365 Reflections

David makes a bold move here in 2 Samuel 3. His kingdom is pretty much assured after his greatest threat, Abner has been put to death by Joab out of revenge for his brother's murder. Yet instead of cheering this event accomplished by his closest ally, David is saddened and mourns his loss. He mourns so much the people seek to care for him. 2 Samuel 3:35–37 (ESV)   Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!” 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put to death Abner the son of Ner. The death David is mourning is that of a former enemy and right-hand assistant to Saul - the man who desperately wanted David dead. This episode beautifully expresses the kin...

The biggest problem with the church is that we fight each other constantly. We are supposed to be on the same side. But yet it seems we can't find a way to come together to fight a common enemy who steals the truth from people's lives every day. Sadly, this was true of Israel in the time of the Judges. Just after Jephthah finished defeating the Ammonites, the Ephraimites are upset they weren't included in the military victory. Judges 12:1–3 (ESV)  The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” 2 And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand. 3 And when I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why then ...

So far in Numbers, God has set up the camp of Israel. He has aligned them around His presence in the tabernacle and divided up their responsibilities in the management of the sacred things. He has also directed their order for marching as well as how to disassemble the tabernacle for movement. The camp is in place, Israel is a cohesive unit. At least from the outside looking on. For Israel to be powerful in war they must be united and at peace with each other. For this reason, God establishes laws pertaining to making amends when they experience wrongs against one another. Numbers 5:5-10 (ESV) And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6 "Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, 7 he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. 8 But if the man h...

This is our calling... to love one another. Christianity is first and foremost a relational faith. Our relationship with God is made right by faith in Christ, and the implications of which lead to right relationships with one another. What does God want for His family? He wants us to get along! Psalm 133:1–3 (ESV) Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. We are in the midst of the ascent Psalms, the songs sung by Israel as they came to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the national feasts. This Psalm would have been sung when they finally met together in the Temple. It was a reminder that though they came from different tribes and walks of life - they all had a bond of brotherhood in thei...

Acts 2:1–5 (ESV) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:11 (ESV) -we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Historically, the day of Pentecost brought more pilgrims to Jerusalem than even Passover did. This may be because of the good weather. But how incredible that God would send the Spirit on the festival where more people showed up? On the day of Pentecost, the priest would take oil, mix it with flour, bake it and present two loaves of bread to the Lord. Think of it this way, all those grains of wheat were crushed down into flour and the individual flour particles were brought togeth...

We now come upon chapter 4 of Ephesians. Paul is going to move from impartation of doctrine to the implications of doctrine. The first 3 chapters of Ephesians are filled with incredible doctoral truths - promises of God to those who are in Christ Jesus. They nurture our soul, they lift our spirits, they empower our lives. But chapter 4 brings us to what we must do with what we now know. It's all summed up in the second word of the chapter: Ephesians. 4:4. (ESV) I therefore , a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to m aintain the unity of the Spirit ... There's an old preachers joke that goes like this. Whenever you see the word "therefore" in scripture you have to ask yourself "what is it there for?" What is doctrine there for? Doctrine is wonderful and empowering, true and bea...

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. (1 Corinthians 16:1-4 ESV) Paul ends this letter with an admonition to give to the needs of the Jerusalem saints. Interestingly enough the church there has been tossed into a financial difficulty. This is not an instruction on tithing. It is an instruction on giving to another church far away in a tough financial period. Two things on that... First: We need to stop idealizing the community of Acts 2 at the expense of our own times. Yes, they were generous and shared all their resources. But soon after there were complaints about who wasn't gettin...

Christian unity is essential for any church. And the Corinthians didn't have it. 1 Corinthians 11:18–19 (ESV) 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. The heart of division and sectarianism in any local church is a desire for someone to "feel" or seem important. That is what Paul is saying here. They Corinthians divided among themselves in a way to look down on others. At it's heart, that is what division is about. Consider Satan - who created the first division in heaven sought to be important, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’" Isaiah 14:14. And so a third of the angels divided from the rest and fell. To remedy the division of the body, Paul brings them back to the Lord's table. Its time to r...

For the one who is not against us is for us. (Mark 9:40 ESV) Simply put - Don't make enemies. It seems we don't listen to Jesus here more often than not. John tells Jesus about a man casting out demons who didn't "follow them ." The disciples tried to stop him.  This was on the heals of the disciples arguing who was the greatest.  Having been rebuked by Jesus for such thoughts, they turn toward those "other Christians" over there. It's so crazy how often we act the same way.  Our church is the greatest!  Our denomination is the true church. Notice Jesus doesn't say, "Did you check his doctrinal statement?" Or "First find a flaw in his liturgy before you try to stop someone." Jesus said simply, don't create division where there's obvious opportunity for unity.  Separation is the desire of Satan.  Division in the body of Christ is anathema to Christ. He prayed for us to be united as One just as He and the Fa...