Our Heritage

S. "Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the Lord." (Exodus 28: 11-12, NIV)

O. I really enjoyed reading this section today. It is filled with all the requirements to make the priestly garments for Aaron and his sons. There are very details instructions as to the material and style. God is a God of details and there is significance in what God instructs us to do at times in our lives. I especially like verse 11-12 of chapter 28. They describe the making of two stones containing the names of Jacob's sons. These stones were to be on the shoulders of the garment as a constant reminder of God's calling of the twelve tribes of Israel and His faithfulness to do all that He has said and promised he would do. It is so important to remember from where we have come. It is no mistake that God has given me the past that he has. He knew all that I needed as a child and as an adult to become the person he needs me to be. I can only imagine how the story of Israel was on the minds of the priests and some many who followed God. As I read today's reading in Acts 7, the rich heritage was also brought out. Stephen recounted the whole history of Israel from Abraham to Jesus. How sweet to know that our past informs our present. It shapes us and informs our present and future in God's hands.

A. Today, I chose to celebrate my heritage, godly grandparents, and parents. A father who has taught me so much about being a pastor, an uncle who prayer for me and has been a model of integrity and who has live out a life of faith in front of me.

P. Lord, allow my rich heritage to inform me today…most of all, allow my rich heritage in Jesus Christ to lead my life today as I lead your church today. Amen

Allowing Christ to Live in Me

S. (Speaking of Stephen) "but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke." Acts 6: 10 (NIV)

O. I want to be a man like Stephen. I want God's wisdom and spirit to be so present and evident in my life that people will be drawn to God and not me. I don't want people to follow me; I want people to follow Jesus. How is this type of evidence from one's life found…it is only found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Stephen was a devote follower of Jesus Christ, he was seen by his peers as one with an excellent attitude and devotion to service (he was selected in Acts 6 as serve the widows in the community). At the end of the chapter, when he was called before the Sanhedrin, this is recorded… "All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel" (Acts 6: 15, NIV). It seems that for Stephen, every aspect of his life…every word, action, thought was an opportunity for him to point people to Jesus. Again, I hope that my life and be even just a fraction like that of Stephen!

A. This type of life is only found in a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. So my action is to simply continue to pursue a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus. It is all about surrender!

P. Lord, my life is yours…you created me, redeemed me through the blood of Jesus Christ and have promised to guide me every day of my life. I am yours, Lord…my prayer is that through my life, people will be drawn to Jesus Christ. Amen

Doing Good to Our Enemy

S. "If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him.  If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it." Exodus 23: 4-5 (NIV)

O. These verse are found at the beginning of God's instruction for the people of Israel. The fact is, the instruction that God gives to the Israelites is very simple and straight forward. This particular teaching is also found in Jesus words in the New Testament. Jesus said,
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…"  Matthew 5:43-44(NIV). Perhaps this is a teaching that is extremely important. And it is…so many times our natural reaction is to not help or pay attention to those who are enemy…but be better to be around and share God's love with than them. This is a basic premise of Christianity. We must reach beyond those who are in our Christian "family" and take God's love and forgiveness to everyone.

A. I want to be a person who does the unexpected and make a person stop and say "Do that really just happen"?

P. Lord, I commitment my life to be a vessel of your love and forgiveness, not only to my family and church family, but to all those who stand with me and against me. Amen.

Ordinary People…Extraordinary God

S. "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."  Acts 4:13(NIV)

O. I have always loved this verse…it gives me great encouragement to know that God can us anyone for his work. There are times when I am totally amazed at the fact that God would choose to use me in building His kingdom! I don't always feel worthy to be in the place of ministry, but I am confident of one thing…God has place me here. I was really talking with another pastor here in town and he asked me how things were going at Pea Ridge. I talked about some of the current things that are going on at church, GROW groups, Get Fit series, the new Meet Jesus series…our youth ministry, etc. Then I made the statement, "It's not because of anything that I am doing, but what God is doing at PRBC!" I really mean that…there are times that I just don't know what to do, but being available to be used by God makes all the difference in the world. When I open my life to be used for God's glory, I must be ready for him to work through me. I am should not be surprised when great things begin to happen! That is God at work!

This scripture reinforces my thoughts and feelings…people were astonished and noticed Jesus…not the men. That is what I really want my life to do…not make people remember Greg, but to remember Jesus and be blown away by what God is doing!

A. I really need to continue my practice of giving God credit. I also need to live with more of an expectation of God's work in me and through me.

P. Lord, I am humbled to be your servant. Please accept my life as an offering to be used for your glory and honor…always!

Grumbling & Complaining

S. "The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.  2So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?" 3But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" Exodus 17: 1-3, NIV

O. It is so easy to start grumbling! At least it is for me. I don't get something that I want, something doesn't go my way, I get frustrated at times with others and with myself and I start to grumble. When I read this today, it struck me odd that the people who had complained about being in slavery in Egypt…the very ones the scripture says God heard and responded too…now having been delivered are now grumbling (complaining) about how much better they used to have it.

This sometimes is turn for those who give their lives to Jesus Christ. I have talked with people who say life was easier before they gave their life to Christ. To be honest it probably was easier! Follow Jesus Christ, maintaining a vibrate, meaning relationship with Jesus Christ is not an easy task. It requires time and effort and it will mean that some things will be different. Instead of complaining and grumbling about having no water and looking back on how much 'better' they had it in Egypt, the Israelites should have focused on their new freedom and been part of the solutions themselves. They could have look for water or dug a well or even said to Moses, "Let's figure out what we can do about finding a water supply." Moses was being led by God, being obedient to do all that God asked him to do and I believe the Israelites should have been helping him to be obedient to God and been part of God's continued work through Moses and the people of Israel.

I guess the bottom line is this…be content where you are, with what you have, knowing that God has brought you this far. Look around at how you can be obedient to God in your present life situation and be faithful to do all that you can for the Lord.

A. Whatever comes my way today I will not complain! This will be a true test as to how content can be with the situations that God places me in today.

P. Lord, I know that you offer to me everything in this life that I need…please continue to develop in me an attitude of contentment and joy in all that I encounter. Amen.

Awe and Fear

S. "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left." Exodus 14:21-22 (NIV)

O. Wow! What an incredible journey it must have been to travel through the river on dry land! I can't imagine what it would be like to walk with huge towers of water on each side of you. My guess is that there would have been a sense of awe among the people and as feeling of fear…wondering if the wall of water was going to fall in on them. Those two emotions, awe and fear, are often found together in our lives as Christians. I really need to be in awe as I look at the things that God is doing in my life…as I see His handy work in so many areas I need to be amazed and awestruck with all the He is doing in and around me. But so many times I just walk through each day and don't really notice.

As I walk through life, I wonder how many times God has parted the waters for me. How many times has He opened a path for me to walk and held the waters of discouragement and disappointment back…the waters of emotional or relational trouble? These verses have just reminded me of God's constant presence in my life…hiding my way and protecting me from not being or doing all that he wants!

A. Today, I will look for God's hand of protection to be with me. I will be attuned to God's awesome work in my life, noticing the hand of God guiding me in all ways.

P. Lord, I stand in awe and amazement today. Thank you for all you have done and for all that you will do in my life. May my life be filled with a holy "fear" for you and your goodness each and every day. Amen.

Hardened Hearts

S. "The LORD had said to Moses, "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you—so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt."  ¹⁰Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country." Exodus 11:9-10 (NIV)

O. I have read about the plagues that were brought upon the Egyptians many times. As a young child in Sunday School, I imagined having gnats or flies or frog everywhere. I remember a few years ago we had an infestation of locust here. What a nuisance they were! But there all of these things, Pharaoh's heart was hardened…and the verses above tell us why…to bring glory to God!

I think this still happens today. I know people who have not turned their hearts to God…who have seen God's miraculous deeds in many ways, who have experienced his hand in their lives at some point, but still refuse to believe and surrender their lives to God. God continues to pursue a relationship with them and continues to love them and continues to offer new life to them…they just have to accept…as Paul said in Romans 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and Receive" Christ into your heart. God is still at work among us…we just need to acknowledge his wonders in our lives.

A. I will look at all that you have done in my life and in the life of our church today and say "thank you God!" I will acknowledge the wonders that God has done in my life today and every day.

P. Lord, I know that you are doing great things in the world around me and even in my life. I want to make my life a vessel that you can use for your glory and honor. Please fill me with your spirit that I might not hardened my heart toward you at all. Thank you for working in my life! Amen