Let the Reedemed of the Lord Say So - Psalm 107:2

"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." The Psalmist says that the redeemed proclaim their redemption because they cried out to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress (Psalm 107:6). This Psalm lists many of the ways that people can get themselves into trouble and how the Lord will deliver them no matter how difficult the situation. According to the Psalmist, when God delivers us from our problems, we are to thank Him for His steadfast love because He intervenes in people's lives. The Psalmist instructs us to thank God and to recognize and praise Him among people for His intervention in our lives--let the redeemed of the Lord say so! When Jesus healed the man with leprosy in Mark 1:40-45, though Jesus sternly charged him not to tell anyone, the man could not control himself "and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news" to the extent that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town in Galilee (vs. 45). When God intervenes and saves, heals, or delivers you from the problems and distresses of your life, then tell somebody about it!

Heralding the Kingdom - Mark 1:14-15

"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." A herald was a messenger who carried or proclaimed important news on behalf of a political authority. A herald was charged with making royal proclamations and bearing messages of state between sovereigns. Isn't it interesting that Jesus was not only the Head of State, the King of God's Kingdom, but He was also its first Herald? When Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God, He was the King of the very Kingdom He was heralding. He is still heralding His Kingdom today, except by His Spirit through us. We have been appointed to the position of Kingdom Heralds and our duty is to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand and that people should repent and believe in the good news of the Savior King.

Keeping the World in Check - Proverbs 29:18

"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,but blessed is he who keeps the law." With the exception of the message that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life, Proverbs 29:18 is about the most important message the Bible teaches. In fact, the Bible itself is an example of this message. It tells the story, repeatedly, of what happens to people when they do and do not acknowledge and obey the revelation of God's love for His creation and His plans and purposes for it. In fact, this revelation is about the only thing that can keep people in check both individually and collectively. So let us boldly proclaim God's present and coming Kingdom because it helps keep things under control in this rebellious world in which we live--and when we obey this prophetic vision then we will be blessed.

Building Treasures in Heaven, the Hard Way - Acts 27:24

While Paul was being taken prisoner to Rome by ship, a ship he was sailing on got into a violent storm at sea and the ship's crew had to jettison all the cargo and gear and set the ship adrift at sea. After many days without food Paul stood up among them and encouraged the ship's crew and occupants with the news that God had promised him there would be no loss of life. An angel appeared to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul, you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you..." (Acts 27:24). I believe Paul had prayed and fasted for the safety and souls of all the men on board the ship and God granted Paul's request. It wasn't necessary for God to save the lives of all 76 or 276 men on board the ship to ensure that Paul made it to Rome to testify before Caesar, but because Paul cared for and prayed for the welfare of their souls, God answered his prayer and granted all those who sailed with Paul. I think these souls were added to Paul's account in heaven--talk about building treasures in heaven!

Atonement for Sin-the Old Version - Leviticus 4

Did you ever wonder how sacrifices for sin were conducted in the tabernacle system?. Leviticus 4 provides the procedures for making an offering or sacrifice for sin when the high priest, all the people of Israel, one of Israel's leaders, or an individual Israelite had committed an unintentional sin, that is, doing any one of all the things unintentionally (or by mistake) that God's law prohibits. Here's the way that atonement was secured under the law for sin offerings:
1. Bring an unblemished male bull, goat, or lamb (depending on who committed the sin) to the entrance of the tabernacle.
2. Take the animal sacrifice by the head and slaughter it (by slitting its throat).
3. The priest takes some of the blood into the tabernacle and he dips his finger into it and sprinkles it in front of the veil of the sanctuary seven times.
4. The priest also spreads some of the blood on the horns of the altar of incense.
5. The remainder of the blood is poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings that is at the entrance to the tabernacle.
6. The fat of the animal sacrifice that is on the entrails, the two kidneys, and the liver are removed and burned on the altar of burnt offerings all night.
7. All the remaining parts of the animal sacrifice (the head, skin, legs, entrails, etc.) and ashes from the altar are carried outside the camp and burned on a fire of wood.
"So the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin, and he shall be forgiven" (vs 26, 35). But the Hebrews writer tells us that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. This sacrificial system was only a shadow of the true form of the reality that would be Christ's sacrifice once for the sins of all the world for all time (Hebrews 10:12-18).

Obey the Heavenly Vision - Acts 26:19-20

"I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance." When the Apostle Paul testified at Caesarea before King Agrippa and Festus, the Roman Governor, he told them how Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and of his subsequent conversion. Finally, Paul told Agrippa and Festus that he was "not disobedient to the heavenly vision" but openly declared to the Jews and Gentiles in all the region of Judea that they should repent and turn to God. Paul knew what his assignment was; he called it a "heavenly vision" because the assignment came from God. God has a heavenly vision for each of us. Lord, let me know and understand your plans for me and strengthen me to obey my heavenly vision!

Memo to Myself: No Whining - Proverbs 24:10

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." How do you handle problems when they come your way? Do you get angry, frustrated, or depressed? Do you keep to yourself or do you complain to your friends or family about your problems? Adversity is what God uses to build your character. If you can't handle small problems the Lord uses to discipline you and build you up, then your character or maturity level in the Lord is not as it should be. In fact, any grumbling about your problems is technically a complaint against God since your problems are His discipline at work in your life. If small problems are irritants, then how in the world are you ever going to handle the large problems that accompany the large assignments God may be planning for you. Instead of complaining, let problems build you up and make you into a better person in Christ. I once saw a placard hanging in a person's office that simply said, "No whining." That's essentially the message conveyed by this verse. So, Memo to Myself: No Whining!