Psalm 25 Be Teachable!

My Math teacher in seventh grade was a very demanding one, but he was also the best. He was willing to teach all he knew about multiplication and division, but I had to be willing to submit to his methods. Many students looked him up to have him as a teacher. In those days, it was not uncommon for a teacher to smack you with a ruler if you did not follow his instructions. But if I willingly submitted to his requirements, he would do everything in his power to ensure I learned well. To this day, I have not forgotten the multiplication tables.

So it is with our God. He is willing to be our teacher and teach us all we need to know and understand. There should be a longing in our hearts to have God as our teacher just like David himself exclaims in vv.4-5: "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

But there are certain requirements for me to be a true disciple of my God. First, I must be a person who accepts that God is upright and I am a sinner. He is the teacher and I am the student. He is above me and I am in need of instruction. It is imperative that I approach God with the proper understanding of my place in his presence. I am in need of him. I must come in repentance and with a contrite spirit knowing that I have not lived up to the expectations of my teacher.

Secondly, "He leads the humble in what is right." My attitude before my God should be one of humility and not pride. I cannot come to receive instruction with arrogance. I must humble myself to my teacher. My God is willing to lead me to what is right only if I come humbly to him. I must abandon my pretense to know it all. I must empty my vessel to receive what God is willing to pour into my life.

Finally, I must be obedient. "All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies." I will not be able to enjoy anything God teaches me unless I am willing to be obedient to what he instructs me to do. I must have a heart that is willing to submit obediently to his instruction.

If I seek my God to instruct me with a repentant, humble, and obedient heart, I will learn much. I will learn what is really important in life and benefit from God's blessings as I obediently practice it every day.

Father, I confess that I have not lived up to your commands. Give me a humble and obedient heart that I may learn from you and please you all the days of my life. Amen.

Acts 9:10-19 The Conversion of Saul - Part II

For Saul to become the Paul we know today, it was necessary to have an Ananias. He was a disciple and he lived in Damascus. He was at the right place at the right time. Nonetheless, it was necessary for him to hear God and obey him.  The Lord spoke to him and gave him the address where he could find Saul to lay hands and pray for him to receive his sight. Ananias was afraid because Saul's reputation as one who persecuted believers was wide spread, but the Lord convinced him by revealing his purposes with Saul. Ananias obeyed and played a very significant role in the integration of Saul in the Christian community. I want to be like Ananias - a true disciple who is always at the right place at the right time, ready to hear from God, ready to obey, ready to serve, and willing to take risks for sake of the kingdom.

God had chosen Saul to be an instrument in his hands and he chose to intertwine the lives of Ananias and Saul at this juncture in their lives. The interdependence of believers to achieve God's purposes is so evident. God could have healed Saul's blindness through an angel. He could have given him all he needed without human intervention, but he made the paths of these people collide for his glory. I praise the Lord for the people in my life. I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the people God has placed in my path to prepare me, and work with me in the kingdom. I can't live the Gospel alone, God wants me to be in interdependence with brothers and sisters to have a synergy that helps me accomplish so much more in a team than by myself.

Now, here is a shocking statement out of God's mouth: "I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." God has revealed to Ananias that Saul will suffer greatly as a servant of the kingdom. No one likes to suffer, but suffering is not evil. Through suffering our salvation was worked out. Suffering has a redeeming effect upon those who experience it. It is a schooling appreciated only in hindsight and never while living it. I think it is ironic that Saul, who made many Christians suffer, would be allowed to suffer more than most by Christ himself. My view of suffering should not be gloom and doom. I should view it as a learning experience that helps me understand things I could not understand before suffering.

God chose Saul to carry the name of Jesus before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. His suffering in the kingdom would be for the sake of Jesus' name. All for Jesus. No one else and nothing else. Saul was to be sold out to Jesus to serve him and suffer while doing so with joy. It is easy to forget why I serve in the kingdom. It is not for myself. It is not to gain fame or money - certainly not money! It is not to serve my ego and please my fancy. It is to carry the name of Jesus everywhere! It is to be willing to suffer for that purpose and enjoy the journey.

Father, I am your servant. Make me a instrument in your hands like Ananias and Saul. May I be ready to hear your voice, ready to obey it, willing to suffer if necessary to serve you. May suffering never deter me from giving my all to serve you. Amen.

Acts 8:26-40 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

The Holy Spirit not only empowered Christians to be bold and courageous to speak the Word, but he also guided them on where to go and what to do even in the midst of persecution. In the efforts to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, God uses even angels to guide his people. Philip is a perfect example of a follower of Christ who was obedient to such guidance. He was told to take a road that led to a desert place and yet Philip obeyed and went. He did not question why would God lead him to a desert place. If the goal was to preach to as many people as possible, why go to the desert? The city is a better choice! Am I open to God's guidance in whatever form it may come? Am I willing to obey even when I don't understand clearly why? If I am going to be effective in the proclamation of the Gospel in this world I must not only understand the message, but I must be obedient to God's directions on where to take the message as well.

Philip's obedience brings him in contact with an Ethiopian eunuch, a very important and influential Treasurer for queen Candace. A eunuch is a castrated man chosen to work in very influential positions in a kingdom. Castration was a means to ensure that the person would not have any family taking away any personal interests or ulterior motives to serve a king or queen. What an opportunity to bring the Word to someone so influential in his time. This was a divine appointment. If I receive and obey God's guidance, I will have divine appointments to share the good news of the Gospel. Am I sensitive enough to perceive God's guidance day by day? I can't obey what I can't hear.

Philip came along side the eunuch's chariot and befriended him before he was invited to get in the chariot to speak the Word. The Ethiopian eunuch confessed that he needed guidance in order to understand what he was reading, but he didn't have someone to help him. The proclamation of the Gospel takes place when a person with a need to understand is met by a person with a desire to explain. Philip's obedience brought him in contact with someone in need, but he first comes alongside and waits for an invitation. Like Philip, I must seize the opportunity of an encounter by coming alongside and showing a genuine interest to help. Only then will I be invited to share the good news. The old saying applies here: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." (Don Swartz)

When the eunuch invited Philip to enter the chariot, he was in for the ride of his life. The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53 and he was wondering who was the prophet talking about. Philip begins with this passage and told him the good news about Jesus leading him to believe and even make a commitment to baptism. Divine appointments require that I be ready to explain the Scriptures leading to the good news of Jesus. If I don't study the Scriptures, how can I lead those who are hungry to understand it? My effectiveness as a witness in the world depends on my ability to convey God's message as it is written in the Scriptures. Do I read the Bible? Do I take time to study it? Do I meditate on it day and night?

Father, make me an obedient messenger of your Word. Help me perceive your guidance in the midst of a noisy world. Empower me to intentionally befriend those who are seeking to understand your Word. Grant me great understanding of your Word and the ability to explain it to others. Amen.

Joshua 10:29-43 Conquest of Southern Canaan

Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, has become an unstoppable force for God's kingdom. There is no city-state or king that can sustain the attacks of Israel. As I read through this campaign, I am taken by the power, consistency, and swiftness of the attacks. I can certainly benefit from a campaign like this for my own spiritual life.

God fought for Israel, so the victories are not to be attributed to Israel, but to God. If Israel is to be praised for anything, it is for its obedience. As long as Israel complied with God's instructions, Israel would benefit from the power of Almighty God working on their behalf. If I want to experience the power of God at work in my life, I must learn through the school of obedience. I can't expect great things to happen in my life if I am not obedient in the little things of the kingdom.

The campaign highlights the consistency of Israel's power and victory over the enemy. It is not one isolated fight. Israel took on at least seven city-states during this campaign. Each one required a siege against the city and a battle afterwards. This is a lot of work! This kind of consistency is not possible on their own strength. Only God can offer that kind of sustained power. It is possible for me to experience victory after victory if only I rely on God alone and am obedient to his voice.

Finally, the swiftness of the attacks and the destruction of the devoted things is impressive. There is no hesitation on Joshua's part to execute the commands of the Lord. It is not easy to wipe out an entire city, but Israel learned its lesson and did not hesitate to comply. If I am to experience victory in my own spiritual battles, I must devote myself to do God's will without hesitation. I must destroy the "devoted things" in my own life. What are they? Am I holding unto some of them still?

Lord, grant me the victory over my enemies. Give me the power to attack their strongholds in my life. Help me destroy all the "devoted things" in my life. I want to be devoted to you alone.

Joshua 7:1-9 Israel Defeated at Ai

The conquest of the promised land, the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth is a holy war. Literally, it is a war between the God of Israel and the gods of the nations established in the promised land. The culture of the day viewed conflict between nations as a religious contest between their gods. This is very evident in the conflict with Pharaoh as Moses leads Israel out of its slavery in Egypt. Though difficult for us to understand, the reality of holy war made its way into the New Testament as one of the main images of the Christian conflict against sin, Satan, and the world.

If I am to make progress in my holy war, I must "keep the faith" and never "break faith." One of the rules of holy war is that the booty acquired from the enemy becomes "devoted" to the deity you are fighting for. To keep something devoted to deity was considered to "break faith," in other words, it was a disobedience for which it was necessary to pay with one's life at times. The establishment of God's kingdom requires my full trust in my God. I must keep the faith at all times. I must trust that he has a plan and knows what he is doing even when I don't understand.

Success in holy war is not dependent upon my abilities. It is dependent on my faith in God. Overconfidence in my abilities is an insult to my God. Many times my defeats are just a discipline of the Lord for my life so I may trust him and not myself. Ai was nothing compared to Jericho, yet they defeated Israel. In this conquest, strength is not in the numbers, but in the faith. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.

Joshua's prayer clearly shows that Israel's victory brings glory to God's name because God is the one who fights for Israel. But God has demonstrated time and again that he will not fight for those who are overconfident in their trust in themselves. I bring glory to God's name when I fight depending on his power and might and not on my own abilities. God is most glorified when I battle in his name using all his resources at my disposal in obedience to his plan and strategy.

God Almighty, grant me the faith to trust in you alone in all my battles against sin and the enemy. Fill me with your Spirit and teach me to use your whole armor. Shun in me overconfidence and self-reliance.

Joshua 3:1-17 Israel Crosses the Jordan

The promises of God are true. But they are not always unconditional. In order to enjoy the blessings of God it is necessary for us to listen to God and follow his guidance. The people were called to prepare in consecration and then follow the ark of the covenant as it was carried by the priests. They were not to make a move on their own without God and the appointed leadership.

Consecration is not a word you use every day. It means to dedicate to a purpose. The conquest of the promised land requires total dedication. It is not a mere hobby or a sideline job. It is a full-time commitment. It is a lifestyle. All of my life must be devoted to this one cause: the kingdom of God and its establishment upon the earth! I cannot serve two masters. I must consecrate myself to my God and his purposes for my life.

Total dedication to God's kingdom and its establishment upon the earth is demonstrated in obedience. The ark of the covenant is the place where the Israelites enjoyed the manifest presence of God. God led his people through the ark and the appointed leaders. They were called to follow his lead and obey his instructions. The establishment of God's kingdom requires me to unite with the brethren and follow in obedience God's commandments.

It is very obvious that the establishment of God's kingdom is not something I can pull off on my own. It is not a "lone ranger" type of rescue. It is the corporate consecration and obedience of God's people in the pursuit of his purposes. I must see myself as part of a whole: the body of Christ. My contribution is only a piece of the puzzle. The body becomes ineffective, even paralyzed, if I try to do my own thing. 

Lord, I consecrate my life to you and the establishment of your kingdom upon earth. Help me be faithful to your purposes and obedient to your commands. May I seek unity and teamwork within the body of Christ for your glory and honor forever. Amen

Matthew 10:1-4 The Twelve Apostles

Jesus put together one of the greatest, if not the greatest, team on earth. Their greatness can be measured in many ways. For one, they influenced the whole known world of their day with the Gospel. Also, their preaching, teaching, and writings have shaped the thoughts of many, many people around the world to this day and inspired the writing of many books. Last, but not least, their ministry in the supernatural with healing and exorcisms left the crowds in awe. Undoubtedly, this is a great team that has influenced the whole world since its inception to this day and will continue to touch lives throughout history until the end of days.

Interestingly enough, the members of the team are not extraordinary people, but ordinary citizens of their day. Among them we find fishermen, tax collectors, and carpenters. Yet, they were all able to make a contribution for the expansion of the kingdom of God. None of them were in positions of power and influence, but were able to influence the masses with the Gospel message. In their beginnings, they were pretty insecure; afraid of what the authorities would do to them. Afterwards, they were willing to die for the proclamation of the Gospel.

What makes ordinary people into extraordinary team players for the kingdom? Jesus called them, gave them authority, and the apostles obeyed. It is essential that I have certainty that God has called me - not just to be a pastor, but to be a Christian. My calling as a Christian must be clear. Secondly, it is very important that I seize the authority given and use it appropriately. Authority is permission and power to do something. Just like the apostles, permission alone does not cut it; they needed power. I must live a Spirit-filled life to be empowered to do the work of the kingdom. Finally, I must obey. The call and the authority are worthless unless I am willing to act in obedience.

When I question my salvation and my call, I undermine the work of God in my own life and the life of those around me. When I doubt the God-given authority Jesus gives me to minister to others, I jeopardize my ability to be an instrument in God's hands to touch others. When I simply disobey God's call upon my life to be a witness to others, I miss the opportunity to see God do extraordinary things with my ordinary life.

Lord, grant me assurance in my call to serve you. Fill me with your Spirit so that I may seize the authority you have dispensed. And move my will to obey you day by day so that I may see you at work through me.

Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Christ

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is the coming of our God in the flesh to the earth - God with us. He came with a specific purpose: to save us from our sins. The Lord's birth had been prophesied by Isaiah many years (around 700 years) before it happened. A prophecy like that requires human agents to participate to make it true. One of those obedient agents I admire is Joseph. He had to overcome (with God's help) a few obstacles to be obedient. 

Marriage in those days was a long process. More likely, it was arranged by the parents. Betrothal was the arrangement to give Mary to Joseph as wife and it was as binding as a wedding without them cohabiting. Betrothal could take many months up to a year before the wedding. The second stage was the wedding itself. It was a celebration that lasted several days at the end of which the bride and groom would cohabit and have sexual union.

Joseph was a just man, unwilling to shame Mary, but he resolved to divorce her quietly. His intentions were great, but the end result is not what God had planned. Joseph's solution to the situation he perceived as unacceptable (a pregnant wife before the wedding) was hardly the right one. God himself had to intervene through an angel in Joseph's sleep to straighten out his heart and ensure proper action.

How many times have I come up with solutions to my situations that miss out on God's plan and intentions? How many times has God intervened in my life to straighten out my heart before I make a decision final? How many times have I ignored God's guidance and did my own thing anyway? How many times my personal desires ruled over my obedience to God? At what cost?

I want to be like Joseph, a man who set aside his own desires to accomplish God's will. By the way, his desire to have a respected wife who would make him look good and satisfy his manly desires on wedding night is not ungodly at all. But his desire to do the will of God was greater. 

Lord, thank you for coming into the world to save me from my sins. Continue to intervene in my life when my solutions don't measure up to your expectations. Give me the sensitivity to perceive your guidance and the desire to obey it at all times.