robbing God

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

111213Malachi 3:1-12

The arbitration continues between the LORD and his people, with Malachi as the go-between.  It is now the LORD’s turn to voice his complaints and hear the people’s response.  But before the Lord voices a complaint, he expresses his desire to see reconciliation. To that end, he plans to send his messenger, who will refine and purify – particularly the priesthood and the temple.  The New Testament identifies this messenger as John the Baptist (Matt. 11:10-11).

The LORD’s complaint he voices in this formal dispute is that the people have turned aside from his statutes and have not kept them, thus nullifying the covenant.  He pleads with them to return to the covenant, and to him.  The people ask how they should return. God says that they have been robbing him.  They ask “how have we robbed you?”  The LORD’s reply: “in your tithes and contributions.”  The LORD does not need the offerings, but the people need to give them because giving declares the relationship.  Refusal to give declares that the relationship is unimportant or severed.

LORD, make us cheerful givers, because we have a relationship with you, and because the world is watching to see if we put our money where our mouth is.

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transitions

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1236Acts 10-11:18

Acts records a number of transitions as the disciples move out into new territory, and old ways are discarded for new.  Old boundaries are forsaken as the apostles follow the Holy Spirit and obey his promptings.  But all along the way – as this passage demonstrates – the Holy Spirit makes it clear through numerous happenings – that the transitions are from Him.  We should not be afraid of innovation and change as long as we are sure that the changes are prompted by God in order to get his message to the people who need him.

LORD, when you call us to change, help us to be sensitive to what you want.

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representing Jesus

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0202Acts 9:32-43

The Holy Spirit was present, and had been at work among all the post-Pentecost believers in Lydda & Joppa, so it was not necessary for the Lord to send Peter to them.  Nevertheless, Peter did have a history with Jesus, and it was not without reason that the Spirit put Peter in those places at that strategic time.  The miraculous healing of Aeneas and resurrection of Tabitha that God accomplished through Peter served to draw people to Jesus himself, not just his followers or his ideas.  Since Peter was an apostle who was noted for having been with Jesus, the people associated the miracles with Jesus. 

Such miraculous signs are less frequent now, but they are always possible because the Holy Spirit decides who exercises his gifts.  We do not make the choice as to whether miracles happen or not.  But we can represent Jesus among a people who need him and are seeking him.  Those were the conditions for Peter to perform miracles in Jesus’ name.

LORD, send us to those seeking you, and empower us to represent you among them!

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faithless to one another

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

111113Malachi 2:10-17

Malachi serves as a kind of go-between in an ongoing conflict between the people and the LORD.  He has already brought the LORD’s response to two complaints the people had, and in today’s text he reveals another.  The people are asking “Where is the God of justice?”  Malachi’s answer is that the God of justice is against his own people, not only because they have forsaken him for other gods, but also because they have been faithless to one another.  They have broken their marriage covenants, and divorced the wives of their youth.  The LORD intended for those marriages to demonstrate mutual love and faithfulness to him, as part of the divine covenant.  Instead, the peoples’ faithlessness has covered their garments with violence, producing cruel, broken homes, further shaming the LORD in the eyes of the nations.

LORD, forgive us for our faithlessness toward one another.  Restore our homes and our relationship with you, for your name’s sake.

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no difference?

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

111013Malachi 1-2:9

The LORD speaks through his prophet to address two complaints the people had in his day.  First, the Israelites complained “we are no different than anyone else.”  To which the LORD said. “You are right, you are no different than anyone else, except that I have chosen you, and loved you. Remember Esau.  Remember that I chose Jacob, and have invested in him.”  There is a difference.

Secondly, the people complained “our worship is no different than anyone else’s.”  The LORD responded, “It has become a drudgery because my priests do not take it seriously any more. I will punish them for that.”  Worship is supposed to bring people into the presence of God.  If it becomes just a form of entertainment, it cheapens the experience.  God cannot allow that to continue.  When it comes to true worship, there must be a difference.

LORD, make us holy, unique, different, so the world might see the difference, and come to you.

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worst defense

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0541

Acts 6:8-7:60

Stephen’s message at his trial before the Sanhedrin is one of the best Old Testament summaries ever.  It was also one of the worst testimonies ever given at a trial.  It so enraged the listeners that they decided to dispense with the rest of the trial and proceed with the execution.

Stephen was less interested in preserving himself, and more interested in getting his people to see what they were doing.  That is why he summarized the Old Testament.  Two themes are found throughout his message: 1) The LORD always keeps his promises. 2) Israel always misunderstands and rejects what the LORD is doing.

Stephen’s hope was that the people would understand that Jesus is the promised Messiah,  the eternal inheritance promised to Abraham and his descendants.  He hoped that they could see their resistance to Jesus as resisting the Holy Spirit.

LORD, open our eyes to what you are doing among us, and show us when we are resisting your Holy Spirit.

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He will be here

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

110913Zechariah 14

Sometimes the “day of the LORD” does not refer to Christ’s coming, but some other event.  The phrase could be rendered “when the LORD strikes.”  But this final prophecy of Zechariah can refer to no other time. All the nations have been gathered against Jerusalem to battle, a battle the New Testament calls Armageddon.  At first, Jerusalem will seem to be lost.  It will be taken, its houses plundered, and its women raped. 

But then, The Messiah will reverse his ascension of old, landing on the Mount of Olives. He is accompanied by his angelic armies.  They are there to do battle against the enemies of Israel, and to conquer the opposing nations, restoring peace to Jerusalem, and installing the Messiah as king over all the earth.  From then on, all of the families of the earth will keep the feet of Booths, celebrating the presence of God, because He will be here.

LORD, thank you for your coming kingdom.  Give us the wisdom to celebrate your presence and live by your word now.

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a day of repentance and humility

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

110813Zechariah 12-13

Embedded within this prophecy of restoration is a prophecy of spiritual revival – a cleansing of idolatry and sin from Judah and Jerusalem.  It starts on the day the whole people are scattered when their shepherd is struck and killed.  The people of all Judah will be in Jerusalem when they look on the LORD himself, whom they have pierced.  Their resulting grief will bring a spirit of repentance and humility, wiping centuries of pride from their hearts.  Idols and false prophets disappear from many.  Yet, there will still be enough rejection to warrant a further cleansing. The LORD will again turn his hand against the whole land, and two-thirds will perish.  The remnant will be tested, refined in the fire.  They will call upon his name, identifying themselves as the LORD’s people.

LORD, give us a vision of remembrance of Christ crucified, so that we turn from our idolatry and dishonesty and cling to you alone.

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the worthless shepherd

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

110713Zechariah 11

A previous vision had predicted what things were going to be like under the Grecian empire.  Now, Zechariah looks even further into the future and sees the land under the control of Rome, particularly during the time of Christ.  The original three shepherds (prophet, priest and king) have been replaced by a foolish, worthless shepherd (Herod, puppet to Caesar).  He has broken the covenant, and with it the two staffs (God’s favor, and Israel’s union).  Eventually, the foolish shepherd abandons his job, and his severance pay is 30 pieces of silver (the exact amount paid to Judas for his betrayal).  He threw the money to the potter – an image that speaks of God’s sovereign plan – which he is going to fulfill.

LORD, we are grateful that our true shepherd will never abandon us, and he will never be replaced.

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sidelines

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1041Acts 28:16-31

The book of Acts ends at a very strange place.  Paul is in Rome under house arrest.  He spends two years in limbo, on the sidelines.  Other than the people who visit him, and his guard, he sees no one.  He spends his time witnessing to them, and writing some of his epistles.  This dynamic leader is now taken off the scene, and one wonders what God is up to. 

Why sideline such an important leader in the first century church? Part of the answer is that the Holy Spirit wanted to use others during this time, and it is always his prerogative to decide who serves, where and when.  Another part is knowing the tremendous value of books like Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Paul was taken “off the field” so that he could focus on his writing ministry.  You and I benefit from his apparent defeat.

Whenever we face discouraging changes in our situation, forcing us to choose plan B instead of the plan A we want, we need to remember that the sovereign LORD always knows what he is doing.

LORD, we trust in you.  We surrender to your plan, even if that may mean scrapping our plans.

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