Archive for the ‘Current worldview debate’ Category

Scripture reading for February 4th: Leviticus 8-10

Preacher’s kids are sometimes a mess! (Not mine of course!)  In today’s reading the sons of Aaron and nephews of Moses committed a “deadly” sin!  They had experienced the miraculous deliverance of the plagues and seen God act in power at the Red Sea when the Egyptian army was drowned.  They had witnessed the miraculous events of the journey, eaten the “manna” and heard God’s voice on the mountain.  They were dressed, instructed, and anointed for ministry along with their father and other brothers.  They were sprinkled with the blood of sacrifice.  (Leviticus 8)  You would think that they knew enough to take seriously God’s power and presence!  But sometimes, those in ministry or close to it, become complacent.  Worse yet, they behaved disrespectfully towards God in front of others who were looking to them for spiritual leadership!

Nadab and Abihu had witnessed Moses and Aaron going into the Tent of Meeting and the visible Glory of the Lord appearing to the people. (Leviticus 9:23-24.)  Fire came from the Lord and consumed the sacrifice.  All the people shouted for joy and fell face down.  Evidently, Nadab and Abihu were fascinated with the Tent of Meeting.  They decided to go in there themselves and experience God.  They took “strange” fire with them and God took their lives right on the spot.  Why, you ask?  Wasn’t this a sin of “unintentional” ignorance? What was this “strange” fire?

It appears that these boys might have been drunk.  In Leviticus 10:8-11, Aaron warns his other sons not to drink wine or any other fermented drink when they went into the Tent of Meeting!  Paul the Apostle also gives the same warning to believers: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, instead be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) God is not mocked and holds those with more responsibility accountable for their conduct!  We must be wise and respectful in our handling of the “holy things” and when approaching God in worship!  We can bring judgment on ourselves! (1st Corinthians 11:27-34) In Corinth, some were sick and others died because of improper conduct during the Lord’s supper!

Alcohol is not for those in the church!   Alcohol has caused many to stumble and has destroyed many families and believer’s testimonies.  We have the Holy Spirit and He lives in us!  We are responsible to God for our witness and behavior before our family, believers and a lost world!  Please meditate on these Scriptures today and allow the Lord to lead you in your conduct and worship!  Confess and repent quickly!  God doesn’t want you to die! (2nd Peter 3:9)

Scripture reading for January 30: Exodus 32-34

In our reading today, the nation of Israel quickly turned away from their commitment to obey God alone.  Moses was on the mountain in the cloud and fire for 40 days.  He was receiving the tablets with the 10 Words from the Lord.  The people came to Aaron, who was left in charge and asked for gods who would lead them.  Aaron gave in quickly and asked for gold earrings and ornaments.  The people gave freely and soon Aaron had fashioned a golden calf as the god that led the people from Egypt.  They made hasty plans for a festival, built an altar and sacrificed.  They bowed down to the calf-god  made by Aaron. God’s anger and jealousy was aroused!

God spoke to Moses about the idolatry and told him to leave Him alone so He could destroy them.  (Exodus 32:8-10)  God’s verdict–”They are a stiff-necked people.”  Stubborness is as the evil of idolatry and rebellion is as the sin of divination.  (1st Samuel 15:23)  Sin leads to death!  God is jealous!  (Exodus 34:14)  God had just written the tablets on which he emphasized with two commands the order to have no gods before Him and to make no idols.  (Exodus 20:3-6)  Moses smashed the tablets in holy anger indicating the breaking of God’s Word by the very people who had sworn to obey!  (Exodus 32:19; Exodus 24:3)

Moses, however did pray and intercede with God, asking Him to spare the people.  He asked on the basis of God’s reputation and promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Moses was well aware of the Covenant and God’s promises!  These were precious promises that caused these patriarchs to live by faith and walk by faith.  God listened but judgment still fell on those who sinned.

Moses called for those on the Lord’s side and the Levites stepped up.  They had to strap on swords and execute those who participated in the idolatry, even if it was their brother, friend or neighbor!   (Exodus 33:27-2)  Three thousand were executed that day.  Sin is deadly, particularly idolatry!  God is jealous! Israel was His Bride!  From her would come His Son, the Messiah!

The lessons for us today are plain.  This loving and compassionate God (Exodus 34:6-7) will not tolerate idolatry and sexual immorality.  These nearly always occur together because they are closely related.  Lying goes with them, too. Note Aaron’s response about just throwing the gold into the fire and an idol coming out!  We are all born into idolatry.  The “self” or “Big I” is our first and biggest idol!  We are stiff-necked because we don’t want to get rid of this idol and truly worship God.  The sword represents a slaying of the flesh!  The flesh must be crucified!  Idolatry is a work of the flesh.  (Galatians 6:19-20)  The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God brings conviction which can lead us to repent and forsake idolatry!  We must walk by the Spirit and allow His fruit to grow in our lives.

Bow your neck today in reverence and prayer to the merciful and compassionate Lord who paid to free us from the sin of idolatry.  No more stiff-necks among the people of God!  Jesus is interceding for us like Moses of old.  Instead of smashing the tablets, He kept them fully for us and shed His blood to cleans us from sin and death!  What a Savior!

Scripture reading for January27: Exodus 21-24

Is there any such thing as a “harmless sin”?  We sometimes laugh when our young children defiantly disobey.  When our adopted daughters were first released from the orphanage to come with us, they were so cute!  Both my wife and I and the girls had a short time of mutual admiration.  But on one of our first outings, we were waiting to cross the street and cars were speeding by.  One of them (name withheld to protect the innocent!) stuck her foot out towards the street and looked up mischievously  to see what we might do!  Mary and I had a good laugh but realized that we had a job ahead of us and had a late start!

Sin entered mankind through Eve’s deception by the serpent and through the disobedience of Adam.  God’s commands aren’t suggestions.  What He says will happen and He has the authority and power to bring it to pass.  Sin has consequences.  We can choose to sin, but we get the consequences for free!  The law that God gave Moses on the mountain included Exodus 21-24.  These were practical explanations of the ten commands that helped work out how these laws would play out in the community of Israel.  A holy God lived in their midst.  He demanded that the people He lived with would be holy too! (1st Peter 1:15-16)

Some of the laws and their that struck me as I read this passage remind me of the “deadliness” of sin!  In Exodus 21:15 and 17, the penalty for attacking father or mother or even cursing them was death.  If a man owned a bull that was known to gore others and he did not restrain this animal and a person was killed, the bull and the owner would die! (Exodus 21:28-29)  A sorceress must be put to death!  (Exodus 22:18)  Anyone having sexual relations with an animal must die!  (Exodus 22:19)  Another law in Exodus 22:22-23 was shocking to me;  I had never remembered reading that one who takes advantage of an orphan or a widow would die if that orphan or widow cried out to the Lord!  God gets angry when we mess with those who are hurting!  He is compassionate and protective! (Exodus 22:26-27)

God is compassionate and loves us enough to confront sin.  He knows it’s deadly–it cost Him the life of His Firstborn Son!  We need to be serious when it comes to sin.  In our children, it is not just funny.  It will be deadly if not properly addressed.  As parents, we need to love our children enough to discipline them and teach them that sin is nothing to mess with.  May the Lord continue to love us enough to discipline us so that sin is not our downfall!

“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good that we might share in His holiness.” Hebrews 12:10

Dear Friends on the journey,

Greetings!  Are you taking time to rest and reflect on God’s goodness and grace?  Are you attending a service of worship and meeting with others of faith to honor God?  Are you setting an example for your children and grandchildren by living a life of worship with others in a church?  If you are not physically able, God understands, but if you are able, please make every effort to exalt the Lord in community!

God brought His people out of Egypt to worship Him in the manner and place that He chose! (Exodus 7:16) He brought out men, women, and children to worship together! He desires our worship!  Worship puts God in the first place.  Worship is all about God!  So many people today make worship about themselves and their personal preferences.  They want a certain style or type of worship.  They don’t want this or that–maybe drums or instruments.  They don’t want to sing too long or too loud.  They want to stay home and sleep in if they are tired.  They want to come when it suits them and they want to feel good when they leave.  They often say that they can worship alone better than with others, but seldom do!  Besides this, they are being disobedient when they fail to gather with others.

God brought His people out for worship.  They were laden down with blessings.  God was visibly with them.  They were provided with clothes that didn’t wear out, manna from heaven, water from the rock, and not one feeble or sick among them!  (Nehemiah 9:19-21) What did they do?  Complain and grumble!  They even covered their ears when God spoke to them from the mountain!  It is often no different today!  To whom much has been given, much is required!  We know too much and apply too little!  Don’t neglect gathering together today in God’s house with God’s people to worship God! It’s in the New Testament too! Jesus is coming back for those who are eagerly awaiting Him and obediently worshiping!

In His Love, Pastor John

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

Each month or so I’ll recommend a book I’ve read that has helped me to better understand the portion of scripture we are reading.  God has used many people over the years to write about aspects of His Word and teach His people.  I love books about the Bible and read constantly from a variety of books to gain insight and learn from others who have walked with God.  These books don’t have the same weight as the Bible: it stands alone, without equal!  When we read, we must remember that these books are not scripture and we must read them in light of what we know the Bible says.  We should test everything, like the Bereans of Acts 17:11.

On the second Sunday of February our church family will begin focus groups.  I’m encouraging everyone to participate.  One of the focus groups deals with our Christian worldview and walking it out in our daily life.  It’s called the “Truth Project”, a Focus on the Family video series.  Another couple in our church along with my wife and I went through the training to present this series.  Subsequently, the other couple gave me a book they had found, “Total Truth” by Nancy Pearcey.  I read this book and was so excited and encouraged by it, that I’m recommending it to you as a great resource that will help your thinking and discernment in our culture today.

Nancy Pearcey has written a great book about how we as Christians are to live each day in every area of our lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We are to believe the Scriptures as “total truth” and live like they are.  She points out that many who call themselves Christians have bought into the idea that we’re to keep our faith for Sunday mornings and church related activities and live like the world the rest of the time.  She takes time to define a worldview and to show how various protestant and catholic believers view their faith.  She uses statistics, quotes, and historical analysis in a masterful way to show how our culture has moved away from its biblical base and is becoming increasingly secular.

This book is not an easy read!  It’s over 500 pages with the appendixes.  I underlined and added marginal comments on almost every page.  It speaks so loudly about our day and the thinking that is in need of change that it inspired me to make this theme of “worldview” a part of this year’s study of Scripture.  That is why “BibleTrekToday” was born!  I want to help change the thinking of Christians to move our culture back to it’s biblical base and inspire believers to live out their faith in their homes and businesses and social networks.  Nancy Pearcey has done a wonderful job and I recommend this book highly!  If you are serious about living your faith, this book will help! –Pastor John Morse         P.S.  For your convenience, I have linked this book to Amazon where you can possibly find used books as well as new – Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity

Scripture reading for January 19th: Exodus 1-2

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2

Is it ever right to disobey government authority?  Do they always speak for God?  What if they want you to do something that actually breaks God’s Law?   How can you disobey civilly?

Shiphrah and Puah are ordinary Jewish women who had a job to do.  They were mid-wives and helped deliver babies.  They would go to the homes of pregnant Israelite women and sit with them during labor and delivery, washing off the baby and attending to the mother and child until the mothers were strong enough to take care of the child or children themselves.  Pharaoh gave an order to these god-fearing women to kill all the male babies.  It was a form of late-term abortion being practiced in Egypt of that time.  This kind of thing was happening even 3500 years ago; there’s nothing new under the sun.

Satan comes only to kill, steal, and destroy but God is a life-giver and life-saver!  These Hebrew women knew God and feared Him more than they feared Pharaoh.  The chose a path of civil disobedience that is a good model for us today.  They simply ignored Pharaoh’s order and did what was right in God’s eyes.  When confronted, they told a story that made an excuse.  They continued to do what was right before God.  They knew that abortion was murder of God’s children.  God was kind to them and protected them (Exodus 1:19-20).  He rewarded them with families of their own.  If you are faithful with the little, God can give you much! ( Luke 16:10-12)

Do an inventory today of the things God has given you stewardship over.  One thing is your influence and vote in our democracy.  Are you voting for those who will authorize abortion?   Are you giving approval to those who would perform abortions and kill off human beings made in God’s image?  Do you call the politicians that are trying to enact more laws to abort children?  Are you like Shiphrah and Puah, staying strong for God and protecting life whenever and wherever you can?  God rewards well and is pleased with “civil disobedience”.

If you have had an abortion or voted for that to be legal or put politicians in office that are pro-abortion, repent and ask God’s forgiveness.  He is merciful and will forgive your sin!  No one needs to carry guilt or shame.  We for sure don’t want to be found to be an accomplice of “Pharaoh” (Satan).

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)

The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Sunday, January 18th, 2009

Each Sunday, it’s good just to take time to think back on the week’s reading.  It just so happens that we have finished the book of Genesis in the last three weeks since January 1st.  Genesis began with God.  He is the central figure!  He is creating, working and enjoying!  It was good!  Man placed by God in a Garden, walking with God in the cool of the day!   Man made special and in God’s image, male and female. Man ruling over creation and tending it with God’s blessing!

Genesis is so foundational to our worldview as Christians.  Without Genesis we wouldn’t understand where the universe, earth, and solar system came from.  Without Genesis we wouldn’t know about the serpent and how sin entered along with death.  Without Genesis we wouldn’t know about our special creation and purpose on the earth.  We wouldn’t understand why the world was flooded and where the rainbow came from and what it testifies about!

We wouldn’t know how we got all the nations or languages either.  We would not know where the nation of Israel came from or the special significance of the lands of Israel and the middle East.  We would not understand the conflict in the Middle East that pits millions of Arabs and Ishmael’s decendants against the Jews and Christians.  We wouldn’t understand the old conflict between the Serpent and the Seed of Woman.  We wouldn’t know about faith as God’s way of making men and women righteous again.  We would miss all the rich stories of the fathers of faith as they struggled to walk with God, wrestled with Him, and followed Him through famine, imprisonment, threats and their eventual death.  The lives of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Esau, Rachael, Leah, Joseph, Judah, and numerous others are chronicled.  We read about their successes and failures; their loves and their quarrels;  about births and deaths. They were just like us!

I am thankful for the wonderful record of our origins left for us to read and ponder.  I look up at the stars or at the sand on a beach and think of Abraham pondering his offspring and the promises of God!  I see a rainbow and I am reminded of God’s mercy to us!  I think about Jesus Christ, God’s promised Son, and the one sent ahead to save us from the famine caused by our sins.  We are so blessed to read Genesis and have the Holy Spirit revealing truth to us.

“Do not weep!  See  the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5

Scripture reading for January 17th:  Genesis 48-50

Have you ever been at the bedside of a loved one who was soon to enter eternity?  If they are alert and able to talk, we listen for every word and thought. In this present time,  drugs for pain control limit our contact or the dying person’s ability to communicate.  Joseph or someone in the family took down  Jacob’s  last words to each family member.  He gave a special blessing to Joseph’s two sons, Ephriam and Manasseh.  He then spoke a word, also recorded,  over the other sons.  (Genesis 49:9-20)

The blessing of Joseph’s sons effectively made Joseph the first-born.  Israel blessed Joseph and adopted the boys. In this way, Joseph would get the double portion. ( The first-born was to get a double portion of the inheritance.)  The other brothers had tried to kill Joseph and cut him out, but God re-established his place and doubled the inheritance!  Israel also chose Ephriam over Manasseh.  The younger over the older.  All blessing and God’s reward comes not from birth order but Divine order!  God alone knows the hearts and the end from the beginning!

One other blessing is worth noting.  Judah also received a word in Genesis 49:8-12.  Judah was told that his brothers would praise him. (His name means “praise”.)  His hand would be on the neck of his enemies and his father’s sons would bow down to him.  He was called a “lion’s cub”.  Jesus was the offspring of Judah in the genealogy of Matthew 1:3.  He is known as the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5)  He triumphed over all God’s enemies!  (Colossians 3:15) He is King of Kings and rules over nations!   (Revelation 15:3-4) Through some of the “last words” of Israel, written almost 4000 years ago, we have a prophecy of Jesus Christ!

Israel finally made Joseph swear to take his bones back to the promised land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel).  He so believed in God returning and that land being his property that he wanted to be buried there.  Israel got his wish and awaits the resurrection in the near future!  What famous last words!  What a way to go! The only thing better  will be the rapture!

What would you say if you just had a very short time left here on earth?  What words would you leave with those closest to you?  Would your faith be evident in you life and statements?

“You are a lion’s cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son.  Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness–who dares to rouse him?  The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” Genesis 49:9-10.

“When Jacob had finished  giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.” Genesis 49:33

Our atheist friends, Michael Newdow and company, are now suing to have “So help me God” taken out of the inaugural oath that President-elect Obama will use when sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.  They want all references to God stricken from everything done that day and at any time by our government.  This was added to the oath of office by George Washington, our first President, when he was sworn in.  It is interesting how worldviews are clashing at every turn in our land today.   Everything that we as Christians hold dear is being assaulted by vocal voices that are willing to sue and fight to see their agenda moved forward. 

Jesus warned us that in the world we would have trouble.  They persecuted Him, and the disciples are not above their master!  We must prepare each day for opposition!  The “Lord’s Prayer”, or more accurately, the “Disciple’s Prayer” asks to “deliver us from the evil one”.  (Matthew 6:9-13)  We will and do face evil in this world.  God has promised to keep us safe but has told us to resist the Devil and shun evil.  Christians must take a stand and not blend into the culture. Please pray for our nation and for those who are so blinded by the lies of Satan that they can’t see the God who made them and has blessed us with this great nation and faith in God. 

I received one of those “pass it on” emails the other day.  The gist of it was that the United States Government had made an official “Atheist’s Day” as a national holiday:  April 1st!  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”.  Psalms 14:1

Scripture reading for January 15: Genesis 41-44

The lottery is a big thing in our land.  People play the lottery because they hope to become rich overnight!  If their “lucky number” is drawn, they could become an instant millionaire!  Of course, some do win but the statistical odds are not in your favor.  Those who do win, find that “dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11)  A Christian worldview understands the lie behind the lottery and gambling.  There is a something far different than luck behind our hero, Joseph, in today’s reading.

Joseph had been in prison for several years for a crime he did not commit.  He had been faithful to God and avoided the seductive trap of Potiphar’s wife but it cost him time in jail.  There he had risen to a key helper in the jail.  Today we would call him a “Trustee” who could work.  He had interpreted the dreams of two other prisoners; the one who was freed had agreed to help him get out but promptly forgot!  What “luck”!  Two years later, Pharaoh had a disturbing dream that none of his advisers could interpret and the chief cupbearer, formerly Joseph’s fellow prisoner,  remembered Joseph’s ability!  What “luck” again!  Joseph was brought before Pharaoh and he interpreted the dream, giving God credit! ( Genesis 41:16)  There is really no luck, only the grace of God that rests on those who fear Him.  Pharaoh promotes Joseph to second in command in all of Egypt!  From jailbird to Prince by the grace of God!

The lessons from this passage help us to see that it isn’t winning a lottery that will make us rich and famous.  Faithfulness to the Lord to serve Him and live for Him brings great reward.  Sometimes it takes us on paths we didn’t sign up for, however.  Joseph’s time in jail tested his faith and centered him even closer to God.  God’s blessing rested on him even in that jail.  When God’s time came, the prince came out!  Joseph’s dreams came true! Joseph is also a type of Jesus Christ.  He was sent before us to deliver us by His suffering.  The Word of the Lord has proved Him true too!  Our light momentary afflictions are working an eternal weight of glory!  Keep on being faithful and He will exalt you in due time!

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took the signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger.  He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.” Genesis 41:41-42

” and he sent a man before them–Joseph, sold as a slave.  They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the Word of the Lord proved him true.” Psalm 105:17-19