This Is Boring And Irrelevant….

Can you imagine the value of the Tabernacle and all of its contents cost to make in today’s dollars? I added it up, $45.3 million. Wow. God doesn’t stop at any expense to have His dwelling place here on earth be glorious, does He? It’s not about the money, rather it’s about the value. In order to please God we have to give our best, we have to give what matters most to us, to show ourselves how much we truly value God. Just think the Israelites were slaves. They had nothing while in Egypt. Yet after the 10 plagues, the Egyptians were giving them jewelry, fine utensils, and other things of high value just to get them to leave Egypt. Then, God asked them, the ones that had grateful hearts, to donate these valuable things in order to build the Tabernacle and all of its contents. God brought the Israelites from suffering slavery to donating $45.3 million to build His Dwelling place all in a relatively short time period. This only goes to show us that What God asks us to do, He also provides for us to do it. When you read through these Old Testament books it’s easy to slip into “this is boring and irrelevant to me” thinking, but when you truly read with the goal of knowing God more intimately, you truly find the treasure in which God will use to further His kingdom. No study, no reading, and no scripture is ever wasted. Never forget this.

21 This is an inventory of the materials used in building the Tabernacle of the Covenant. The Levites compiled the figures, as Moses directed, and Ithamar son of Aaron the priest served as recorder. 22 Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 23 He was assisted by Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman expert at engraving, designing, and embroidering with blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth.24 The people brought special offerings of gold totaling 2 ,193 pounds, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. This gold was used throughout the Tabernacle.25 The whole community of Israel gave 7 ,545 pounds of silver, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. 26 This silver came from the tax collected from each man registered in the census. (The tax is one beka, which is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel.) The tax was collected from 603,550 men who had reached their twentieth birthday. Exodus 38:21-26

Connection With Other People….

Man was never meant to live alone. God spoke these very words in Genesis, and Jesus exemplified this truth in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was in great distress and agony over what was about to happen to Him. His scourging and crucifixion were less than 24 hours away. He specifically took His three closest disciples with Him to pray, Peter, James, and John. When He found them sleeping, He let them know how disappointed He was. This just goes to show us that man was never meant to be an island. Man was never meant to isolate himself, away from society, and live to himself. We need others in our lives to help carry our burdens. We need others in our lives to help celebrate the successes. We need others in our lives to fully live. If our ultimate goal is to glorify God, it is possible to honor Him by the way we live our lives, but it’s impossible to show and tell others about Him, and all the things He’s done for us, if there’s no else around to share it with. We live in a world that’s connected through social media, but disconnected outside the cyber environment. Fakebook posts are only there to make ourselves look better than we really are, only superficial. This pseudo-sense of security and connection will never satisfy the thirst of our God-centered, people-relating spirit God has placed inside of every single human being to ever to walk on this earth. Connection with other people is vital. We can’t live this life alone and expect to be fulfilled. It doesn’t work that way. “JOY SHARED IS DOUBLE JOY, SORROW SHARED IS HALF SORROW”.

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and He said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and He became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”39 He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.”40 Then He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with Me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 When He returned to them again, He found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.44 So He went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then He came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look–the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, My betrayer is here!” Matthew 26:36-46

Nothing You Desire Can Compare With It…

Every man has a decision to make. When he is born he doesn’t have a choice in who his parents are, or what they teach him. But as he ages, he is confronted with the utmost decision he will ever make. “Do I follow the world or do I follow God?” Or in easier terms, “do I pursue money, fame, power, vanity, etc... or do I pursue wisdom, knowledge, good judgement, etc....?” The world or God? In the end, the magnitude of your wealth will be crystal clear. It will be material riches, or spiritual and relational riches. One can be measured, while the other cannot, because it continues to give eternally. Evidence of the choice we make will be obvious. It will be seen in how we treat others, in our everyday attitudes, and ultimately where we end up upon death. The Bible says “choose instruction.... and knowledge (wisdom).... for they are more valuable, nothing you desire can compare with it”. If that comes from the pen of the wisest man who ever lived, it’s because he got it from God Himself. Fame, riches, power, only last a short while. Living a life pursuing God, grants us wisdom and discernment. These last forever, because truth doesn’t change or ever die. Choosing a life that seeks wisdom may not be glamorous, but it certainly brings life, every single day and is eternal.

6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.Everything I say is right,7 for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.8 My advice is wholesome.There is nothing devious or crooked in it.9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,clear to those with knowledge.10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,and knowledge rather than pure gold.11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.Nothing you desire can compare with it. Proverbs 8:6-11

Everything We Need For Life….

We have everything we need for life here on earth, it’s just a matter of rearranging it. As believers, whose hearts are for God, we donate, connect with, and rearrange people, things, and resources to meet the needs of those less fortunate, or living in tough circumstances. It’s how Christians are supposed to live. Can you meet the need of someone going through a hard time? If so, do it. You’ll make a difference today.

So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. 21 All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. 22 Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. Exodus 35:20-22a

One Of The Coolest Things…

One of the coolest things I see in the Israelites exodus out of Egypt and their journey in the desert, was God’s requiring them to appear before Him three times a year. You might ask, “what’s cool about having to stand before God, and make a sacrifice by slaughtering an animal?” Well, they were humbled 3 times a year. They had three reality checks per year. They had to learn how to manage their selfishness, or they would be reprimanded by God for not keeping it in check, three times a year. Can you imagine having to do that? How much better would our lives be? How much better would the world be? Being accountable to God is a good thing, unless you don’t want to be. Every morning when I read the Bible, it’s like those 3 times a year people stand before God. I do it every day. It’s the most refreshing and rewarding thing a human being can do. Feeding yourself spiritually. Connecting with our Creator. Being reminded I’m accountable to Him. That’s what Christianity is about. It’s a connection that brings peace, significance, and purpose, all the while holding us accountable for our actions. It’s the confidence in God to do what He does best. Connect with God daily. It’s the greatest thing you’ll ever do, and you can do it every day (not just 3 times a year). How great is that?

22 “You must celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first crop of the wheat harvest, and celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season. 23 Three times each year every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord, the God of Israel. 24 I will drive out the other nations ahead of you and expand your territory, so no one will covet and conquer your land while you appear before the Lord your God three times each year. Exodus 34:22-24

A True Leader Takes Responsibility For The Group…

A true leader takes responsibility for the group he leads. He includes himself in that group even if he doesn’t join along in sinful practice. He knows he will be held accountable for their behavior, so he treats sin as serious. Notice how Moses addresses God “but please forgive our iniquities and our sin”. He wasn’t doing the sinning, the people were, but he knew he was a sinner. Great, effective leaders know this, and lead by promoting this kind of attitude.

8 Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. 9 And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with You, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as Your own special possession.” Exodus 34:8-9

When People Try To Please God…

How is it possible to forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin, but not excuse the guilty? The answer, Jesus. Jesus is the Answer for the world. It’s because of Him we can be forgiven, and not violate God’s character. And the best part is it’s a free gift. No one can earn it, work for it, or deserve it. It’s simply a free gift. When people try to please God (without Jesus) by doing righteous works, they will never succeed. It’s like having a long jump contest over the Grand Canyon. Sure there will be people who jump farther away from the edge, but they all fall the same distance down. No one can jump across the vast divide of the canyon. But Jesus is the bridge that connects the divide. Only by walking on Him (by faith), can one successfully cross the canyon. Christianity is complicated, but simple. The only thing holding a man back from God, is his pride, which says, “I’m not crossing that Jesus’ bridge, I’m gonna do it myself “. The only place that ever gets people is the bottom of the canyon. God’s grace is unfathomable, and yet free. It’s complex, yet simple. It’s forgiving, yet just. The greatest thing anyone could ever learn and embrace on this earth is the Gospel of Jesus. Make it a priority in your life and your life will be full. Make it a priority in your life and it will have purpose. Make it a priority in your life and you will have peace, security, and wholeness. Make it a priority in your life and you’ll learn how to love, passing that on to 1000 generations.

5 Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and He called out His own name, Yahweh. 6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord!The God of compassion and mercy!I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected–even children in the third and fourth generations.” Exodus 34:5-7