Answering the Call

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed Him.
Luke 5:27-28

As I studied this passage and read Exodus, I felt convicted when I read of the way the disciples responded when Christ called them in Luke. So I am jumping ship and talking about Luke 5.

I always find it amazing when Jesus called the disciples they immediately responded and dropped everything they had and went. In Luke 9, Jesus encounters three men that said they will follow Christ whereever he will go "but first" let me take care of this. Alot of times I feel like I am in this category. Christ calls me to follow but I want to respond with "But First". Do you ever feel like that? God may be calling you to take the gospel across the street to your neighbor and you respond, "But first, let me become more equipped." I think when we tend to have this attitude we demonstrate a lack of faith and trust. When God calls, whether we feel equipped or not we need to respond and step out in faith.

How are you going to respond when God calls you to step out and follow Him?

Father, I admit that there are times in my life when I trust myself more than You. God, I confess that I have not always answered when You call. Help me to learn to trust You and to follow You wherever or however that may be.

Holy to the Lord

“Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the Lord. Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron’s turban, where it must remain." Exodus 28:36-37 NLT

As the priest who came into the presence of God on behalf of the people, Aaron was to wear on his turban the reminder that he was set apart to be "holy to the LORD." Holiness is required in the life of one who approaches a holy God. All the requirements for the tabernacle and priesthood given in Exodus were given to remind the Israelites of what an awesome thing it is to approach God. God is not to be approached casually or flippantly.

The apostle Peter reminds us that there is now in this New Testament era a new tabernacle and a new priesthood. "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God" (1 Peter 2:5 NLT). We are now priests. We have both the privilege and responsibility to approach and serve God. He is still holy and our approach to Him requires us to seek holiness in our own lives. The good news is that God not only requires holiness but He provides holiness through the blood of Christ as we confess our sins to Him. As the Old Testament priest approached God with the sacrifice of a lamb we approach God through the sacrifice of THE LAMB, Jesus Christ.

Father, apart from Your grace I could never be holy. I thank you that you provide the holiness which you require. May I never be flippant about my sin but always coming to You with humble dependence on the sacrifice of your Lamb, my Savior, Jesus Christ. Forgive me now for any sin in my life and enable me to walk before You in holiness today.

I'm praying for you.

Pastor Mark

Keep the Light Shining

“Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. The lamp-stand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be observed from generation to generation." Exodus 27:20-21 NLT

The lamp-stand in front of the veil which hung between the holy of holies and the holy place was to burn continually--not only during the day when the priest were present in the temple but through the night as well. The physical furnishings of the tabernacle teach spiritual truths about God. The light represents the presence and glory of God. The pure oil represents the Holy Spirit. The light of God is kept shining in the earth through the working of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world... No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:14-16 NLT). God's glory now shines in the darkness through the lives of His people who are filled with the Holy Spirit.

The lamps could not burn without the oil which required the frequent attention of the priest to keep the wicks trimmed and the oil reservoirs full. We must pay attention to our walk with Christ to ensure that we are clean vessels yielded to the Holy Spirit so that the light of God may shine continually through us in the sin-darkened world.

Father, I want to be a vessel through which Your light shines in the darkness. I know that it is not me but the Holy Spirit in me that keeps the light shining. Show me how to keep my life a fit vessel through which the Holy Spirit can work to shine Your light in my world.

I'm praying for you.

Pastor Mark

When Close isn't Enough

"You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you." Exodus 25:9 NLT

God repeatedly reminded Moses to lead the Israelites to build the Tabernacle exactly as He showed them (see also Ex. 25:40; 26:30). The Tabernacle represented God's presence to the Israelites. The way that it was set up with outer court, sacrificial altar, holy place, and most holy place reminded them of God's holiness and how they were to approach Him. They must not deviate from God's plan or else they would fail to honor and experience the presence of God in their camp.

People sometimes say "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades." This certainly applies with obedience to God's Word. God does not invite us to take the general idea of His commands and then improvise to suit our desires. He calls us to obey Him absolutely without deviation. His commands guide us to live in fellowship with Him and if we deviate from them we will fail to truly know His presence and the fulfillment of His purpose in our life.

Is there any command of God where you have settled for close rather than absolute obedience? Deal with that disobedience before God until you come to the place of absolute surrender and obedience.

Father, reveal to me any area in my life where I have settled for less than full obedience to Your command. Grant me the spiritual strength through Your Spirit to bring all my life into full obedience to You.

I'm praying for you.

Pastor Mark

CONSECRATED

"You shall be consecrated to me." Exodus 22:31a (ESV)

On the surface, Exodus 22 is just a list of (some of the) rules given by God to the Israelites, but hidden in verse 31 is this wonderful line which explains why God gave His people these rules. God desired to mold their character to be a people devoted to Him: basically, if He was going to be their God, then He expected the people to be completely loyal to Him.

That was God's desire then and it's still His desire now. Nothing has changed (with God).

A number of months ago, my son introduced me to a song called "You Won't Relent" (sung by Misty Edwards). The opening phrase is sung to the Lord: You won't relent until You have it all. My heart is Yours. As I reflected on Exodus 22:31, "You Won't Relent" began to play in my head.

God is totally committed to me being totally committed to Him. He'll do (you could say has done) everything it takes to make me His fully devoted follower. This is good news, because I'll never make it without God's help.

Father, thank you for being relentless in bringing me into a right relationship with You. I want to be fully consecrated to You, set apart as Yours. Guide me to make progress today in becoming more devoted to You.

Jim Barker

On Eagle's Wings

"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me." Exodus 19:4-5 NLT

The only reason Israel was able to come out of slavery in Egypt to a life of freedom was because God delivered them. God's purpose in delivering them was not only to free them from slavery but to bring them into relationship with Himself. The Lord reminded them, "I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself." What a beautiful expression of God's saving work!

The only reason you or I are able to come out of slavery in sin to a life of freedom in Christ is because God has delivered us. His purpose in delivering us was not merely to save us from sin and its penalty but to bring us into a relationship with Himself as our heavenly Father. He could just as well say to us, "I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself" or our Lord Jesus might say to us, "I carried you on my back and brought you to the Father." How great is our salvation! How great is the relationship we know have with God!

Father, I rejoice in Your great salvation and thank you for including me in it. I'm grateful for deliverance from sin but pray that I will not stop short of the rich relationship with You for which I have been saved. "Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord."

I'm praying for you.

Pastor Mark

Fearing God

"Don't be afraid," Moses answered them, "for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!" Exodus 20:20 NLT

God revealed His awesome holiness to Israel on Mount Sinai. He did this so that they would know His glory and live in a healthy fear of Him. So great a God is not to be trifled with nor are His commands to be taken lightly.

One motive for obedience is love. If we love God we desire to please Him and so we obey Him. But another equally Scriptural motive for obedience is fear. God hates and judges sin. Sin brings Him great displeasure. Fearing God means watching our step so that we do not arouse His anger or dishonor His name by our sin. The fear of God is not just an Old Testament concept that accompanies the law. The fear of God is also found on the pages of the New Testament and it accompanies grace. "And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as 'foreigners in the land' (i.e. your days on earth)" (1 Peter 1:17 NLT). Let us both love and fear the Lord that we may please and not dishonor Him.

Father, open my eyes to more clearly see Your awesome holiness and to understand Your attitude toward sin. Help me to cultivate in my life a holy, healthy fear of You that motivates me to obey and honor You in all things.

I"m praying for you.
Pastor Mark