BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord.  They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?”  Exodus 14:11 ESV

How easy it is to complain. How easy it is to doubt. How easy it is to forget what God has delivered us from and to take for granted where we are. I recently saw an old high school teacher. He handed me a card that said, “History is a lot like English, the past is perfect and present is tense.” We see that reflected in the complaints of the Children of Israel.

The first obstacle was the Red Sea. They immediately fear the worst and lose all resolve. They even say to Moses, “Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:12 ESV)

Hugh? Aren’t these the people that cried out the Lord in their suffering that lead the Lord to call Moses to a special task? Is it really better to endure life as slaves, than to venture to the Lord to a brighter future, even if challenges arise?

The next test came right after the rejoicing of the victory at the Red Sea had ended. Three days without water and when they found water it was bitter. “And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.” (Exodus 15:24,25 ESV)

Three days in the desert without water is no easy test. And then you find water, only to discover it is undrinkable. But the Lord not only “heals” the water, but just around the corner are twelve spring of fresh water. Often the plenteous supply is just around the corner from the place of disappointment.

The next complaint is about the lack of food. “And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” (Exodus 16:2,3 ESV)

The Lord then supplies “angel’s food” – manna from heaven to sustain the Children of Israel for 4o years. Not only that he provided quail for them to eat.

As I review these complaints I am reminded the words of the Apostle Paul, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 ESV)

How easy it is to doubt God’s faithfulness and provision. We are tempted to believe God’s resources are exhausted. Within just a few chapters we see the Children of Israel twice complaining about the need for water. That is certainly a vital need in a desert, but it was not news to Moses or the Lord.

At the heart of all this, we see a giving in to fear, doubt, discouragement and despair. Instead the Lord calls us to trust in Him. We need to remember that the Lord knows our needs and to know that He will deliver, provide and intervene for us.

Prayer for today… Lord, help us not to complain when hardships come. Help us to stay strong in our faith and to rely on Your love and faithfulness to provide what we need, when we need it. May we remember the “journey” with You is far better then living in the chains of slavery to sin.

I enjoyed my time sharing at Morning Star Assisted Living today. We have a small and faithful group of residents who join our services. Today we actually had a higher attendance than normal. Some great seniors to come alongside and encourage.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”  Exodus 15:11 ESV

This verse is taken from the “song” Moses and people sang in praise to the Lord after crossing the Red Sea. The early verses of the song include this declaration of praise, “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2 ESV)

Both of these verses reveal words of fully embracing the Lord for who He is and what He does. It is unfortunate that the Children of Israel were so prone to forget the Lord’s faithfulness and power and give in to fear and to complain as they continue their journey to the promise land. But at least for now the words on that occasion are words that speak to us today.

What is of note is the declaration in verse 2 of,  “this is my God and I will praise, my father’s God and I will exalt him.”  A key to fully embracing the awesomeness of God is when the God of history, the God of parents is affirmed as “my” God. This is the saving God. This is the delivering God. This is the powerful God. What a God to have on our side! God is faithful to reveal Himself to each generation in His own way, to reveal that He can be trusted and that He is the God of salvation.

Through the plagues on Egypt the people of God could see that “their God” was the God among gods. The Lord God’s power was displayed as greater than the magicians and the gods of Egypt. God revealed Himself in separating His people from the Egyptians. After the first three plagues, the rest of the plagues only came upon the Egyptians and not in the Land of Goshen were God’s people resided. That in itself should have been convincing enough.

He is the God who is “majestic in holiness.” Human recognition or “majesty” is derived from political power, stature, possessions or position. For the Lord it is His holiness. As the New Testament would declare of Jesus, “one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26 NIV) “No flesh can dwell in His presence,” but He has made it possible for us to experience His power and relationship with Him.

I like the words of  Romans, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33 NIV)

There is no one like our God! His works, His ways, His wonders, leave us in awe. This is reflected in the words of a Hillsong worship chorus,

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you

At times is good for us to just pause and to reflect on the Lord. Who He is. His faithfulness. His love. His power. His wonders. His awesomeness!

Prayer for today…. Lord, we pause and give You the praise that is due Your name. How awesome You are! Thank You for being our salvation and our wonder-working God. My our lives be focused on Your character and faithfulness to us in all circumstances. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians….So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away….” Exodus 8:25,26-28 ESV

As the plagues rained down on Egypt the response of Pharaoh is an interesting observation about pride and human nature. Ten plagues came upon the Egyptians. Each an affront to one of their many gods. The most notable is when the sun was blocked and darkness came upon the land. The “sun god” was one of the most infamous in history among several pagan nations.

But it was just after the fourth plague when the land was ravaged by swarms of flies that Pharaoh cried “uncle” for a brief time. He told Moses and Aaron, “go and sacrifice in the land…” Then he was negotiating, “go into the wilderness but only a short distance.” This is not total surrender, but a typical negotiating position where you start at a position that is less than what you would be willing to settle for.

In this situation like others, when relief came, Pharaoh “hardened his heart” and took back the offer. By the time the seventh plague of hail came down, Pharaoh confessed, “….This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.” (Exodus 9:27,28 ESV)

Moses, being cautious, told Pharaoh that he would pray for the plague to end when he was outside of the city. But as soon as that happened, Pharaoh again, went back on his word and did not let God’s people go. Now at this point is when the Lord tells Moses that “He will hardened Pharaoh’s heart.”

I am reminded of the Proverb, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed–without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1 NIV) That is certainly what we see with Pharaoh because he becomes so stubborn that he is blind to what is happening around him.

The severity of the situation is seen in this account, “Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?” (Exodus 10:7 ESV)

Still Pharaoh hesitated and after the ninth plague of darkness Pharaoh changes his “bargaining position.” “Go, serve the Lord; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” (Exodus 10:24 ESV) But he soon found out that the God of the universe is to be obeyed and honored, not bargained with.

There is a great temptation to fall into the reaction of “being moved, but not changed.” Either that our we confuse partial surrender with full obedience. I am thankful for the Lord’s patience and mercy, but we must remember the words of Solomon about continuing to refuse correction.

Remember the words of the prophet to King Asa, “The Lord is constantly watching everyone, and he gives strength to those who faithfully obey him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9 CEV)

Prayer for today…. Lord help us in our life to those who commit to full and quick obedience. When we know You are speaking to us about an issue in our life, allow us to be quick to respond, to shun partial obedience or and refuse to “negotiate” in our minds as to how far, is far enough. Help us to see that peace and strength comes from full obedience.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.  And Jesus said to him,“What do you want me to do for you?” Mark 10:48-51 ESV

There are many miracles of healing that Jesus performed. This is one of the only individuals that is mentioned by name instead of in general terms. That may be due to the fact that this man had been in this condition so long, that he was the familiar fixture on the road begging for a few shekels from those who passed by.

Someone in this situation would be someone who you would expect to just be so adjusted to his lot that the thought of a miracle to restore his sight would not be on his mind. That is why he was called, “Blind Bartimaeus.”

I remember when I was scheduled to go home from the hospital in November of 2013. I still had some significant health issues that I was concerned about and how they could be addressed with me at home. When I expressed my concern to the head nurse, she thought that I had become, “institutionalized.” In other words, I had become so accustomed to being hospitalized, going home was more disconcerting than staying in the hospital. So, it its not unusual, to become so “comfortable” and adjusted to your situation that it becomes your identity.

However, when Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was coming, he viewed this as an opportunity for his life to be changed. He makes such a ruckus in calling for Jesus to “have mercy” on him that Jesus stopped and called for him. His persistence and willingness to not give up, to not let the opportunity pass by, got Jesus’ attention.

Jesus asks him an unusual question, “what would you have me to do?” The need seemed obvious, at least to others. But did Bartimaeus want a hand out or a new life? Was he ready for his sight to be restored and to have a new identity? In many situations the simple statement of faith is the say with faith and earnest desire, “I want to be healed!” “I want my life to go in a new direction!” At times that which you pray for, can create an adjustment that you are not prepared for.

Bartimaeus would need to take on a new level of responsibility and a new identity. That is not always easy. I recall hearing accounts of a wife praying for her alcoholic husband and when he gives his life to Christ and begins a new life, the adjustment was so great, the marriage ends in divorce. As strange as that sounds, it has happened.

Miracles are seized when there is a strong faith, a willingness to seize the opportunity and a willingness to accept a new identity and a new life.

Prayer for today… Lord thank You for Your mercy. Thank You that You respond to the cry of desperation; not only the desperation of a need to be met, but the desire for a new life to begin. 

I am writing late at night, but since I have had these thoughts on my mind today, I wanted to share them. It seems as my days become more hectic, the weeks feel longer. Since there is much to do in my campaign for City Council that may be a good thing.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “When he [Moses] went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Exodus 2:13,14 ESV

As I was reading the story of Moses, I took note of Moses’ actions trying to exert leadership as a Prince of Egypt. His knowledge of heritage is displayed when he rescues a “fellow” Hebrew from an abusive Egyptian by killing the assailant and hiding him in the sand. The next day, he then tried to be a peace maker between two Hebrews fighting with each other. When he was rebuffed and the killing of the Egyptian by Moses became known he fled.

It would be 40 years before Moses would return to Egypt and assume a leadership role over the Hebrew people. The role he sought as a young man was a forgotten memory. His life seemed to be relegated to that of a lonely and isolated shepherd. But the Lord miraculously appears to Moses in the wilderness and calls him to a position of authority and leadership. “Who made Moses, prince and judge over God’s people?” God did! But He did so in His way and in His timing.

Consider the similarity with Joseph. A young man with big dreams. Dreams of being a ruler. Dreams of people, like his brothers, bowing down to him. When Joseph became a slave and then placed in prison; those dreams seemed to be as hopeless as Joseph’s condition.

However, in God’s time and in God’s way, Joseph was elevated to a position of authority. We read in the account of his story, ‘Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of selling grain to all the people, it was to him that his brothers came. When they arrived, they bowed before him with their faces to the ground.…Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they didn’t recognize him. And he remembered the dreams he’d had about them many years before…” (Genesis 42:6,8-9 NLT)

The lost dream, the forgotten dream was fulfilled.

How often in our life do we experience plans and “dreams” that seem to be dashed in an untimely manner? When we have the assurance that the Lord is guiding and directing our life, when our dreams seem to be “dead in the water” they can be resurrected and find new life and fulfillment. For Moses it was 40 years. For Joseph it was fewer years. It is not a matter of our time, but God’s time that counts.

We can observe that for both Moses and Joseph that a delay was not a dead end. As a matter of fact, even though the years may pass, the way God orchestrates the affairs of life, result in a far greater impact than what would take place through human initiative and plans.

Prayer to today…  Lord, in the midst of disappointment and failed dreams, allow our hearts to remain true to You, knowing that our lives are in Your hands. That which is to come about will come about in Your way and in Your time; and it will be for our good and the good of others.

Today I attended a Professional for Seniors meeting. This is a great group of about 100 people from care-givers, service providers and businesses that focus on serving seniors. One of the attendees in the announcement time made reference to an “Alzheimer certification training” that was taking place next week. I was reminded that, this was my idea when serving on the Colorado Alzheimer Coordinating Council in 2010. Many times in public service you never know if any of your recommendations or law passed actually make a difference.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY... “…whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44,45 ESV

Status seeking and ladder climbing is not new to our day. We see it throughout history. One of the most notable incidents in the New Testament is when James and John ask Jesus for a special place of honor in His kingdom. This shows that they really did believe that Jesus was who He said He was and who He demonstrated that He was.

They may have been anticipating that His kingdom was coming sooner than later, so they put themselves forward to be a part of Jesus’ “senior leadership staff.”

This week we have the inauguration of a new President. There are some 4,000 politically appointed positions in our federal government. They are listed in what is called the, “Plum Book.” That title may be a fitting name for these jobs. As a result many have lined up “on line” (in early American history, people would line up outside of the President’s office) to be in various positions in government.

I have not admit that, while it has been more “tongue in cheek” I have found myself assessing up and coming political leaders when I was in the State House. To one of them I quipped, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

When the other disciples heard of the request of James and John they were, “indignant.” That is a nice word for “highly ticked off.” When I read that, knowing human nature, I suppose it was because they felt they were being “beat to the punch.” I know that is how I feel in similar situations.

But Jesus used this as a “teaching opportunity.” The kingdom of God operated on a different system than the world. He points that out when he reminded them about the authority that was exercised over others by gentile leaders, who like to “lord it over” people and were enamored with the “exercise of authority.” Jesus let the disciples know they were being infected with a “gentile” mindset.

There are some key words in Jesus’ response that we should take note of. These are the “pivot points” that are key to the change in direction, that Jesus wanted them to understand. “Not so with you….” “For even….” Their approach to life was not to be modeled after the gentiles, but after Jesus and the kingdom of God. If there was any one who could “lord it over” someone, it was….the Lord. But that is not the “Jesus model.” In the Jesus model, up is down, serving is leading, humility is of greater value than self-promotion and status seeking.

This concept is not isolated to this passage. In another passage we find Jesus saying, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35 NIV) I like the way my friend Dick Foth puts it. In God’s kingdom, “If you want to stand tall…kneel down. If you want to be rich…give it away. It you want to live….die.”

Prayer for today… Lord, there is a little of James and John in us all. We look for value and worth from others. We want affirmation from man, more the commendation from You. Remind us that when we focus on following Your model and not what the “world” does or say is the way to success, we can be assured of one hearing your words, “well done good and faithful servant.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And he marveled because of their unbelief.” Mark 6:6 ESV

Mark is a fast paced description of the ministry of Jesus. People are healed, the dead are raised, blind eyes opened, the lame walk, sins are forgiven.

We understand that God is all powerful and that there is nothing that God can not do. However, God works in the lives of individuals not on a basis of arbitrary action, but in response to faith.

“Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” (Mark 11:22,23 ESV)

However, when Jesus came to his own home town, He was met with cynicism and unbelief.

They questioned his credentials, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? (Mark 6:2-3 ESV)

They were amazed at His words, but not convinced of His nature. As a result a degree of skepticism emerged and the result was a limitation on the miracles Jesus performed, “And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” (Mark 6:5 ESV)

This is far different from what we read on another occasion in Matthew 15:30 (NIV) “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.”

We then read an interesting observation, “And he marveled because of their unbelief.” There were those who marveled at Jesus words and the miracles He performed. But now we see Jesus displaying a sense of shock or being confounded over what was taking place.

When we have faith, it releases the power of God to work on our behalf and allows us to stand in awe of the results. Doubt and unbelief limits the flow of His power in and through our lives. Often the limitation is not the Lord’s willingness, but our faith that limits God’s power.

Prayer for today… Lord, never let our familiarity with You to keep us from faith and belief that what You have done for others, You will do for us. May we trust You and have confidence in Your response to simple faith.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me…” Psalm 23:4 ESV

Psalm 23 is about the ever-present, every-watchful, ever-protective, ever-guiding shepherd of our souls. The psalm is almost the picture of a journey until the resting place in the Lord’s presence, our permanent and real home.

The first two words of verse 4, are to arrest our attention. Perhaps they can viewed as “when I walk through the valley….” for often we relate this verse to being one of comfort at the end of life. But life itself can be filled with many valleys. Valleys that would threaten us with fear, harm and even death.

Even though….. These two words speak to that which we would not expect and certainly not want to be a part of our journey. It is as though, David is saying, “even when you experience the worst place that you could be and the worst experience of life, even then, the Lord is with you.” As Paul, declared, “nothing shall separate us from the love of God….” (Romans 8:39 NIV)

The Lord’s presence provides us with courage and confidence. “I will fear no evil…” Then we see that the journey of life at times takes us “through” the valley. We are not assigned to the valley, the valley is an experience, not a stopping place. I think of some of the classic pictures of Daniel in the lions den. He is not couching, but standing erect with his face toward the heavens, even as lions crouch nearby.

What is the worst situation or circumstance that you could imagine? Whatever it is when it comes, you can have the assurance that the Lord is with you and that His presence will provide the courage and protection to get you to “the other side.”

Prayer for today… Lord while we don’t welcome “the valley of the shadow of death” we are thankful that when it is experienced You are with us. Allow our faith to be strong, our confidence steadfast and our courage to be focused Your promise.