The Grace of Generosity

"Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, 'This is what the Lord has commanded:Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord:gold, silver, and bronze...'" Exodus 35:4-5 NLT

"So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments." Exodus 35:20-21 NLT

What a beautiful picture of giving! This is the record of the first building fund-raising program among God's people. In addition to their regular tithes the people were invited to give the resources needed to build the tabernacle and to establish its ministry. Those with "generous hearts" were to give from the things with which God had blessed them. Those "whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved" by the Spirit and generosity of God gave gladly. When the people had called on God to deliver them, He had answered. When God called on the people to build, they answered.

Our giving reveals the health and depth of our relationship with God. When we called on Him, He gave us salvation through His Son. When He calls on us, we give Him our lives and our treasures in response to His grace. If we are truly conscious of how great God's grace toward us has been then we will be generous toward Him and His work. From time to time we need to take an inventory of our giving and spending to see what it reveals about our relationship with God and the work of His grace in our life.

Father, You have been more than generous with me. Salvation through Your Son was just the beginning of the flow of Your abundant grace in my life. As You call me to give my life and my treasure, I want my heart to respond in true gratitude and generosity toward you. Grow me in this grace.

I'm praying for you.

Pastor Mark

Jealous God

"You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you." Exodus 34:14 NLT

God jealous? Isn't jealousy a sin? Not when it is rightly directed. God's love for us is a jealous love that would have us live in full devotion to Him. A husband who is not bothered by his wife's flirting with other men does not love her as he ought. God loves us His people so deeply that He will not share their affections with any rival.

God's jealousy is holy and not sinful because He rightly deserves our full affection. God desires that we love Him first and foremost with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And God's jealousy is holy and not sinful because He desires only what is best for us and despises what would harm us. Full devotion to Him is best for us. Bowing before other god's is harmful. It is when we live in full devotion to God that we live the abundant life (see John 10:10).

Are we in danger of worshiping other gods? Anything we allow to move into God's place and to consume our time and attention so that we have less or none to give Him is a god. If you don't have time to spend with God daily, time to worship Him regularly, time to serve Him faithfully, or ability to give to Him generously then identify the thing that you do have time and ability to do instead and you will have found the false god in your life. Jealously guard God's place in your affections and attention.

Father, You are worthy to have the preeminent place in my affections and attention. I am amazed that You are jealous about Your relationship with me. Show me any intruder upon this relationship that I too may be jealous for my relationship with You.

I'm praying for you.

Pastor Mark

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