Merry Christmas!

This will be my last devotion for 2010 and I wanted to close out the year with a poem that should be the heart's desire of us all. Have a great Christmas ..........see you again in 2011!

"Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
resting in Your loving arms,
trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
in wisdom daily learning,
may I ever seek to know You
with my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
let me follow in Your light,
meek and bold, humble and strong
not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
and stand for truth alone,
knowing that Your kingdom
awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
though great may be the cost,
mindful how You rescued me
from broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
the babe, the child, the Son
may my life forever speak
of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
and celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
that welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others
who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only on Christmas Day."

~Mary Fairchild

Fleecing the Lord - Faith or Fear?

What Is the Situation? How often do we hear it? "I put out a fleece for the Lord to find out His will." This action is based on the text under consideration here, Judges 6:36-40. In context, the Lord has told Gideon that He will deliver the Israelites from the Midianite raiders who have been oppressing them for 7 years. When an angel calls him "mighty warrior" (6:12), we can almost see Gideon looking over first one shoulder and then the other, wondering who this guy is talking to. But the angel tells him that God will use him to deliver the people. Gideon argues with him (v.15) and then asks for a sign (v.17). The angel gives him a sign by consuming his sacrifice with miraculous fire (v.21). Gideon apparently concludes that this is enough to convince him, so he takes the next step.

The next step, according to the Lord's instructions, is to tear down the idols and altars to Baal and Asherah, build an altar to the Lord and offer a sacrifice on it. Gideon obeys, but at a price: the men of his town want to kill him for it, and only his father's quick talking rescues him. We're not told how Gideon reacted to the men's bloodthirst, but the fact that his father does all the talking suggests that Gideon was doing what he had been doing before the angel came to him: hiding in fear of his life.

After this, it's time for the big battle to throw off the yoke of Midian. While the enemy prepares for battle, Gideon, under the influence of the Lord's Spirit, summons Israel to battle them (v.34-35). When everyone is arrayed and set up for the big fight, we see the following exchange between Gideon and the Lord:
* Gideon prefaces his request with the statement "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised."
* Gideon asks for another sign - the fleece to be wet in the morning while the ground around it is dry.
* The Lord grants his request: the fleece is full of dew while the ground is dry.
* Gideon asks for another variation of the sign: this time reverse it.
* The Lord grants his request: the ground is wet but the fleece is dry.

What's Really Happening Here? As we examine this exchange in the context of Judges 6, we can see several things:

First, Gideon did not put the fleece out to determine God's will. He already knew what God's will was. He had been told by the angel, and he even subtly acknowledged it with the phrase "as you have promised." Gideon knew what God wanted him to do, yet he did the fleece thing anyway.

Second, The fleece was a sign of unbelief. Gideon had already received a miraculous sign from God to prove that He was going to give Gideon victory and deliver Israel. Yet, perhaps because of the response of his own townsmen, Gideon doubted. He had to have another sign. And then yet another. In other words, Gideon knew God's will but didn't believe it. "Putting out a fleece" was not a method of determining God's will, it was an act of faithlessness because Gideon didn't trust that God would do what He had already promised.

Third, the fleece was a request for a miraculous sign. It was not simply a request for events to go a certain way. Gideon wanted something to happen that was contrary to the usual pattern of nature, i.e. a miracle. It was not a request for a "sign" of the type "if my dog barks within the next half hour, then I'll know the answer." Gideon's request would be more along the lines of "if my duck meows, then I'll know the answer."

What Do We Learn From This? The first thing we learn is that "putting out a fleece" is not a biblical method of discerning God's will. Gideon already knew God's will, he was merely second-guessing it. The second thing we learn is that, if you are determined to "put out a fleece" it must be a request for a miraculous sign. "If things work out so I can go to Africa, then I'll know God wants me to" is not a biblical fleece. The third and most important thing we learn, though, is that "putting out a fleece" is an act of doubt that indicates a serious lack of faith. As with Gideon, the Lord may honor the request ("If a Rwanda Airlines jumbo jet lands in my front yard and the pilot tells me to hop aboard..."), but He won't be happy that you asked. And you will have to face the fact that your faith isn't even the size of a mustard seed if you feel you have to do this.

Conclusion: God's will is a hot topic among Christians, and theories abound. But this is one theory that can and should go into File 13, because it is not a biblical method. My own view, for what it's worth, is that God's will is actually pretty simple to discern: act like a Christian! In non-moral matters such as career, where to live, what kind of car to drive and such, follow your heart with your eyes on the Lord so you provide all things honest before all. From there, it doesn't really matter. For full details, the best book ever written on the subject is Garry Friesen, Decision Making and the Will of God. It is one of the most life-changing books you'll ever read, and you don't need a fleece to tell you it's right on the mark!

In Christ, Dave Washburn http://www.nyx.net/~dwashbur/fleece.html

Another great article -Is it acceptable to "lay out a fleece" before God? http://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-fleece.html

Online Class: Don't forget to post your opinion on Gideon's fleece // faith or fear?

Crossed Any Rivers Lately?

Is there a "river" in your life you just can't seem to get across? Are the "waters of doubt" keeping you on dry land? What will it take for you to step out into the deep?

In the book of Joshua, the nation of Israel can finally see the Promised Land of Canaan. They are so close to their inheritance, but there is one thing keeping them from occupying it - the Jordan River. It's spring and the waters of the Jordan are overflowing its banks. (Normally the river was about 100 feet wide, but during the flood season, it became a mile wide). God chose this time and location to demonstrate His power (once again). God parted the Red Sea to let the people out of Egypt, now He will part the Jordan River to let them into Canaan.

Joshua 3:8 instructs the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant,"When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river." What if the priests had been too afraid to enter the rushing waters? What if they had refused to take the first step? Often God provides no solution to our problems until we trust Him and move ahead with what we know we should do! Unless we step out by faith and "get our feet wet", we're not likely to make much progress in living for Christ and serving Him.

In verse 17, we see that each step the priests took, God opened the waters before them until they were standing "on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan..." Don't you think God wants to do the same for us? But we have to be willing to take the first step. Notice they didn't stay close to shore, or stick their big toe in to "test the waters", they walked by faith, to the middle of the river!

Walking by faith :: a concept the Bible is full of. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" 2 Cor. 5:7. "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk" John 5:8. "The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance..." Joshua 14:9. "March/walk around the city with all the armed men. Do this for six days..." Joshua 6:3. I encourage you to do your own word search and find more examples of how walking, trusting and faith go hand in hand.

Walking requires action. Action requires direction. Direction requires a guide. Our Guide is God and His Word. The people in Joshua's army didn't know why they were walking around the city of Jericho day after day, but they did it. The priests didn't know why they had to walk into the water before it would stop flowing, but they did it. Peter didn't know why he had to walk on the water to come to Jesus, but he did it. You may not understand why God is asking you to step out in faith and obey Him, but if you want to experience your own miracle, you need to do things His way. He's waiting to help you across that river in your life that's keeping you from your spiritual inheritance; your own Promised Land. Don't let the "waters of doubt" and the Enemy keep you for stepping out in faith.

The book of Joshua ends with his charge to the nation of Israel , " But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul" Joshua 22:5.

Active faith - walking - does not require that you understand all or any of what God is doing in your life. Trust Him. Attempt the impossible by submitting to God's directions, and watch the troubled waters of your seemingly impossible situation part before your eyes!

Online Class: Choose your question this week....look forward to reading your comments. Also, leave your "I am....." statements...you've come up with some great ones!!

What Does God Ask of Us?

Do we really know what God expects of us? What if we're doing all the wrong things and they don't count? How can we know what He asks of us? Do we just do our best and hope that will be enough to please Him?

The book of Deuteronomy means repetition of the law and during the final weeks of Moses' life, he reminds the new generation of Israelites of what God wants them to do and be. We find these instructions in Deut. 10: 12-13 :: "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to 1) fear the Lord your God, 2) walk in all his ways 3) love him, 4) serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and 5) observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I (Moses) am giving you today....for your own good!"

What does this look like for us?

1) Fear God = to respect God for who He is; the One True and Holy God. Not "the man upstairs" or the "big guy in the sky", but our Heavenly Father who deserves our respect and desires a relationship with us.

2) Walk in all His ways = follow Him. The key verses for this study come from Psalm 25:4-5 - "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths and guide me in your truth...." Learning God's Word and knowing what He expects of us is the way we follow Him. Asking Him to show us, teach us and guide us guarantees that we are walking on the right path!

3) Love Him = making our relationship with Him the number one priority in life. Not our job, not our family, not our friends, not our money, not our church, not our social life, but Him.
Whenever we put anything above the importance of our relationship with God (sleeping in on Sunday, skipping Bible study time, spending time and money on our own pleasures instead of giving to God's work, etc.) we say to God that His relationship with us is not as important as these other things.

4) Serve Him with all your heart and soul = do what you say you're going to do. Don't make half-hearted promises to people and not keep them. Colossians 3:17 reminds us that "whatever we do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God..." We should consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve others in Christ's name.

5) Observe His commands = obey Him! The Israelites had seen first hand what happened when God's people disobeyed. Obedience is very important to God and He doesn't take disobedience lightly. It's quite simple - Obedience brings blessings; disobedience brings death (Deut.30:15-18).

Moses was reminding the nation of Israel that these things were from God and for their own good. How often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations and requirements. Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on what He asks of you and you will find peace, contentment and meaning in your life.

Simply // Respect.....Follow.....Love.....Serve.....and Obey!


Online Class: 1) Share with us the Christlike qualities you admire in Moses. 2) Comment on what you're learning about who God is under the "I am God" link.

Complaining Has Consequences

As we begin the book of Numbers, we find that God has spent a year preparing the Israelites for their journey to the land He promised Abraham hundred of years earlier. He is ready for them to leave Mt. Sinai, but before they do, a census is taken to determine the number of men, 20 years and older, who are fit for military service.

If you were an Israelite during this time, wouldn't you have been excited to see what God had in store for you and your family? You have been hearing about this land "flowing with milk and honey" for years. Your parents, grandparents and their parents passed down the story of how God promised Abraham He would make a great nation from his descendents.....and that is you! Wouldn't you be ready to get the journey started and be willing to withstand whatever came your way for the privilege to see the Promised Land for yourself?

Unfortunately, this was not the Israelite's attitude. We see that their unbelief, lack of faith & trust and disobedience had disastrous results. They longed for the pleasures of the past and had somehow forgotten the misery they endured as slaves. But most devastating was their constant grumbling and complaining. You may side with the Israelites and say they had good reason to complain; life was rough in the wilderness. But to be honest, without God's provisions, they never would have survived their journey. Unfortunately though, they were focused on what they didn't have and were blinded to all that God had done for them.

Do you consider complaining a sin? Do you ever think about how your complaining effects your relationship with God, the lives of others and your future? Philippians 2:14 tells us, not suggests, to "do everything without complaining, murmurings, arguing and disputings."

1) Complaining weakens your relationship with God. Through out Numbers, the people complained and God punished. They grumbled to each other instead of bringing their concerns to God. They were anxious about their future and chose not to trust God's promises. Philippians 4:4-7, reminds us to "rejoice in the Lord always. Be anxious for nothing, but instead (of grumbling and complaining) bring everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving!" Then God affirms that His peace, which no one can comprehend, will guard your heart and mind.

God wants you to share your concerns with Him. Why not? He's the only one who can do anything about them anyway! Don't let your complaining come between God and His blessings.

2) Complaining weakens others. Have you ever been around people who just wear you out with their whining and complaining? Maybe it's a small child who won't give up. Perhaps it's a friend who has chosen you to come to instead of going to God. Or, have you ever thought it could be you who's the one wearing people down? Constant complaining can effect others emotionally, mentally and spiritually!

In Numbers 11:10-15, Moses' despair and depression is revealed as he brings his frustrations to God -" I cannot carry these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me...put me to death now." The Israelites' complaining was wearing him down and out! In Numbers 20, the people start whining about not having any water and wishing they were back in Egypt (again). I think Moses was at the end of his rope with them and out of frustration, disobeys God's instructions (8-12). I'm not justifying his disobedience, but how many times have we done or said things we shouldn't have out of frustration with others' grumbling?

3) Complaining can destroy your future. God has had enough with the Israelites' attitude, disobedience, lack of faith, trust and gratitude and bans those 20 and older from ever entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14). They are told they will wander another 40 years until they have all died in the desert.

I don't want my future to be jepordized because of my sin of complaining. God wants to bless our lives, just like He wanted to do for His people. He wants us to trust and depend on Him for our every need and to be thankful for what He does give us. But it's our choice. We have the choice of being grateful or not. We can determine our future by the things we let defeat us.

In summary, through our study of Numbers this week, I hope you will realize that: 1) God is immensely patient 2) God's love is one promise you can always count on. 3) God's forgiveness is never-ending and 4) God is merciful, listening to and answering our requests. God has not changed since Moses' day!

Online Class: 1) Don't forget to post your comments on what you've learned about who God is from each book we've studied so far. 2) Share with us how you can take a complaint and turn it into something you can give thanks for!

Is Holiness Only For God?

Leviticus begins where Exodus ends. God's glory is now residing in the Tabernacle and God is ready to teach the people how to worship there. The book of Leviticus contains both a handbook for the priests and Levites outlining their duties in worship and a guidebook of holy living for the Hebrews.

Holy living.....is that something we could use a guidebook on today? We have that in God's Word, but are we using it? The book of Leviticus is not just about priests...beasts...and feasts. It's more about holiness. Holy/Holiness is mentioned 152 times in Leviticus, more than any other book in the Bible. So let's take a few minutes today to look at exactly what holiness is and ask whether it applies to anyone other than God?

What does it mean to be holy?

• It means to be separated from, set apart or different

Who is holy?

• God reminds us six times in Levitcus of what He is ....I am holy.
• He calls us to be holy as well. Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy (Lev. 18:2).

Why are we to be holy?

• First of all, God gives us the command to be holy.
• Secondly, since His commands are enablements, we can believe that He will enable us to do so and in turn, glorify Him with our obedience.

How can we be holy?

• The first step toward holiness is the admission of our own sin and the recognition that Christ is our only Redeemer from that sin.
• Holiness involves obedience and discipline. It's only when God's holiness increasingly begins to touch every area of our lives that we can say we're starting to make progress in being holy.
• When our motives to be holy are to glorify God, not just to be recognized as "holy people".
• We live before Him openly and sincerely, hiding nothing, fearing nothing.

The good news is that holy living is possible, otherwise, God would never have said eight times in His Word, Be holy, for I am holy". His commandment is the promise of His enablement! God's desire is for us to be a holy people, not perfect, but holy:

* Set apart from the sin of the world.

* Separated from the things that draw us away from Him.

* Different in our thoughts, feelings and actions.

Take time to be holy today. Claim God's enabling promise that we CAN be holy, as He is.

Is Your Past Chasing You?

Get up….leave…take off – these words sound good to those trapped or enslaved. Some resist their marching orders, however, preferring present surroundings to a new, unknown environment. It’s not easy to trade the comfortable security of the known for an uncertain future. But what if it’s God that gives the order to move? Will we follow His lead?

Exodus is a book about departure and guidance. God's people (the Israelites) have been set free from slave bondage in Egpyt and are making their mass exodus toward the Promised Land. God is guiding the more than 2 million Jews by a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

Let's take a quick look at how God wants to be a part of our LIFE as He Leads, Instructs, Fights for and Encourages us, just as He did the Israelites. We meet them in Exodus 13:17-14:31:

L - leads. We find in v. 17-18, that God did not lead them on the shortest route to the Promised Land. Their enemy, the Philistines, lived along that path and God knew this newly freed group of people were not ready for a battle and in fear, may turn back.

• God may not lead you along the shortest path because He knows you're not ready for the unseen obstacles. Only He can see the end of your journey from the beginning!

I - instructs. In verses 14:3-16, we find that Pharaoh has changed his mind and wants his slaves back. God hardens his heart (v. 4) and Pharaoh sets out, along with over 600 chariots and his army to recapture the Israelites and bring them back to Eygpt. During this time, God is giving Moses clear instructions on what to do with all these people and how to get them safely across the Red Sea. While the Eygptians are fastly approaching, the people are grumbling, complaining and blaming Moses for their situation. Moses patiently gives them instruction to, "Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14: 13-14). God then gives HIS instruction to them in verse 15 - "GET MOVING!! I have great things to show you and your enemies, and you are standing around complaining! This is not the time to stop and have a holy huddle. IF you don't get going, you're going to mess up my plan!" (my paraphrase)

• Prayer must have a vital part in our lives, but there is also time for action. Sometimes we know what to do, but we pray for more guidance as an excuse to postpone doing it. If we know what we should do, then get moving!

F - fights for. In 14:23-25, the Egyptians are pursuing the Israelites when God brings great chaos and confusion among them. "...and the Egpytians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt."

• God had a plan and was going to fulfill it whether the Israelites trusted and believed in Him or not. God has a plan for your life and He's not going to give up fighting for you to accomplish the purpose for which He created you.

God stated His plan several times within this passage - " But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." (14:4, 17)

E - encourages us. If you know the rest of the story, you know that God causes the Red Sea to part and allows His people to safely cross over on dry ground. He also causes the waters to kill and destroy the Egyptian army. In verse 30, we see "that day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore."

• Sometimes in order to encourage us, God allows us to see our enemies; our past; destroyed in hopes that it will increase our faith and trust in Him.

Verse 31, "And when the Israelites saw the great work/power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”

What is chasing you from your past? God wants to lead, instruct, fight for and encourage your life today. What kind of miracle is it going to take for you to see the great power of God and to trust Him with your life? Ponder that today! Are you holding on to something that needs to be left behind? Like the Israelites, are you thinking your life would be better off "back there in Egypt"? Don't let a damaging hurt, a distracting habit or a debilitating hang-up keep you from enjoying the freedom that leaving the past behind can bring and allowing God to let you see your enemies destroyed.

Online Class: Make sure you comment on the articles you read this week: Why the Ten Commandments are Un-Amercian and Do the Ten Commandments Cover All the Bases?