True Intercession

True Intercession

Genesis 44: ³⁰ “Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, ³¹ it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. ³² For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.’ ³³ Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. ³⁴ For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”

 

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Judah concludes his appeal to Joseph by saying his father would die if Benjamin did not return. He also explained that he told Israel that he would be responsible. Judah interceded for Benjamin by saying he would become Joseph’s slave.

 

My Observations:

• Judah had nothing to gain and everything to lose.
• Judah wanted to keep his promise even though the consequences would cause him to lose his freedom.
• Judah expressed that he wanted his father to live and that he wanted Benjamin safely returned.

 

Intercession is sometimes a little harder than we think. It could mean giving up everything for someone else to go free. That is what CHRIST did for us. HE gave up everything for you and me to become freed from the consequences of sin.

 

Judah had no idea what was in store for him. All he knew was Simeon spent months in prison and that his brother Joseph was a slave or possibly dead. His intercession would cause him to lose his flocks, friends and family. It was more than a few seconds of prayer. Judah had true intercession.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Judah’s decision to become a slave?
• Have you ever had ti vouch for someone’s reputation, not knowing if your reputation would be tarnished by doing so?
• Is GOD growing you up from safe intercession to something greater?

Second Acceptable Offering

Second Acceptable Offering

Genesis 8: ²⁰ Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. ²¹ And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

 

²² “While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”

 

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Eight generations after Abel, Noah followed in his footsteps. Abel saw the Garden of Eden and heard about the LORD’s grace when HE made clothing to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness. Abel took the best, friendliest animal and sacrificed it to the LORD. No one else had sacrificed anything to the LORD until Noah.

 

Erecting an altar, Noah took some of the precious few animals and sacrificed them to the LORD. HE smelled the “soothing aroma” and made a covenant with humans because of Noah.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s relationship with Noah changed when HE closed the door of the ark.
• GOD would speak to Noah, but would no longer show up and walk with him.
• Noah wanted to continue his relationship with GOD, so he sacrificed his best animals, burning them up in hopes that at least the smoke would reach GOD.

 

Abel and Noah voluntarily sacrificed to the LORD. Nowhere in this section of the Bible was there a command from GOD to provide a sacrifice. They simply wanted to give something to GOD that had meaning. Abel may have wanted to mimic GOD by sacrificing an animal. Perhaps Noah wanted to show thanks, so he sacrificed animals of prey that could have been eaten.

 

This second sacrifice was acceptable. GOD made a promise that even though humans continued in their evil thoughts, HE would not curse the ground any more than it was cursed. GOD would not “flood” the earth to destroy mankind.

 

Challenge

• Can you see GOD’s heart as HE explains to Moses how endearing Noah’s actions were?
• Has GOD brought you through a difficult time before?
• Without killing animals or humans, what sacrifice can you do that would be acceptable to GOD today?

Motive

Motive

Genesis 4: Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” ² Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. ³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. ⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, ⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

 

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With the garden still there in plain sight, Adam and Eve finally stopped crying. Adam was now proficient in tilling the soil to grow vegetables, but the animals that used to be friendly, may have become a nuisance. The animal that was slain for their clothes was probably cooked and eaten. Death of animals had become a norm.

 

Adam “knew” Eve, meaning they had procreation sex. Eve, feeling dejected, praised GOD and said Cain was from the LORD. Despite the pain of childbirth, Eve had another child named Abel. Cain may have been close to his parents and shared in their regrets. “Why can’t we go in the garden?” may have been on his mind.

 

My Observations:

• Cain was a blessing from GOD to Eve.
• Abel was also a blessing, but he may have understood that the family deserved to be banished, so he mimicked JESUS by killing his best, friendliest animal and giving it to HIM.
• Cain may have seen the hurt from his parents and decided to build his own garden, and his attempt to show JESUS what he had done was rejected.

 

Motive is the fuel for some very good things or some very bad things to happen. It wasn’t the fact that GOD didn’t like vegetables, or that HE needed an offering. It was the motive behind the offering that became a problem.

 

GOD is GOD. HE is just, and sovereign. But sometimes when things are not going “My” way, makes me see GOD as a problem. Or maybe it’s the people who are the problem. Instead of blame, GOD wants the motive to be checked.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about Cain’s efforts and offering to Moses?
• Have you ever done something for GOD with the wrong motive?
• Are you willing to examine your motives to determine if they point to GOD or yourself?

Church as a business

John 2: ¹³ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. ¹⁵ So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!’ ¹⁷ His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’

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Arriving on time, I sat waiting to hear a sermon at a church I visited. I expected the usual announcements, a couple of songs and then a sermon. The screen displayed book after book to purchase. The announcements were laced with events that cost money to attend.

Finally someone approached the stage who seemed like they were going to preach. They proceeded to talk about the new CD that was being developed that would be available for purchase. “I wonder if I should be selling stuff to this church” I thought to myself with a tempted feeling.

• There were times when I saw opportunities to make money from those who follow GOD.
• There were times when I felt comfortable with selling as a guise to “raising money” in the church.
• There were times when I looked at the numbers of those who attended a church and calculated how much money I could make if just a few people bought from me.

JESUS went into the temple courts and found people selling their wares. It probably seemed like a great business concept to sell sacrifices so that the church goer did not have to think about the difficulties of raising an animal. Low cost providers moved in with dishonorable sacrifices of doves to get money from the poor who couldn’t afford lawful sacrifices. All of this made JESUS furious!

• GOD wants me to view church people as money to HIM.
• GOD wants me to see church people as an opportunity to serve GOD as the final destination.
• GOD wants me to gather together with people to worship HIM and HIM alone.

Gimmicks to raise money more than likely infuriate GOD. HE performed HIS entire ministry without asking for a penny, so did John. HE does understand taking care of those who sacrifice their life to provide a gathering for people to worship. Give them food and shelter and help them tell people about GOD. BUT GOD does not need gimmicks. I am cautious of being comfortable selling anything in or to the church.

• Do you think GOD cannot survive without donations?
• Do you really feel GOD will stop existing if a certain amount is not raised?
• Will you put more trust in GOD by allowing HIM to move people around to spread HIS gospel without worrying about money today?

Getting out of the Hole

Jeremiah 38: ²⁰ “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared.

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“Five dollars!” I said to myself as I pulled my jeans from the dryer. I felt I found a nice windfall. I had no money and now I could get almost half a tank of gas. Okay that was a while ago. I went to a friend’s house a couple of blocks over and he said to me “I just lost my job.” He was not asking to borrow any money, just had to talk about it. Suddenly a voice from within said “Give him the five dollars.” “Aww man, do I have to?” was my thought.

• GOD speaks to me and sometimes I do not want to listen.
• GOD shows me exactly what I am supposed to do and sometimes I want to ignore it.
• GOD give me opportunities to gain HIS wonderful heavenly rewards and sometimes I want to pass.

Reluctantly I conceded to the battle from within. “Here man, I found this, you take it.” He pushed it back and I thought “Maybe I should keep the money!” The voice said “Give it to him.” “Okay” I said this time. I insisted that he take the windfall and walked back home. I’d like to say I found some cash on the way home or a miracle happened, but it didn’t. I got in my car and noticed I had a little more gas than I thought. Maybe a miracle did happen. I went on my merry way.

• GOD tells me to serve HIM daily and it is up to me to listen.
• GOD says “Feed MY sheep” daily and it is up to me to accept HIS path.
• GOD talks to me on a regular basis and it is up to me to listen to HIM so “All will go well.”

I have said this before, I hear GOD loud and clear when HE tells me something to do that goes against my selfishness AND furthers HIS kingdom. HE gives me opportunities to serve others when I don’t think I have anything to offer. HE blesses me over and over for being obedient.

Jeremiah was rescued from a muddy cistern. He was obedient, yet faced cruelty. GOD sent servants and he was rescued from the hole. GOD blesses me in ways I don’t understand. I only have to remain obedient to HIM and watch HIM bless me.

• Are you fighting GOD?
• Is HE telling you to do something that would further HIS kingdom and you are ignoring HIM?
• Will you give up the fight and allow HIM to bless you?
• Can you seek HIS purpose for you today?

Generational Blessings

Jeremiah 35: ¹⁸ Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ ¹⁹ Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’”

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Following GOD is a decision that has to be made each day. I mean there are so many things that can take me away from focusing on GOD that seem harmless. Any moment I spend thinking about something else, I am not thinking about GOD. I know this seems a bit extreme, but I have noticed more and more “harmless” things popping up in my life and I end up so busy that GOD is no longer there.

• GOD wants me to take time to think about HIM each day.
• GOD wants me to worship HIM with a purpose.
• GOD wants me to belong to HIM rather than HE serving me.

Jehonadab decided not to drink wine, own a house or have a job, all of which are harmless. He decided to only be GOD’s servant and kept that promise all throughout his life. His children, also known as the Rekabites, kept this promise as well. GOD was pleased, not only that they kept a promise but they made one in the first place. Making a promise to GOD to refrain from something one desires is difficult, yet beautiful.

• Each time I deny something in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can spend with HIM.
• Each distraction I can lay aside in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can worship HIM.
• Each harmless item I can deny myself in a sacrifice to GOD is a moment I can be with HIM.

Obedience, promises and worship are things that make GOD delight in our relationship. When I do these things, GOD has never, ever, ever disappointed me. HE likes when I acknowledge the fact that HE needs to be GOD without my questioning HIS authority, power, ability or supremacy. My full trust in HIM allows me to make promises to HIM for which HE blesses me when I keep them. HE even blesses my family and I am truly grateful.

• Do you want GOD’s blessings?
• Are you willing to make a sacrificial promise to GOD?
• Can you give up something harmless for a short period of time?
• What will you do with your time?
• Will you add a little more worship during this sacrificial time?

Give Anyway

Psalm 50: ⁸ I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
    or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
⁹ I have no need of a bull from your stall
    or of goats from your pens,
¹⁰ for every animal of the forest is mine,
    and the cattle on a thousand hills.
¹¹ I know every bird in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields are mine.
¹² If I were hungry I would not tell you,
    for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
¹³ Do I eat the flesh of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats?

¹⁴ “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
    fulfill your vows to the Most High,
¹⁵ and call on me in the day of trouble;
    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

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As debts mounted I decided to go to church. I had nowhere to turn so I decided to go to a place I had not been in a while. Announcement after announcement distracted me for a moment. I had forgotten they did that in church. The offering plate was then passed and I had forgotten that too. It was like I was in a daze. “Should I give $1?” I thought to myself. To my dismay all I had in my wallet was a $5 bill. “I wonder if I should give it up” I thought.

• Sometimes I think all my riches are my riches.
• Sometimes I think my bank account is a testament to how much GOD loves me.
• Sometimes I think the accumulation of stuff is a blessing and having bills is a curse from GOD.

A small still voice said “Give what you have” and I unclenched my fist and gave. This was a sacrifice because I did not have any food and I was not going to get paid until the next day. I have no idea what the sermon was about that day. As the congregation was dismissed I got up and walked towards the exit in the cattle like crowd. Someone said, “Aren’t you staying for the meal?” I was amazed!

• GOD owns everything so HE knows my financial situation.
• GOD owns everything so HE knows my worries.
• GOD owns everything so HE does not need my giving but wants me to release all to HIM.

It’s amazing that the verse says “Sacrifice” before “Call on ME.” I would think this would be the other way around. BUT GOD says “I want your entire life not just a little of it.” HE knows my thoughts, HE knows my sins, yet HE loves me and wants me to have faith in HIM.

• Are you in debt?
• Are bills climbing higher and higher?
• Can you believe GOD knows this and loves you in the middle of your fear?
• Will you give to HIM what HE tells you to give soon?