Psalm 82:2-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Psalm of Asaph.
2 “How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?
3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
4 Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.
In this week when there is a lot of focus on the nomination of a Supreme Court justice, consider what God has to say on the subject. The author of Psalm 82 describes a scene in which God chastises and challenges Israel’s judges.
Because of their role as God’s delegates and image-bearers, these men were referred to as “gods” (v. 6). Do we dare think of our Supreme Court justices that way today? Rather than defending the unjust and judging with partiality, they were accountable to defend the weak and fatherless and to protect the rights of the poor and oppressed. They were to exercise their power in a godly manner, a manner which would rescue the needy and deliver them from the domination of wicked individuals.
Will this be the debate we will hear over the nomination of our next Supreme Court justice?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, May 07, 2010
THE GEESE STORY
Genesis 2:18
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
It’s amazing how much we can learn by observing what God has built into His creation. All of His creatures “relate” in some way to all of the others. Interpersonal relationships are a key aspect of life as a human being. From the beginning God spoke this fact. It was repeated centuries later as Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, emphasizing that we are all members of the same body.
Geese function in relationship. They increase their flying range by flying in their “V” formation. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the pack and another goose flies the point. Geese honk from behind to encourage those in front to keep up the pace. The followers cheer the leaders on. When a goose falls out of the formation, two other geese follow it down and provide help and support. They stay until the goose either recovers or dies.
We as people are so smart that we’ve figured out ways in which to succeed in isolation and competition. Imagine what we could accomplish if we were as artless as a flock of geese.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
It’s amazing how much we can learn by observing what God has built into His creation. All of His creatures “relate” in some way to all of the others. Interpersonal relationships are a key aspect of life as a human being. From the beginning God spoke this fact. It was repeated centuries later as Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, emphasizing that we are all members of the same body.
Geese function in relationship. They increase their flying range by flying in their “V” formation. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the pack and another goose flies the point. Geese honk from behind to encourage those in front to keep up the pace. The followers cheer the leaders on. When a goose falls out of the formation, two other geese follow it down and provide help and support. They stay until the goose either recovers or dies.
We as people are so smart that we’ve figured out ways in which to succeed in isolation and competition. Imagine what we could accomplish if we were as artless as a flock of geese.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
RELATIONSHIPS THAT TRANSFORM
Exodus 17:10-13
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Israel Defeats the Amalekites
10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
The Bible repeatedly exhibits relationships that transform and bring about growth. Moses and Joshua, Jesus and the disciples, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy – all of these relationships provide illustrations of the manner in which mentors can help to build the future leaders. Today’s passage reveals how God affected Moses and Moses in turn affected the life of Joshua.
God inspired and empowered Moses to do great deeds on His behalf. Moses, in turn, commissioned Joshua to lead the people of Israel after his death. In each relationship instance, the life of the mentee was transformed. Think today about who has effected this same kind of transformation in your life. Are you working to pass on the wisdom of your experience to another?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Israel Defeats the Amalekites
10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
The Bible repeatedly exhibits relationships that transform and bring about growth. Moses and Joshua, Jesus and the disciples, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy – all of these relationships provide illustrations of the manner in which mentors can help to build the future leaders. Today’s passage reveals how God affected Moses and Moses in turn affected the life of Joshua.
God inspired and empowered Moses to do great deeds on His behalf. Moses, in turn, commissioned Joshua to lead the people of Israel after his death. In each relationship instance, the life of the mentee was transformed. Think today about who has effected this same kind of transformation in your life. Are you working to pass on the wisdom of your experience to another?
Monday, May 03, 2010
RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
Philemon 1:13-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
Read Paul’s brief letter to Onesimus on Philemon’s behalf: Philemon.
The Paul-Onesimus-Philemon relationships describe principles needed within the Body of Christ. Underlying all of these principles is Paul’s plea for this slave owner to treat his slave with human dignity and brotherly love. Having abandoned the slave mentality in our social order today, should we not in our leader-follower, employer-employee, spousal-parent-children relationships, rise to this same level of respect for our brothers and sisters (fellow human beings) in the Body of Christ.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
Read Paul’s brief letter to Onesimus on Philemon’s behalf: Philemon.
The Paul-Onesimus-Philemon relationships describe principles needed within the Body of Christ. Underlying all of these principles is Paul’s plea for this slave owner to treat his slave with human dignity and brotherly love. Having abandoned the slave mentality in our social order today, should we not in our leader-follower, employer-employee, spousal-parent-children relationships, rise to this same level of respect for our brothers and sisters (fellow human beings) in the Body of Christ.
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