Focused on Shadows or “The Real Thing?”

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There is so much irony in this verse! The Messiah of the world is right in front of the Jewish leaders, yet they are so focused on shadows (the rituals of Passover, which were designed to prepare the people for the Messiah) they can’t see Him.

How often in our churches and routines are we more focused on traditions or customs, instead of being awake to Jesus and His reality? Our relationship to Jesus is the key. Traditions, rituals and customs of the Church are designed to point us to Jesus, not distract us from that relationship.

John 18:28 NLT

“Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/John18.28.NLT

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Watch This: Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus

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This is a powerful video and a great example of Christian Digital Storytelling. Over 20 million views to date. I’m sure this video has helped many people think about Jesus and his message of salvation in a different light.

Hat tip for Joe Davey for sharing this video during his Scoutmaster Minute a few weeks ago, in the context of how we are all called (as Scouts too) to “walk the walk” not just “talk the talk.”

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A Reminder to Rely on God

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God calls us to rely on Him and His provision, not our own. In these verses Jesus challenges Phillip to realize his calling to rely on God, not himself.

John 6:5-6 NLT

“Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/John6.5.NLT

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Antidotes for Conceit

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These ideas were shared on March 25, 2012, by Mateen Elass. Mateen preached on these verses:

“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.” (John 18:33-40 NIV)

1-Regular worship of God: leads us from a critical spirit to praise of God
– spending daily time reconnecting with God, to maintain our focus on God

2- Develop a regular pattern of confession of sin

3- Honest friends
– worst thing ever is to surround ourselves by friends who just tell us what we want to hear – important for us to live in communities with each other, in small groups, to have accountability partners

Humility is the call of Jesus

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Reminders of the Standing Stones

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God ordered the people of Israel to bring 12 stones out of the Jordan River & set them as “standing stones.” These would serve as a reminder of God’s mighty acts bringing the Israelites into the promised land as well as their need to always fear God who is holy.

My wife has just read a book titled “Grace” which I’ve started, it provides much more elaboration on these standing stones & their importance. I think the author suggests when we go through great trials, struggles & valleys in our lives, we too should erect standing stones to serve as reminders of how God saw us through these times. These are reminders for ourselves and for our children.

Joshua 4:21-24 NLT

“Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.””

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Josh4.21.NLT

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Dust Bowl Drought Curse

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I don’t think anyone with Biblical knowledge living in “the dust bowl” of the American Midwest in the 1930s could read these words and not wonder if they were autobiographical?

If preachers in the 1930s did attribute the drought and blights of that era to a curse from God, I wonder what specific examples of “the people turning away from God & not following His commands” they highlighted in sermons and prose?

Deuteronomy 28:22-24 NLT

“The Lord will strike you with wasting diseases, fever, and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, and with blight and mildew. These disasters will pursue you until you die. The skies above will be as unyielding as bronze, and the earth beneath will be as hard as iron. The Lord will change the rain that falls on your land into powder, and dust will pour down from the sky until you are destroyed.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut28.22.NLT

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Do Not Mislead the Blind

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It is wrong for a leader to mislead a blind follower. Great responsibility is entrusted to those who lead is, and that trust is sacred. If that trust is violated, these verses from the Old Testament remind us the Israelites pronounced a curse on the person who misled the blind. This curse was pronounced at the direction of God.

Deuteronomy 27:18 NLT

“‘Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person astray on the road.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut27.18.NLT

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Be Generous Providing for the Poor

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God commanded the Israelites to be intentionally generous with their bounty so the poor could have food also. What is the 21st century analog to this? Giving regular financial gifts to our local food pantry? To our church deacon fund? Somewhere else?

These verses are about a lifestyle of generosity, specifically to provide for the poor. I am challenged by this because I know currently, I am not giving and doing enough in this regard.

Deuteronomy 24: 19-22 NLT

““When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do. When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, don’t glean the vines after they are picked. Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut24.19.NLT

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Intentional Consumers

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Today I’m reading about Jewish dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14:8 (NLT).

“And you may not eat the pig. It has split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is ceremonially unclean for you. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses.”

The following is a “community note” in the YouVersion Bible which I think makes some good points about these laws. Not only were they designed for healthy living, they were also crafted for holy living. It may be ok for us as Christians to eat pork now, but we are still called to live out lives in ways that are “set apart” (holy) from the rest of the world.

“In the dietary laws we can find a pattern of behavior which will be healthful for our souls and spirits. We can choose to feed on the Word, Spirit and presence of God and thereby reap a harvest of emotional and spiritual health. We can live in constant awareness of God and His will for us in the moment or we can become enthralled with that which entertains the mind but starves the soul and spirit of that which will sustain us into eternity.”

Remember the root of “enthrall” is “thrall” which means “slave” in Greek. These instructions apply to us as we consume media as well as eat.

What does it mean to consume media today in ways that are “set apart” and holy for God? I know this begins with intentionality and an awareness of how elements in our media landscape (including some games as well as videos) draw our minds away from God instead of to Him.

I want to be a more intentional consumer, both of food and media. I pray God will give me a spirit of discernment to choose wisely.

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Never Forget God’s Provision

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I do not stand here because of my own hard work and deeds. I must never forget God’s constant provision.

Deuteronomy 8:15-18 NLT

“Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut8.15.NLT

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