BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him…Remember your leaders…..Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 11:6; 13:7

When the writer of Hebrews calls God’s people to faith, he does so with s survey of people from history that demonstrate what faith is and what faith does.

The simple phrases of Hebrews 11:6 remind us that faith is required to please God. Life is filled with uncertainties and unknowns. But we must believe in a God who is above time, that cares for us and is for us and is working out His purposes in our lives. Love for God, faith in God and obedience to God are intertwined. You can’t have one without the other.

Faith’s foundation is believing in God who we can’t see, but accept He exists and is at work in the world.  Understanding God’s work in creation is an act of faith. “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3 ESV)

Faith brings confidence of God’s pleasure and reward. I like the translation that uses the words, “diligently seek Him.” This lead one Bible teacher to ask, “Are you a casual inquirer or a diligent seeker?” Steadfast faith, faith that forms the foundation of life, faith that call for us to lay down our life, is the faith that honors God. This is the type of faith that we see in those commended in the Bible.

Faith is a gateway, but not a guarantee. “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth…And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised…” (Hebrews 11:13,39 ESV)

This can be a challenge to our trust and faith. It is by faith that we receive from the Lord. However, having faith is not a guarantee that we will receive all that our natural minds would dictate. For example, our faith can lead us to believe that nothing bad will ever happen in our lives. However, we see that our faith is proven in the hardship of life. I recall when David Roever, a Navy Seal, was on a river patrol during the Vietnam war. He was shot by a sniper as he held a phosphorus grenade next to his head,  he emerged from the river with a shout, “God! I still believe in you!”

Faith is not free of times of doubt. “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11 ESV) We are familiar with Sarah’s laughing at the words of the angel visitors. But she is still in the end commended for faith.

Faith is focused on the future. “By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” (Hebrews 11:20 ESV) “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.” (Hebrews 11:22 ESV)

By faith we can believe that the God above time, will direct the future of our lives and our children and grandchildren. But beyond our individual concerns, God has a big picture plan that He is working in in the world for our good, that is beyond the details of our life.

Prayer for today…. Lord allow our faith in You to be steadfast, focused and firm. Thank you for the examples of faith in others that encourage us in our walk with You.

Yesterday found me with an unexpected trip to the Capitol to testify on a bill. After getting home later, and not feeling the best, I jumped into some other work and in the midst of everything forgot to post my daily blog! How about that?! My string of daily post between Debbie and myself over three and a half years was broken. I’m not sure how many will notice. Thank you to all who have shown their support and followed my posts over the years. I am pleased to have some thoughts and reflections to share as I engage in my annual reading through the Bible.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,  a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.” Hebrews 8:1,2 ESV

The writer of Hebrews is unknown. I believe it could be Apollos. Because in Acts he is described as follows: “Now a Jew named Apollos…was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus….” (Acts 18:24,25 NIV) 

This certainly meets the focus of Hebrews in presenting Christ as the better High Priest and the New Covenant as being better than the Old. A key to the comparison is the role of the High Priest. The High Priest was God’s representative to the people and the people’s representative to God.

Hebrews presents Christ in the role of the eternal High Priest of the New Covenant. He was not from the tribe of Levi, but in the “order” of Melchizedek, the mysterious person Abraham met after rescuing Lot.  He is referred to as a “priest forever.”

Human Priests were from man, our great High Priest is from heaven. Human High Priests were the mediator of Old Covenant, our great High Priest is the mediator of the New Covenant. Human High Priests had to offer sacrifices for their own sin, our great High Priest is without sin. Human High Priests had to offer annual sacrifices for the sin of the people on the “Day of Atonement” our great High Priest offered a sacrifice once and for all. Human High Priests offered the blood of an animal our great High Priest offered His own blood. Human High Priests conducted their service on earth our great High Priest conducted His service in the heavenly Holy of Holies.

The prophet had foretold of the day of Christ when he declared God’s promise, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt….I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:8-12 ESV)

Four of the eleven chapters of Hebrews deal with this issue of Christ as the better High Priest, offering a better sacrifice providing for a better salvation. The conclusion and the call in all of this is seen in these words,

“…since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:21-23 ESV)

When Jesus came to fulfill the Law, He did so as the bridge between two covenants. He was the only perfect man, living in full obedience to the Law of the Old Covenant. He was without sin fulfilling all the Law and what the Law spoke of and then He established through His death and resurrection a New Covenant, a new way to God, forgiveness and eternal life.

Prayer for today…. Lord, we stand in awe of Your divine plan. We see in You an honoring and fulfillment of what was to bring to pass what is for us in Your plan of redemption. Help us to embrace, “so great a salvation” and be those who worship you in holy awe.

My campaign for City Council continues to move forward. Yesterday I had an interview with the local newspaper, The Coloradoan. I have also earned the endorsement of the Chamber of Commerce. Tomme Scheffel has just completed some work on a video promoting my campaign. You can see a “sneak preview” of the draft at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLqnHt6lH_0

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.” Psalm 59:9,10 ESV

David knew what it was like to trust in the Lord and to seek Him in the face of fierce opposition. Some psalms may seem like they are only for the person with a “trouble-free” life. But we know clearly from David’s history and words of many psalms that he felt beleaguered from the attacks of enemies without and disloyalty within.

What we can observe and need to learn in our lives is to keep the Lord in our focus. When we feel alone, we are not. When we feel forsaken, God is there. When we feel that the “enemies” of our life are winning. God is ready to act.

David begins this psalm with this plea, “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me…” Psalm 39:1 ESV)  He details the actions of those against him and how they are “sneaky” and relentless in their antagonism.

But instead of focusing on the “opposition” David chooses to focus on the Lord and to seek Him. He reminds himself how God views that “opposition.” “But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.” (Psalm 59:8 ESV) David then resolves to be patient in waiting on the Lord to act, being confident of the Lord’s love and God’s ultimate victory for him.

This psalm moves on in its contrast between David’s enemies and God; David’s enemies and his response. As he speaks more about the actions of his enemies, he makes this resolve, “But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.” (Psalm 59:16 ESV)

David is determined to see God as the One who sustains and rescues. He will even “sing” to God in the midst of his fears and discouragement. What the Lord had been to him in the past, He would be to him in the future. The protection that God had provided, he is confident that He will once again provide. So, instead of panicked prayer, we see confident praise.

“O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.” (Psalm 59:17 ESV)

Prayer for today…. Lord help us to keep our eyes on You and to have confidence in Your help in time of need. Our circumstances are different from David’s, but we can still feel “under attack.” We face challenges and roadblocks to our peace and contentment and enjoyment in life. May our hearts turn to You continually and may we have the faith we need to praise You, even in the midst of fear, apprehension and uncertainty. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I will make my dwelling among you… And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.” Leviticus 26:11-13

In giving the law with all of it regulations and requirements, God was communicating something important to His people. They were a unique and special people of all the nations of the earth. He established them by calling Abraham and then He rescued them from bondage in Egypt to give them a hope and a future.

As this Book comes to an end, the “So what?” is clearly laid out by  God. Following God’s ways would lead to life. Obedience to the Lord would result in blessings, not a curse. Life would go easier and the provisions would be greater.

“I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit…..I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid…ou shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword….I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you…” (Leviticus 26:4,6,7,9 ESV) This is an offer that one would be foolish to refuse. 

I think of the words of Jesus, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV) This fullness of life is more than what God can do for His people; it is the relationship with Him He is offering.

The fall of Adam and Eve resulted in a severing of the relationship and the fellowship they enjoyed with the Creator. God is working out His plan to restore that relationship broken by sin. His promise is the be with and among His people; for them to know Him and to be known by Him.

Look at the Lord’s desire. Freedom, not slavery. A sense of purpose and usefulness, not being taken advantage of and being put down. “I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.” Sin is a burden, it is a weight. It keeps us “bowed down.” In Christ we can stand erect with heads held high, because we know our worth and value in the eyes of the Creator. God’s purpose is higher, it is greater than what we can achieve on our own, or experience in any other way, but to seek and live for God.

Consider these words from Leviticus, “I will make my dwelling among you… And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

Now refresh your memory of some of the final words of the Book of Revelation,  “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3 NIV)

The Tabernacle was in the center of the camp. The Temple was the focal point of the City of Jerusalem. The Throne of God is the focal point and center of the “New Heavens and the New Earth.” But the grandest “center” of God’s presence is in the the heart of those dedicated to Him.

That is why the invitation of Revelation 3 contains the words, “….If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20 NIV) God has a grand plan and you are at the heart of it.

Prayer for today….. Lord, thank You that it is for us, that You have worked patiently over time to fulfill Your grand plan and purpose for us as Your people. Help us to see relationship and not rules. Freedom and not bondage. Help us to live as those who stand erect, because of what You have done for us. 

This morning we had a record number in attendance at the Morning Star Assisted Living chapel. A man was in attendance that I had seen since the Christmas Eve service. He wears a neck brace, needs a walker to navigate to the best of his ability and his speech is slurred and it is difficult for him to articulate. When asked how he is doing, his response is, “I am doing great!” What an impressive attitude for someone with such obvious physical struggles.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 18:2-4 ESV

Have you ever seen product warnings that seem strange? For example, a warning on a hair dryer, to not use the appliance while taking a bath. The reason for this and many other warnings that seem to be common sense is because somebody had done those things!

When I read Leviticus 18 it deals with prohibition against all types of sexual practices. Some of them seem repulsive (like sex with an animal) or disgusting. (like sex between family members.) However, the reason they are in God’s laws and warnings are given is because these were the practices that God’s people had been or would be exposed to.

They had to be prepared to make a choice. Would they live according to the practices of what the culture of the day says are acceptable or would they live by God’s instructions that are designed to give them life and to protect from hardship, pain and God’s judgement?

God warns His people about the practices of the “land of Egypt” and the practices of the Canaanite peoples whose land they were to possess. As a matter of fact it is God’s judgment on the people of Canaan that God is getting ready to execute with His chosen people.

“But you shall keep my statutes and my rules and do none of these abominations, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you (for the people of the land, who were before you, did all of these abominations, so that the land became unclean), lest the land vomit you out when you make it unclean, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.” (Leviticus 18:26-28 ESV)

In every time, God’s people have faced and continue to face a critical choice. It happens individually and corporately, it is reflected in the title of a well-known book, “How Then Shall We Live?” Will our lives and our conduct be driven by culture or Christ? Will we be those who seek to please the Lord or be carried by the current of “modern” culture.

This is an age-old dilemma that we see here in Leviticus and in the words of Joshua, when he declared, “Chose this day whom you will serve….for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:13-15) We see it in the words of the Apostle John, we he wrote, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” (1 John 2:15 NIV)

What the “world” touts as freedom is bondage. It becomes a snare and the testimonies of that truth are numerous. God’s commands and instructions are for our “good.” “And you must always obey the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” (Deuteronomy 10:13 NLT) They are intended to give life and to keep us from pain and hardship.

Fighting the downward pull of culture can be a challenge. But as we keep our focus and eyes on the Lord, He give us the strength that we need. It is no mystery that the “Lord’s prayer” includes the petition, “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Prayer for today…. Lord when we look at the culture of our day, and read scripture, we realize much has remained the same. In every time, Your people have been called to live wisely and obey fully. Help us to see Your wisdom, love and protection in the direction and practices that You provide for our lives.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. “….Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:21-22 ESV

When an innocent person takes the blame for someone else, they are referred to as a “scape goat.” Often this is not a role that is freely taken on, but one that happens by default or the cunning of the guilty to escape condemnation.

I’m not sure if people tie that term to its biblical roots. The Day of Atonement (now known as Yom Kippur) is the most holiest of days on the Jewish calendar. The ritual laid out in the Law of Moses was very specific and detailed. As High Priest, Aaron had to sacrifice for himself. He had to make sacrifices and follow rituals to cleanse the altar and the Tabernacle.

Two male goats were selected. One was sacrifice. The other Aaron laid both hands on its head and confessed over it the sins of the people. Then a man who was chosen for the task, lead the goat into the wilderness and let the animal go. The sacrifices and the ritual involved in this important “day” were extensive and critical. It was to be a reminder of the seriousness of sin and holiness of God. This was not a flippant activity. This was a matter of life and death. Forgiveness and judgment. Bondage and slavery.

This process involved two animals that show the full meaning of salvation. One animal is killed as the substitute for the people, so they are free to live. The other animal is released to the wilderness as a visual demonstration that the sins it carries are gone and out of sight.

I recall hearing that tradition tells us that when the man who released the goat, saw the animal disappear over the horizon that he would turn back toward the camp and declare, “It…is…finished!” What a power connection to the death of Christ on the cross who fulfilled both aspects of salvation. He not only was the sacrifice for our sin, but was the, “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  We are also reminded that, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12 NIV)

That is why we see Hebrews declare, “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.” (Hebrews 13:12 NIV)

When I consider all that Christ has done for us and of the treasure of the gospel found in scripture, I recall the penetrating question, “…how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?….” (Hebrews 2:3 NIV) All we have to do is accept what has been so freely provided for us in Christ Jesus.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that our salvation and freedom the guilty and judgment of sin has been freely provided. The work is finished! All we have to do is reap the benefits of that which has been taken on by our eternal “scape goat.” 

Yesterday, I attend a “Common Pursuit” event. It is a gathering of businessmen and professionals who are committed to live our their faith in the “marketplace.” My longtime friend James Ruder, CEO of L&R Pallet Company was one of the guests. His challenging question was, “What if we lived in such a way that our greatest fear was disobedience to the Lord?”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” Psalm 51:4 ESV

In David’s psalm and prayer of repentance he articulates a concept that we see in the Bible. That is, our sin is ultimately sin against the Lord and the Lord is the One to whom we are ultimately accountable. So often, actions are justified with the dismissive, “It didn’t hurt anyone!” or the thought is the impact of our actions has little or not ramifications.

When David sinned with Bathsheba, it was two adults. While it was sin and wrong, the impact seemed minimal and could be humanly justified. But in the end we see it resulted in a cover up that resulted in the death of Bathsheba’s husband, it resulted in the birth of child who died, it resulted in an entire nation being impacted and most importantly it was a “sin against the Lord.”

We see this reflected in Joseph in the house of Potiphar. As his wife was tempting him perhaps it was with the words, “no one will know!” But Joseph said, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9 NIV)

When we live a “God-conscious” life we realize that we are not our own. We are not free to “do our own thing” to live as our human inclinations would dictate. There are codes of conduct and civil laws, but the highest standard is, “What does God say? What is right in His eyes and what is pleasing to Him?”

The restoration and repentance process is reconciliation with God and with others. We sin against God, but must remember the impact of our actions on others. We are relational people. All of our actions impact others. You may even be homeless without, family, but your actions will impact others.

Bottom line. When we sin, our actions impact ourselves and others. But we must remember that all sin is “sin against the Lord.” He is the One to whom we will ultimately be accountable. Recognizing our horizontal and vertical accountability of our actions is equally important.

That is why David’s prayer is so important, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NLT) When our words and conduct are right in God’s eyes, they will be right in the eyes of people.

Prayer for today…. Lord this day, “forgive us our transgressions, cleanse us from sin.” Lord, allow us to live not in fear of judgment, but out of the desire to lives in an unfettered relationship with You. We are reminded, “When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” (Proverbs 16:7 NIV)

This morning I attended the Larimer County Boys & Girls Club annual breakfast. It was a recognition of the “students of the month” from each program and the “Student of the Year.” The student of the year presented an outstanding speech. It was well organized, delivered without notes, with a flawless presentation. Rightfully so, she received a standing ovation. I told her after the event that as someone who has made his living with words, I admire here more than anyone the quality of her presentation. I wish her well in all of her dreams and pursuits.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings….And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.” Leviticus 9:22,24 ESV

As the instructions concerning sacrifices were given, the time had come for the instructions to be put into practice. Aaron was sanctified as High Priest. As such, Aaron, as the mediator between the people and God, followed the Lord’s instructions. Having offered sacrifices on behalf of the people, he turns and blesses the people on behalf of the Lord.

The acceptance of the offering is signaled when fire comes from heaven and consumes the sacrifice. This certainly would get anyone’s attention. The people rightly shouted and fell on their faces. It was probably fear, mixed with awe and worship.

The writer of Hebrews admonishes,  “…worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28,29 NIV)

We see the fire of God fall years later when Solomon dedicated the Temple of the Lord. Just as the first sacrifice in the wilderness was consumed by the fire of God, the first sacrifice of the Temple in Jerusalem was consumed by the fire of God.

Then the people are astonished by what happens shortly after this. “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them.  And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” (Leviticus 10:1,2 ESV)

The fire of God consumed the sacrifice done properly and in obedience. The fire of God consumed the men offering a sacrifice who did so out of presumption and disobedience. Aaron alone was the High Priest, sanctified to offer sacrifices and incense before the Lord. Nadab and Abihu, may have meant well, but the people quickly learned that doing the right thing in the right way was critical for a Holy God.

These two men were not authorized to offer the incense and the offering was not authorized either. They were already usurping God’s instructions and offering worship in their “own way.”

I believe the key point here is that there is not multiple ways to receive acceptance and forgiveness from the Lord. This principle in the Old Testament, is reinforced in the New Testament when scripture declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)

When someone determines their own standards of acceptance before God, they are like Aaron’s sons offering “unauthorized fire” before the Lord. I have had individuals tell me, how they have “lived a good life”, or offer some other rationale or justification and conclude: “that should be good enough for God!” In other words they are dictating to God that standards of salvation and acceptance in His sight! They are saying, “this is my sacrifice, God should accept it!”

As scripture declares, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV) God is God and we are not. However, the Lord’s way to eternal life and salvation is clear and not difficult. We are simply invited to “believe and call.” “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) The Philippian jailer asked Paul, “what must I do to be saved?” He said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved….” (Acts 16:31 NIV)

We have peace with God and acceptance in His sight when we simply do what He asks of us. He offers His gift of eternal life, we just have to believe and receive. God’s ways bring life, our ways bring death.

Prayer for today…. Lord, you call us to faith and humble obedience. That is the way to life and acceptance by You. Help us to always follow you knowing Your ways are the best ways. May we be submissive, obedient and humble.