Stages

Numbers 33

Something to add to the discussion from our this week's Wednesday Bible study at Zion... How very opportune! 

We discussed how very slow the journey must have been to Israel with that great crowd of people.  Very slow indeed!  With that great crowd of people, the Israelites made their journey through the wilderness in stages. 

I think if we look back at our lives, we will see that our journeys have also been made in a similar manner - in stages.  Our stages are not all all alike.  We don't take them all in the same order.  But, we all go through them - from new birth received in baptism symbolized by the crossing of the Jordan as they fled from Egypt to the crossing of the Jordan once again into the promised land.  And in between, there is much learning and growth at each stage of the journey.  We grow in relationship to God at each stage or we can turn back and not grow at all.

I have often looked back at my own life and a particular set of stages that are very important to me - to my relationship with God.  So you're going to get a story...

When I was a young child.  I had a lot of fears.  Life could be kind of scary at times.  I didn't go to Sunday School very often, but my grandmother brought me to Worship (mostly in the Finnish language) and taught me herself.  I came to know and trust God as my Father, for protection from the darkness of the night.  When I was afraid, I would close my eyes and pretend that I lay in the safety of His great big hands (I knew the song - He's got the whole world in His hands) and I was safe.  I knew God the Father.  At the time, I knew who Jesus was.  But, I didn't know Jesus.

After confirmation, I strayed as most young people do - lot's of false gods.    About the time of my oldest sons confirmation, I was tired.  Life was pretty chaotic. God was not on the bottom of my list of priorities, but He wasn't on the top, either. We were attending an LCMS congregation.  Pr Gary Fisher proclaimed the Good News and I heard.  I remember one particular sermon he gave in which he cited the Apostle's Creed.  But, instead of using the words I believe, he said, "I know God the Father Almighty...  I know Jesus Christ..."  I began to crave a deeper relationship with Jesus, not just to know who he was, but to really know him.  And I began to grieve that he should die for someone like me, who had for so many years taken him for granted.  God was speaking to me and telling me it was time to turn my life around.  It was time to repent.  I did.  I remember driving home from the church one day, crying and confessing to God, all of my sins.  Asking Him for forgiveness for not putting Him before all other things.  I was sorry that I had been such a poor example of a Christian and I deserved death and to never be allowed into the kingdom.  The sacrifice that Jesus paid for me, was more than I deserved.  I told Him that I didn't care if He condemned me, but if He he would allow it, if He would guide me, I would serve Him.  Help me to tell the world of Jesus' love, not for my sake, but for the sake of all those who do not know Jesus.  At this stage of my life, my relationship with Jesus began to grow. 

I knew the Father and the Son.  But, there are 3 persons in the Trinity and I still had to meet the Holy Spirit.  Thanks be to God, two men, whom I worked with, knew the Spirit.  I didn't even know who the Holy Spirit was.  Teaching of the third person sometimes gets least attention in many Lutheran churches, except for on Trinity Sunday.  These men began to teach me.  I had already learned that there is a difference between knowing who someone is and knowing them. So on the advise of these men, I got on my knees one night, alone in my room and I asked God to please send the Holy Spirit... That night, I met the Holy Spirit.  I refer to it as the night that God introduced me to the Holy Spirit.  No words can describe knowing the Trinity in this kind of fullness.  The joy within me was indescribable.  The world around me was still pretty rough, but I kept right on smiling in spite of all the obstacles.  Pr. Fisher thought maybe I needed counseling :)  But, he finally directed me to the Renewal in Missouri movement.  Which began another stage in my life. 

The point I'm trying to make this morning is that our life on earth is a journey through the wilderness and it is usually made in various stages.  We do not learn everything overnight.  Our relationship with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit takes time.  That doesn't usually happen overnight either and like all relationships it will have it's ups and downs.  There are a lot less downs though when you are traveling through the wilderness on the path that has been set before you.   It will be easier because you will know the peace that Jesus promised that surpasses all understanding.  If you turn back, you will not get to the promised land.  If you refuse to go at first, it may take a few more years, maybe even 40, to get where God would have had you in the first place. 

If in your journey, you find yourself afraid, know that God is with you.  If in your journey, you're finding yourself thirsty or hungry, God will provide.  He has provided us food and drink that will sustain us for all eternity, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.   If in your journey, you need comfort, know that the comforter is with you, the Spirit of Christ will give you peace.

May God bless each of you with a greater relationship with the fullness of the Trinity:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Receive What God Has Promised You and Give Thanks!

Numbers 32

They are close!  They are really close.  It appears that Israel is about to cross over the river Jordan into the promised land.  Thanks be to God their journey through the wilderness is almost over!  Or is it?

The Gadites, Reubenites and half tribe of Manasseh decide they don't want to live in the land the Lord has promised them.  The land that they have just taken from the Mideanites is great for cattle and they want to settle there east of the Jordan.  They don't want to go to the land flowing with milk and honey.  This makes Moses just a wee bit nervous.  The last time God was going to lead them into the promised land, they had balked at entering the land out of fear of the people that resided there.  And what happened....?  They weren't allowed to enter.  God sent them wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years.    

But, the tribes who wanted the land east of the river convinced Moses that it was not out of fear that they didn't want to inherit any of the promised land, but simply that they liked the land and wanted to settle where they were.  They promise (and do fulfill their promise) that the men will go into the promised land to help take the land for the rest of Israel and then they will return to the land east of the river.  Moses agrees.

As we continue reading in the months ahead, I (we) need to remember to pay attention to what happens to these people who did not want and did not receive the land that God had promised them. 

And on to today's life's application of this story.  In the U.S. today is the national day of thanksgiving.  Our thanksgiving worship service was last night so that the community could gather as families in thankfulness for all that was given them today.  We gathered together as the children of God last night, to give thanks to the one who has given us so much.  But, as I suspect it was in most congregations around the country, attendance was certainly not anywhere near a Sunday morning worship service.  We heard the lesson of the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and only 1 (a Samaritan) returning to give thanks to the Lord for healing him and he was not just healed of his disease, but made whole.  This lesson on the eve of Thanksgiving always makes me wonder how many of God's children are truly thankful for what He has given us...  How many have actually been made whole...  How many have fully received the gifts that God wants them to receive... 

Sometimes, I joke about my heritage.  I am pretty much a "mutt," although mostly of Finnish descent.  Those first immigrants to the U.S. had it pretty rough.  They worked hard, mostly as farmers or miners, and neither the land or the climate was gentle to them.  They were a serious people, always doing battle with the elements to provide for their families.  Some of my family have been farmers (some miners).  I remember working in the barn with my grandmother when I was very young.  All the milking was done by hand.  There were no mechanical devices to clean the gutters, either.  She worked very hard and always gave thanks to God for all that He provided to her family.  But, in the next generation, with the advancements of modern farming methods, which should have made life easier, I noticed that life on many farms didn't seem to get easier.  With all this equipment to make the work easier, what I noticed was lacking was an attitude of gratitude for the gifts that God had given them.  It was as though many hadn't even received the gifts.  When I would return to the area to visit (and make hay), what I heard was grumbling about the hard work, grumbling about the equipment breaking down, grumbling that it was raining, grumbling that the sun was shining...  You get the picture.  And all of this grumbling was usually done around the kitchen table over coffee and nisu.  :)  I have to admit, I found all this grumbling to be a bit humorous.

Bottom line this morning is...  Have you received the promised inheritance that God has given to you?  Have you entered into that kingdom (it has come and is coming) or are you going to stay on the outside like the Gadites, Ruebenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, while others claim your inheritance?  Will you rejoice and be glad for all that God had given you, so that you might turn and give Him thanks?

Rejoice and give thanks to God for all His promises on this day of thanks giving as well as every day!

Rambling Again...

Numbers 31

A holy war... God directs the Israelites to execute His judgement against the Midianites.  Trying to place myself in that mind set is a little difficult this morning.  It is difficult, as a Christian who lives in a country where freedom of religion is allowed (more or less), to understand how God could be so angry with the Midianites that he would command the Israelites to go and and destroy them.  But, nevertheless that is what we read this morning.  God is a jealous God and He will have His children worshipping no other god.  He does not want them mixing with the Midianites - to be slowly indoctrinated into the worship of other gods.

Moses, as God's emissary on earth, is concerned about not allowing the pagan nation to lead the children of Israel astray, to worship other gods.  God doesn't want His children mixing with other people to learn their ways.  He wants them following Him faithfully.  There is only one God and the penalty is high for not following Him.  It seems harsh that God would call for the extermination of one people to preserve the faithfulness of another. It is, afterall, not anyone's fault but our own if we go straying after other gods.  Is it not?

But, children will be children and they need to be taught in the way that God would have them go.  I give as an example of this the church of the world today.  How much of what our children know (have been taught by us) has to do with following in the path of Jesus and how much of the secular world has infiltrated what we teach?  How much of our own idolotrous ways have we taught the young people, who will add their own misperceptions of who God is to ours and teach them to their children?  It seems to me, we are all lost sheep who have gone astray.  We have allowed worship of false gods by not speaking up and not speaking the truth, but allowing worship of other things into our churches, into our homes, our lives.  In addition to the worship of material things and personalities, idolotry has sneaked into the church under the guise of justice, peace, love.  All of these things taught as the world understands them, not as the whole of scripture teaches.  Justice today means everyone gets off easy.  Justice today is really cheap grace.  Peace means no conflict so don't say anything about Jesus that might offend anyone.  Peace means no confrontation - ignore real justice - so that there is no blood shed at our hands and we can pretend that we are good people.  And love really means acceptance of everything that is done under the sun.  That is what we have taught our children.  That is what many of us were taught and in the end there is no justice, no peace, no love.  We ignore the real needs of people all around the world because of our inability to understand what real justice, peace, and love are.  Sometimes conflict, sometimes confrontation needs to happen if an innocent person is to know justice.  Sometimes real peace can only be realized in and through times of conflict. Sometimes love calls for real confrontation in order that someone we care about can get on the path they need to follow in order to know peace.  Personally, I think we ignore God's justice, peace and love because we're afraid that we might be confronted ourselves and then we'd have to acknowledge that we too are lost sheep and have strayed.

Oops... Rambling again.  But, one more thing.  Take a look at your Sunday School curriculum.  Does it teach about God the Father Almighty, Creator of all that is?  Does it really tell the story of Jesus or just select stories and only in part?  Does it speak of the power of the Holy Spirit?  Or as I suspect in many cases, does it teach your young people how to be "good people" and get along with everyone?  Is Jesus held up only as a good teacher or are you teaching your children that He is Salvation?  He is the way, the truth, and the life?  Has salvation by works sneaked into the curriculum?  Should we all just get along to get along?  Or is there something more at stake?

There is only one God.  You shall have no other gods.  We shall fear, love and trust Him above all things.

P.S.  If you're getting the idea from my blogs that not everyone appreciates everything I teach - you would be correct :)   The injustice of the justice in this world - the lack of love in a world that puts on a happy face pretending to love others when they are only looking out for themselves - and ignoring injustice to maintain peace are some really sore points with me.  As I've aged, I have learned that keeping quiet about these things are only perpetuating the worship of false gods.

Your Maker Is Your Husband

Numbers 30

Men swear oaths and women make thoughtless utterances... hmmm...  interesting.  As a woman, I have to confess I have sworn some oaths that were really thoughtless utterances.  Fortunately, for my husband, I don't think that I've ever made them in his hearing so he doesn't bear my guilt. :-)  I alone am guilty for my own thoughtless utterances.

Does the apparent male privilege and responsibility of the patriarchal society in the old testament offend me?  Not in the least.  That is the way it was.  Just because I don't always appreciate the way history presented itself, doesn't mean I should change it or ignore it.  It is what it is.  And...  just because men at the time were definitely "head of the household" doesn't mean that God didn't bless women.  Miriam, afterall, was a prophetess.  As we move forward in history through both the old and new testament we will see where God has called many women, the least in this world, to be first: to lead (as servants) his people and to proclaim the good news of the kingdom.  To utter words of good news!

I am grateful that my husband does not have to bear the guilt for my sins.  They are a bit heavy for him to bear.  But, we have a bridegroom (see also: Matt 9:15; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:34; Rev 21:1-3 and my favorite Isaiah 54:4-6 ) who was able.  OK...  I cannot resist posting Isaiah 54:4-6 (NIV) - it really is a favorite and good news:

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
   Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
   and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
For your Maker is your husband—
   the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
   he is called the God of all the earth.
The LORD will call you back
   as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
   only to be rejected,” says your God."

My earthly husband, has not heard my thoughtless utterances, but my maker, my redeemer, my beloved husband, Jesus the Christ has and he bore the weight of our sins upon the cross that we might be freed from sin to be his loving bride, the faith-filled and faithful children of God.

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."   (Romans 3:23-26 NIV)

Hoping this all makes sense to all of you this morning.  God's Peace - Pr. J

Leftovers

Numbers 28, 29

There are those who think that I mention offerings too much - especially in the fall during the season we normally consider our budget and stewardship.  They should  read Numbers.  I've got nothing on Moses!  Wow!  Every now and then I have to double check to make sure I'm not reading the same chapter over again. 

I know I've talked about offerings in at least a couple blogs before this one.  One thing that strikes me this morning is that these offerings are made regularly, often, and they are worship.  Giving to God, making offerings or sacrifices is a way of worshipping God, honoring Him.  And...  if we are to honor Him then we give unblemished, firstfruits, not the leftovers. 

God does not give us leftovers.  He gave His only begotten Son as a sin offering for us.  Is he not worthy of all honor and glory?  How long will we honor God with the leftovers of our time, talents, gifts? 

God Provides

Numbers 27

Women as heirs - now that a novel idea!  Just kidding...  Times were a bit different back then...  When the daughters of Zelophehad complained to Moses about the injustice of a system that did not allow daughters to inherit their father's possessions they talked to Moses.  Moses talked to God and God made provision for them.  This provision, though, was not based so much on the individual women's needs, but to perpetuate the name of their father.  There was a little room for women in the patriarchal system - but - very little.  We'll see in chapter 36 that there were a few restrictions on these provisions. 

Now Moses was getting near the time of his end as shepherd of Israel.  He had sinned against God by not showing God's holiness to the people.  He was allowed to see the promised land, but not enter into it.  So God makes provision for Israel by providing a new shepherd, Joshua.  Joshua is commissioned.  In front of Eleazar the priest and the  whole congregation, Moses lays his hands upon Joshua and part of his authority is transferred to Joshua in order that he might lead the people as a shepherd.

God provides according to the needs of the people.  On January 8th, at Bethany Lutheran in Covington, MI a shepherd of that small flock will be installed.  God has provided.  They have been like sheep without a shepherd for a long time.  Thanks be to God that they knew, trusted, and followed the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ in the interim.  I served as their interim Pastor, as did others, during part of that time.  But, now they will have someone who can more closely serve them.  Peter Suomela, a layman has been called to serve.  Now that's a novel idea... LOL.  Who do we think served the church on earth when it was first growing in the U.S..  There certainly weren't enough pastors to go around at that time - 5 and 6 point parishes with hundreds of miles in between in some places?  It was lay people who led weekly worship between visits by the clergy.  In Russia, during the many years that Christianity was outlawed and priests and pastors were being sent to prison camps in Siberia, it was not just laymen, but lay women who served secretly so that the Gospel would still be heard and God's children ministered to.  We give thanks to God for Peter, who has been in the Lord's training for many years (since baptism) and has been called to serve as shepherd in that community of Covington.  God's provides.  We thank God for the provisions he makes for all His people! 

The Census

Numbers 26

The census of the new generations - the generation that will enter the promised land - now those are some numbers!  I cannot even begin to imagine families so large.  And.. I cannot imagine so many children of God in one place! 

So often in the church we hear it said that numbers don't matter.  Well, yes and no.  We know that where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, there Christ is.  (Matt 18:30)  That's a good and reassuring thing.  But, we are also commanded to go and make disciples.  It just kind of makes sense to me that if we are actively involved in the great commission (Matt 28:19-20) then the numbers will grow.  The church of Jesus Christ is not about a genealogical family blood line - it is about the family that has been adopted as children of God through the blood of Christ.  How does that "blood-line" fare today? 

Every January our church council takes a "census" of our members.  Names have been added to our rolls throughout the year as they are baptized (children and adults) or affirm their faith as adults.  Some names are also taken off each January or rather they are removed from the voting member roster and placed in an inactive baptized status.  We never removed the names permanently unless they request it.  This inactive baptized roster are those people who for whatever reason have decided that they are spiritual enough and don't need to worship God with fellow believers.  They don't need to hear the Word of God or receive the Sacrament.  Sometimes it might even be that they have stayed away because they feel unworthy and they haven't quite grasped the fact that we are all unworthy and that is why we should hear the Word and receive the Sacraments.  As they are put on the inactive rolls, we continue to pray for them and minister to them whenever they are in need.  They are not counted; however, as official members of the church.  I have been asked why we bother keeping them on any rolls.  The critique is that if we keep ministering to those who have chosen not to be active disciples of Christ, then why would they want to be active?  Wouldn't that be ideal to be ministered to in times of need, but not having to take responsibility as a disciple of Christ?  I've been thinking about that this morning.  And... the only answer to what will motivate them to return to the sheepfold that I can give is the love of Jesus Christ, active through all the disciples, by the power of the Holy Spirit.   We continue to minister to them because that is what our LORD would have his followers, his shepherds to do.  Are we not about praying for those in need, feeding the hungry, comforting the grieving, etc.?  We continue to minister to those who are absent from our midst because our LORD would have us seek out the lost sheep and bring them safely back into the fold.  (Matt 18:12-14 Luke 15:3-7)

Christians are and, at the same time, are not an elite group of people.  We are elite because we belong to the family of God.  We are not an elite group because we know that without Christ we are nothing.  We are not elite because Jesus died for all who would believe - not just us.  We welcome all people whom Jesus died for into our communities, into the family of God.  We welcome all people when we leave the safety of our sanctuaries to go into the world to make disciples; baptizing and teaching all that our LORD has taught us.

I often look around me and think about how small the "remnant" might actually be.  But, it does not stop me nor should it stop the church on earth from reaching out to gather in to God's family all His children.  I firmly believe that if we are active disciples ourselves, following the command of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the great commission, the census will be great!  The census of the generation of Israel that received the promised land will seem very minute in comparison. 

Death or Life?

Numbers 25

Journeying through the old testament can be difficult.  There are some chapters I would really like to ignore (but I won't).  This is one of them.  It is a reminder that we should not yoke ourselves with unbelievers.  It is not helpful to living lives in relationship with God to marry someone who worships other gods.  Yes, indeed they may come to the LORD through our faithful witness.  But, we may also be led away from Him, by their witness and life lived in worship of other things. 

God was pretty zealous in His jealousy to send a plague in destroying thousands who turned away from Him.  Death was the penalty for being led astray.  And... what led them astray in the first place?  Lust.... It started with sexual attraction.  The men of Israel lusted after the women of Moab, who they followed down a path to the sacrificing and the worshipping of other gods.  They forsook their God for sex.  As we journey through the Bible you will notice that the relationship between God and His people is often likened to a marriage.  When we go after other gods (idolotry) we are committing adultery.  What happens in a marriage when adultery is committed?  Most usually jealousy - sometimes it is so painful - that deaths do occur.  Most often the pain that is endured because of adultery - feels like death.

Now, I don't believe that God is going to strike down every human being who turns away from Him with a great plague.  But, death and not life is inevitable for those who turn away from Him, for those who reject Him and worship other gods.  We know life when we are in relationship to God.  We know death when we are not.  Think about those times in your life when it felt like God simply wasn't there for you - when you felt like you were completely alone.  Think about the times when you were busy chasing after other gods.  Did you not feel like you were dieing?  There may have been times when you even wanted to. 

But, there is hope.  Jesus said,  "I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:9-10 NRSV)  The thieves are false prophets, false shepherds, false gods.  We do well if we recognize them and stay far away.

And... Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)  The only real life, the only abundant life is found in Jesus the Christ.  Real life is experienced when we live in relationship with Jesus.   Through Him we come to live in close relationship with the Father.  And I add, by the power of the Holy Spirit...  For without the Spirit there is no breath in us to proclaim his wonderous love to you. According to Jesus: "It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63) 

Death or life? That is the question today...  False gods or the one God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?  Who or what will you live your life in this world in relationship with?

Open Our Ears To Hear - Listen!

Numbers 22 - 24

Now here's a familiar story to many Sunday School children.  The story of Balaam and the talking donkey... But, there is more to the story.  I'm asking you to read all 3 chapters today so that you can get the more of the story.

First off, Balaam does not appear to be an Israelite, one of God's chosen people.  Otherwise, wouldn't he be with the rest of the crew wandering around in the wilderness?  Instead, he's off to do the bidding of Israel's enemy.  Balaam is a diviner of sorts.  To put it plainly:  Balaam is a false prophet.  But, even this false prophet knows that when the LORD speaks to him, he'd better listen.  Instead of cursing the Israelites as Balak has commanded him, Balaam blesses them as the LORD commanded him to.

Balaam, the gentile listens - at least he attempts to hear.  That doesn't necessarily mean he worships God.  Doesn't even mean that he expected to hear the LORD Himself talk to him.  He may have been expecting another voice.  Scripture doesn't say - purely conjecture on my part.  But, when God does speak, he has enough good sense to do as he is told.  Course, even though his ears may be open, his eyes are shut to the angel of the LORD.  The donkey can see the angel, but Balaam cannot - at least not until the LORD opens his eyes. 

Open our eyes Lord that we may see.  How many of us go around and never see.  Our youth at Zion are doing a play during Advent based on the story of the Christmas Guest, a poem written by Helen Steiner Rice, which was actually based on the short-story "Where Love Is, God Is" written (retold) by Leo Tolstoy.  It's the story of a man who is expecting the LORD to come and visit him.  It turns out that he gets three visitors in need, whom he helps.  At the end of the day, the man is still waiting for the LORD to visit only to find out that the LORD had already been there in the three visitors he has helped.  His eyes could not see the LORD while they were present with him.  But, God opened his eyes after he had helped them.  "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..." (Matt 25:35 NIV) 

Open our ears Lord, that we may hear.  When was the last time that you were actually still enough, quiet enough, to hear the voice of the LORD, if He chose to speak to you?  I think that part of our noise pollution problem comes from the fact that we're afraid that if left alone in sheer silence (1 Kings 19:11-13) we might hear actually hear what the LORD is trying to say to us.   Do we fear that we might hear and then, like Balaam, be compelled to do as we're directed - because it is God asking?  Would you really tell God no?  It's much easier, I think to avoid hearing God's will by cranking up the television or the music.  It is better to be blind and deaf - then we don't have to do anything.  We won't have to acknowledge His presence in our lives or in the lives of others.  We won't have to acknowledge His will for us.  Do we hope the sound of the television and our choice (or not so choice) music will drown out the sound of God's voice that might be heard as a whisper if there were silence?

I wish that more often the whole story of Balaam would be told to our children.  Balaam, who was not one of God's chosen people, when confronted by God - even Balaam had enough sense to listen.

Open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts Lord so that we might see and hear and know you.