Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A Willing Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

Verses Referring to Thanksgiving:

Leviticus 22:29
“And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will.”
God commands many things, but a thanksgiving offering is not one of them.

Psalm 50:14
“Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.”

Psalm 116:17-19
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.”

There are 30 verses in the Bible that use the word THANKSGIVING in the singular, and although I could write them all down, I chose to focus on 4 specific verses found in the old testament. These verses refer to thanksgiving as a sacrifice or an offering unto God. I was struck immediately by the fact that Leviticus says that this is a free will offering. This passage in Leviticus is referring to what most of Leviticus addresses: the sacrifices that Israel was required to offer to God. And here where God could have said, “And you will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, at the beginning of each year.” But instead he tells his people, “Offer it at your own will.” I can’t help but think that God may have been testing the hearts of his people. They weren’t required to offer an offering of thanksgiving, but God certainly deserved their love, praise, and thanks.
So how does this apply to you and me today? First of all my friend, just because we don’t offer burnt offerings to God does not mean that we should not be sacrificing to him even today. And how much more so should we, who have seen the work of the crucified and risen Savior, offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord! It has been said that there is no success without sacrifice. If you are not willing to sacrifice for the one who gave all for you, than I should not be surprised if you are not growing in your Christian life. We have been given so much! How much are we willing to give?

Psalm 107:21-22
“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Proverbs 30:8-9: Satisfied

“Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

The author of this strong prayer is Agur. Nothing is truly known about him, but it is assumed that he was one of Solomon’s sages. Though this is not my reason for choosing these verses, I would like to point out that God uses little people. How many Christians have found treasures in this great Proverb? And it was written by someone who would be considered a nobody in the eyes of the world today. Agur? Who is Agur? God knows who Agur is. God knows who you are. You may be small, but He can still use you!
What a wise man Agur must have been! Perhaps it came from watching the wisest man who ever lived. Here was King Solomon. He had riches, honor, glory… everything one could ask for from life, and yet he was not satisfied, and he turned from God. I picture Agur as a man who saw both the richest and the poorest on a daily basis. There was joy and fulfillment in neither one. The man who had great riches was inclined to rely on his riches and deny God. His appetite was so satisfied and his glory so great that it affected his heart, and he forgot to turn to the giver of gifts. However, the poor man had nothing and was forced to steal simply for survivals sake. (Gotta love those S’s) In doing so, he was saying that god was not strong enough to provide for his needs, and his belief in God was vanity. It lasted only as long as he knew where his next meal was coming from.
Agur glanced from one side to the other, and then turned his eyes toward heaven. His prayer was, “Give me neither riches neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.” Agur prayed a prayer for provision and contentment. It was the apostle Paul who said, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.” The happiest people are not those who have the most. They get to stay up all night and worry about those possessions. They get to guard their early bubbles, lest they wake up in the morning and find that they’ve all been blown away. The happiest people are not those who have the least, but it is the man who has only what he needs who is the happiest. Does not God promise to provide our every need? It’s time to look at ourselves and see where we stand. Are we standing with the rich man, who has turned his eyes off God to watch his possessions? Are we standing with the poor man, who has turned his eyes off God to see how he can provide for himself? Or are we standing with Agur, saying, “God, feed me with food convenient for me.” The last part of Psalm 2:12 tells us, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Do you want the blessings of God? Then take your trust off of the supplies and put it on the supplier.

Proverbs 29:25: Free from the Snare of Fear

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”

When I was very young my family lived in a duplex in Washington State. There were 9 of us at that time, so we actually lived in both sides. A door was put in between the two houses, but you had to walk through two long hallways that opened to the outside and to the garages. I had so many nightmares about people trying to break into this house and having to run around and lock all the doors and windows. My parents and the boys stayed on one side of the house, and the girls on the other. There were only two rooms on both sides of the house, so my little sister and I slept in the living room. Eventually I grew tired of being afraid. One who lets his fear take over him becomes a coward and is useless in dangerous or even uneasy situations. I decided to give my fear to God. Whenever I was alone in a dark room, I would laugh at my fear and begin praying or singing. Yes, I was still afraid, but my fear was under control. I was telling God that if something happened to me than I knew it was part of His plan. He was in control, not my fear.
Fear is a snare. It grabs on to the person it controls and won’t let go, unless something greater can take hold of that person. In 1st John 4:18 the Bible says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” God is love. If we let our fear control us, we are telling God that He is not enough.
“Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” As Christians God has promised that no man can pluck us out of His hand. We are safe. Right now I am in Africa, but I know for a fact that I am just as safe here as I was in Washington! The God who protected me from harm in America is the same God who holds me safely in His arms in Africa!
Put your fear behind you. Give to God your sorrow and your trouble, and lean on His everlasting arms. He does promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust Him, and let Him keep you safe.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mission: Incomplete

Africa! The Dark Continent, the land of jungles and savannahs. Christian! Do you hear God calling?

Some believe that the African’s were cursed to live in servitude to the descendants of Shem and Japheth, however, it was only Ham’s son Canaan who was cursed, and Canaan’s descendants inhabited the country of Palestine. They were partially destroyed by the Israelites and later entirely decimated by the Romans.
Before coming to Africa I had thought that perhaps this continent was cursed by God. However, having spent time here, I can tell you that the land of Africa is not cursed. What a beautiful land God has created. It is so full of His awesome creation and majestic handiwork! No other continent can boast of the flora and fauna of which Africa can. Her soil is rich and her people are skilled and driven.
Who are we to say that a country is cursed because she does not have the technological capabilities of other countries? God did not tell Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and see how quickly you can send man to the moon” or “Be fruitful and see how much you can build.” He said to be fruitful and multiply. The African people are multiplying rapidly, but they are also dying rapidly.
Jesus did not tell His disciples, “Go ye into all the world and make sure they all have computers” or “Go ye into all the world and give everybody mosquito nets.” Neither of these things are bad, but they should not be our primary goal. Jesus told His disciples, “God ye into all world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Africa is hungry for the gospel.
Why is Africa the Dark Continent? Is it a curse or a blessing? Not many months ago I would have told you that it was a curse, but is it? Is it such a bad thing to live a simple life and focus on feeding ones family and raising ones children? Is it such a bad thing to learn to work skillfully with ones hands? Simplicity is not a curse. The curse of Africa is not her poverty; the curse of Africa is her superstitions and lack of knowledge of what a loving God has done for them. But will Africa be the only continent affected by this curse? Or will we Christians be punished because we have failed to hear and obey God’s call. “Go ye into all the world.” I don’t believe it will take much convincing to get you to see that Africa is part of this commandment. Two thousand years ago we were given a call. For too many years we have ignored that call. Africa is now being reached. The Pentecostals have reached Africa. The Catholics have reached Africa. The Mormons are reaching out to Africa. The Muslims have a strong grasp on Africa. The world is certainly reaching out to Africa. It seems that daily I see more effects of the Western worlds hand on Africa. The women have begun to adopt the dress of the Western world. The people are becoming unsatisfied with who and what they are. And instead of being pointed to the Savior, they are pointed to all that the Western world can offer them. They begin to grope for the things of this world. After all, isn’t that how one determines success? How many vanity bubbles do you own? What they don’t realize is that these bubbles will not last. Christianity has seemed to forget that possessions and status are nothing in the scheme of eternity. Like bubbles are worldly possessions will disappear from our grasp. What will you be left holding?
Africa is a blessed continent. It is rich is resource and has not yet been entirely saturated with the wickedness of this world. Africa still has hope! Africa’s hope lies in the hands of God’s people! You hold the hope of Africa in your hands today. Whether it be money to send men or a Bible to bring, you hold her hope… but not for long. The African’s will be reached. The question is not “Will they be reached?” but “Who will reach them?”

Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
You have been called.

Monday, April 20, 2009

An Easter Story

Mary turned away from the two men who sat inside the tomb, her heart so hurt and her head so confused that it didn’t seem strange to her that they were there at all. What did it matter who these men were? The body of the Lord was gone. Not only had her hope been crucified and killed, but now His body had been stolen. They could not even mourn his death properly.
Her back now turned to the tomb, Mary saw a man standing not far away. Her heart leaped. He looked so familiar! He looked so very much like her Lord had before He had been brutalized and beaten. They had shredded His skin and pierced Him until He no longer looked human. Upon seeing this man, who so resembled her Savior, Mary’s heart cried out. Her breath caught in her throat and came out in a deep sob. In anguish, Mary fell to her knees and wept into her hands.
“Woman why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
Mary looked up at the man and tried to speak through her sobs. This must be the gardener. Perhaps he had taken the Master’s body or seen who had taken it.
“Sir, if thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him and I will take Him away.”
The man’s face shown with compassion, but he did not speak or give her any information. Mary was again hit by the hopelessness and cruelty of the situation and wept. But then a voice said, “Mary.” Mary quit weeping. She quit breathing. Her mind screamed, “I know that voice!” Slowly she raised her head.
There was no one there but the gardener. The gardener… whose eyes shown with the love and wisdom of all the ages. The gardener… whose feet and hands bore deep red scars where nails had held Him to a tree. The gardener… whose voice, so familiar, rang with such authority and yet such compassion. The gardener… who had ripped up the roots of sin and death, and had, in their place, planted a seed of hope for all mankind. The gardener… the Master… was alive!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Who Are You?

I'm reading the book of Acts right now. I thought it was somewhat appropriate since I'm beginning my missionary journey. I do have to wonder though, who will I be?
Will I be Paul, whose zeal for Christ was immeasurable? Will I be like Barnabas, showing compassion and making a difference, or will I be like John Mark and leave when the situation gets to rough for comfort?
I believe that every man and every woman is faced with this same question. Just as I must answer, so must you. Who are you?

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Finally!

All that brilliant waiting and watching has paid off. We may not be on the airplane, but it is now in sight. I've enjoyed the flights, but next time I fly, I am going to carry a greatly reduced amount of luggage. I dread landing because each time we do, I'm afraid they're going to tell me that I can't take all of my stuff. I have a purse, a laptop, and a very, very heavy carry on. It's like a nightmare come true! However, God has been gracious and I haven't been stopped yet. Time to board!

Feb. 6th, 09
I have felt a myriad of emotions all throughout this trip. I've felt excitement, sorrow, peace, uneasiness... but never have I doubted whether I'm headed where Christ wants me. I do wonder what He'll be able to do through me. My prayer is that I will fulfill the purpose that Christ has for me. I don't want to come on my own strength, for truly I have nothing to give these children that anyone else could not give them. May I be here only to do the will of him that sent me!

Feb 7th, 09
We arrived in Uganda at about 3:00 in the afternoon. We waited at the airport for another man and then picked up the whole Keith Stensaas family. We ate at a very nice Chinese restaurant in Kampala city. It was beautiful, but I was so exhausted.
We dropped the Stensaas family back off at the Willis' house and drove to the hotel hat Bryan, Cheri, Dad, and I will be staying in for a few days. All I wanted to do was sleep, but both Dad and I hadn't bathed since we left home. So I laid down to wait as dad bathed... and fell asleep.

It is incredibly beautiful in this country. the people are incredibly poor. You can look at pictures and watch videos all you want, but you won't understand until you've been here. I'm not sure I even understand yet.
Feb 4th, 09

And so, we're off! Actually we left home at 5:15 this morning. we flew out of Washington at 7:00. We are now at the airport in New Jersey. When we let Washington the sun was just rising. That was only 8 hours ago. It's dark in New Jersey and it does feel like we've been travelling all day!
It has been hard to sleep these past few days. It hurts to leave everyone I love, but I am excited to see what the days and weeks ahead of me have in store.

Ah! We are now in London. We got here at 6:00am and it is now 6:30pm. They must really like us, because we got the longest layover we could possibly get without spending the night. Dad and I are both exhausted. We weren't able to check our bags in until 12:00, which meant we had two carts full of luggage and we couldn't go anywhere. Not only that, but London won the contest for fewest and most uncomfortable chairs. It must be a health program. I have heard that's it's better for you to stand than to sit. You burn more calories faster when standing.
We did manage to sleep for a few hours, checked our bags in, found a place to eat, and then slept for a few more hours in the restaurant. You can' imagine how embarrassing i is to wake up and find hat they've cleared your table without you noticing. They could have taken our bags and we would have slept right through it.
Not only was this a nice restaurant, but it was THE restaurant that pioneered natural food! And they've only been doing it since 1980-something. I was wondering how anyone survived before "Something A Manger" began pioneering natural food. Pretty ridiculous, but it was fun to joke about. I had sushi; Dad made fun of me. Dad ate a flavorless bacon sandwich (That's what happens when it's natural); I made fun of him! Then we fell back asleep.
We are now waiting for the screen to tell us which gate we'll be at, so I have to sign off.
Watching the screen,
Rebekah