Numbers 16:2 "They incited a rebellion against Moses"
Have you ever rebelled against something? I have. I've rebelled against my parents when I was young and as an adult. There were things that my parents told me not to do when I was growing up, but I did them anyway. I ended up hurt and my parents ended up disappointed.
I also rebelled against authority one time in my Chevy Camero. It was fun to begin with, and I won the race, but the fine I had to pay after I got a ticket wasn't so fun.
I've also rebelled against God. I've chosen to rationalize situations and follow my own direction, rather than listening to the Holy Spirit. Seemed ok to begin with, but it didn't end up well.
Why do we rebel? What is in us that makes that rebellion show up? Why can't we just listen to the wise people in our lives, or event the Wisest One, and do what is best for us and those around us? There are many reasons we might rebel...pride, jealously, ungratefulness, stubbornness, distrust. Ultimately, we rebel out of our sinful nature. Also, we are enemies with Satan. He doesn't like us because we are children of the King of Kings, the one that has condemned him to the eternal lake of fire. (Isaiah 14:12-16 and Ezekiel 28:11-19). Because of that, Satan is always trying to get us to rebel. He tells us lies. This has gone on since the beginning. You can read the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and see what happened to them in their rebellion. And there's also Jonah which you can read about in Jonah 3:10-44. He also rebelled. And quite honestly, there's a lot of rebellion stories in the Bible. I'm trying to find out one that ended well for the person that rebelled, but honestly, I can't find one.
Rebellion is knowing but not doing the will of God. It is serious. It exists in every human heart. In numbers 16 we read the story about some men rising up against God's chosen leader, Moses. God had placed Moses in the leadership position, and if you remember correctly, Moses didn't want the position. He was very humble and told God he wasn't the man for the job. The Bible even says that Mose was the most humble person that had ever lived. And even though God placed him in that leadership position, and God had used him to lead the people out of slavery, the people still chose to rise up against Moses.
What do you think about that? What do you think God's position on this rebellion was? Do you think God was offended? Here's His response according to Numbers 16:21, "Get away from these people so that I may instantly destroy them." YIKES!!! You see, rebellion is ultimately against God. Romans 13:1 states that God has established all authorities. If we are rebelling against authority, we are ultimately rebelling against God.
On a side note, what do you think Moses did about the rebellion against him? Well, if you would have asked me before I read the story I would have guessed he became angry with them and launched an attack against them. I mean, since God had chosen him to be the leader, and after all he had been through for the people, and now they are rebelling! Seriously?!?!? I would imagine he would have opened up a can of whooping on them! So, you can imagine how amazed I am when I read Numbers 16:22-49. Moses actually fell on his face in prayer for the people. He begged God not to destroy them and actually had Aaron burn incense to atone for their sins. Amazing. That Moses. He really understood forgiveness and grace and mercy.
So, are there areas of rebellion in your life? Do you rebel against the authority in your life? The government? The police? Your Pastor? Your husband? Your parents? God wants what is best for His children. He sets up rules for us not because He wants to deny us joy, but because He wants to give us joy. Doesn't every good parent do the same?
I'm so grateful to God that he forgives me for my rebellion and that He is molding me to be more submissive each day. What an amazing God we have!!! Praise you Jesus!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Be Sure Of What You Hope For
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews gives us a pretty straight forward definition of faith. Faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see. Are you sure of what you hope for? Are you certain of what you do not see?
I believe that if a I enter the bills I need to pay into my bank's bill pay system, then my bills will be paid. I have faith in that bill pay system. I also believe that if I am out of town for a few days, that my husband will take care of my kids while I'm away. I have faith in my husband. You see, we tend to ACT on what we believe.
I have really enjoyed reading the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald and learning how I can improve my attitude. His writings on faith are wonderful. But honestly, I can't talk about faith and having true faith without thinking of Lee Strobel and his books, "The Case For Faith" and "The Case For Christ". You see, Lee didn't start out with faith in God. As a matter of fact, he started out as an atheist. He actually set out to prove that Jesus was not the Savior of the world and in the process he became a Christian. Lee is a well educated man and after much research this is what he writes in his book:
"As someone educated in journalism and law, I was trained to respond to the facts, wherever they lead. For me, the data demonstrated convincingly that Jesus is the Son of God who died as my substitute to pay the penalty I deserve for the wrongdoing I had committed."
On November 8, 1981 Lee Strobel asked Jesus for help and became a Christian. He further states in his book, "There were no lighting bolts, or audible replies, no tingly sensations." Simple as that, Lee became a Christian. And then what did he do, he ACTED on his faith. He wrote some books and began telling others of his faith and what he had discovered when he researched Jesus.
Faith is not anti-intellectual. Faith is not escapism. Faith is not "mind science". Faith is an ACTIVE belief in God. It is confidence in God's Word. One with faith not only believes for them self, but also tells others of their belief.
And how important is faith? Faith isn't just a part of the Christian life, it's the whole thing! Check out Hebrews 11 to find out what God thinks about faith.... more specifically 11:1 and 11:6
Do you have FAITH in God? Have you told Jesus that you need Him as your Savior? It seems so complicated but it is really easy. No lighting bolts will strike, no tingly feelings.....just asking Him to be your Savior and then living by FAITH in Him is the key.
If you're still doubtful that Jesus is the Savior, then I suggest you do what Lee Strobel did. Research. Go read for yourself. I think you will find it takes more faith to not believe in Jesus than faith to believe in Jesus.
And if you are confident in your faith, how you acting? Do your actions confirm your faith?
Lord, help me to walk in faith and not in my flesh.
Hebrews gives us a pretty straight forward definition of faith. Faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see. Are you sure of what you hope for? Are you certain of what you do not see?
I believe that if a I enter the bills I need to pay into my bank's bill pay system, then my bills will be paid. I have faith in that bill pay system. I also believe that if I am out of town for a few days, that my husband will take care of my kids while I'm away. I have faith in my husband. You see, we tend to ACT on what we believe.
I have really enjoyed reading the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald and learning how I can improve my attitude. His writings on faith are wonderful. But honestly, I can't talk about faith and having true faith without thinking of Lee Strobel and his books, "The Case For Faith" and "The Case For Christ". You see, Lee didn't start out with faith in God. As a matter of fact, he started out as an atheist. He actually set out to prove that Jesus was not the Savior of the world and in the process he became a Christian. Lee is a well educated man and after much research this is what he writes in his book:
"As someone educated in journalism and law, I was trained to respond to the facts, wherever they lead. For me, the data demonstrated convincingly that Jesus is the Son of God who died as my substitute to pay the penalty I deserve for the wrongdoing I had committed."
On November 8, 1981 Lee Strobel asked Jesus for help and became a Christian. He further states in his book, "There were no lighting bolts, or audible replies, no tingly sensations." Simple as that, Lee became a Christian. And then what did he do, he ACTED on his faith. He wrote some books and began telling others of his faith and what he had discovered when he researched Jesus.
Faith is not anti-intellectual. Faith is not escapism. Faith is not "mind science". Faith is an ACTIVE belief in God. It is confidence in God's Word. One with faith not only believes for them self, but also tells others of their belief.
And how important is faith? Faith isn't just a part of the Christian life, it's the whole thing! Check out Hebrews 11 to find out what God thinks about faith.... more specifically 11:1 and 11:6
Do you have FAITH in God? Have you told Jesus that you need Him as your Savior? It seems so complicated but it is really easy. No lighting bolts will strike, no tingly feelings.....just asking Him to be your Savior and then living by FAITH in Him is the key.
If you're still doubtful that Jesus is the Savior, then I suggest you do what Lee Strobel did. Research. Go read for yourself. I think you will find it takes more faith to not believe in Jesus than faith to believe in Jesus.
And if you are confident in your faith, how you acting? Do your actions confirm your faith?
Lord, help me to walk in faith and not in my flesh.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Doubt
In the last several months I've had the opportunity to read about how God led Moses and the people of Israel out of slavery and towards the Promised Land. God was faithful to them. He not only took them out of slavery, but He parted the Red Sea doing it! Then, He covers them with a cloud for protection, and of course provides food and water for them. In my mind God left these people with no room to doubt Him.
I also think about the disciples of Jesus. They had spent so much time with Him. They had seen the miracles. They knew Lazareth was raised from the dead. They had seen a little bit of fish and bread feed thousands of people. There was no room left for them to doubt that He was indeed the Savior.
So what do the disciples and the chosen people of Israel have in common? What did they do even though the proof was shown to them over and over? They doubted. They chose not be believe and they doubted. In Numbers 13 and 14 we read how the Israelites said they couldn't go and conquer the land because the people living there were too big. Too big for God? Really? Seriously, that's what they thought? Read it for yourself in Numbers 13:31. And while your in the Bible, read in the New Testament about "Doubting Thomas" in John 20: 19-29.
Doubt is the absence of faith. It is a lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises. So why do we doubt? Fear, anger, withdrawal, bitterness, not having the facts. All these could cause doubt. But one thing is for sure, doubt is contagious. Numbers 14:1-2 states how the Israelites reacted after they listened to the doubters. They started complaining and were anxious about their future.
Is doubting a problem for you? Sometimes it is for me. Sometimes I have to actively quote scripture from the Bible to remind myself of God's promises for me. Doubt is not only destructive for those around me, but it can be debilitating for me. It can certainly lead me down the wrong path, a path that God does not want me to go.
Below is what I think are some common doubting issues we face, AND some scripture to fight these doubts:
1. I am worried about my future. (health, employment, marriage, children) JEREMIAH 29:11 "FOR I KNOW MY PLANS FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD. PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE"
2. I am worried about my finances. (MATTHEW 6:26 "LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR; THEY DO NOT SOW OR REAP OR STORE AWAY IN BARNS, AND YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT MUCH MORE VALUABLE THAN THEY?"
3. I worry about my eternity. (JOHN 3:16 "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE." and LUKE 1:4 "SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT."
4. I doubt I am seen as beautiful or worthy. (PSALM 139:14 "I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.")
I also think about the disciples of Jesus. They had spent so much time with Him. They had seen the miracles. They knew Lazareth was raised from the dead. They had seen a little bit of fish and bread feed thousands of people. There was no room left for them to doubt that He was indeed the Savior.
So what do the disciples and the chosen people of Israel have in common? What did they do even though the proof was shown to them over and over? They doubted. They chose not be believe and they doubted. In Numbers 13 and 14 we read how the Israelites said they couldn't go and conquer the land because the people living there were too big. Too big for God? Really? Seriously, that's what they thought? Read it for yourself in Numbers 13:31. And while your in the Bible, read in the New Testament about "Doubting Thomas" in John 20: 19-29.
Doubt is the absence of faith. It is a lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises. So why do we doubt? Fear, anger, withdrawal, bitterness, not having the facts. All these could cause doubt. But one thing is for sure, doubt is contagious. Numbers 14:1-2 states how the Israelites reacted after they listened to the doubters. They started complaining and were anxious about their future.
Is doubting a problem for you? Sometimes it is for me. Sometimes I have to actively quote scripture from the Bible to remind myself of God's promises for me. Doubt is not only destructive for those around me, but it can be debilitating for me. It can certainly lead me down the wrong path, a path that God does not want me to go.
Below is what I think are some common doubting issues we face, AND some scripture to fight these doubts:
1. I am worried about my future. (health, employment, marriage, children) JEREMIAH 29:11 "FOR I KNOW MY PLANS FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD. PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE"
2. I am worried about my finances. (MATTHEW 6:26 "LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR; THEY DO NOT SOW OR REAP OR STORE AWAY IN BARNS, AND YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT MUCH MORE VALUABLE THAN THEY?"
3. I worry about my eternity. (JOHN 3:16 "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE." and LUKE 1:4 "SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT."
4. I doubt I am seen as beautiful or worthy. (PSALM 139:14 "I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.")
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
