Which one? The Old Testament or the New Testament?

Matthew 5
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Luke 4

16 sAnd he came to tNazareth, where he had been brought up. And uas was his custom, vhe went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up wto read. 17 And xthe scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18  y“The Spirit of the Lord zis upon me,

because he has anointed me

to aproclaim good news to the poor.

bHe has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and crecovering of sight to the blind,

dto set at liberty those who are oppressed,

19  eto proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and fsat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were gfixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today hthis Scripture ihas been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Over the years, I have heard people say their church is a New Testament church or they follow the principles of the Old Testament or, as Jews do, only believe a few books of the Bible. Other times, it is preached that this part of a certain verse is true and the other part doesn't matter. Lastly, I have heard "our church believes everyone is equal and we should accept everyone for what they believe...What is right for them is right for them no matter what the Bible states."

As far as the New and Old Testament see concerned, Matthew 5:17 states that what was foretold in the Old Testament waa fulfilled in the New Testament. One is not more, or less, important than the other. No need to argue about which one is best, or true, or more important. If you read one, and then the next, you will see they are intertwined...each one confirming the information in the other. Luke 4:16-20 is a prime example of that. The Old Testament foretold Jesus would come (just one example would be Isaiah).  In the New Testament, Jesus has come and even quotes the Old Testament to prove He is the Messiah they have been waiting for because it was told to them in the Old Testament on many occasions with many specific details (Isaiah for one).

But what about the people who say only certain parts of the Bible are true, or we should pick the parts we want to believe, or ignore the rest of the Bible and let everyone believe what they want? Well, if any of those were correct, how do they explain that the Old Testament correctly foretold what would happen in the New Testament...in detail. If you see the connection between the Old and the New, then how can you pick out only certain verses to say they are true and should be followed, but others are not? Do you all of a sudden not believe that the Old Testament foretold the New Testament? 

If you do see that the Old Testament foretold what was in the New Testament, then how can you say that you don't need to follow the whole Bible and just do what you feel is right, or just follow the parts you agree with? If you do that, then you deny how intricately the Bible is woven together by divine inspiration from God, how the prophets of the Old Testament testified to the future and the New Testament. In fact, how can you believe any of it if you think parts of it are false or wrong? If they are all connected, then they should not they all be right or wrong?

You either accept that it all goes together as the divinely inspired Word of God or you do not. If you don't, you are telling God you don't believe that He told the writers what to say. So, you are actually putting yourself in the place of God. Do you actually not believe that God could put all these words together coherently and correctly?  Ouch! I don't think I would want to have to explain to God someday that I thought my judgment was more important and perfect than His!.

Father, please help us to understand what we read in the Bible, to know that you put those Words down so that we could understand/believe/use it as a reference point, answer questions with it, to find our way, to find Jesus. Thank you for always thinking of us and caring for us enough to give us this book of truth and wisdom. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

How do I know what to do? What is right?

Hebrews 4
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Sometimes at work, I have no clue why things are the way they are, why some people behave the way they do, why a simple comment turned into a big frustration! Why? How did that happen? What do I do now?

Those are all good questions which could take a long time to answer. However, today's scripture focuses on what to do now! 

Everything is messed up, whether caused by something I intentionally or unintentionally did/said/didn't do or because someone else was having a bad day. Now what? How do we fix this? How do we get through this? 

The Word of God. 

Read Hebrews 4:12 again. What stands out to you? For me, "living and active" and "sword," and "discerning thoughts and intentions of the heart."  The Word of God covers a lot of territory! In fact, I think it is safe to say it answers all questions! 

How does it answer all questions? If you read God's Word, pray for the Spirit to show you what you need as you read, you will receive peace. You will be able to love others whether you messed up or they did. You will be able to ask others for forgiveness. You will be able to forgive others. Eventually, God might grant you understanding of the whole situation. Usually, with understanding, I cannot be upset about anything or anyone, because I realize they made a simple mistake...just like I do all the time! All that from opening my mind and heart to what God has to say in His Word!

So, the next time things are going wrong and you don't know what to do...You will know what to do! Read God's Word. Read it to understand this life and your situation. Read it to see what God wants to say to you right then!

Father, thank you that you care so much about us that you divinely inspire people (plain, simple, sinful, people) to write down what you told them to write. Help us to remember to go to your Word, and pray for assistance rather than concocting our own plan without You! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Traditions

Isaiah 64:6

We have all become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.

We all fade like a leaf,

and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

I was reading my devotions today about how God regularly tries to show us when we are veering off in the wrong direction, but we continue until something, or someone, happens and we have to change course...change to the right course, God's course.

The example was our traditions. For instance, I love the Christmas season. I love the beautiful trees, the Christmas songs, giving gifts, cookies, visiting family, etc. It is all so cozy and warm to me. I love it!

However, because I am so focused on the warm and cozy, I no longer am focused on what God wants. I am focused on feeling warm and cozy and creating that effect for everyone else to see. That makes my focus...me...and how I want everyone else to feel! I find it surprising and scary that I do all these preparations for Christmas for what I think are the right reasons, and as it turns out my preparations are for the wrong reasons...me!

At no time do I think "this will bring others closer to God." At no time do I think, "wow, look at the beauty of decorations and family that God created!" No, I think "look at what I just put together...isn't it pretty!"

So, where is my focus when I am working through all my precious traditions? Am I doing it to share God's love? Am I doing it because I have always done it and it's pretty? I have realized that I am doing it for myself! All these beautiful decorations that should reflect God's beautiful love for us, and I have made them vein pursuits!

Why do you do your traditions? Are your Christmas decorations and festivities to show the story of Christmas? Do you even need decorations to do that? Are all the pursuits and frenzied shopping and doing and activities of this season to share God's love?

Father, please help me focus on you and the gift you gave of Jesus this season...not on my feeble attempts to dress up the holiday for my own selfish reasons. Instead, make the true meaning of Christmas real for everyone who meets me!  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The Real Prophet

Hebrews 1:1-2
Long ago, at many times and ain many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but bin these last days che has spoken to us by dhis Son, whom he appointed ethe heir of all things, fthrough whom also he created gthe world.

Recently we have been studying the prophets and the Psalms. The prophets brought news of what would happen if the people didn't repent and return from their ways. God gave then a choice, and time to make it. He then brought justice. Either they turned from their ways and God's wrath subsided and He was pleased with them, or they went on doing the wrong things the Prophets told them God was unhappy about and they received their promised reward (many times war, death, losses). God does not mess around when we are sinning. He is holy, does not have any sin, so sin is a big problem in our relationship with Him. He gives us a warning and a clear explanation of what will happen if we do, or don't, turn from our sins. 

The prophets brought these truths to the people whether they wanted to hear it or not. God wants them to hear the truth. Then came Jesus. Hebrews 1:1 tells us Jesus is the greatest prophet. He not only brings news of what is to come, He is God also. He is their redemption. He was here from the beginning and He will be here forever! Now that is a prophet! A prophet of all prophets!

His Good News? Turn from your sins, just like the prophets of old said. However, this prophet can forgive you of all your sins. He is God, so He has the ability and right to do that. He is our redeemer, so He takes our sins and removes them from His sight forever, so we can be with Him in eternity, because if He didn't, we couldn't be with Him as He abhors sin.

As Christmas approaches, with every gift you buy, with every tree you see, with every card you send or receive, remember why we are celebrating. Jesus, the Prophet, but more importantly the Savior, is the reason for the season!

How the middle East was originally divided...

Joshua 18

18 Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at pShiloh and set up qthe tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them.

2 There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. 3 So Joshua said to the people of Israel, r“How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? 4 Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me. 5 They shall divide it into seven portions. sJudah shall continue in his territory on the south, tand the house of Joseph shall continue in their territory on the north. 6 And you shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. uAnd I will cast lots for you here before the Lord our God. 7 vThe Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the Lord is their heritage. wAnd Gad and Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan eastward, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them.”

8 So the men arose and went, and Joshua charged those who went to write the description of the land, saying, “Go up and down in the land and write a description and return to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the Lord in Shiloh.” 9 So the men went and passed up and down in the land and wrote in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions. Then they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh, 10 and Joshua xcast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, yto each his portion.

So, God has told the Israelites after FORTY years of wandering (which could have been much less, but was forty years due to their disobedience and unfaithfulness towards God), that they have made it to their land. Now THEY must  subdue the inhabitants and take what God wants them l to have.

Joshua looks around and sees that several tribes of Israelites have not done that.  "So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? "

Hmmmmm...I wonder why they waited. They were told that God would go before them, as long as they relied on Him and not themselves). All they had to do was do it. Yet they didn't! I think if God had given me a huge chunk of land that I had waited forty years for, I would go get it! Right? 

Well, then I look around and I realize that I do the things I want to do...without asking Him about them and waiting for His answer. I do everything on MY plan and my decisions all day long, every day. No wonder things get so messed up!

God is asking me the same question today.  How long will you put off doing what I have told you I want you to do? How long will you do what you want instead of what I, your loving Father, want for you?

Father, I know you have a plan. Please make it clear to me, so that I know what you want me to do. Don't let me wander for forty years because I am too stubborn and impatient to listen and choose to do I what you want instead. I just want to do what you want me to do...to be a part of the plan YOU have for me. In Jesus Christ's name I pray. Amen.