Bibledoorajar: New Beginnings

"You can't go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending."

       C.S. Lewis

The children of Israel had one more assignment from Moses before he died, They could not go back to Egypt and start over from the redemptive beginning, but they could start over where they were and change their lives. Before God that meant that the warriors were to completely ameliorate their enemy, Midian, who had enticed them into sin. All were to be wiped out, even the women because they had enticed so many of God's men to sleep with them. Moses was extremely angry when the men brought some of them back alive. They were slaughtered outside the camp because the inside was to remain pure before God. If Balaam had shown up to get his reward from the Midian leadership for assisting in the ploy to deceive God's people, his reward was to face death by the sword. The spoils of war that were valuable were cleansed and made useful for the peoples of the Lord. 

We are living in a time when deception is running rampant. People my age are saying, "I never thought I would live to see...." Fill in the blank. It is startling. Christians must be ever vigilant in dealing with any entrapment in their lives and slaying those enemies. God will use the spoils taken from our enemies for our good. We will live in greater peace and rejoice in our freedom in Christ. The word makes it clear whom we war against:

^" For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  Ephesians 6:12

It sounds like a daunting task and it is easy to think we are losing. But those thoughts can be deceptive because rarely are victories in Christ publicized by the media. Here is some advice from the new Nancy, 2018. Know where the bites are and don't give up. Happy New Year!

By Olivia Jaimes

Bibledoorajar: Vows on the Plains of Moab

     Moses met with the leaders of the tribes and gave them instructions from the Lord about vows. They were to be kept because they were given based on their word. Vows discussed had to do with instructions for both men and women.
     It seems that in the culture of America vows do not mean as much as they used to. Deals are not made with just a vow nowadays, but with reams of legal papers attached so that they can be presented to the courts of justice when one goes back on their vow. Divorce courts are full of broken vows. But the truth is, even after Moses discussed the importance of vows, God still had to raise up judges to settle disputes about broken vows. Men looked for a way to make things right, or if not right, different. Settled.
     But there is one Vow that was made in eternity past and God never veered to the right or to the left on it. Jesus never broke His vow that He would come to earth and take on the sins of the humans who break vows right and left.
     In 1863 Henry Wadsworth wrote a poem entitled Christmas Bells. Later someone turned it into my favorite Christmas carol.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)
In my heart I hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir singing (peace on earth)
Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace… 

God is not dead nor does He sleep. He keeps His vows. Settled!

Bibledoorajar: Leadership Change on the Plains of Moab

On the plains of Moab in the midst of all the goings on, God told Moses to go up and take a look at the Promised Land because he was not going to be able to enter it.  God had decided it was his time for his ministry to end and to enter into death. Before he died, Moses asked God to raise up a leader who could successfully lead the people into the land.
     "So the Lord said to Moses, 'Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.  Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence.  Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.  He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.^' Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly.  Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses."(Numbers 27)

      God had a plan for who would succeed Moses. He always does. Many years later after God had spoken through leaders in sundries of ways, He appointed His Son to come to earth and commissioned Him to live as a man though divine. He was born to understand the trials, tribulations and and sins of man and yet divine to die to redeem us from all of that. It was and always has been about His love. And later, He allowed Moses to stand in that land with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.                                 
                            

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine,

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love Incarnate, Love Divine,

Worship we our Jesus,

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all men,

Love for plea and gift and sign.

         Christina Rossetti penned this poem in the late 1880's. Later God inspired several composers to put it to music. It is still being performed in various compositions to this very day. I like the Jars of Clay version (2007). God always has the next gifted one in line to get the job done. Hope you realize you are gifted to love and serve too!

Bibledoorajar: First on the Plains of Moab

     The first nation of God encamped on the plains of Moab and awaited the command to move into their God assigned land, Israel. It would be a land established with God driven boundaries. Meanwhile the standards surrounding the people numbered four. To the east was the standard of Judah which bore the figure of a lion. To the north was the standard of Dan which bore the figure of an eagle. To the west was the standard of Ephraim which bore the figure of an ox and to the south Reuben which bore the figure of a man. And of course, most importantly of all was the Shekinah glory in their midst in the tabernacle. A Bible reader can find these symbols in other biblical writings such as Ezekiel and Revelation and they are intricately involved to describe the power of God and His involvement with His creation. God's involvement with His creation spans from east to west and north to south.
     The power of God as shown in this first nation would bring forth another first. That of God coming to earth in Bethlehem of Israel. His birth would lead to many more firsts. The first New Testament miracle. The first New Testament healing. The first calling of the disciples by Jesus. The first church meeting. The first time followers were called Christians (at Antioch). The first call to preach the gospel to all the world sharing the love of Jesus. These are among the many firsts that Jesus would
inaugurate.

     These firsts are the real backdrop for the season of Christmas. We can enjoy the fun of the season never forgetting  the Power that moved among men to bring the good news; we can be a part of an Eternal nation and live with our God and Savior. As we await the command to move into that Land, let's determine to allow Him to sanctify and purify our lives. In so doing, we will have a much merrier Christmas and can sing the carols with much joy! 

"In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy."

As Mentioned in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, 1843

Bibledoorajar: Established on the Plains of Moab

"Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You."
                                                   Psalm 119:38

     There was a lot to be drawn by every clan leader that would establish the inheritance of their families in the Promised Land. The wording of the lot would speak with authority as from God. His word and His will for each tribe and family would not be objected to. There was an interesting twist in the story of establishing inheritance which had to do with women. Five living daughters had no living father or brothers to be counted in the census. They appealed to Moses that their Omnipotent God would surely have known of their plight and would make a place for them also. On appeal, God told Moses that they were correct. They would inherit.
     Everything that God has done and is doing in our lives pertains to our being established in Him and  becoming worthy of our inheritance. All aspects of how we are established from our birth to our death brings glory to Him. In this way we are His people and worthy of our inheritance. All of us who have followed the Pattern Son in our birth, life and death will be established in our eternal life for we have chosen that which brings reverence to our Father.
     This month we look at the exceptional birth that brought reverence to the Father and that perfected the plan for you and me. He was not conceived in mortal sin but rather was the product of the Father and a virgin woman. His birth was lowly enough that mortal man could recognize glory come to earth. Angels made sure the message included reverence due the Father:

"Glory to God in the Highest,  and on earth peace and goodwill to men."

                                                                             Luke 2:14

     It is my sincere hope that you have personally accepted God's goodwill and inheritance plan. If not, please reassess. The Pattern Son awaits to carry you all the way into your final home.We can all inherit. Glory to God in the Highest!