Leviticus 25

Jubilee! The very word sounds celebratory . . . and it is. In this chapter, God prescribes a time of rest and celebration over His goodness every 7 years, with a 'super celebration' every 50. During these times the land and the people enjoy rest. God promises blessing enough to supply for all needs during this time of inactivity. Part of the celebration included the release of debt and the return of sold inherited property, so that the land would always remain in the hands of those to whom it was given. All this was to point to the reality of God's provision over every aspect of Israel's life.

Leviticus 23 - 24

After all the laws were given, the feasts and celebrations of the Jewish people were prescribed and described. The feasts of Passover, Firstfruits, Pentecost, and Tabernacles were ordained, as well as the Day of Atonement. These were solemn days in the life and practice of the nation.

The people of Israel were to keep a lamp lit in the presence of the tabernacle and the high priest - to serve as a reminder of God's abiding presence. This passage concludes with the account of a young man who was stoned to death for blasphemy of God's Name. The statements of lex talionis are also prescribed (eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth) as the general judicial principles.

Leviticus 21 - 22

Rules and regulations for the priests who would lead the people in worshiping God are given. Some of them seem to be stringent or harsh, yet God demands much more of those who lead than of those who follow. The entire group of laws is summarized in this statement "So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the Lord. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the folks over at Normal Chaos. Chris' wife, Angie's grandmother passed into eternity late last night. While many of us celebrate the Presidents' Day weekend, Granny is enjoying the thrill of her fulfilled hope as she rests in the arms of her Savior.

Leviticus 19 - 20

The laws are summarized for the nation of Israel. Repeatedly, the reasoning behind each of the regulations is "I am the LORD" or "I am the LORD your God." Their position as God's people meant that they would act in ways that demonstrated His control over them.

How often do you and I demonstrate by our actions that God is our Lord or master? How often so we look for reasons for doing what we do (or don't do), when the only answer needed is "HE is the Lord my God"?

The results of disobedience are also spelled out for the nation. Death or excommunication from the society were serious repercussions for failure to keep the expected covenant. Today, we treat the results of sin too lightly, I am afraid.

Leviticus 17 - 18

God's rules for living included the place of sacrifice. All offerings were to be made in the open and in the sight of the priest. No secret offerings were to be made. Blood was not to be consumed by God's people. In fact the preciousness of life was found in the blood; and God's people were to respect that fact.

God's rules even spelled out the proper relationships to be had among family members. Sexual relations were not to be entered among close relatives or neighbors. The pattern of promiscuity found in the other nations was not to be a pattern for God's people's actions. Those engaged in these activities were to be cut off from the population. The reason given: "I am the LORD your God."

Leviticus 15 - 16

The social regulations continue with a discussion of 'discharge' regulations. The people of God were to adamantly protect themselves from impurity - from whatever source it may have originated.

The instructions then turn to the Day of Atonement, and the procedure by which the High Priest would enter into the presence of God on behalf of the sins of His people. Much preparation was made, of the Priest himself, his garments, his offerings and the instruments to be used in that worship. The sacrifices were to be carefully selected; the goat of sin offering, the goat of escape (literally, the scape goat) all were a picture of what God was doing with the sin of the people; and pointing out the futility of man's condition while promising that God would intervene on their behalf. This also points ahead to One who would satisfy all the demands of the Law and the sacrificial system.

Leviticus 14

The guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of leprous outbreaks are continued. Those that have been cleansed from their disease are given procedures for becoming ritually clean - an outward sign that their illness has been successfully eradicated.

Instructions for the cleansing of an infected house are also given. The prescriptions range from re-plastering the walls to the total destruction of the house - depending on the seriousness of the infestation. It seems as though the priest of the day was also a building inspector and medical diagnostician. Definite examples of multi-tasking and cross-training.

Leviticus 13

The laws for determining and dealing with leprosy and other skin diseases is outlined in this chapter. Great detail is given for the diagnosis and quarantine of those affected. The ultimate goal is the restoration of the afflicted to society - not making them a social pariah. These diseases were treated with great seriousness and severity to prevent their spread throughout the community.

Leviticus 11 - 12

God outlines the dietary laws for His people. Animals must have a split hoof AND be a ruminate (chew its cud) in order to be acceptable for food. A list of unacceptable animals, birds, fish, and 'creeping things' is given so that God's people will know exactly what they may consume. Procedures are described in the occasion that a person comes into contact with an unclean animal or a dead animal. Other guidelines are given regarding childbirth and the uncleanness that is incurred in that process. The overriding principle is "be holy for I [the LORD] am holy" - His people are to reflect His unique purity in their own lives and practices.

Leviticus 8 - 10

Aaron and his sons are consecrated as priests before the congregation of Israel. The ceremony prescribed by God is carried out to the last detail. The offerings and sacrifices are made according to God's commands; and the blood is applied to the altar, the priests and the tabernacle itself. The burnt offerings and sin offerings are made, the blood applied to the tabernacle furniture, and when Aaron and his sons enter the tabernacle - the glory of the Lord appears to His people and their response is to fall down in worshipful adoration and fear.

Almost immediately, someone tries to copy and counterfeit the appropriate worship of God into something that will draw attention to themselves. The judgment and punishment is swift and conclusive - the guilty are executed by the hand of God Himself. Those who desired to mourn the loss of life were commanded not to do so - for the proper mourning would have been for the loss of the display of God's glory.

Leviticus 6 - 7

God continues outlining the sacrificial system of worship for His chosen people. Laws governing social injustice are detailed, as well as the various sacrifices that would signify acknowledgment of the breach against God as well as against man. Even in these matters, forgiveness and restoration is seen as the goal and direction of the sacrifices.

Leviticus 4 - 5

The outlining of worship continues, this time with the sin offerings. God lays out in great detail the procedure for reacquiring a right relationship to Him in these sacrifices. There are certain obligations prescribed, depending on the nature of the offense and the position of the offender. Those of higher station were held to greater account; but none were given an exemption from dealing with their transgressions.

What a great lesson! No matter who we are, we are held responsible to a holy God. He takes sin very seriously; do we? Do I?

God speed, Atlantis; God speed Columbus

This morning, Lord willing, STS-122 will lift into the skies above Cape Canaveral, Florida, taking with it 7 souls committed to exploration and discovery. My family had the extreme privilege last month of touring the Kennedy Space Center and seeing the sights many are observing today on NASA TV. The payload in Atlantis' cargo bay is the Columbus module of the International Space Station; and it will be installed later this week in a series of three space walks.

Space flight is never routine. The memorial services for Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia last week remind us of the great danger inherent in any exploration. God has blessed us with the talent and knowledge to explore a small fraction of the neighborhood surrounding our planet. it is my prayer that those making that incredible journey today will experience the safety and protection that comes from Him alone.

Leviticus 1 - 3

The book of Leviticus opens with prescriptions for the various offerings to be made in the tabernacle worship system. Burnt offerings, grain offerings and peace offerings are outlined in these chapters. Among the detailed instructions for this worship, one finds the overwhelming sense that this is all for a purpose; and it is! Through these sacrifices and their many allowable variations God is demonstrating that breach of the relationship with Him comes at a great price; He is highlighting the fact that all are guilty and none are free from the deserved penalties associated with that breach; and He is offering the means by which that relationship can be (temporarily) restored. Perhaps the question on the mind of those worshiping was "Will it ever be enough?" - knowing full well that it wouldn't, but what else could one do?

Exodus 39 - 40

When all had been prepared, God instructed Moses to erect the tabernacle, place in it all the furniture and ornaments that had been assembled, consecrate it as holy to the Lord, and install Aaron and his sons as priests. Moses does this, all according to the plans laid out for him by God; and God's glory descends into the tabernacle, so much so that Moses cannot even enter in because of the overwhelming glory.

The book of Exodus closes with God's people serving Him, not in Egypt, but delivered from that place of slavery. His people are being lead by Him day and night. Would they continue to follow and obey?

Up Next: Leviticus

Exodus 36 - 38

Construction begins for the tabernacle. All follows the plans and directions outlined by God. The men specifically chosen for the task of building the tabernacle ably display their God-given talents as they bring the spoken plans into reality. No expense was spared in the construction materials, either. People gave willingly to supply what was needed. In fact, more than enough was given; Moses had to instruct the people to stop giving - their was more gathered materials than the projects warranted.

Do I do that? Am I so involved in giving what I have in my possession (time, talent, energy, treasure, desires) that God is able to have all needed for the task and then some? What a challenge!

Exodus 34 - 35

Moses meets with God on the mountain, spending 40 days and nights in the very presence of the Almighty. He receives again the commandments of the LORD and has them written on two new stone tablets (to replace the ones broken in anger at the sinning of the people). Upon returning to the camp, the people are vitally aware that Moses has spent time with God - his appearance is obviously altered. So much so, that the people beg him to hide his presence when he is among them.

Moses then invites the people to contribute the supplies to the construction of the tabernacle. The people give willingly and abundantly. These are the same people who a few chapters ago gave willingly to build a false idol. How much money and wealth did they possess? I guess it should not be surprising - today we spend much on what is not really important, and still have funds left over to contribute to God's work. Shouldn't we reverse that trend - give to what is truly important and then see what is left for trivial matters?

The other facet that stands out to me is Moses' appearance. It was visible to all - without Moses drawing attention to it - that he had spent time in the presence of the Almighty. Do those around me find it unavoidably obvious that I have spent time in God's presence? Why?

Exodus 31 - 33

God finishes giving instruction for the building of the tabernacle; and He appoints several men by name. How wonderful! God not only gives us talents, but knows us and our talents so well, He can match up specific tasks with specific people!

While Moses is on the mountain receiving all this instruction, his brother, Aaron, is leading the people. The problem is that Aaron is leading via the model "give 'em what they want" and when they want to replace Moses with a leader they can see . . . trouble ensues. Aaron casts an idol out of donated gold and declares that THIS is what has lead them out of Egypt. The celebration that takes place is a heated frenzy of debauchery that is suddenly halted by Moses' return from the presence of God and the swift judgment of their rebellious idolatry.

Moses pleads with God to spare His people for the sake of His reputation. This passage closes with Moses' appeal for God to show Himself to Moses, a request that God states He will grant.

Exodus 29 - 30

God lays out the procedure for the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. The garments they will wear, the ordination ceremony and offerings are all specifically given. The altar, laver and other accoutrement are prescribed in great detail. The over-arching principle is this: God desires worship to be conducted in a specific manner - one that glorifies and brings honor and attention to Himself. These rituals and ceremonies all point ahead to the One great Sacrifice that would be offered by the promised Messiah.

Exodus 27 - 28

God lays out the plans for the tabernacle's altar and outer court. He then give a tremendously detailed description of the garments that would be worn by the priest. One of the outstanding features was the inscription placed on the priest's head covering: HOLY TO THE LORD. Wherever this man went, he was followed (actually, he followed since it was on his forehead) by the reminder of his sacred duty.

Today, God qualifies each individual believer as priests before Him. Are we as conscious of our call to holiness before the Lord? I would trust so.

Exodus 25 - 26

God outlines the details for His dwelling place among His people - the tabernacle. The dimensions, the decorations, every detail was described for them. Nothing was left to chance or open for guessing. God has a definite plan and outlines that specific plan so that He would be honored accurately.

One of the main features was the Ark of the Covenant. This piece of tabernacle furniture was symbolic of God's very presence among His people. It was gold covered and adorned with covering angels representing the beauty and holiness of the God to whom it pointed. Throughout these descriptions, the uniqueness and preciousness of God is highlighted. Worship Him today!

Exxodus 23 - 24

As the laws for Israel are given, God inserts a promise for the land in which His people will dwell. Theirs is the land, yet they would not receive it all at once. There were not yet enough people to sufficiently inhabit the land area. God would allow them enough land to meet their present needs; and bless them with increase of population and territory. Too often, we want the end result, and perhaps we need the reminder that God always gives us what is best - including the proportionate size of what is given!

Moses and the leaders are invited to a mountain top to ratify the covenant. The people swear their intentions to keep God's laws, and Moses approaches the place God has established for meeting Him. Moses leaves Aaron in charge of the nation while he is meeting with God - a meeting that will last for 40 days and nights.

Exodus 21 - 22

God continues outlining the laws by which His people will be governed. Many facets of society are covered; from the borrowing and return of animals and tools, to the social prohibitions against certain behaviors. Overarching the entire discussion are the principles laid out in the Ten Commandments. These chapters are fleshing out in greater detail what it means to live by them.

Exodus 19 - 20

Three months after leaving Egypt, God makes clear His rules for His people. Before giving them the Law, He establishes the ground rules for even approaching Him. God makes it perfectly clear that we do not approach Him in the same manner as anyone else - He is unique and is to be approached like none other. His laws are unique and are to be kept because of His uniqueness. The New Testament makes it clear that the Law is not meant to be a help to approaching God, but actually point out the fact that we are NOT like God, nor can we be. The Law (Torah, 10 Commandments) serves as a reminder that God must provide the solution for man's fallen nature.

Exodus 16 - 18

The nation of Israel leaves Egypt and the Red Sea behind; but soon begins thinking "Life was good back there in Egypt." How soon they forgot all the trouble and hardship from which God had delivered them. The lack of "suitable food" was of concern, and God miraculously provides bread and water for them. Battles are miraculously won due to God's intervention. There is no situation from which God cannot glorify Himself and provide exactly what is needed in the amounts in which it is needed.

Exodus 14 - 15

The children of Israel are headed out of Egypt; but Pharaoh still believes he can pursue, overtake and force them to return to Egypt as his slaves. The people panic, believing that God can deliver them from the country but not from the leader. Moses' advice is to "Not fear. Stand still and see God's deliverance." God's command is slightly different "Move forward and I will deliver you."

Yes there are times we need to stand and watch God deliver. Other times, God's command to proceed is to be followed in spite of the dangers seemingly involved in forward progress.

Israel is delivered; and the nation rejoices by composing a song in commemoration of the event. God is good!

Exodus 12 - 13

Just as God promised through the words of Moses, the firstborn of all who had not marked their doors in the manner prescribed by God were killed. Not a single household was unaffected. This action made the Jews so distasteful to the Egyptians that they were begged to leave "lest all should die." Thus, the Jews gladly departed Egypt and the Egyptians gladly let them leave.

Even in this time, God reminds His people of the special place they hold. Instructions are given about how to remember God's actions at this time and to use those reminders as times of instruction about the God they serve. From this time, all firstborn males of the livestock were to be sacrificed; firstborn sons were to be redeemed - all a sign of what God had done in delivering His people with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.

Exodus 9 - 11

Pharaoh will still not allow God's people to travel into the wilderness to worship. Moses keeps highlighting the power of God to Pharaoh by announcing what God will do to convince the Egyptian leader of His dominance. Locusts, dust, hail, boils, and darkness all befall the nation of Egypt; but those who fear the Lord and listen to Moses' warnings are spared these calamities. Pharaoh finally lays down the ultimatum: You will never leave. You will never come into my presence again.

Moses announces the final judgment on Egypt: death of all the firstborn. This plague will so revolt the Egyptians that they will plead with Israel to leave. Moses promises that when they leave, not even the Egyptian dogs will growl at them as they pass - another indication of God's intervening in even the laws of nature.

Exodus 7 - 8

Moses and his brother Aaron stand before the Pharaoh and demand the release of God's people to worship. Pharaoh has no intention of letting them leave, so Moses demonstrates the power of God to Pharaoh through many horribly wonderful phenomena. Turning the Nile to blood, calling for frogs to overrun the land, gnats that cover everything and everyone, flies that infest the land (but not the land of the Israelites). In each case, Pharaoh asks for the removal of the plague with the promise of compliance; in each case Pharaoh changes his mind once the trouble is removed and becomes even firmer in his decision to not allow the Israelites to depart.

How often do you and I act like Pharaoh? We beg God for the removal of trouble - trouble that has come as a result of our own stubborn actions - and then do nothing to change our ways, do nothing about the promises we made God during the trouble. Like He did with Pharaoh, God will use increasing amounts of persuasion to convince us that He alone is God.

Exodus 4 - 6

Moses is tasked to lead the Israelis from Egypt. But several barriers stand in the way. First, the people are not willing to listen to him. Second, Pharaoh is unwilling to let the people leave. Is this a problem? Not to God! The increased labor and insistence of Pharaoh all play a part in God's design. He was making Egypt unpalatable for the Israelis and was about to make the Israeli presence unpalatable for Pharaoh. Throughout these chapters, one sees God at work behind the scenes as these folks make their own choices that lead ultimately to the fulfillment of God's intention for each one.

Moses loves to make excuses. He is not eloquent, he is not a leader, he is not prepared. to each of these, God answers "I am God". What excuse are you giving for not following or obeying God. The problem is not who you are; the problem is that you don't understand who God is!

Exodus 1 - 3

Jacob's descendants multiply in the land of Egypt, eventually making them too great a nation in the eyes of a Pharaoh not favorable to Joseph and his family. There follows a time of intense persecution; and yet the nation continues to grow. The male children are put under a death sentence, yet the nation continues to multiply. In the midst of this a son is born and hidden from the authorities. Eventually this child is discovered by the Pharaoh's daughter and taken into the royal household and given the name Moses.

Moses grows and eventually chooses to side with his people rather than his adoptive family. This choice forces him into exile where he marries and begins raising a family. But God has bigger plans for Moses. God calls and commissions him to lead the nation of Israel out of their slavery. Moses is to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. But what if the people are unwilling to follow Moses? He is to relate to them that "I AM " has commissioned him. Moses has received orders from the One Who always is; and the One Who always keeps His promises.

God has not forgotten His people!

Genesis 49 - 50

Jacob is about to die. He calls his sons to his side and pronounces blessings upon them. Even in this, God's goodness is seen; God honors Jacob's blessings of his children and the blessings become prophetic. One of the greatest promises is to Judah: that the One who gives peace will come some day from his progeny.

After Jacob's death, the brothers fear Joseph's retaliation. But in one of the more ironic statements in Scripture, Joseph makes a bold proclamation: what the brothers had intended for evil (his being sold into slavery) God used for great good, in fact for the preservation of their family.

The book of Genesis ends with Joseph's death. The nation of Israel is now in Egypt and every visible means of deliverance is now dead. What would happen to the God-blessed nation of Isael?

Genesis 46 - 48

Jacob takes a trip he never expected to take. He travels to Egypt to be reunited with his long-lost (long-feared dead) son, Joseph. God appears to him prior to his departure and promises that the land he is leaving will not be lost but will be preserved and reserved for him. His progeny will return to this land - God has promised and we have already seen that God is good at keeping His promises.

Jacob and his family enter the land of Egypt and greatly increase the population of that nation. One nation entering into the land of another increases the population by exactly 70 persons. Not exactly an overwhelming nation; but certainly more than Abraham thought possible not too many years prior.

Jacob lives in Egypt for 17 years and prior to his death we are allowed to hear the blessing he pronounces on Joseph's sons. The statement "I did not think to see you again; and here I am beholding your children" is testimony to the faithfulness and graciousness of God!

Genesis 43 - 45

The food Joseph provided for his brothers eventually ran out. In order to gain further provision, they would need to return to Pharaoh's representative with their youngest brother. Jacob, now well advanced in years, is reluctant to let this last child of Rachel leave his side; but is persuaded when his brothers pledge their lives for his safety.

Joseph arranges for the brothers to be fed, provided with provisions, and brought back on charges of theft. As the brothers plead for Benjamin's life, Joseph realizes that these brothers have been broken of their jealousy and hatred; and reveals himself to them as their brother.

I can only imagine the shock, bewilderment and dread that ran through these men's minds as they realize the one man that can literally decide their life and death is a man they mistreated many years ago. How greatly can a grudge fester over that period of time?

In Joseph's case, not much. There was no grudge. Joseph, we read, was viewing the situation from God's perspective. Joseph recognized that God was using even the evil intentions of his brothers to bring about their ultimate good. Selling their brother into slavery provided the means for them to be rescued from famine.

Now, before you go to indenture your siblings, remember this: their actions were wrong and they rightly faced the repercussions of their wrong actions. However, in spite of their actions, God used the situation to fulfill His promise to Abraham, to provide a continuing people that would reflect on His good name.

Genesis 41 - 42

Pharaoh himself has a dream some 3 years later. When no one can interpret the dream, the cupbearer remembers his promise to a man he met in prison, Joseph. Joseph is summoned and interprets the dream for Pharaoh: seven years of bounty will be followed by seven years of famine. Preparations are made to ensure Egypt's preservation, and Joseph is placed in charge of the food allocation system - in fact, he is made 2nd only to Pharaoh.

The famine comes just as God promised and foretold in Pharaoh's dream. It is so severe that surrounding countries and peoples come to Egypt to purchase food. Among the starving is a band of Hebrews, 10 brothers from one father. They claim that a younger brother is at home and another brother "is no more" and ask for food. Joseph, recognizing these as his brothers, sends them home (all but Simeon) with instructions to return with the youngest brother to prove they are not spies. Father Jacob laments that he has now lost 3 sons; Joseph is gone to the beasts, Simeon is as good as dead in an Egyptian prison, and Benjamin will die if he leaves the safety of home.

What would happen? Can God work even THIS situation for the good of all involved? Read tomorrow's installment to find out (or just read it in your Bible).

Genesis 39 - 40

Joseph, having been sold into slavery by his brothers, is bought from the Ishmaelites and given a place in the home of Potiphar, an Egyptian official. God's presence with Joseph is quickly evident and Potiphar promotes him to chief of the household staff. But not everyone is pleased with Joseph; Potiphar's wife has seduction in mind and tries to establish an illicit affair. Joseph, stating his principles, refuses; but this does not stop Mrs. Potiphar from accusing Joseph of attempted rape. Joseph is thrown in prison.

Even there, Joseph flourishes. Soon, the prison's daily affairs are being conducted under his watchful eye. Two high-profile prisoners are incarcerated: the Pharaoh's baker and cupbearer. These men dream interesting dreams that Joseph interprets to mean that they will be restored (cupbearer) and executed (baker). The only thing Joseph asks is that they bring his case of wrongful imprisonment to Pharaoh. The events unfold exactly as Joseph says they will and yet, the cupbearer forgets to fulfill his promise.

Do you see God's hand of blessing and goodness in this? Even in difficult and unpleasant circumstances, God had not abandoned Joseph; and he was not ready to abandon God either. God is trustworthy! Rely on Him today.

Genesis 36 - 38

Following the deaths of Isaac and Rebekah, the story shifts to Israel (nee Jacob) and his sons. We learn that Joseph, one of the younger sons, is a dreamer of dreams; and that his dreams are usually about being greater than his brothers and rescuing them from great danger. Add to these dreams the unusual favor of his father, and the resulting jealousy / hatred for Joseph is not hard to imagine.

This jealousy / hatred boils over during a trip to the sheep flocks. Joseph is sold into slavery, while Israel is told that Joseph's bloody garments were found along the way. These boys have learned deceit and trickery from their father very well.

One son, Judah, has learned deceit very well. The account is given of how he tried to renege on a promise to his daughter-in-law; and how she forced him to act favorably on her behalf.

Genesis 33 - 35

Jacob continues along his journey to meet his brother. He shows his bravado by putting the women and children at the front of the troop; hoping to gain sympathy (?) from the brother whom he has cheated.

Jacob is not the only one who can "pull a fast one" and his daughter is soon placed in the position of needing to be married - but not to one of whom Jacob approves. Jacob's sons take advantage of the love-sick suitor and wipe out the beau in what could best be spun as 'defending the family honor'. What a family!

Yet, God proves Himself to be faithful! In the midst of all this, Jacob is given a more suitable name. God changes 'the cheater' to 'the prince' and gives him the name Israel - prince of God.

The passage ends with the death of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. And yet in death there is life as the youngest member of Israel's tribe - a man destined to father a tribe himself - Benjamin is born.

Genesis 31 - 32

Jacob cannot seem to stay out of trouble. He attempts to leave the land of his father-in-law and botches that; then attempts to reconcile with his brother Esau. Afraid of what his brother may do to him, he sends out a peace delegation which fails to impress Esau. Before the day can dawn when Jacob and Esau will reunite, Jacob spends the evening wrestling with an angel - demanding a blessing from him. Only at the end of the match - early the next morning - does Jacob learn that he spent the match wrestling with God Himself.

How often do I do that - spend all my energy fighting against that which cannot be defeated or changed, a holy God?

Genesis 29 - 30

On his wedding day, Jacob is thrilled to marry the girl of his dreams. The next day, his dreams turn to a nighmare when he finds his father-in-law gave him the wrong daughter as a bride. Seven years later, Jacob marries the 'right' girl - the one he loves. God blesses him with a family and he begins to amass wealth and possessions to support his growing brood.

There is only one problem: his father-in-law. Jacob wants to put some distance between himself and his father-in-law; but Laban doesn't want to part with the man who has brought him great wealth just yet. They establish a procedure to divide the flocks; and Jacob begins breeding his animals in such a way that he receives a strong herd.

The lesson I see in this is that God gifts us with incredible talents that He then uses to bring us blessing. What has God brought into your life that you can use to provide not only for yourself, but use in a way that demonstrates the goodness of God upon you?

Genesis 27 - 28

Isaac, now an old man, is preparing to leave this earth; but not before blessing his children. He asks for one last taste of his favorite dish - roast venison (a man after my own heart!). Esau, the woodsman, is dispatched to find and prepare this meal and the blessing will be given him afterwards. Jacob, with the help of his mother, prepares the meal and disguises himself to pass as Esau to his aged father's eyes. Isaac eats, blesses and is totally deceived by his younger son. Esau returns to find that not only does his brother have his birthright, but his blessing as well. The hostility is so great that Jacob is forced to leave to avoid bloodshed.

Even in this, God is accomplishing His purposes. While on the run, Jacob encounters God one evening and is reminded of the blessings promised to his father and grandfather. He is privileged to take his place in this line of family blessing; and names the place of the encounter Bethel (house of God). He promises that if God will allow him to return to this place, he will sacrifice and offer 1/10 of his possessions as an expression of love and thankfulness.

Genesis 25 - 26

After Sarah's death, the next major event is the death of Ishmael. His descendants and their favored living spaces are detailed - again highlighting God's keeping His promise to this man and his mother so many years in the past.

Isaac, whom we left with his new bride last time, is now having children (there is a 20 year time lapse, too). Twins are born to this promised son of Abraham; and he receives the promise that they will be two great nations. The older makes many poor choices, much to the consternation of his parents; the younger is always looking for ways to turn events to his own advantage. Isaac himself has forgotten the lessons learned by father and almost causes an international incident by claiming his wife as his sister. In spite of this family's failings, God promises to bless them - - - and does!

Back in Real Time

For those who care (and you do, right?), the internet problems at my office are now solved. Thank you for your patience. It was amazing how productive I was when the 'Net was unavailable to me!

Genesis 23 - 24

Sarah lives to the ripe age of 127. Her death signifies a new chapter in Abraham's life. For the first time, he is concerned about property - and the only property he is concerned to own is a place to lay his dear wife's body to rest. How touching to read the care and love in Abraham's life as he tends to this last item for his mate.

Speaking of a mate, Abraham's son, Isaac, is ready for a bride. Eliezer, the servant, goes in search of a spouse for Isaac. God leads him to just the right gal. The rest, as they say, is history. Isaac loves her. A new family is begun and the family we have seen reach a milestone at the death of its matriarch begins another generation.

Another late post as the internet issue is still unresolved at the office. God willing, tomorrow is installation day.

Genesis 20 - 22

Tests, tests, tests. Abraham faces his share in these chapters. He hadn't learned the lessons of honesty previously and once again finds himself on the verge of causing an international scene by trying to pass his wife as his sister to avoid problems with a national leader. Isaac is born, just as God said he would be, Ishmael and his mother are dismissed yet cared for by God, Abraham forms a treaty with Abimelech (the leader he just tried to cause a scene with regarding his wife), and is tested by being asked to sacrifice his son - the newly born heir to his family fortune. What a group of tests!

Yet, in all these, God proves Himself to be more than capable of providing what is needed for each situation. He provides safety and security for Sarah, a son for Abraham, protection and provision for Ishmael and Hagar, blessing for Abraham and Abimelech, and a ram for Abraham's sacrifice. What a God of provision!

p.s. Sorry for the late posting. The Internet connection was lost at the office today. But still God provides. Tomorrow we install a wireless router that will allow for greater productivity and greater range of access. God is good.

Genesis 18 - 19

Abraham is visited by 3 men, one of whom the Bible states is the LORD Himself. These visitors share a meal with Abraham and promise him that in less a year he and Sarah will be parents of a son. The elderly couple are amused at this news; and the child's name is revealed to be Isaac - a name that means laughter. Two of the three depart for the valley city of Sodom where they encounter Abraham's nephew Lot. Warning him of impending disaster, Lot and his family flee before God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's daughters incorrectly conclude that they are left alone in the world, and decide to commit incest with their father to continue perpetuating the race.

Lessons from these chapters? God keeps His promises. He brought a son to Abraham and Sarah; He destroyed Sodom; He preserved Lot and His family (and would have in a more favorable matter had they not taken that responsibility upon themselves). Even in times of disaster and mayhem, God is faithful to His promises.

Genesis 16 - 17

Abram is a bit impatient. As an 85 year-old man, the time for raising a family, much less siring a nation seems to be past. A plan is developed by Sarai, his wife, to bring a descendant into the family. Sarai's maidservant, Hagar, is offered as a surrogate mother. Abram decides to side-step God's timing and impregnates Hagar. Sarai's contempt for Hagar is so great that she banishes her servant to the elements. God, even in this dark circumstance, proves Himself faithful by protecting Hagar and the young child Ishmael. Ishmael was never intended to be the promised heir of Abram; but God provides for his safety and future nonetheless. How great is His mercy!

God reiterates His promise to Abram and puts the stipulation to Abram that his responsibility is to bear in his body a mark of his dedication to God - circumcision. We read of the great circumcision that takes place in Abram's household. Also in this passage we learn that Abram's name is changed to Abraham. He goes from being a prince to being the father of many nations - and yet has no legitimate offspring. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah.

Throughout these chapters God is at work brining His plan to fulfillment.

Genesis 13 - 15

God gives two great promises to Abram in these chapters. First, God promises to give Abram a great inheritance of land. Secondly, and more importantly, God promises to give Abram descendants to inhabit the land. These promises were ultimately fulfilled later, after Abram's death, but at the point of their making Abram believed - and God credited him with righteousness (doing the right thing).

Nestled between these promises is the account of Abram's warfare against a consortium of kings who kidnapped his nephew, Lot. What a man Abram must have been. A man of faith, to be sure, but also a man to never back down from opposition.

Genesis 10 - 12

Noah and his family repopulate the earth. Not long afterwards (several generations) the people came together to construct a monument to their abilities and talents. Their fear was that they would be scattered and have to leave their comfortable surroundings. God interrupted their efforts and confused their languages by instantly creating language barriers where none had previously existed. The result? Scattering around the world. Even in this God is seen to be good, for His plan for man to subdue the whole earth is accomplished.

Generations pass. Perhaps those with an inclination to seek God's direction were wondering if He had stepped away from His creation and abandoned it. Nothing could be further from the truth. God reveals Himself to Abram; calling him away from his native land of the Chaldees to a place unknown to him at the time of his departure. Abram wisely and obediently follows God's direction. But don't get the picture in your mind that Abram was some super-religious man without flaw. The next paragraphs detail the trouble Abram faced when he tried to pass his wife as his sister to avoid conflict with Pharaoh.

Lessons from these chapters? God is always at work accomplishing His purposes. He uses ways we cannot anticipate or imagine. He is always at work - even when we don't recognize His handiwork. He uses flawed materials to create a masterpiece of perfection.

Genesis 7 -9

Noah and his family entered the ark he had built at God's command. All the animals were brought to him to take as well. It is incredible to think of all that took place in the space of one week from the time God said "Get in the boat" and the flood rains began.

And the rain came. The highest mountains were covered to a depth of roughly 22 feet - that's a lot of water! And the Bible says it quite plainly "everything on land died". After the waters receded, Noah, his sons and their wives comprised the entire global population.

Even in a global tragedy, God is good. He prepared for Noah's deliverance, even though He was not obligated to do so. Noah invited all who would to enter with him; but none were willing. Anyone could have taken advantage of God's provision, but none were forced to. Eight souls were willing to obey and were preserved.

But even a global tragedy did not eliminate sin. Soon after the flood, Noah is found passed out in a drunken stupor and one of his sons takes the opportunity to mock him for it. Sadly, even when God grabs our attention in a big way, we too soon drift back into our own ways and forsake His design for life.

Today, thank God for preparing deliverance out of every tragedy. Don't believe it? Look for the rainbow next time it rains - it's God's promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood.

Genesis 4 - 6

It does not take long for mankind to make a mess of things. Banished from the Garden of Eden, it takes 10 generations before God is so thoroughly disgusted with mankind that He is ready to destroy His creation. Yet, even in this, His glory is seen. He outlines plans for preservation to Noah - a just man - and gives him a task to accomplish. Unlike Adam (who would not follow the task given him), Noah obediently begins building an ark.

One interesting facet I saw today was the names given to those first 10 generations of man. Many of the names recorded are given along with a rough translation. It was encouraging to note how many were names meant as reminders of God's promises. Even in a corrupt society "filled with violence," God was remembered as One Who Keeps Promises.

Genesis 1 - 3

Today's reading starts at the beginning (pretty obvious, eh?). We are immediately introduced to the central character of the Bible, God. Contrary to popular opinion, man is not the center of attention. Oh, you could argue (maybe debate is a better term) that man was created lastly, proving his dominance and prominence in creation. OK, then I guess by that logic you would also agree that woman is much more prominent than man, as she was created after man. I hold that they were created as equals, but man was given responsibility for their actions jointly.

It doesn't take long before Trouble enters Paradise. By the end of chapter 3, the perfect, God-declared good creation lies in ruins due to man's choice of sin rather than obedience. I was struck by noticing how God calls each party to individual responsibility; asking them "What have YOU done?" and then rewarding them for their actions. This reward was negative, to be sure; but God allows us our choices and the consequences of them.

On this first day of the year, it may not take me long before I ruin the pristine year that lies before me. Yet God remain faithful and rewards me for obedience and corrects me for disobedience. He is faithfully concerned with His glory.

Happy New Year!

As 2007 closes and 2008 begins, my prayer for you is that God would demonstrate Himself to you in a palpable understandable way in the coming months, weeks and days.

I finished 2007 by completing my annual trip through the Bible. It is very moving to reach the end of the year at the same time one is reading of the end of time and the beginning of eternity. This morning, I began reading in the book of Genesis - the first book in the Bible. It is my goal to read through the Old Testament this year. The underpinnings of the New Testament are found in the Old; so the theological impact will be incredible, I am sure. Join me, won't you? Find a daily Bible reading schedule and work your way systematically and purposefully through God's written Word.

Christmas 2007

Another year is quickly coming to a close; and if your schedule is like most it's time to update folks on what you have been doing since this time last year. Don't worry, there are pictures (and if you click on them, you can see them larger, too!)

Late last year we moved into our new home. We have spent a wonderful 12 months making the space ours and loving the freedom and responsibilities that come with home ownership. Denise planted lots of flowers and vegetables over the year; I get regular doses of lawnmower therapy; and the boys love having a yard to play in with the other neighborhood children.

In February, I came to the shocking reality that I am not as young as I thought or felt. The exuberance of youth finally caught up to me and the strained muscles I thought would heal after moving turned out to be a hernia. One medical procedure and several months of recovery later, and everything is back to normal. During the preliminary work for his surgery, it was noted that I either needed to lose quite a bit of weight or gain quite a bit of height. So, a new venture was taken . . . Weight Watchers. Joining forces with Denise and her mom, the three of us now go every week to a Weight Watchers' meeting in San Bruno. We have made so many friends in this group of people that it is hard to imagine we have only known them less than a year.

In the spring, my mom and dad came out for a visit - to see the new house and to celebrate the boys' birthdays. We had a blast touring Yosemite and different parts of San Francisco - even using a bicycle taxi at one point - and really enjoyed their visit. The birthday party was a BLAST! I have never heard so many excited voices as the boys opened their presents. Perhaps the best comment was "Oh WOW! That is so cool! What is it?"


In June, I enlisted the help of my father-in-law to prepare the back of our lot for a storage shed. God worked it out so that we got the right shed at the right time. We did overestimate on the amount of sand needed to level the site, so if you need sand for a sandbox . . .


July brought the normal camping activities. It was a blessing this summer to take 4 children from our church up to Pilot Lake for the weeks of Junior and Teen Camps. The speakers were amazing; and it proved a memorable time for all - adults included.

This fall has been spent in much activity. Denise continues to organize and lead Victory Sports - a physical education group for home schooled students that is held every week at a local park. In January, flag football will commence, much to the boys' delight! I reached a milestone in my weight loss efforts in September, reaching my goal weight; and then in October I received the Lifetime Weight Watchers status for maintaining my goal weight for 6 weeks. Now, as long as I am not more than 2# over my goal, Weight Watchers is free for me to attend. The only problem is that my clothes have all grown too big!



Also this fall, our family increased by one member when Toby, a Jack Russell Terrier joined our happy gang. He is definitely a handful, but is very easy-going and adapts to whatever situation he finds. He accompanies me to work every day and loves making new friends with all the folks who stop by the church office. Tennis balls live in fear of him!



The church has done very well this year, too. We have seen several families join with us over the past 12 months. It is a constant source of amazement to realize that God would allow me the privilege to work with and serve this amazing group of people. Over the year, we have cleaned out storage rooms, prepared rooms for different uses, had the roof replaced (we didn't do that work), and updated the landscaping. Several families have gone through major milestones as well. Death was no stranger to our midst this year, and the losses are keenly felt this holiday season. But God is good and gives us strength and hope for each day.

Our theme this year is "Lift up your eyes ... to the hills and the harvest." The hills are ever changing; one never knows what lies over the next one. The help, however, is never changing. God always provides what is needed and what is best. The harvest, too, is ever changing. As a church, we are exploring different avenues of outreach that will allow us an effective reach into our community.



Our missionary family was a tremendous blessing to us this year. We had opportunity to meet and reacquaint ourselves with folks who live in Albania, Chile, France, Uganda and Spain. Lord willing, we may even get to visit some of these folks in 2009 on their "home turf."

Tired yet? Whatever else you find yourself doing this holiday season, I trust that you will take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. More than toys, tots, rosy cheeks and warm wishes, Christmas is about people. Christmas is about love. Christmas is about God, Who loves people and gave them the best gift - His Son. Jesus was the best gift because it was exactly what we needed: One Who could do what we could not - not even if given a million years and ten million opportunities - live a perfect life that would meet God's demand for perfection. His willing sacrifice of that perfect life makes the possibility of a relationship with God a reality for those who accept it. If you would like to know more about how that is possible, drop me a line.

For now, have the merriest of Christmases. With much love from our family to you and yours,
Pastor Charlie Eldred

A great Sunday

Yesterday's services were interesting. I would love to relate all the details to you - but I was not there. Seems that the stomach bug had other plans for my body - launching its attack in the wee hours of Sunday and continuing into Monday.

What a blessing it was to be able to call 3 gentlemen who were willing, capable and prepared to step in and assist their ailing minister literally at a moment's notice. The reports I have heard from those in attendance was that God's Word did exactly what it was intended to do: impact lives because it is the living word of the living God - and not just the presumed message of a particular messenger.

Thanks to Gene, Steve and Gene for being willing instruments of God's grace to a congregation and to a grateful pastor in the process!

You are being watched!

Thanks once again to my friend, Chris, I have installed a piece of technology that will let me know where and when my readers are visiting. Don't worry, I will not be sending this information to the North Pole, so it will not affect your "Naughty" or "Nice" evaluation later this month.

Who knew?

Warning: You must be smart to read this!

Well, apparently it takes smarts to read my rantings and musings. According to The Blog Readability site, I blog at a postgraduate level. Sorry for the big words and not nearly enough pictures!

Thanks to Chris for pointing me to the site! Click on the picture and see at what level you blog.

My political endorsement

Less than one year from now we should know the name of the next President of these United States. It seems that everyone is jumping on and off band-wagons with enough regularity that a pulled political hamstring is inevitable. Since Pat Robertson has offered his endorsement of Guiliani, and Bob Jones III has endorsed Romney, I thought it only prudent to let you, dear reader (and by that I mean YOU, Mom!), know who I am supporting for President.

But, before I do, I am sure many might be wondering about the legal implications of such a move. As the pastor of a church, might my opinion be construed as a "here's what my congregation better do if they know what's good for them" type statement? Trust me, we are NOT that kind of church. We only give THAT level of importance to God's Word, not the preacher's opinions. What I will state is my personal opinion and should be given no more weight than if I were the church janitor.

You should also know that I am not lock-step with the Republican party. I know, for an independent, Fundamental Baptist pastor that may be an oddity but it is the truth. As I look over the political scene for the upcoming Presidential election, there are many scenarios when my normal Republican voting tendencies would be violated based on the candidates.

So, without further ado, here is the person for whom I believe YOU should cast your vote next November:












You really thought I would tell you? Wow. I thought you knew me? Vote for the candidate (can't use "man" this cycle) you believe will best honor your values and priorities. Please do NOT vote for someone who seems "most electable" or "at least they aren't [the other party's candidate]" - have more integrity than that. Vote according to your conscience and sleep well knowing that even the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. He will raise up whom He will; and can use even the best or worst candidate bring Him glory. You may not be able to claim to have voted for the "winner" but you will rest your head on the pillow at night knowing that your principles were not sacrificed on the altar of convenience.

Oh, and keep an eye on the former governor from Hope - the one who HASN'T lived in the White House . . . yet.

Imminent Fire Danger!

Much has been (rightly) made of the wildfires spreading throughout the southern portion of our state. Acres are burned, homes have been destroyed, resources have been utilized and exhausted; and now it seems as though the tide is turning and containment is being achieved in greater measures than previously. For those not familiar with California's geography, the nearest of these fires is located about 400 miles away.

Yet the fire danger is imminent here in Hayward! However, no evacuations are underway and the warnings given by authorities familiar with the situation are being unheeded. The resources to battle this imminent danger are being strained and are reaching the exhaustion point. What is needed is a fresh supply of water and human resources to combat this dangerous situation.

I am speaking of the imminent danger faced by many in this community of the fires of hell. Whether our neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances or friends care to admit it, each moment spent outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ based on His substitutionary death as payment for their God-separating sin is a moment spent in danger of entering eternity in that state. The fire danger is high - for all have sinned and all face God's unadulterated wrath for sin unless One stands on their behalf as Mediator and Substitute.

Today, you can help battle the blaze! Share the news of sin, wrath and the gloriousness of Christ with those who stand to lose the most as the blaze continues. Carry the living water to quench the thirsty souls of those who have yet to drink from its unending supply.

The alarm bell is ringing. Who will answer the call to fight the imminent fire danger all around?

Adding to the Family

This week we increased our family's size by one. Meet Toby, our 18-month old Jack Russell Terrier.

Toby was rescued from the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, a great place to adopt a pet for yourself if you're in the area and looking to add a pet to your family. Toby has already begun fitting in to the household. He accompanies me to the office and enjoys breaking up my day with plenty of walks. I think I have lost about 5 pounds just from all the exercise!

Anyway, when you hear Toby referenced from now on, you will know he is a canine member of the family!

Well worth the time to read

My friend, Chris, has a great personal story that would be worth your while to read. The Story of Grace details his journey through the adoption process. Well, I won't spoil the story. You go read it!

Homecoming Sunday

Today, Fairway Park Baptist Church marked 52 years of demonstrating God's person and work to the South Hayward community. May God be pleased to honor His name for another 52 years!

You can click the image for a larger version of the photo.

One more voice

Today, bloggers are asked to show support for those attempting to bring democracy to their land. The Burmese people have undergone tremendous suffering, torture and death because of their ideals. It is my prayer that a peaceful resolution will be found before too many others lose their lives.

And yet, the gospel is not bound! Even if our government were to shut down Internet access and round up those who stood for Biblical principles, the gospel would never be bound. In fact, the Gospel seems to thrive best in times of difficulty.

Pray for those Burmese people affected in Myanmar and around the globe. Pray for those who are ministering the Gospel to them. Pray for your own sense of urgency about sharing the Gospel. Expect difficulty; it is the soil best suited for the seeds of eternal life.

UPDATE from Voice of the Martyrs:
Pray for Christians being affected by the continued unrest in Myanmar. The government is targeting anyone with influence, and churches have not been spared. VOM contacts report, "Churches cannot meet. We are quietly meeting in small groups of no more than five to pray for our country. China reports five people have been killed, the BBC is saying about 10 have been killed, but our people have seen hundreds of bodies and many more filling the hospitals." Pray for the protection and safety of Christians in Myanmar. Pray the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of the government officials and that the testimony of believers will draw others into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Psalm 27:1; Joshua 1:9

Quotable

"Missions is real. Missions is more than pictures displayed on a wall. Missions is about people making decisions that affect them for all eternity. I am here today because someone understood the reality of missions."
- Neil Arias, Chilean national pastor and church planter

When missionaries report, we all love to see the pictures of the folks being impacted by our prayers and pocketbooks. Were we to travel to visit these missionaries (ooh, foreign travel under the guise of 'humble discipleship') we would come back with several memory cards full of photos of all that was taking place on that field of service.

But what if during your visit to the foreign field you were asked to show your photos. What pictures would you show THEM - what photos exist of the people YOU and I are reaching with the gospel? Who are you reaching? It all goes back to Pastor Neil's quote. Missions is REAL. It impacts REAL people. It takes place in the REAL world ... the world you and I move in and around every day.

...and the beat goes on

Work continues to progress on our church roof. For the past several weeks, we have been repairing the roof and having new shingles / gutters put on the sanctuary. God has been demonstrating His glory in all that has been taking place. The weather has been very cooperative. The workers have been extremely professional. The details have been ... interesting.
Due to dry rot, we have had to replace 6 feet along the eave - for the entire length of the building. Add to this the interesting fact that roofing materials today are 1/4" narrower than what is on our current roof, and you see how the costs could escalate to procure custom sized material. As God would have it, the lumber was not only easily obtained, but able to be delivered in under a week.
Tomorrow, the new boards are installed and next week the shingles will be nailed onto the new roof. Then, as the Lord sends rain, we will be prepared to praise His name in a Providentially provided dry place!

Time for a little payback!

This weekend, I will enjoy the privilege of partially repaying a long-time debt of gratitude. My pastor during my 8 years of college, grad school and seminary will be in town for a visit. I have the great pleasure of asking HIM to preach in my normal place, instead of the other way around! I know that our people will be just as blessed as I have been every time he has opened the Word from behind the sacred desk.

I can't wait for Sunday!

Safety and Bridges

Many are following the events in Minneapolis surrounding the collapse of the I-35 bridge. What lessons can or should be learned from this? John Piper wrote a very compelling article addressing that very topic. I could try to recreate it and pass it off as my own; but I will do one better and point you directly to the article.

Click here for the link, read it, and respond in a way that pleases God.

Blowing off the cobwebs

Dear friends of Know~Be~Do:

I have not forgotten how to type, post or communicate. The hiatus of our integrity series is getting to the point of embarrassment. Please rest assured that there is more to come, though it may take a while.

To update you on the series and the need for a hiatus, let me back-track slightly. The integrity series is the overflow of a book I am co-authoring with a dear friend and ministry partner. We have been pouring the last 3 years or so into the research and development of a Bible study for men on the theme of Integrity.

That has all taken an interesting turn lately. Saturday night, July 14, my office was broken into and numerous items were taken. As I have been going through my inventory, the missing items include (to my knowledge so far) a 35 mm camera and telephoto lens, a new 32-channel mixing console for our church audio department (locked in my office for safe keeping prior to installation), a DVD / VCR device, and a 1 GB Flash Drive. The Flash Drive was the sole repository of my research and writings for the Integrity book and web series.

The Hayward Police Department has done a great job in helping me and our church process this event. Only now am I starting to realize the loss of that data. The research is gone (but can be redone), but there are / were also pictures on the drive that cannot be recovered as well as other data that cannot be recreated.

Stay tuned. As events develop, I will try my best to communicate them to you. Pray for whoever now has possession of our missing property. May God bring those people to Himself in a way that brings Him ultimate glory.

Integrity: Part 6 - Truth

Truth today is seen as optional, random, and relative. Long-gone are the days of ‘situational ethics’; today’s culture is not even concerned with the ethics of the situation – only on personal ethics. “What does this mean to me?” is the question asked by many. It is the wrong question! Your interpretation of a matter is irrelevant. “What is TRUE?” in this situation is far more relevant and important than any personal reaction or interaction.

Society needs truths to progress. The absence of truth leads to anarchy, when all seek to “do what is right in their own eyes.” Societal anarchy is horrendous; but personal anarchy is seen far more frequently and is even more destructive. Years ago, it was said that the person who acts as their own lawyer has a fool for a client. A modern corollary might state: The person who acts as their own moral compass has a fool for a guide.

Truth is not elusive. Truth is unchanging. Truth is vital if your life is to be one of integrity. The great unchanging truths are found in the Bible, the written record of the One Who does not change! Notice what God’s Word says about truth and its application to life.

Consider the two forms by which truth can be presented: objective and subjective. Objective truth is that which does not change in any circumstance (a good example would be the orbit of the earth, from any vantage point, it always behaves the same). Subjective truth is that which is free from error in the given circumstance (a good example here would be gravity – on the earth it behaves in one manner, but in space or a different plant, quite another). Both of these aspects are found in Scripture.

• Luke 4:25 (subjective; Jesus is referring to all the widows in Israel)
• John 1:14, 17 (objective; the truth Jesus brings and is filled with does not change in any circumstance)
• John 17:17 (objective; the truth of God’s Word does not change)
• Acts 10:34 (objective & subjective; Peter refers to a timeless truth that is applicable to his immediate situation)

What qualifies a statement, quality, character as “truth”? Truth is presented as that which is reliable, certain, provable, and settled. These are the non-negotiable aspects of life.

• Ruth 3:12 (Boaz’s relationship to Ruth was established and confirmable)
• Job 12:2 (Job sarcastically points out the difference between his friends subjective truth and the objective truth they claimed it to be. This is an interesting point to consider: because you believe a truth to be objective does not make it so!)
• Psalm 25:5 (David pleads for God to impart knowledge of that which will not change)
• Proverbs 29:14 (The king that adheres to truth in his judgments is rewarded. Legislation from the bench is not a wise course of action)
• Daniel 6:12 (The law of the Medes was true: it could not be broken or contradicted)
• John 8:32 (Truth is a freeing and liberating agent)
• Philippians 4:8 (Our mind is to focus on that which is true and truthful)

Truth is the bedrock upon which a life of integrity is built. Examine your life; upon what unchanging truths is it based? Do those truths align with the truths of God’s Word? His unchanging foundation must become the pattern and source of your life’s foundation. To do otherwise is not safe, right, true or stable.

Integrity: Part 5 - Belief and Hope

Last time we discussed integrity, trust was a verb, this time we discuss it as a noun. We will refer to the noun aspect of trust as belief. Beliefs are what you know to be true intrinsically or by experience. How many times have you ordered a pizza from a national chain? You are able to get the same pizza in Dallas, Des Moines, Denver, Dover and Daytona because the chain has established a set of instructions for the way their pizzas are made. You always get the same amount of cheese, sauce and toppings. Your confidence (what you know; the noun-aspect of trust) is based on the integrity of the company (the verb-aspect of trust; the way they act).

We began with a discussion of how knowledge directs character which dictates action. Does action now precede character? No. If all you did was correct your actions, you would still not be a man of integrity. However, knowing what the actions of a man of integrity are to be, you will now discover the kind of life that will motivate such actions.

The Bible describes a man of trust as one who faithfully follows commands or fulfills their responsibilities. Such a one can be easily relied upon for greater tasks. This type of man is also described as one who has a firm belief in God and His Son as the only Savior of mankind. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14 – 30), the faithful servants shouldered their responsibilities and executed their expected duties with very little accountability. Faithfulness, 1 Corinthians 4:2 tells us, is required in stewards – not an optional quality. Paul continues to instruct the Corinthian believers (1 Corinthians 10:13) by reminding them that in times of trial God demonstrates His faithfulness to us. In fact, God’s faithfulness is demonstrated (1 John 1:9) in terms of His forgiveness.

Last time, the confidence-inspiring activities of the man of integrity was discussed. The Bible uses words like ‘confidence’, ‘hope’, and ‘trust’ to define this individual’s character. This confidence is not produced by gold (Job 31:24) or national armament (Isaiah 36:4). Instead Genesis 1:10 uses a word translated elsewhere as “hope” to describe the gathering together of waters. Hope is a rallying point for those without hope. God Himself is the rallying point in Jeremiah 50:7. Earlier in his prophecy, Jeremiah (29:11) discusses the assured end [hope in some translations] and plan that God has for His people.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a crucial text as you consider this aspect of integrity. God has plans to bring you to ‘an expected end’. You can have confidence in His plan being accomplished in your life. At the same time, God is expecting you to live in a way that demonstrates the same type of expectancy to others. Are you proving yourself to be as reliable to others as God is to you? He calls you to mirror Him. Check your reflection and adjust yourself as needed.

Integrity: Part 4 - The Role of Trust in Faith

Remember, this study of Integrity is based on the premise that integrity is comprised of faith, honor and discipline. Continuing the study of faith, attention is now turned to the role of trust in faith.

Trust is a large component of faith. Frequently, “trust” and “faith” are used interchangeably. There are some differences, however. Faith is often a confidence in that which is unseen, while trust often describes confidence in that which can be perceived by the senses.

Trust is crucial to the life of integrity. Rare indeed is the one who possesses integrity without inspiring trust. God’s Word has much to say about trust: how it is gained, how it is maintained, where it is rightly put, as well as where and how it can be lost or destroyed.

Trust is often described as that which can be supported, confirmed or verified. Genesis 15:6 implies that Abraham’s belief came through the confirmation of Sarah’s pregnancy. God spoke to Moses (Exodus 19:9), not for Moses’ benefit, but to confirm the relationship they shared to the Israelites satisfaction. In 1 Samuel 3:20, trust in Samuel was gained by his actions. Even God’s word produces trust in itself. Psalm 19:7 speaks of the verifiable aspect of Holy Scripture. The book of Proverbs (11:13) tells us that trustworthiness validates a man’s integrity. Jonah, the prophet to Nineveh, gave a message that was able to be verified – a message that changed attitudes and actions (Jonah 3:5). 1 Corinthians 13:7 speaks to the vital role that trust plays in love. True love trusts what is told to it.

Trust also inspires confidence. When a matter can be verified, a level of confidence is gained. The man of integrity must develop not only a character that can be verified, but also a character that inspires confidence. Scripture outlines this aspect of trust in various ways. Deuteronomy 28:52 speaks of the confidence inspired by city walls. Psalm 9:10 tells of the confidence inspired by God’s name. A person’s name reveals much about their character. How much confidence is inspired in others at the mention of your name? Psalm 44:6 reminds of the fleeting security found in weapons – not very confidence-inspiring. But Psalm 115:9, 10, 11 extol the merits of the LORD as the true source of all confidence. A friend’s hurtful yet helpful words are more confidence building than the traitorous flattery of an enemy, according to Proverbs 27:6. In fact, trust yourself is an indication of foolishness, says Proverbs 28:26. The apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:3, 4 tells in what he places confidence – and it wasn’t what everyone else would have chosen!

The confidence trust inspires is described as a shelter, a safe place for others to occupy. The man of integrity protects others by being a man of his word, one in whom they can trust. This is the security found in a rock (Deuteronomy 32:37), an armor-bearer (Psalm 18:30), as well as a tower and shield (Psalm 144:2).

The life of integrity is one of faith and trust. As you place your trust in the Lord and His plans for you, reliance on the flesh weakens. A man of integrity is one who inspires confidence, not because has all the answers or knows all the solutions; but because He has learned the proper place for trust. The man of integrity inspires others to trust him because he is trusting God.

What are you doing to inspire others’ trust in God? Their appreciation for your directing them to God is what builds your character of integrity.

Integrity: Part 3 – The Mindset of Faith

Today’s study assumes you are dealing with the sin causing your lack of integrity. (For more on this, see here) Notice the verb tense “are dealing” because this will never be a completed issue this side of eternity. Sin will always threaten your integrity. You also know the only source of hope is found in God alone; and He is willing to provide all that is needed for your success in this area.

The life of integrity possesses faith, honor and discipline. Faith begins as an idea that is verified repeatedly and widely until it grows into a conviction. This conviction is placed in context of life and given the status of “that which can be questioned, but from which I cannot be dissuaded.” When an idea reaches this stage, it has become faith. Faith guides our decisions, aids in our activities and dictates our values. This is what faith does, but how does it do that?

Faith provides a steadying influence to life. In this regard, Proverbs 13:17 speaks of a faithful representative providing a stable picture of his homeland to other nations. Proverbs 20:6 informs us that this influence is difficult to find among mankind; not everyone is a person of integrity. In Psalm 36:5, the psalmist tells us that the sky is the limit when it comes to testing (verifying) God’s influence in life. Isaiah (33:6) would have us know that this stability of faith comes via knowledge (the accumulation of facts) and wisdom (the correct application of knowledge). In fact, our stability allows others to place trust in us as well, according to Titus 2:10.

Not only does faith provide a steadying influence to life; it also builds confidence into a life. Note how the man in Matthew 8:10 is described: a man of GREAT faith; the level of confidence found in him was unparalleled. Luke 17:6 reminds us that confidence need not be great in magnitude to be great in effect. In the next chapter (Luke 18:8), Luke tells us that like stability, confidence is also often lacking. So how is confidence gained or maintained? Romans 10:17 instructs us that confidence is born out of repeated exposure to God’s Word; a process that breeds patience in times of trial (James 1:3) that motivates actions (Hebrews 11:1, 3, 4).

Confidence is closely related to expectation. Since I am confident that my birthday will be celebrated, I expect (have faith) that I will receive presents. Faith is described in terms of confidence in passages such as Acts 16:19, when the Philippians expected to receive profit from their psychic girl. Paul expresses an expectation to receive what God had promised him in Acts 26:6. Even society operates under the principle of expecting a harvest (1 Corinthians 9:10) from invested labors. 1 Peter 3:15 informs the believer that his confidence and the expectation that breeds it should be readily evident to all – and be succinctly explained. Yes, confidence breeds expectation; but expectation also influences and further solidifies our confidence.

A final aspect of faith is its ability to withstand in any situation. People were once commonly referred to as “men of their word” referring to their unquestionable character of truthfulness. Notice that aspect of faith in Psalm 100:5 (God’s truth is stable throughout time); Acts 14:22 (The confidence that resulted in expectation was able to sustain these believers for their entire life!); Romans 1:17 (The character of reliability is what separates ‘the just’ from the rest) and Ephesians 6:16 (Our faith is to be trustworthy; what soldier would take an unreliable shield into battle?)

With the following definitions of faith in place, the faith mentioned in Acts 6:5 is the life of faith! Stephen was not only a man of firmness and fidelity, he lived in light of the hopes and expectations he possessed. His was a life lived by conviction. His character was one of reliability. Stephen is seen at the culmination of the process of faith. You must not assume he was always a man of such character. In fact, he was a sinner, saved by grace, like every follower of Jesus Christ. His journey from sinner to model of faith is not chronicled; but he undertook the journey and arrived successfully – as can you!