February 14, 2010
Scripture:
Scripture:
Ministry:
Mark 7:36 & 37: “He charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” He hath done all things well. I was thinking of that verse in connection with Hebrews 10:14: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” He couldn’t do any better.
Hymn 312 - Jesus Loves Me
Prayer
Today is Valentine’s day. The sign of Valentine’s day is a heart, which represents love. Today the world celebrates love, but as Christians we should show love 365 days a year. And love is more that frilly hearts and boxes of chocolates.
Romans 12:1 This is true love. Love isn’t just a feeling. It’s actions. Jesus was the best example of love when He went to the cross and died for our sins. Showing love means that we don’t always do what we want to do, but instead do something that would benefit others. That’s presenting your body a living sacrifice, and this verse says it’s a reasonable thing for us to do.
Once there was a sick man in the hospital. A Christian brother came to visit him and gave him the verse, “To be with Christ..is far better” (Philippians 1:23). When he left, the man said, “I don’t feel one bit better.” Later that day a group of young people came to visit the man. They moved everything in that room; they cranked the bed up, and they cranked the bed down, they pulled the curtain around, then they pulled it back. They even rearranged his bed table! But after they left the man said, “Now I feel loved.” He was so happy to be surrounded by those that were full of love and life; folks that, instead of going and doing what they wanted, had come to visit him and cheer him up. Those young people showed love by doing something for someone else.
Now, we’ve been talking about Bible animals. Today’s animal has the same name as the street that we’re on: the Badger. Exodus 26:14. The children of Israel used badger skins to cover the tabernacle. This covering was about 45’ by 60’. That would take a lot of skins to make! Where would the Israelites get all those skins? I’m not sure, but I know that the Lord could have brought them to them, just like he brought all those fish into Peter’s net. This skin covering would provide protection from rain and wind.
When Jesus was on this earth, He didn’t fall for all the worldly things around Him. He protected Himself from that. As Christians, we should seek to protect ourselves from the things of this world. We also need to remember to give ourselves as a bodily sacrifice, and to show love to each other. I trust that these are things that we will do each day.
We saw last week how Israel had to exterminate the Canaanites before they could take over the land. God had patience with these nations, but He finally had to judge them when they wouldn’t repent. He used Israel to judge them.
V. 25: We can see how God provided for His people; they were able to take cities, land, goods, vineyards, oliveyards, and more from the people who were inhabiting Canaan. It was quite different from what they were used to in the wilderness. Read Isaiah 5:4. God couldn’t have done more for them. And He has provided everything for us as well. Yet, how often do we fall short of entering into it all? For us, all He has given is free: it is grace upon grace upon grace.
V. 26: But Israel ignored God, and cast away His law. This happened in the wilderness and now they are rebelling again in the land. May we learn from this bad example: we should keep our eyes on the word of God. God told Joshua that to be successful, he should read and meditate on the law. This holds true for us as well.
In v. 27, we see God’s actions again. This cycle was repeated at least seven times in the book of Judges: the people would sin; so, God would send an enemy to judge them. They would repent and cry to the Lord, so He would raise up a judge who would deliver them and give them a time of peace.
Rest was an important concept in the Old Testament. On the seventh day, God rested, not because He was tired, but because he was enjoying the blessings of His work. We can look forward to “a rest for the people of God.”
“From heaven did the LORD behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death” (Psalm 102:19 & 20).
Hymn 179 - Nothing but Christ, as on we tread
Prayer