When Are You Dishonest?
Deuteronomy 25:13-16 (NIV)
”Do not have two differing weights in your bag--one heavy, one light. 14 Do not have two differing measures in your house--one large, one small. 15 You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 16 For the LORD your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly." Deuteronomy 25:13-16 (NIV)
Pastor’s Blog
In what part of your life are you most tempted to cheat?
Through Moses, God clearly states, don’t try to overcharge when selling nor manipulate underpayment when purchasing
Moses gives the example of two weights used in measuring merchandise in the ancient world. It was easy for someone to use a larger weight in order to overcharge and to use a lighter weight in order to underpay when purchasing merchandise.
But the stipulation of the law is clear: be honest in all business dealings, both in selling and in purchasing. Why?
• Honesty assures the blessings of God. A society that is honest in its business dealings will survive for a long, long time. Fair and equal justice will be built into the fabric of the nation and peace will reign within the nation. This is true in family also (the exceptions prove the rule)
• In vs. 25 “detest” is a really strong word. The judgment of God will fall upon the dishonest person unless he repents and begins to deal with people fairly and honestly. That’s good enough for me.
How did your respond the question above? What one step will you take this weekend or next week to repent (if necessary, which it probably is) and exchange fudging for honesty?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
July 8, 2010
Marry your Sister-in-Law?
Family Matters!
Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (NLT)
“If two brothers are living together on the same property and one of them dies without a son, his widow may not be married to anyone from outside the family. Instead, her husband’s brother should marry her and have intercourse with her to fulfill the duties of a brother-in-law. 6 The first son she bears to him will be considered the son of the dead brother, so that his name will not be forgotten in Israel." Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
Why would Moses command a guy to marry his sister-in-law? Family matters!!!!
Moses commanded men that if a brother dies a man must marry his brother’s widow and bear a son with her. Doing so insured that their property would stay in the family and that widows were taken care of.
Later verses say that if a man refuses this obligation, he must be publically humiliated.
The principle behind this is “social security”, taking care of family. In Mark 7 Jesus criticizes the spiritual leaders because they chose to give to the temple instead of taking care of their parents, thereby breaking the 5th commandment.
In the third world social security is sought by having bunches of children who would hopefully provide for parents in old age. In America social security is sought from the government and 401k’s. In Christianity we are told we are our brother’s keeper. There are lot’s old folks, orphans, widows, and many others who easily fall through the cracks. Judeo Christianity set itself apart from all other systems of the ancient world by building into it’s core values care for the weak.
How does your life reflect this responsibility?
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Family Matters!
Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (NLT)
“If two brothers are living together on the same property and one of them dies without a son, his widow may not be married to anyone from outside the family. Instead, her husband’s brother should marry her and have intercourse with her to fulfill the duties of a brother-in-law. 6 The first son she bears to him will be considered the son of the dead brother, so that his name will not be forgotten in Israel." Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
Why would Moses command a guy to marry his sister-in-law? Family matters!!!!
Moses commanded men that if a brother dies a man must marry his brother’s widow and bear a son with her. Doing so insured that their property would stay in the family and that widows were taken care of.
Later verses say that if a man refuses this obligation, he must be publically humiliated.
The principle behind this is “social security”, taking care of family. In Mark 7 Jesus criticizes the spiritual leaders because they chose to give to the temple instead of taking care of their parents, thereby breaking the 5th commandment.
In the third world social security is sought by having bunches of children who would hopefully provide for parents in old age. In America social security is sought from the government and 401k’s. In Christianity we are told we are our brother’s keeper. There are lot’s old folks, orphans, widows, and many others who easily fall through the cracks. Judeo Christianity set itself apart from all other systems of the ancient world by building into it’s core values care for the weak.
How does your life reflect this responsibility?
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 7, 2010
Who is Responsible?
Deuteronomy 24:16 (NLT)
“Parents must not be put to death for the sins of their children, nor children for the sins of their parents. Those deserving to die must be put to death for their own crimes." Deuteronomy 24:16 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
Do you ever give in to the temptation to relieve your child of his responsibility in messing up, letting him off the hook, while you make up the difference?
Verse 16 concerns personal responsibility. Each person is individually, personally responsible for his own crime; therefore, he must personally bear the punishment for the crime.
Moses gives the example of a father or a child who steps in to bear the punishment for the other. There is a tendency among parents to protect their children when facing their responsibility for a particular mess up. Have you ever cleaned up the mess your child made either literally or figuratively?
But God is clear: each individual must learn to accept responsibility for his own behavior, and each individual is to bear the punishment for his own mess up. Every person is to be held individually, personally responsible for his own behavior.
Good parenting advice. Do you find this hard to do?
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Deuteronomy 24:16 (NLT)
“Parents must not be put to death for the sins of their children, nor children for the sins of their parents. Those deserving to die must be put to death for their own crimes." Deuteronomy 24:16 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
Do you ever give in to the temptation to relieve your child of his responsibility in messing up, letting him off the hook, while you make up the difference?
Verse 16 concerns personal responsibility. Each person is individually, personally responsible for his own crime; therefore, he must personally bear the punishment for the crime.
Moses gives the example of a father or a child who steps in to bear the punishment for the other. There is a tendency among parents to protect their children when facing their responsibility for a particular mess up. Have you ever cleaned up the mess your child made either literally or figuratively?
But God is clear: each individual must learn to accept responsibility for his own behavior, and each individual is to bear the punishment for his own mess up. Every person is to be held individually, personally responsible for his own behavior.
Good parenting advice. Do you find this hard to do?
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010
How Many Minutes Each Week Do You Intentionally Dedicate To Building Your Marriage?
Deuteronomy 24:5 (NLT)
5 “A newly married man must not be drafted into the army or be given any other official responsibilities. He must be free to spend one year at home, bringing happiness to the wife he has married." Deuteronomy 24:5 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
What would you have done with a whole year to do nothing but be married? This law prescribes something like that for year one of marriage. No civic duty, no military, (but, yeah, still got to go to work). The married couple is supposed to establish and nurture their union and focus on each other and God.
The Life Application Study Bible Notes say this: “A gardener starts a tiny seedling in a small pot and allows it to take root before planting it in the field. Let your marriage grow strong by protecting your relationship from too many outside pressures and distractions—especially in the beginning. And don't expect or demand so much from newlyweds that they have inadequate time or energy to establish their marriage.”
I’m a gardener of sorts. I know that my flowers need to be watered and “fed” frequently. Right now I’m doing it daily because if I don’t they’ll wilt. As of yesterday Kathy and I have been married 24 years. And the garden still needs watered and fed! Otherwise old flowers fade too! One of our practices is to take at least one half day a week for lunch and some kind of activity, be it gardening, tennis, shopping, whatever. How about you? How do you tend your garden?
Deuteronomy 24:5 (NLT)
5 “A newly married man must not be drafted into the army or be given any other official responsibilities. He must be free to spend one year at home, bringing happiness to the wife he has married." Deuteronomy 24:5 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
What would you have done with a whole year to do nothing but be married? This law prescribes something like that for year one of marriage. No civic duty, no military, (but, yeah, still got to go to work). The married couple is supposed to establish and nurture their union and focus on each other and God.
The Life Application Study Bible Notes say this: “A gardener starts a tiny seedling in a small pot and allows it to take root before planting it in the field. Let your marriage grow strong by protecting your relationship from too many outside pressures and distractions—especially in the beginning. And don't expect or demand so much from newlyweds that they have inadequate time or energy to establish their marriage.”
I’m a gardener of sorts. I know that my flowers need to be watered and “fed” frequently. Right now I’m doing it daily because if I don’t they’ll wilt. As of yesterday Kathy and I have been married 24 years. And the garden still needs watered and fed! Otherwise old flowers fade too! One of our practices is to take at least one half day a week for lunch and some kind of activity, be it gardening, tennis, shopping, whatever. How about you? How do you tend your garden?
Monday, July 5, 2010
July 5, 2010
The Best Thing You Can Do for your Children is Love your Wife/Husband
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (NLT)
“Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him."
"Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes her a letter of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house. 2 When she leaves his house, she is free to marry another man. 3 But if the second husband also turns against her and divorces her, or if he dies, 4 the first husband may not marry her again, for she has been defiled. That would be detestable to the LORD. You must not bring guilt upon the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession."
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
God doesn’t think that wife swapping is a very good idea and that’s what this law is restricting. We’re not supposed to be trading spouses.
Because today’s passage recognizes that divorce was easy, Moses seeks to make it a little bit harder. As recorded in Matthew 19:7-9 Jesus explained that divorce was easy because we have hard hearts. Jesus then restricted the grounds for divorce further limiting to reason for it to adultery. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul added desertion.
God’s perfect will is that there would be no divorce. God’s permissive will makes accommodation for our sinful will. If we take this passage together with Jesus’ elaboration in Matthew 19 we see that the Bible recognizes that human beings are a mess. We make promises but then look for easy outs. We need accountability to keep our promises. Otherwise we’re prone to hurt each other. God reveals his underlying perfect will. Humans are better off married to one person for life. Yet we also see that God realizes our predicament and does allow for second chances.
Here’s how I put it together. As a divorced and remarried man, I recognize that divorce was a sin. Even though my ex wife left me against my will, I cannot claim to be a victim. It was sin and our problems took two. I sinned. Yet I confessed, admitted my sin, asked forgiveness and received pardon. After that I accepted the grace of remarriage, not because I was able to justify my innocence in the divorce, but because God is merciful and I received undeserved grace.
I think the really big deal here is that each of us takes time to invest heavily in our marriages. God first, spouse second, children third. Then life works.
In what ways, setting apart time for what practices, do you commit to invest in your one on one relationship with your spouse? Does she know you cherish her? How does she know? Does he see you demonstrate respect for him? How?
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (NLT)
“Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him."
"Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes her a letter of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house. 2 When she leaves his house, she is free to marry another man. 3 But if the second husband also turns against her and divorces her, or if he dies, 4 the first husband may not marry her again, for she has been defiled. That would be detestable to the LORD. You must not bring guilt upon the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession."
Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
God doesn’t think that wife swapping is a very good idea and that’s what this law is restricting. We’re not supposed to be trading spouses.
Because today’s passage recognizes that divorce was easy, Moses seeks to make it a little bit harder. As recorded in Matthew 19:7-9 Jesus explained that divorce was easy because we have hard hearts. Jesus then restricted the grounds for divorce further limiting to reason for it to adultery. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul added desertion.
God’s perfect will is that there would be no divorce. God’s permissive will makes accommodation for our sinful will. If we take this passage together with Jesus’ elaboration in Matthew 19 we see that the Bible recognizes that human beings are a mess. We make promises but then look for easy outs. We need accountability to keep our promises. Otherwise we’re prone to hurt each other. God reveals his underlying perfect will. Humans are better off married to one person for life. Yet we also see that God realizes our predicament and does allow for second chances.
Here’s how I put it together. As a divorced and remarried man, I recognize that divorce was a sin. Even though my ex wife left me against my will, I cannot claim to be a victim. It was sin and our problems took two. I sinned. Yet I confessed, admitted my sin, asked forgiveness and received pardon. After that I accepted the grace of remarriage, not because I was able to justify my innocence in the divorce, but because God is merciful and I received undeserved grace.
I think the really big deal here is that each of us takes time to invest heavily in our marriages. God first, spouse second, children third. Then life works.
In what ways, setting apart time for what practices, do you commit to invest in your one on one relationship with your spouse? Does she know you cherish her? How does she know? Does he see you demonstrate respect for him? How?
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Friday, July 2, 2010
July 2, 2010
A Safe Place for People Who Mess Up Big Time
Deuteronomy 19:2-3 (NLT)
“You must set apart three cities of refuge in the land the LORD your God is giving you. . . . . 'If someone kills another person unintentionally, without previous hostility, the slayer may flee to any of these cities to live in safety.'" Deuteronomy 19:2-3 (NLT)
The Following is from a Poem inscribed in the Statue of Liberty
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Pastor’s Blog
Do you remember the words to the song “Amazing Grace?” The part I remember is “saved a wretch like me”. I’ve often thought about people in prison and had the additional thought, “there but by the Grace of God could I have gone”.
Have you ever thought how many stupid things you’ve done could have ended very badly (even in the death of another) but didn’t? I think the power of Grace is at work EVERYWHERE and we simply take it for granted to the point we don’t even notice. We don’t notice that the natural order of things is for things to go bad, but that there is a force in the world called Grace initiated and sustained by God which turns bad and potential bad into good.
Today’s passage makes it a law for Israel that people who have committed manslaughter (different from homicide) get a break. That’s a recognition that we humans are prone to big time mess ups in our lives. God knows we’ll never obey perfectly and He takes that into account. But not until the cross do we know how much it costs Him. It cost Israel too. They had to go to great trouble to make arrangements for this grace.
On Sunday, as you celebrate Independence Day, consider what it is that makes America great. Think of Emma Lazarus’ poem (above) and think, too, about the word "refuge". It’s a very beautiful word. How does God use you as a “refuge” for others?
Deuteronomy 19:2-3 (NLT)
“You must set apart three cities of refuge in the land the LORD your God is giving you. . . . . 'If someone kills another person unintentionally, without previous hostility, the slayer may flee to any of these cities to live in safety.'" Deuteronomy 19:2-3 (NLT)
The Following is from a Poem inscribed in the Statue of Liberty
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Pastor’s Blog
Do you remember the words to the song “Amazing Grace?” The part I remember is “saved a wretch like me”. I’ve often thought about people in prison and had the additional thought, “there but by the Grace of God could I have gone”.
Have you ever thought how many stupid things you’ve done could have ended very badly (even in the death of another) but didn’t? I think the power of Grace is at work EVERYWHERE and we simply take it for granted to the point we don’t even notice. We don’t notice that the natural order of things is for things to go bad, but that there is a force in the world called Grace initiated and sustained by God which turns bad and potential bad into good.
Today’s passage makes it a law for Israel that people who have committed manslaughter (different from homicide) get a break. That’s a recognition that we humans are prone to big time mess ups in our lives. God knows we’ll never obey perfectly and He takes that into account. But not until the cross do we know how much it costs Him. It cost Israel too. They had to go to great trouble to make arrangements for this grace.
On Sunday, as you celebrate Independence Day, consider what it is that makes America great. Think of Emma Lazarus’ poem (above) and think, too, about the word "refuge". It’s a very beautiful word. How does God use you as a “refuge” for others?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
July 1, 2010
In Whose Hands Does the Fate of America Rest?
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (NLT)
“You must observe the Festival of Shelters (Sukkot) for seven days at the end of the harvest season, after the grain has been threshed and the grapes have been pressed.
14 This festival will be a happy time of celebrating with your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows from your towns. 15 For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the LORD your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all." Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
Moses was very clear about in whose hands the fate of Israel lay. Re-read verse 15.
Today’s passage is the institution of the Jewish celebration of the Feast of Booths or Sukkot. It will be celebrated around the world this year beginning on Thursday September 23 and continue for one week. Jews everywhere will set up tents and other temporary structures in their yards, on their sidewalks and roofs, and even take their campers out. It’s a big celebration to remember the fall harvest, God who provides the harvest, and the 40 years of wandering in the desert which was tough going and required the people to be nimble, ready to uproot and follow God at any moment. I think it’s true that school’s out and work cancelled for observant Jews for the first two days of the festival.
This tradition, this practice, this ritual, serves to remind Jews the world over that their future is dependent on God, YHWH, who created them and has sustained them for over three millennia.
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day we may do well to ask what celebrations, what practices, what rituals in our individual lives and in our national life together remind us of our dependence on God. What practices keep us reminded that we are a nation no less dependent on God’s Grace than any other?
Perhaps we would do well to consider why Independence is so huge for us Americans and why dependence so anathema to us. We know the answer historically, but I suspect the reason not only goes deeper than that, but that it is also a dangerous indicator of our spiritual temperature as a nation.
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (NLT)
“You must observe the Festival of Shelters (Sukkot) for seven days at the end of the harvest season, after the grain has been threshed and the grapes have been pressed.
14 This festival will be a happy time of celebrating with your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows from your towns. 15 For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the LORD your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all." Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog
Moses was very clear about in whose hands the fate of Israel lay. Re-read verse 15.
Today’s passage is the institution of the Jewish celebration of the Feast of Booths or Sukkot. It will be celebrated around the world this year beginning on Thursday September 23 and continue for one week. Jews everywhere will set up tents and other temporary structures in their yards, on their sidewalks and roofs, and even take their campers out. It’s a big celebration to remember the fall harvest, God who provides the harvest, and the 40 years of wandering in the desert which was tough going and required the people to be nimble, ready to uproot and follow God at any moment. I think it’s true that school’s out and work cancelled for observant Jews for the first two days of the festival.
This tradition, this practice, this ritual, serves to remind Jews the world over that their future is dependent on God, YHWH, who created them and has sustained them for over three millennia.
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day we may do well to ask what celebrations, what practices, what rituals in our individual lives and in our national life together remind us of our dependence on God. What practices keep us reminded that we are a nation no less dependent on God’s Grace than any other?
Perhaps we would do well to consider why Independence is so huge for us Americans and why dependence so anathema to us. We know the answer historically, but I suspect the reason not only goes deeper than that, but that it is also a dangerous indicator of our spiritual temperature as a nation.
(to post your thoughts, anonymously if you wish, simply click on “comments” below)
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