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The Perfect Food (Deut 8:3)

5/30/2014

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The wilderness manna was the perfect kind of lesson. Every day it gave the same instruction, which the Israelites were (and we are) supposed to learn permanently. We were made for two kinds of food. Neglect either one and we are in serious trouble. Our bodies need daily, healthy physical nourishment, while our souls require the spiritual menu provided in the Word of God. Manna came as a tasty morsel that filled their stomachs; faith grew in their souls as they realized Jehovah's promise was unwavering and complete.
How simple to understand. How easy to believe. How difficult to embrace.
(Deuteronomy 8:3, And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.)
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The Shield, Jam#151

5/28/2014

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After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. (Genesis 15:1) . . . The LORD is my strength and my shield. (Psalm 28:7)

God does not hand out shields to His children nor distribute them as prizes to favorite servants. He never offers any kind of visual or physical device to guard us from Satan or adverse circumstances. His plan for our safety and well being is much more personal, and infinitely more reliable.

He wants to BE our shield.

That is so radically different than what we often believe.

We have drunk deeply from the world's wells. The idea of actually trusting God for our basic, everyday, protection is almost a foreign concept. We may pray before a trip or job project, but generally we feel naked and vulnerable if we do not have everything our culture says we need to safeguard ourselves from evil situations or people. So, we surround our bodies and goods with the latest in electronic devices, full guarantees, and water tight contracts, hoping to then walk through life undisturbed.

But down inside we know that there is always somebody nearby who is figuring out a way to get around our shields.

All the while, God is telling us in the plain text of Scripture, "There is a much better way."

King David learned about God's shield early on, fighting lions, bears, and giants. He found out that being where his Master wanted him to be and doing what he was supposed to do were the main conditions for divine protection. This truth became so foundational for him that he repeated it almost a dozen times in his songs.

These became valuable instruction for his physical and spiritual descendants, including Hezekiah who lived three hundred years later. In answer this king's faith, 185,000 Assyrian corpses were the silent witnesses to Jehovah's ability to shield Israel from it's enemies.

Flipping over to the New Testament we find the theme restated or illustrated in every major character and book. Why even the Great Commission contains the message! It begins and ends with Christ's absolute authority and His everlasting presence promised to every child who preaches the Gospel.

Then again, to Paul, facing fierce opposition and ever present physical danger in Corinth, the Master broke into his sleep one night with this message: "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee . . . " With that assurance he continued on for 18 very fruitful months of ministry.

Why then do we find it so hard to apply this truth in our ordinary walk?

There can only be one answer. It is the simple and embarrassing sin of unbelief. But for the Lord's grace, it taints our every thought.

God says, "Let ME be your shield!", to which we often respond, "Ok. But just in case..."

Ironically, If we would take Him at His Word we would learn that the reward for trusting Him as our shield ends up being much more than just protection.

Dear Father, help me believe. At times I get the idea that this age is different and somehow Your principles don't apply. Give me the simple faith to take You at Your Word. Amen. 
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Sarah's Story (1 Peter 3/Hebrews 11)

5/20/2014

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How interesting and kind of God to give us more of Sarah's story. All we know from Genesis is that she devised the alternate plan for Abraham to have a son with Hagar, which miserably backfired. Then we are able to peek behind the scenes to see her laugh when the angel told her husband she would get pregnant.

It is not until 1 Peter 3 and Hebrews 11 that we are given a fuller account, one that leaves her shining with the radiance of a godly woman. She was a model of faith, as wife and mother, hand in hand with her famous husband.

It is wise to not be too harsh on others who make mistakes, especially when we don't know all the facts. (That is, always!)

(1 Peter 3 & Hebrews 11--Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord:/Through faith also Sarah . . . because she judged him faithful who had promised.)
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The Right Stand (1 Kings 17:1)

5/16/2014

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In a day when so much importance is given to titles, qualifications, degrees, and human accolades, Elijah's story brings in a wise and balancing perspective.

As he appeared in the palace of the wicked and pagan king Ahab, the prophet gave only one personal credential: I STAND BEFORE GOD.

Wow! As it turned out, he needed no more than that. Proper preparation for any occupation or ministry has its legitimate place, but there is no substitute for spending time with God.

(1 Kings 17:1, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand...)

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The Proper Focus (James 1:9-10)

5/13/2014

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All of us can rejoice. We just need to have the right focus. The one who has few earthly things can rejoice in the fantastic inheritance he has in Christ. The one who is blessed with an abundance of wealth can enjoy knowing the truth, that his treasure is actually just a temporary trust from the Lord.

And those in between? They can adopt either view, whichever is most appropriate for the moment.

(James 1:9-10, Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.)

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