Tag: anger

Daily Word

Deuteronomy 32

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Read Deuteronomy 32 – Rock-a-bye-Baby… I was comforted by that song as a child even though it’s a bit dark.   Moses’ song is like that.   It starts off powerful, with full attention to the LORD and moves through rejection, anger, punishment and second chances.  

Read verses :1-4 aloud.  That is the LORD.   This song is comforting and serious. We serve a mighty, just and perfect God.

Sin enters the picture. (:5-6)  And God is gracious to remind Israel of the things he has done to rescue them in the past. (:7-14)

They turn against the LORD, and worship foreign gods.   The people grow lazy with complacency… something we all should guard against. (:15-18)

The LORD responds by turning his back on Israel, which leads to punishment. (:19-27)  And Beloved,  the LORD’s punishment is harsh and awful… may the threat of punishment be all that’s needed to steer you back to his narrow path. 

The song goes another 16 verses,  speaking of the great lengths the Lord will go to. Believer, believe! 

After the song,  the LORD tells Moses to climb a mountain from which he can see the Promised Land.   He wasn’t fit to enter it, but the LORD did let him see it before he died.   In the New Testament,  Moses shows up with Elijah for Jesus’ transfiguration. (Matthew 17)  Both of these things assure us that God is full of justice and mercy.  

And what about this song? Does knowing the evidence from the past and the consequence of rejecting God change things for you?   There is so much at stake and here is God’s Word,  available to all, teaching, admonishing and encouraging us to know Jesus and live fully!

Daily Word

Mark 11

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Reflections on Mark 11 – Jesus is King!  Jesus has been serving behind the scenes, healing, teaching, saving souls, and often telling those whose lives he changed/healed to tell no one.  Now he enters Jerusalem as King, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy on Zechariah 9:9.  And the people lined the streets, laying their garments and green branches on the road ahead of Him (:8).  And Jesus rode in as the people shouted praises to the one who came in the name of the Lord – Beloved, glory, glory, hallelujah!  Jesus is recognized as Messiah at last!  We celebrate it today as “Palm Sunday”; it falls on the Sunday before Easter.  

Next, some things happen that may seem confusing, but check it out:  Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem, then He goes into the Temple and looks around, and leaves (:11).  

The next day He saw a fig tree in full leaf and He was hungry, so He looked for fruit, found none and cursed it (:12-14).  The fig tree is a living metaphor for Israel.  The religious leaders were all dressed up and looked good on the outside, like this fig tree, but on careful inspection they did not bear any fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are the types of fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23).  Therefore, Jesus cursed the tree and it withered from the roots up (:20).  

So, back up again to where Jesus looked around the Temple and left(:11).  Jesus saw what was going on, but did not react at that moment.  Beloved, sometimes you will see a situation that must be dealt with, but wisdom and timing are crucial.  Sometimes it is best to step away and pray.  

The next day, Jesus deals with the corruption in the Temple – driving out those selling animals for sacrifice, knocking over tables, etc. 

Beloved, church is essential, and it should not be run for the profit of thieves.  The Church should unite us to Jesus and one another as one body, His bride, and each of us should be growing the Galatians 5 fruit.  Our church leaders have a great responsibility, and we do too.  Ask yourself how healthy are your roots?  Are you feeling dry?  Are you spending time with the Lord beyond Sunday morning?  Have you fallen away from attending church in person?  Are you reading His Word for yourself?

Daily Word, Uncategorized

John 2

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Read John 2 – Like a groom inviting his bride to join him in life, Jesus invites us to join him in miracles. 

Jesus’s first recorded miracle is the turning of water into wine.  It’s a miracle and he could have accomplished it any number of ways, but he invites the servants into it.  He tells them to fill the jars with water, draw some out and present it to the master of ceremonies.  The servants got to join Jesus in this miracle, though I doubt they had an inkling as to what was going on.  Likewise, you are invited to join Jesus in wonderful things you may not understand this side of heaven.  

Next, Jesus clears the temple.  The temple had become a place for profit, when it should be a place of sacrifice and worship.  We see righteous anger here.  This was something foul in the temple and Jesus cleared it out.  In Jewish custom, before passover the house is cleaned so not a speck of dust remained – the dust being symbolic of leaven, and leaven being symbolic of sin. 

Invite Jesus to reveal anything in your life that is in need of cleaning so you are free to join him with a pure heart.💗