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Scripture reading for May 13th: Nehemiah 11-13

Would you like to be remembered by God for the good works you accomplish?  It would be a great honor to have God’s smiling approval recorded for all to read and know.  Some in Scripture have had this honor and Nehemiah is one of them.  Others have had a record of their accomplishments but God called them “evil” and wrote them down as a bad examples!  Let’s look at Nehemiah’s last four prayers of petition to the Lord, see his heart,  and learn why God answered his prayers with favor!

“Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.” Nehemiah 13:14

Nehemiah is asking to be remembered for cleansing the temple of Tobiah the Ammonite, who Eliashib the priest had given a room in the temple.  Nehemiah threw out all his things and cleansed the room. (Nehemiah 13:1-2,7-9)  Nehemiah also found out that the Levites had not received their portion of the tithes and therefore had to return to work, neglecting the work in the temple.  He rebuked the officials who had allowed this and ordered the Levites back to work  in the temple. He reminded the people to bring their tithes into the storehouse and replenish the storerooms that had been neglected.  Nehemiah did this because he loved the Lord’s house and knew the people needed the services of the priesthood.  He knew that they needed to bring their tithes into the temple for their own worship and good!  Faithfulness to God’s house is always remembered and rewarded!

“Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.  Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.” Nehemiah 13:22

Nehemiah next rebuked the people for doing business on the Sabbath, closed the gates, and warned those bringing goods to remove them on the Sabbath.  (Nehemiah 13:12-18)  He was concerned that God’s wrath would come upon the people for their disrespect of God’s commandment.  He was looking out for their welfare.  This probably was not popular but was necessary and God remembered him for it!

“Remember them, O my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.” Nehemiah 13:29  “Remember me with favor, O my God.” Nehemiah 13:30b

The last recorded deed of Nehemiah was his dealing with mixed marriages in Judah and the priesthood.  This greatly disturbed this man of prayer and he rebuked the offenders strongly, even beating and pulling out the hair of some of them!  (Nehemiah 13:25)  He made them swear not to give their daughters or allow their sons to marry outside the nation of faith.  He reminded them of Solomon’s sin in this area.  He was a bad example even though he was loved by God and made king!  Sin requires decisive action or it corrupts and defiles and brings God’s wrath.  Wise leaders take action!  In doing so, they are “remembered with favor” by the Lord!  Would that be your prayer today?

In this podcast Pastor John begins his summary of the book of Numbers.

In this podcast Pastor John concludes his summary of the book of Leviticus.

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” Judges 21:25

As we have read through this book of Judges, I am impressed with how much this book describes our contemporary culture and the world view of secular humanism that is so prevalent.  When people have no king or supreme authority in their life, they end up being the authority themselves.  The result is catastrophic!  Society becomes full of sin, immorality, and rebellion.  That’s all that is in the human heart apart from God’s grace!  Let’s think about these records from history we have just read.

First, without strong leadership to keep the people focused on the Lord and His Word, people always drift into evil and rebellion.  Our land has lacked leadership morally.  Men have forsaken their job of training children and mentoring younger men. Women have had to take leadership and responsibility for providing for families because men are not stepping up and the children have suffered from lack of parenting.   The home is broken down and idolatry has replaced the family altar and accountable relationships in the family.  Each person is seeking self-fulfillment in ways that are harmful to godly relationships.  Our land has drifted into sexual immorality and personal spirituality that more often than not does not have a biblical base.  In Scripture, idolatry and immorality always go together! The parents end up letting the children choose what they want, thinking that this is best.  How can a sinner choose what is best when they have no “king” but self?

In the time of Judges, the ministry of the priesthood was also corrupt.  Ministers were often hirelings.  It is often true today that the same thing is true of ministry people. (John 10:11-13)  Many are in ministry just as a job.  They have positions and go through the motions, but are not really caring for the people.  They tickle ears and tell their people what they know that they want to hear.  (2nd Timothy 4:3-4)  There is also a group that have a love for money and use God’s people to line their own pockets.  We must be discerning of the same idolatry and religious scams in our world today!

God’s remedy for these conditions in religion has always been the same.  He listens for His people to cry out to Him in prayer!  When they do, He begins to act.  (Psalm 50:14-15)  He raises up a person who will walk with Him by faith and live and preach the Word of God.    When these people preach the uncompromising Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit, then healing, restoration, and deliverance takes place.  (see Judges 4:1-11 for an example)  How God longs to be our King and lead us into doing what is right and a blessing for us and those we love!  Allow Him to touch your heart today!  God bless you and your family!  Pastor John

Scripture reading for March 9: Joshua 22-24

I like it when someone takes a stand!  Its been said that “if you don’t stand for something, then you will fall for anything.”  I  am not ashamed to tell people that I love Jesus Christ!  I often confess this when I speak to people.  I also have repeatedly told my children that our family serves the Lord and we are known as followers of Christ.  I believe in confessing this publicly!  I don’t want the Lord to be ashamed of me because I have been ashamed of Him! (Luke 9:26)

In our reading today Joshua is giving his farewell address to the people God had allowed him the privilege of leading.  He had lived a hundred and ten years and was wise about the tendencies of his brothers and sisters.  He knew by personal experience that they were stubborn and rebellious.  He was making a strong statement to those he was leaving behind to provoke them to serve the Lord.  There is something about confessing our convictions that helps us to be more established in them.  When we take a public stand and let others hear our heart, it is harder to go back on our word.  Life and death are in the power of our tongue. (Proverbs 18:21)  The tongue is like the rudder of a ship that directs our life.  (James 3:4-5)

The closing chapter records the famous confession of Joshua:”. . .but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)  This confession has stood over the years as a beacon to fathers, pastors, and those who fear the Lord.  It brought a positive statement from the Israelites as well!  (Joshua 24:16-18)  After the positive response,  why does Joshua speak negatively about the people’s ability to follow through with serving the Lord?  Joshua states:  “You are not able to serve the Lord.  He is a holy God; he is a jealous God.  He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.  If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end to you, after he has been good to you.” (Joshua 24:19-20)

I believe that Joshua knew these people too well.  He also had Moses’ song and God’s prophetic word that told of these people’s future unfaithfulness.  (Deuteronomy 32:15-22)  God had warned these leaders so that they could do what they could to preach and prepare the people to avoid these temptations of idolatry and unfaithfulness.  Joshua also knew God’s holiness and his jealous nature!  (Exodus 34:14)  God would not put up with these sins.  Good preaching exposes sin and rebellion and leads people to repentance.  This is God’s way of helping His people and showing them love!

Take time today to make a strong confession of faith to someone close to you who needs to hear it!  Use Joshua’s challenge and pray that it will provoke a response of positive confession in those you speak it to!  “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”

In this podcast Pastor John begins his summary of the book of Exodus. Pastor John’s primary focus is on chapters 1-13.

Scripture Reading for March3:  Joshua 1-5

Walking with God is not for wimps!  God leads His people in paths of righteousness and truth.  He is a mighty warrior and a conqueror!  His reputation for war is known far and wide!  He never loses or backs down, but often employs some very unconventional battle strategy (Joshua 6:2-5) and uses only those willing to follow His leadership.  Today we begin our walk through the book of Joshua.  God’s people finally get to go in and possess the land promised to them for so many years.  We listen in as God finishes his preparation of Joshua, their new leader.

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9

Possessing your inheritance requires strength and courage, especially if you are in leadership!   It requires strength because there is walking involved and the ground you cover includes mountains and valleys.  There are obstacles and tough climbs.  You must have strength of mind to keep your thoughts focused on God’s promises.  You must possess strength of character and soul to keep from falling for the temptations of the enemy and the flesh that would trip you up.  God will lead you and go with you, (Matthew 28:20) but you must have the strength of body, mind, and soul to keep up the pace and walk with Him.

Courage is another attribute of a leader blessed by God.  Courage is the ability to face tough situations with confidence.  Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to face fear with truth and keep moving toward the goal.  The confidence is not to be in your own strength, mind or ability, but comes from a relationship with God.  When we know God, we come to trust and rely on His leadership and strength to get us through each obstacle.  Joshua was told not to let God’s Law and Word depart from his mouth or mind.   He was guaranteed prosperity and success as he meditated on the Word and was careful to obey.  Faith is produced by this process and it pleases God! (Romans 10:17) (Hebrews 11:6)

Today, receive this reading from Joshua as a personal call from the Lord to walk in renewed strength and courage.  Jesus Christ is our “Joshua” and has blazed a trail of perfect obedience to God’s Word.  His leadership in our lives today will give us both the strength and courage to face the obstacles in our path!  “Be strong and very courageous!”

This is the fourth and final podcast on Genesis. In this podcast Pastor John continues to summarize the events discussed in Genesis. Pastor John’s primary focus here is the life of Joseph.

In this podcast Pastor John continues to summarize the events discussed in Genesis. Pastor John’s primary focus here is the life of Jacob.

In this podcast Pastor John talks about Isaac and the blessings that he received from following God’s will and direction for his life.