January 31, 2013
"The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness." Exodus 16:2
Two days ago the whole congregation of the Hander House grumbled and complained against me. The kids' emotions ran high mostly on account of a lack of sleep. But the constant bickering caused this homeschooling mama to unleash a not-so-godly character in front of her children. How do we as parents keep from becoming entangled in the web of negativity our children inevitably exude?
As the Lord would have it yesterday morning I just so happened to study the account of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. After 400 years of slavery God freed His people from Egyptian rule. The time had come for the Israelites to inherit the land which God had promised them in Genesis 15, a land which flowed with milk and honey. God demonstrated a miraculous love for His people only to receive a mouthful of bitterness and rejection in return.
I can relate. I love my children. I spend much of my efforts trying to make them happy. But often times my actions toward my children fail to ignite the response I desire. Don't get me wrong, my children are plenty sweet. But when my actions toward my children go unappreciated--or worse yet, criticized--I feel overwhelmingly frustrated and bitter toward them. God reminded me yesterday that it isn't about pleasing my children. It is about pleasing the Lord in the way I raise my (His) children.
Each time the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses, Moses cried out to God. In Exodus 17:4 Moses says to the Lord, "What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!" Each time God responds to Moses by reminding him of the task before him. God essentially says, "Moses, I know its tough. I know my people can be ungrateful. But I want you to continue leading them." God also always provided Moses with whatever it was he needed to keep going.
When the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses in Exodus14 Moses cried out to God, and God provided a path which no one had seen (see also Psalm 77:19). When the Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses in Exodus 15 Moses cried out to God, and God provided water from a rock. When the Israelites grumbled and complained in Exodus 16 Moses cried out to God, and God provided meat and bread from the sky.
When my kids grumble and complain, the first step I should take is to cry out to God. But as I continued reading in Exodus I discovered a few other action steps I plan to try.
Shortly after the Israelites leave Egypt Moses welcomes a visitor--his priestly father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro observes his son-in-law in action and quickly observes that Moses is in over his head in trying to manage the entire congregation of the Israelites alone. In Exodus 18:17-18 Jethro says to Moses, "The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone." Jethro proceeds to give Moses three pointers in how to lead God's people.
First, Jethro tells Moses to teach God's statutes to the Israelites and to make known to the Israelites the way in which God would have them work and live (Exodus 18:20). Second, Jethro tells Moses to empower the people to manage the smaller quarrels amongst themselves (v21). Finally, Jethro advises Moses to continue to handle the major disputes (v22). "Then," Jethro says in verse 23, "you will be able to endure."
What do we do when we feel worn-out from leading the [little] people God has entrusted to us?
First, we must remember who it is we work for. Colossians 3:23 reads, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." As a mom I must cry out to God and allow Him to remind me of His charge, and trust Him to provide me with what I need (whether it be a secret path through the wilderness, a cold drink of water or a yummy snack).
After enlisting God's help we are wise to follow the words of Jethro: teach our children God's statues, empower them to handle small disagreements themselves and yet still be available (mentally and physically) to handle major disputes. Then, and only then, will we be able to endure this call to motherhood.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Abraham's What?
Explain Sheol, Abraham's bosom, God's promise to Abe to have lots of children, Abe actually cared for "children" while waiting on the Lord. Shows me that God meant what He said. No one can appear b/f Him. Made OT believers wait until Christ had come. The real deal! Where will you spend eternity?
Go Back!
January 30, 2013
After Abe messed up, he continued to return to the last place he knew He'd heard from God.
After Abe messed up, he continued to return to the last place he knew He'd heard from God.
Honest Abe
January 23, 2013
"Abram replied to the king of Sodom . . . 'I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what
belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, "I am the one who made Abram
rich."'" Genesis 14:22-23
On every piece of US currency appear the words, "In God We Trust."
But do we?
When it came to financial dealings Abram (later known as Abraham) proved an honest man. I can recount at least two different times in Scripture when Abram flat-out lied about his marriage relationship and then justified his mishaps based on a technicality (technically Sarai was Abram's half-sister). But when it came to worldly riches Abram lived as a man with integrity.
In Genesis 14 Abram receives word that four enemy kings have taken his nephew Lot as a prisoner of war from the land of Sodom. If you'll recall from my previous post, A Golden Globe, because of Sodom's lush appearance Lot chose to live in the land of Sodom even though the people of Sodom were "exceedingly wicked" (Genesis 13:13). After hearing news of his nephew's capture Abram gathers his own men and pursues the enemy kings eventually defeating them and recovering all of the stolen loot, including his nephew Lot.
Following Abram's battle the king of Sodom approaches Abram and says in Genesis 14:21, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered." But Abram replies, "I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what
belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram
rich'"" (Genesis 14:22-23).
If the people of Sodom were "exceedingly wicked" I can only imagine how the king of Sodom must have lived. Abram had a right to the plunder he recovered from the enemy kings. But Abram refused. Rather than accept worldly riches from the hand of an enemy of God Abram trusted God for his great reward. Other than the food his warriors had already eaten Abram accepted nothing in return for his work except the sweet taste of victory (Genesis 14:24).
Several years later we see Abram--now Abraham--deal in a similar manner with the sons of Heth in Canaan. Though Abraham's descendents would one day inherit Canaan as their own land, at this point in history Abraham lived as a foreigner in Canaan. Following the death of his wife Sarah Abraham asks the sons of Heth for a place to bury his dead. The sons of Heth reply to Abraham, "You are an honored prince among us. Choose the finest of our tombs and bury her there" (Genesis 23:6).
The sons of Heth offer Abraham a burial tomb free-of-charge. But Abraham insists on paying full price--400 shekels of silver--for the tomb. I can only assume Abraham carried the same attitude toward the sons of Heth as he did the king of Sodom, though Scripture doesn't exactly say.
Prior to Israel's conquest of Canaan the inhabitants of Canaan sinned greatly against the Lord. The same held true for the sons of Heth (also known as the Hittites). In Genesis 26:34-35 Abraham's grandson Esau "grieved his parents hearts" when he chose to marry a Hittite woman (um, make that two Hittite women). Once again we see that rather than accept a gift from an enemy of God Abraham chose to trust that God would provide for all of his needs.
The desire to provide for ourselves comes natural. Indeed I believe God placed inside man an innate desire to work (see Genesis 2). However, when we choose to depend only on ourselves to make ends meet, we fail to give God a chance to reveal to us His great reward. After Abram politely declined the king of Sodom's offer God appeared to Abram in a vision and said, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great" (Genesis 15:1).
What has God called you to do? Have you hesitated for fear of receiving little to no financial compensation in return? Have you considered accepting compensation through means which would prove displeasing to God? God knows our needs and He's promised to meet them IF we put Him first (Matthew 7:32-33).
In what . . . or in Whom do you trust?
"Abram replied to the king of Sodom . . . 'I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what
belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, "I am the one who made Abram
rich."'" Genesis 14:22-23
On every piece of US currency appear the words, "In God We Trust."
But do we?
When it came to financial dealings Abram (later known as Abraham) proved an honest man. I can recount at least two different times in Scripture when Abram flat-out lied about his marriage relationship and then justified his mishaps based on a technicality (technically Sarai was Abram's half-sister). But when it came to worldly riches Abram lived as a man with integrity.
In Genesis 14 Abram receives word that four enemy kings have taken his nephew Lot as a prisoner of war from the land of Sodom. If you'll recall from my previous post, A Golden Globe, because of Sodom's lush appearance Lot chose to live in the land of Sodom even though the people of Sodom were "exceedingly wicked" (Genesis 13:13). After hearing news of his nephew's capture Abram gathers his own men and pursues the enemy kings eventually defeating them and recovering all of the stolen loot, including his nephew Lot.
Following Abram's battle the king of Sodom approaches Abram and says in Genesis 14:21, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered." But Abram replies, "I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what
belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram
rich'"" (Genesis 14:22-23).
If the people of Sodom were "exceedingly wicked" I can only imagine how the king of Sodom must have lived. Abram had a right to the plunder he recovered from the enemy kings. But Abram refused. Rather than accept worldly riches from the hand of an enemy of God Abram trusted God for his great reward. Other than the food his warriors had already eaten Abram accepted nothing in return for his work except the sweet taste of victory (Genesis 14:24).
Several years later we see Abram--now Abraham--deal in a similar manner with the sons of Heth in Canaan. Though Abraham's descendents would one day inherit Canaan as their own land, at this point in history Abraham lived as a foreigner in Canaan. Following the death of his wife Sarah Abraham asks the sons of Heth for a place to bury his dead. The sons of Heth reply to Abraham, "You are an honored prince among us. Choose the finest of our tombs and bury her there" (Genesis 23:6).
The sons of Heth offer Abraham a burial tomb free-of-charge. But Abraham insists on paying full price--400 shekels of silver--for the tomb. I can only assume Abraham carried the same attitude toward the sons of Heth as he did the king of Sodom, though Scripture doesn't exactly say.
Prior to Israel's conquest of Canaan the inhabitants of Canaan sinned greatly against the Lord. The same held true for the sons of Heth (also known as the Hittites). In Genesis 26:34-35 Abraham's grandson Esau "grieved his parents hearts" when he chose to marry a Hittite woman (um, make that two Hittite women). Once again we see that rather than accept a gift from an enemy of God Abraham chose to trust that God would provide for all of his needs.
The desire to provide for ourselves comes natural. Indeed I believe God placed inside man an innate desire to work (see Genesis 2). However, when we choose to depend only on ourselves to make ends meet, we fail to give God a chance to reveal to us His great reward. After Abram politely declined the king of Sodom's offer God appeared to Abram in a vision and said, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great" (Genesis 15:1).
What has God called you to do? Have you hesitated for fear of receiving little to no financial compensation in return? Have you considered accepting compensation through means which would prove displeasing to God? God knows our needs and He's promised to meet them IF we put Him first (Matthew 7:32-33).
In what . . . or in Whom do you trust?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A Golden Globe
January 15, 2013
" . . . Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord." Genesis 13:12-13
I'm ashamed to admit I even know that the Golden Globes aired two nights ago on television. My husband and I rarely watch television. However, as my husband searched for highlights from Sunday's NFL playoff game we stumbled across a program filled with famous stars adorned in beautiful evening attire. I only watched for a moment before my admiration turned to sadness.
I can't tell you her name. I couldn't begin to guess the name of the television program in which this star performs. Apparently members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association think highly of her as the association selected this actress to receive a Golden Globe award. She glided effortlessly onto the stage. With a bounce in her curls and a stunning blue (or was it red?) ball-gown she looked picture-perfect. But as this actress began her acceptance speech the lie for which she's fallen became apparent.
I can't recall her entire speech but amidst her message she called television "this wonderfully rich place." I have nothing against television per say. I realize that the Golden Globes recognize more than daytime television stars including music, movies and the works of writers much more talented than myself. The danger of television lies in us believing that Hollywood has it right. We watch wealth, fame and beauty overflow from a ballroom in Beverly Hills, and unwittingly conclude that Hollywood knows the only path to happiness and success.
As I watched the Golden Globes I found myself reminded of the temptation to desire the things of the world. In Genesis 13 God has blessed Abraham his nephew Lot to such an extent that the land in which they live can no longer support both of their families. Abraham approaches Lot and invites Lot to chose a land for himself. Lot's no dummy. He surveys the land and chooses the land which appears lush and fertile leaving the less-than-perfect land for his humble uncle. The land Lot chose was none other than the land of Sodom.
Notice the words of Genesis 13:13, "But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord."
Lot fell for the temptation of living amongst a corrupt people because their land appeared to offer everything his young heart desired. As Lot surveyed the land from his Lazy Boy the land seemed picture-perfect. Maybe Lot even thought to himself, "I'm strong enough to live in that place without succumbing to the ways of the wicked." But Lot's fate would prove otherwise. Because of Abraham's prayers God spared Lot during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:29). But the story paints a picture of the heart of a man which had been led astray.
Abraham failed short of God's glory many times . . . as do we. But Abraham's heart desired the ways of God. By allowing Lot to chose first Abraham by default received the land of Canaan. Canaan was the very land God had promised to Abraham's descendents in Genesis 12. Canaan would serve as the Israelites' Promised Land, a land which at first glance may have appeared less fertile but deep down flowed with milk and honey.
I shouldn't imply that Hollywood is the land of the wicked. But I think the ways and the desires of Hollywood are anything but to be admired. Many times living the "Christian life" doesn't seem all that attractive on the surface. But God has
promised to those who follow Him in faith a heavenly Canaan. A place where God may not award golden globes
but crowns for us to place at the feet of our Savior. A place where Christ will rule and where the streets which wrap around the globe are paved in gold (Revelation 21:21).
" . . . Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord." Genesis 13:12-13
I'm ashamed to admit I even know that the Golden Globes aired two nights ago on television. My husband and I rarely watch television. However, as my husband searched for highlights from Sunday's NFL playoff game we stumbled across a program filled with famous stars adorned in beautiful evening attire. I only watched for a moment before my admiration turned to sadness.
I can't tell you her name. I couldn't begin to guess the name of the television program in which this star performs. Apparently members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association think highly of her as the association selected this actress to receive a Golden Globe award. She glided effortlessly onto the stage. With a bounce in her curls and a stunning blue (or was it red?) ball-gown she looked picture-perfect. But as this actress began her acceptance speech the lie for which she's fallen became apparent.
I can't recall her entire speech but amidst her message she called television "this wonderfully rich place." I have nothing against television per say. I realize that the Golden Globes recognize more than daytime television stars including music, movies and the works of writers much more talented than myself. The danger of television lies in us believing that Hollywood has it right. We watch wealth, fame and beauty overflow from a ballroom in Beverly Hills, and unwittingly conclude that Hollywood knows the only path to happiness and success.
As I watched the Golden Globes I found myself reminded of the temptation to desire the things of the world. In Genesis 13 God has blessed Abraham his nephew Lot to such an extent that the land in which they live can no longer support both of their families. Abraham approaches Lot and invites Lot to chose a land for himself. Lot's no dummy. He surveys the land and chooses the land which appears lush and fertile leaving the less-than-perfect land for his humble uncle. The land Lot chose was none other than the land of Sodom.
Notice the words of Genesis 13:13, "But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord."
Lot fell for the temptation of living amongst a corrupt people because their land appeared to offer everything his young heart desired. As Lot surveyed the land from his Lazy Boy the land seemed picture-perfect. Maybe Lot even thought to himself, "I'm strong enough to live in that place without succumbing to the ways of the wicked." But Lot's fate would prove otherwise. Because of Abraham's prayers God spared Lot during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:29). But the story paints a picture of the heart of a man which had been led astray.
Abraham failed short of God's glory many times . . . as do we. But Abraham's heart desired the ways of God. By allowing Lot to chose first Abraham by default received the land of Canaan. Canaan was the very land God had promised to Abraham's descendents in Genesis 12. Canaan would serve as the Israelites' Promised Land, a land which at first glance may have appeared less fertile but deep down flowed with milk and honey.
I shouldn't imply that Hollywood is the land of the wicked. But I think the ways and the desires of Hollywood are anything but to be admired. Many times living the "Christian life" doesn't seem all that attractive on the surface. But God has
promised to those who follow Him in faith a heavenly Canaan. A place where God may not award golden globes
but crowns for us to place at the feet of our Savior. A place where Christ will rule and where the streets which wrap around the globe are paved in gold (Revelation 21:21).
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