Another Party…Lost & Found

Our OT passage for today is found in Joshua 5: 1-7:15 and it reads like an episode out of "The Lost TV Series"! It is full of drama and the people are truly lost in the woods... again!

When I begin reading the passage of the day, I generally start writing down the questions that come to my mind. Today I have more questions than I have answers. I can tell you that most of my questions began with the word "Why?" and they end with "I don't get it!" Sin sucks... Just sayin'.

The Old Testament law never-ever-ever could change the hearts of stubborn people. So, there they go again, and again, and yet again! (This is a country song where every verse is worse than the first!) Before you know it, we are reading about more punishment and death. Why are the sins of the fathers passed on to their children and those around them?

Why does the loving God of the New Testament, that I know through grace, dispense such a harsh discipline?

After a mighty deliverance through the Jordan River and building stones of remembrance, we see the Israelites engaging in a seven-day Worship Encounter. They march around the gates of Jericho without a single word being uttered. They are just "tooting a horn" as instructed by their God. After seven days of faithfulness, their enemies are delivered into their hands.

They are instructed to save Rahab, the prostitute, and her family and bring them safely out. However, they are NOT to keep any of the “silver, gold, bronze, or iron that were to be kept for the treasury of the Lord". (Joshua 6:24)

However, Achan was "Achin' for a breakin’'" and so he not only took some of the dedicated things; he also lied. To make things worse, the Israelites who were now "tooting their own horns" with an overabundance of confidence went to battle without God leading them in that direction. They made their own plans and were badly defeated! Here was the result of that encounter, "The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away." (7:5)

Reading the OT is not for the fainthearted; it is almost as bad as the nightly news! (The messes that men get themselves into and the lying that follows.)

The Israelite's enemies were ruthless, heartless, and evil. Pure evil!! If your family were peaceful people that lived in Ukraine right now and their sweet children were taken out by pure evil, what would you want to happen to your enemy? We generally want justice for the evil done to us and mercy when we have done what is wrong.

Evil begets evil, and sin begets more sin. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but why did whole groups of people including children get punished and wiped out by a Holy God?

Then again, why is a blood sacrifice the only atonement for sin? Why would they have to roll the people's sin away each year by the sacrificing of sins in the OT? This sure seems like it is not working at all to me! What is the answer to all of this mess?

The answer is best found in today's NT passage. It is a story that you have heard over and over, but let's allow it to really sink in this time.

There is a father whose son leaves home. He has wandered off and is truly lost. Scripture tells us that this son finally came to his senses, and finally decides that he will go home to his father. Here is what he says, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant." (Luke 15: 17-19)

Notice the father's response. He sees his son "while he was still a long way off". He ran to his son and embraced him and kissed him.

The prodigal's brother was jealous. He didn't want the lost to be found and the sinner to be saved. He was not rejoicing, but the father was rejoicing indeed.

That, my friends, is the best answer that I know of to answer all of my questions about the OT period of law, sin, rebellion, and death. It didn't work. It would never work!

We know that God is holy, merciful, and forgiving, but he is also JUST. This holy God can not abide with evil. That is something that we cannot begin to fathom. There must be a price, a penalty, and punishment for sin.

Jesus came to take upon himself the debt of sin because sin demands justice, punishment, and death. We deserve punishment too, but because of Jesus, everything is different. We will never, ever understand the OT, because we live under the law of love; grace, and the age of the Holy Spirit who dwells in the believer. Praise God for that!

Yes, there is a party; it is for the lost who are now found. The child who does not deserve his father's inheritance is bestowed with everything the father has and the celebration reminds us that it was the cross that changed everything... EVERYTHING!

So, when you are looking for those missing Easter eggs this weekend, remember the real story of what has been found.

The prodigal son reminds us that in the OT they were “hired servants” but in the NT through the atonement for sins we have been adopted to become sons and daughters! The father’s arms are wide open and he receives us through grace!

We are that prodigal child and our father now welcomes us home through the eyes of grace. The law has been fulfilled and we can come to him through repentance because of Jesus.

"I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see."

By Betty Predmore

Another thought on the OT reading... everyone's life was taken in Jericho except for the ones waiting in the home of Rahab the Prostitute. Here we see that, despite poor choices and sins of our past, none of us are exempt from being able to be used by God for his purposes. This theme follows through to that sinful Prodigal in the NT who was forgiven for his greed and poor choices.

The moral of this part of the story is that No matter what darkness your past holds, there is the light of forgiveness to be found in God. He can use you. You can make a difference. If a prostitute and a wretched son could change, so can we.

Don’t Miss the Party

Have you ever missed a party and then regretted it greatly? Perhaps, you heard all of the amazing stories or saw all of the amazing pictures and you felt the sting of being left out.

Today's readings are filled with two parties that were literally "the talk of the town". The first story is "A Beach Party" of sorts. The second was "A Bountiful Banquet". It was a great feast filled with an unusual guest list...

Since it is spring break time let's start with "The Beach Party". This story takes place in Joshua 3: 1- 4: 24 and the crazy part is that the "beach" part wasn't really there before the travelers set foot in the water at the river's edge.

This was Joshua's first solo run as the new leader of the Israelites. Talk about walking in the shadow of your predecessor. He was following the people's beloved leader; Moses not only had big shoes to fill but he had carried a big stick also. (You had to read the story.) You know that the new guy, Joshua, had to be a little nervous or maybe a lot! (Just guessing here)

The Lord gave Joshua explicit orders for their little beach outing:

A) The beach won't really be there until the 12 leaders of the 12 tribes set their feet in the water with the ark.

B) Follow the leaders, but not too close,

C) Have each of the 12 pick up a stone from the middle of the Jordan River while you are passing through.

D) The water will be standing straight up over your heads and since you don't have a camera you are definitely going to want to remember this one!!!

E) They will want to carry these stones over their shoulders. Can you say big rocks?

F) When you get to the place where you will sleep, you will want to build a memorial to remember what God did for you today.

Folks, this is going to be one unforgettable beach party. The people of God are following the ARK of the covenant and God himself is parting the waves!

How does this big introduction party work for Joshua? Scripture tells us, "That day the Lord made Joshua a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites, and for the rest of his life they revered him as much as they had revered Moses." (Joshua 4:14).

Not a bad first day on the job for Joshua! Not bad at all...

This was going to be a day to remember... Forever! Aren't you glad they didn't take "selfies" back then? I am afraid that we would be tempted to do just that if we were there? Instead, God asked them to build a place of remembrance to commemorate what God did there that day. They were to be reminded of their HELPER (God) and their Heritage (God's partnership with Moses and then Joshua).

In our NT passage, we see an entirely different party. This is a bountiful banquet, and the story is found in Luke 14: 7-35. Jesus points out a couple problems with this elegant banquet. Some are there for the glory and want to sit right by the head table. (They didn't get the "NO selfie memo" from Joshua!) Others make excuses and don't even bother to come. The Master, who is hosting the party is furious. He invites the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame to come and enjoy this lavish gift. Those that were prideful and too busy to even respond missed out. Period. Done Deal!

Two completely different parties. Two different settings. One Invitation: "Remember Me"... Our Helper. Our Heritage. Our Host.

The words to Joshua which he passed on to his people were this, "Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you." (Joshua 3: 5)

Would we stand on the sidelines or step on into the riverbank?

Have we stopped and built remembrances along the way of a God who is always faithful?

Are we set apart to be pure and holy that we might see the wonders of God?

Would we miss the banquet table with our Redeemer?

I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to miss the party!

The Scarlet Thread

Today is Palm Sunday and it is profound to me that our passage today in Luke 13: 22-14: 6 points in the direction of the Passover, The Triumphal Entry, and The Cross.

Our passage in Luke begins with these words, Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Why Jerusalem you may wonder... Just follow the thread.

Jesus' message is that "The Kingdom of God is at hand" and many will miss it if they are not prepared and watching. Listen to his profound words of warning, "Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then." Everything is about to be redefined in terms of greatness.

It is another Sabbath day and Jesus is up to his "usual good" and ticking off the Pharisees in the process. He encounters a man "whose arms and legs were swollen" (14: 2) Jesus heals the man on the Sabbath while the religious leaders are left speechless about their little laws concerning the Sabbath, but what does Jesus have to say about what he is really "up to".

Jesus replied, "Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn't do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem." (Luke 13: 27-33)

This revelation was a SHOW STOPPER! Jesus was now literally on his way to the CROSS. Destination...Jerusalem.

He laments over Jerusalem--his demise, and their deliverance--and here is what he says, "And you will never see me again until you say, 'Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord." (13: 35)

I find it equally powerful to look at the Old Testament in light of the New Testament. In our reading today in Deut. 34: 1-Joshua 2: 24, we see the powerful story of Rahab, the prostitute. You may be surprised to learn that Rahab, a Canaanite woman (they were the hated enemies of Israel) protected the two spies of Israel, which allowed them to bring the Walls of Jericho down delivering God's people. Rahab was instructed to: "Tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window" (Joshua 2:18). Here is what is said of her, "By faith, Rahab obeyed, and she tied the scarlet cord in the window." (vs. 21)

So, what does any of this have to do with Passover, The Triumphant Entry, or the Cross you might ask...

Well, Rahab, the prostitute, was actually in the genealogy of Christ as Matthew 1 tells us. Out of her faithfulness and obedience, the Messiah was born. What about the scarlet thread you may wonder?

Perhaps you may recall the story of the Passover lamb where the Israelites were to sacrifice a lamb and smear the blood on their doorposts so that they would be spared from losing their firstborn as part of the tenth and final plague before being delivered from slavery from Egypt. It was the lamb's blood that would save them from death.

So, Passover, Jerusalem, The Cross... and the scarlet thread. Can I "tie this all together"? (Pun intended)

The color red or scarlet runs all the way through the Bible. In the OT they offered a perfect lamb as a sacrifice to point us towards the Perfect Lamb that would come to take away the sins of the world.

The Israelites were spared when they applied the blood to their doorposts. Rahab was spared and blessed when she hung the scarlet thread out her window. The demons fled and people were healed when they put their faith in the true Passover lamb. John the Baptist proclaimed, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1: 29).

"Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." (Hebrews 9:23), and that's why the symbolism of the scarlet thread in the Bible is significant and life-changing! The gift of salvation is for ALL! Jew, Gentile, Greek, Sinners, Lowly people, The Rahabs, The Saul's... the sinners can now become Saints. Perhaps, that is why Jesus was kicking the demons out of "their bodily homes" on the Sabbath and setting the sick sinners free. "The Scarlet Thread" was being unveiled right before their eyes!!!

Palm Sunday, what an exciting day! "Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!"

The lame will walk, the blind will see, and the lowly insignificant sinners will become great and mighty. "The Rahabs" will be given new life, and that is GOOD NEWS for all of us.

"The Scarlet Thread" will save us and set us free!!

Please, join in the discussion. What are your thoughts on today's reading?

The Sabbath Rest

Today is actually Saturday which is when the Jewish people celebrate the Sabbath. Not only that, but our reading today in Luke 13: 1-21 is all about the Sabbath and the lack of the Sabbath. So, let's dig in...

"One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years, and unable to stand up straight. (Umm, that would be 18 LONG years!) When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, 'Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness' Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!"

Most often people become angry with God for what he doesn't do that they think he SHOULD do... like heal everyone they know of their physical illnesses. If God did this, by the way, this would be called Heaven not earth! We would all be healed and never die. Would you want to stay in an imperfect world like this? (But I regress, so back to the story at hand.)

"But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day." (Luke 13: 14) He wants Jesus to heal on the other six days but do no "work" on the Sabbath.

Please, notice that the passage tells us very clearly that this woman had an evil spirit that was behind her physical suffering. She had been cursed. This is the day of the "Sabbath" which was a day to remember God's mighty power and celebrate their freedom from slavery, but not this woman. The big guy in charge (religious leader) wanted her left in her broken condition! Jesus has a few thoughts on the high priest's little "recommendation or judgment"- if you will.

Check out Luke 13: 14 Ff for the play-by-play of this encounter. Jesus replies by:

1. Calling this religious leader a hypocrite, and telling him "where to put it". Basically, he tells him where to put his mouth, his donkey, and his oxen. This man does actual physical work on the Sabbath according to the law by untying his animals. He tends to physical things, but He doesn't want Jesus to tend to this woman's "spiritual need" on the Lord's day.

2. Jesus points out how appropriate it is for this "dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, who is being held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years, to be released on the Sabbath". (vs. 16)

Please, note that this 'shamed his enemies' but all the people rejoiced in the wonderful things Jesus did on the Sabbath. He was truly resting in his Father's power and proclaiming His Father's presence over evil on His Father's Day!

Now, we notice that immediately after this encounter there is an interesting teaching for all of us to reflect on. Jesus asks them, "What is the Kingdom of God like?"

Do we know the real Kingdom of God when we see it, versus the religion of man?

Jesus gives us two examples. He says that it is like a tiny mustard seed that grows to become a tree where birds make nests in its branches. He also compares it to yeast that a woman used in making bread. Although she only put a little yeast into her mix, it permeated every part of the dough.

Perhaps, we have confused "vacation" with "Sabbath rest". Sabbath was given to the people to "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20: 8-11). Who kept this day holy? The religious leader or Jesus?

In today's reading in the OT, we see that Moses was reaching "the end of his tour of duty", so what does he do? He blesses the people. Those are the words "seeds of hope" that he leaves as his legacy.

In our NT passage, we see that Jesus encounters a "cursed" woman who is suffering. What does he do? He blesses her and restores her. He sets her free!

What about us? Do we take time to "Remember the Lord our God and keep it holy"? What is the Kingdom of God really like?

A little seed that is planted can grow into a shelter for others. Likewise, a little leaven can permeate every part of the dough. Jesus stopped to remember his God by touching one person--one broken woman.

Our reading today ends with Proverbs 12: 25, "Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up."

Do you and I have a seed or a little leaven to throw in the direction of someone that really needs it?

What is the Kingdom of God really like, a vacation or a Sabbath rest?

I would love to invite you to share your thoughts, questions, and responses to today's reading. Together in God's Word, we grow stronger.

By Betty Predmore

I think we do confuse the meaning of rest. It really isn’t taking a vacation filled with things to do and see, even though that is a fun thing to do. True rest is sitting still in his presence, listening for his still small voice and taking in the glory of your surroundings that he so majestically created. Rest is not just hearing him, but truly listening. Rest is soaking in all your thoughts of praise for all he has done for you.

We should all be nurturing our "seeds" and looking for those who are hurting and broken, who need the freedom of Christ and the hope he brings.

Interpreting the Times

Interpreting the Times

What do you make of all of the crazy things going on in our world today? Some are really wondering if Christ's return is coming quickly, and some are just continuing their "same old same old"--business-as-usual mentality.

Luke 12: 35 says this:

"Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in at the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded... He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready."

Jesus goes on to explain what it means to be "ready". "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more, will be required." (12: 48b)

Jesus warns his disciples that he has not come to bring peace to the earth; instead believing in him will cause division. Some family members will choose to follow him and some will not. That will be the dividing line. Everyone will need to decide where they will take their stand in relation to that line.

Our OT story today draws our attention to a very strong, powerful message about what it means to be a faithful servant who is ready to serve God in all situations. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Numbers 12:3 tells us, "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.". God talked with Moses, walked with Moses, and worked through Moses... especially when Moses lacked the confidence needed and found his strength in God.

Wait! What in the world just happened here? Deut. 32: 51, 52 tells us that Moses like his brother Aaron will not be permitted to enter the holy land. He would see it from a distance but never enter in! Never! Someone else would take his place. Moses, the humble servant of God would not enter because he, along with Aaron, "betrayed me with the Israelites at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh. You failed to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel there."

So, what is the background of this story we are left to wonder... Moses' moment of greatest failure came when the people of Israel resumed complaining, this time about food and water (Num. 20: 1-5) It appears that the humble Moses, who depended on God, had become a little full of himself or filled with his own anger. He was acting on his own power and weakness. He chewed out the people and struck the rock twice with his staff. The way he handled this situation extremely displeased the Lord. I don't know how old Moses was at this point, but it appears that he was getting a "little cranky", I think.

What was his big offense here? Everyone has a little temper sometimes, right? Numbers 20:12 names his underlying offense: "You did not trust in me." Here's the bottom line... the dividing line for a servant of God.

How do we interpret the times? Whether it is the end of times or our time is coming to an end a servant is to be "ready".

Ready to obey. Ready to fully put our trust in God. He is the Lord of our life, and we are not.

Moses drives home a powerful lesson for all of us today. Are we living our lives as a true servant of God, operating in his power, his words, his attitudes, and his authority?

"You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don't know how to interpret the present times."

Today's message is loud and clear for all of us to hear,

Servant of God... be ready!"

Interpreting the Times. Morning, Noon, or Night. When least expected... Be dressed for service. Lamps burning.

PS. Anyone watching the news lately? Some servants are falling and some lowly are rising to be humble leaders. What about us?

I don't think I want to take a stick and hit any of the big ol' rocks in my life. Lesson learned from Moses.

Strong & Courageous

"So be strong and courageous! do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord, your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."--Deut. 31: 6.

These were the marching orders given to Moses, Joshua, and to us today. Why can we be strong and courageous? The Lord, himself, will personally go ahead of us!

Moses and Joshua faced every struggle known to man! There were wars, hunger, sin, people problems... you name it they faced it!

God was there then, and He is here NOW! He still goes before us!!

Look at the NT passage today. It also talks a lot about anxiety and fear. What causes your "fear boat to float" and takes you right out to sea? What advice is given us in Luke 12: 8-34 to keep us out of deep waters?

So, my sisters, wherever you go today (with your body or in your mind), be STRONG and COURAGEOUS! God's got this and He's got you too!!

I would love to hear your thoughts on today's passage dealing with faith and fear.

PS. I love that I can color in this Bible and write in the area with the lines provided. I love to highlight my favorite verses as well. What did you write down to remember today?

Signs & Wonders (April 6, 2022)

April 6, 2022, One Year Bible: (Deut. 29: 1-30: 20, Luke 1:37-12:7, Ps. 78: 1-31, and Prov. 12: 19-20.)

Have you ever thought that it would be easier for you to trust God if he would just show you a few awesome signs and wonders?

For instance, have you heard some of the amazing testimonies coming out of Ukraine where people who were seeking God have been delivered, rescued, and unexplainably spared destruction?

Then our mind begins to think... why not rescue and spare everyone? How can God allow evil people to impose atrocities on harmless children, sick people, the disabled, and just plain good people? Why?

In today's passage in Deuteronomy, we see that the Israelites saw plenty of miracles and amazing wonders.

Was this enough for them?

Is it enough for us?

What was the problem for them and for us?

I would love to hear your thoughts...

Beginning Our Study

Today we began our journey on April 1, 2022…

In Luke 9:29, we read these words, “And as he was praying, the appearance of his face transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.”

These words were spoken about Jesus. I wonder what words will be spoken as people observe us, his beloved children.

What about us transforms when we pray?