanted you to know how much I love you.

Colossians: a book about the real road to redemption - Chapter 1

Only four chapters in this book, but more in it than an epic of great proportion. Written by Paul from captivity, there couldn't have been a greater message of freedom. Paul opens up with such a beautiful exhortation to the believers in Colossae.

"Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have continued praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what he wants. We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. God will strengthen you with his own great power so you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient." 1:9-11(NCV)

When I read this it was like a fresh glass of water after a time of intense dryness. It's my life purpose summed up on these words... "..that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit..."
It couldn't be any clearer than that.

"He was there before anything was made, and all things continue because of him." 1:17

All things continue because of him... not because of me... but because of HIM. Such a shallow life I lead when I believe that the world revolves around me, my desires, goals and wishes. There is such dynamic adventure filled with purpose for me when I walk in His will, not my own.

"At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds and the evil things you did were against God. But now God has made you his friends again. He did this through Christ's death in the body so that he might bring you into God's presence as people who are holy, with no wrong, and with nothing of which God can judge you guilty."1:21-22

Wallowing in a mire of my own sin and guilt, so often I fail to see this truth in clarity. That ugly death that Jesus went through on Calvary was so that I wouldn't be condemned to an existence of pig slop... but a life of holiness.

THE BIG SECRET

"God decided to let his people know this rich and glorious secret which he has for all people. This secret is Christ himself, who is in you. He is our only hope for glory." 1:27

He is our only hope... this is what I get to be a part of sharing to the world out there. What an honor!

And that was just Chapter one.

Thank you Lord for you timeless word and boundless truth. Holy Spirit, engrain this word and truth in my very being so that I may live out your purpose for my life today and every day in holiness!

Hannah's thanksgiving

"The Lord has filled my heart with joy; I can feel very strong in the Lord. I can laugh at my enemies; I am glad because you have helped me!
"There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no God but you; there is no Rock like our God." 1 Samuel: 1-2

This after Hannah surrendered her first born son to the Lord's keeping. This after a long ardous journey of barrenness rewarded by the hand of God. This now is Hannah without any children again. Only after these words of praise did Eli tell her she would have more children.. Only after did God bless her with three more sons and two daughters.

Hannah gave her only son not asking or expecting God to bless her again. Samuel was the blessing she had prayed for. Her life had become complete with Samuel, not her other five children. Samuel... the one she surrendered to God.

Wow... to be a woman of that much faith and passion for God

When God withholds His healing

"But the Lord answered, 'Who makes people able to speak or makes them deaf or unable to speak? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Don't you know that I am the one who does these things? Now go! When you speak, I will be with you and give you the words to say.'" Exodus 4:11

God is Sovereign! Do you believe that? Do you believe that God is all-powerful?
"Sure I believe it... I believe God can do anything."
Can God heal?
"Yes, God can heal?"
All the time?
"Yes, God can heal all the time, God is all-powerful."
Can God withhold his healing?
"Ahhhh..."
God is all-powerful, right?
"Right. But..."
So since God is all-powerful, can He not withhold as much as he grants.

How can I ever preach God as being less than what He is. Was Moses used for the work of God despite his infirmity. If I believed that healing was my only option for a testimony, I would be waiting and waiting... and time would pass without me.

Oh Lord, what can I do in the meantime? I don't want my answer to be like Moses' words...

"Lord please send someone else to do it." (Ex 4:13)

Instead let me echo the words of Isaiah:

"I'll go, send me." Is. 6:8

Send me... in spite of my infirmity, my illness, my weakness... God use me now!

Someday I'll be free

"Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins." Ephesians 4:30

I think the worst feeling for me is when I am standing on the threshold of a sin I've already committed. Standing at the precipice of a cliff that I've already jumped from. The feelings are still fresh, and I know the direction I'm heading isn't the best. I ask myself questions like:

"Haven't you learned this lesson already?"
"Can't you remember the pain you went through before?"
"What the @#*%$# are you doing here?"

And the tears fall again. But do I walk away. Not likely. That is what kills me inside. There is no ignorance at place here.

"Been there,done that... got the T-shirt."

Reading this portion of scripture from Ephesians this morning couldn't have been more timely. I'm back at the cliff again. Looking over the edge and trying to remember what it was like the last time I jumped. And as I recall... the ride down was ecstasy...hitting the bottom was the killer. So why do I think of the ride and fail to focus on the landing? Too many questions I can't answer this side of heaven.

BUT!!!!!.... What I got out of the passage in Ephesians is such awe inspiring promise from God. Someday I will be free from my sin. Someday my days of grieving the Spirit will be over and I will be embraced in His arms.

"Wait a minute... " I hear you saying. "That's heaven... but what about now?"

Ephesians 4:23 tells me..."Let the Spirit change your way of thinking... and make you into a new person."

Wow! It's not about me. Life transformation comes when I listen to the Holy Spirit and trust His wisdom. Not always an easy thing to do... but always rewarding. The bruises on my backside are a vivid reminder for me. It's better I walk away from the cliff this time.

Mistaken Identity

"All the people started talking about Jesus and were amazed at the wonderful things he said. They kept on asking, 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' " Luke 4:22

Have you ever walked through a checkout line with a child that wasn't your offspring and have the teller say something like, "Oh your child is so cute. He (or she) looks just like you." And in that proud moment all you do is introduce yourself as 'auntie' or 'uncle' or the babysitter. Been there, done that and got the t-shirt that says "not my kid".

During Jesus' childhood, Joseph must have had his fair share of 'proud moments'. "What a hard working son you have.", "You must be so proud of your boy.", "Yeshua looks just like you, Joseph." And all along Joseph said to himself. 'He's not my son.'

I have no doubt in my mind that Joseph was proud of his step-son. He loved Jesus like his own begotten children. But Joseph knew the truth. What was hidden from most of Nazareth was Jesus true identity. He was not Joseph's son; he was God's son. Even when Jesus was an adult in ministry, his hometown neighbour's were still mistaking his identity.

What about me? When people look at me who do they see? What is my identity in the eyes of my neighbours? Do they know the truth? Do they know who my real Father is? Or... am I just a resemblance of my earthly inheritance?

Jesus didn't keep his identity a secret.

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." John 14:6-7