A Gift from God

Numbers 8:13-19
13 “And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the LORD. 14 “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. 15 “After that the Levites shall go in to service the tabernacle of meeting. So you shall cleanse them and offer them, like a wave offering. 16 “For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel. 17 “For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself. 18 “I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel. 19 “And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.”

Devotional
On the day God struck all the firstborn in Egypt He consecrated to Himself all the firstborn in Israel. And with the Law being given and the priesthood through Aaron established, God now consecrated to Himself all the Levites instead of the firstborn in Israel, of both man and beast. The reason for this is so that they, the Levites, could serve God throughout their generations in place of the Israelites in the Tabernacle duties. As well so that God could give them as a gift to Aaron and his son’s, the priests, so that they might serve them and be with them in the ministry work for Israel (Num. 18:1-7). Now these are interesting things and one can go into a lot of detail about them. Instead I want us to focus on just one verse and one specific thought from that verse. In verse nineteen God says to Moses in consecrating the Levites to Himself “And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel…” Therefore please consider that God gives us gifts: His salvation is a gift, His love is a gift, our lives are a gift… Not only to be enjoyed and lived out in peaceful union with Himself but also with others as well. That is essentially what a church body is. People separated to the Lord God because of their personal faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ living their lives out in love and peace amongst each other, and hopefully with others as well.

Now within this Body of Believers God by His Spirit has given every member gifts. These are Supernatural endowments given by the Holy Spirit according to His own will to each believer, by which we are to serve each other in love (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:13). Now these gifts are unique. And each gift, just like each person, makes a unique contribution to whole. Therefore no particular gift or person can be said to be unnecessary, for all are necessary for the proper functioning of the whole body (1 Cor. 12:14-27), just as each member or person is. For God has placed each member in the Body of Christ just as He pleased (1 Cor. 12:18). And thus for the church to function well it must not be dependent on one particular gift or gifted person, but on the whole Body of believers from the least to the greatest exercising their Spirit given gifts in love and in accord with God’s designs for us all. That is all things are done for the edification of church (1 Cor. 14:12, 26, 33). Therefore even those members who seem weaker are necessary. And those members who are less honorable we are to bestow greater honor on, since the more honorable have no need. And thus there should be no schism amongst the members. But all the members should have mutual care for each other (1 Cor. 12:22-25). Therefore if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored all the members rejoice with it; for we are the Body of Christ and members individually (1 Cor. 12:26-27). Now there is a hierarchy of Spirit gifts that make up for church leadership (1 Cor. 12:28-31), yet as chapter twelve closes chapter thirteen begins with love being exhorted as the greatest gift and greatest exercise of Spirit gifts and talents, not hierarchical authority.

So then returning to where I started I want you to know that you are gift given by God. Your life has a purpose and meaning. First you are a gift to God Himself created to know Him and love Him and be loved by Him. Second through Jesus Christ you are a gift to the Lord Himself and the church. Set in place there by God Himself to honor His Son and build up the church in love with whatever Spirit gifts and calling God has placed in you. Third you are gift to your family. Maybe you’re a father or mother, child or grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew etc. Whatever role or roles you currently occupy you are a gift from God there. I don’t know anyone (in any circumstance of life) that cannot be a gift to others if they rightly see themselves as that, given by God to help and encourage others. Fourth you’re a gift from God to your community. The many volunteers who serve their communities in innumerable ways are indeed gifts from God. Equally in your workplace how you do your work there and treat those around you can very much be a gift from God to all there. And as Christians we should be gifts; i.e. a blessing to those around us. Same with what we do in our leisure time, we can be a gift not only to our families but also to the extended contacts and influences that come through family ties as well. Fifth you’re a gift from God to humanity. Every human being is an image bearer of God (Gen. 1:27). And thus you and I, no matter what our circumstance of life, whether healthy and strong or weak and farial have an inherent and immeasurable value and dignity placed on us and within us by God Himself (If you doubt this consider Jesus' warning not to disparage another human being, Matt. 5:22). For we are all exceedingly valued by God as Jesus Himself said of His purpose for coming forth from God to save us from our sins which separate us from God, and thus life itself (John 3:16). Therefore within us we all have the capacity to not only relate to God but also our fellow persons. People who say we cannot adequately relate to someone from a different walk of life, or life experience or culture are copping out. All people, whatever the culture or background understand common human experiences, like love or tragedy, joy and laughter, sadness and despair; dreams and failures etc. We’ve all experienced it, or have the capacities within us to do so. And thus we have the capacity to enter into another’s joy or suffering and be a blessing there, as well as by letting people into our own lives experiences. For we are all given by God as a gift to all our human brethren, equipped with natural abilities and personality traits that make us unique. But also immensely valuable in who we are as God’s creation, and what we can do and contribute and potentially contribute to the service of God and well being of others in this life. I’m always amazed and humbled by what God does through children. Little gifts of great curiosity and endless energy with a desire to serve and be involved if only given a chance. I remember when volunteering at a local food bank seeing elementary school age children arrive by the bus load and these seemingly little children with great zeal and joy would sort through the large wooden crates of potatoes donated from the various producers in the area, removing the spoilage from the usable ones. It seemed in no time flat they’d have a bin licked and be moving onto the next one. Amazing!
Parents I know you love your children. But do you know how much they want to be involved with you? Next time when you go shopping, or are doing something around the home, or in the yard, ask your children to be a part of whatever you’re doing. You’ll build some really strong bonds and be not only a blessing to them, but just maybe blessed by them. Now being a blessing begins by first receiving a blessing from God the Father. That is where it all begins. Not by trying harder in your own strength and resolve to be a Godly person, but by first admitting defeat. For it is there that God meets us, the broken, the failures, the poor in spirit, as Jesus said, and makes us into people of the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3).

If you have never come to see your need for the Savior and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, maybe today is the day. By a simple prayer of faith placing all of your hope on Jesus Christ the Lord crucified to pay for all our sins, and risen from the dead so that He can impart new and everlasting life within us the moment we believe in Him, by His Holy Spirit, you can. For it’s not what you have done or have not done that makes us or will make us acceptable to God the Father, it’s whether or not we believe in His Son Christ Jesus the Lord (John 3:16-21). That is the sole basis for our being restored to God the Father and brought to Spirit life, eternal life. For it is God's Righteousness given to us when we believe in Jesus that saves us.

If you would like to begin that relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son and be blessed by Him simply pray in faith something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and have sinned against You and am in no way capable of changing myself much less paying for my sins. Yet You were sent from God to not only save us from our sins and the judgment to come but to bless us with Your Person, Presence and Power dwelling inside us. For it is only by You that we experience God’s love, grace and life in all its fullness. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be both my Lord and Savior; first for salvation; and then as You work in and through my life a blessing to others as well, In Jesus' Name, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 1:16-19 "Follow Me"

Mark 1:16-19
16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Devotional
The following is just some thoughts on following Jesus. What it entails and what it does not. I hope that you find it instructing (if you are just beginning your journey with the Lord) or encouraging if you have been a follower of Jesus for some time. For there is no greater Person and Purpose then to follow the the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, the Son of God.

Thoughts on Following Jesus:
Notice Jesus doesn’t say follow a denomination or a program. He doesn’t say follow a charismatic leader or the latest Christian trend or book. He doesn’t say follow a particular form or day of worship. Nor does Jesus say follow a particular Bible translation; (Jesus quoted from both the Hebrew Bible as well as the Greek version of it called the Septuagint) and so Jesus says follow Me.
Again Jesus does not say follow various religious ceremonies or ordinaces born out of the traditions and commandments of men (Matt. 15:1-9; Titus 1:14-16). Nor does Jesus say become a Jew and follow the letter of the Law, or the rabbinic teachings and traditions born from that (Acts 15). Jesus says to all follow Me. For in following Christ there is a liberty of person and life expressed by the Life and Person of Jesus Christ dwelling inside all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior.
Now in this following Jesus, He does not say in our following Him, make Me cultural, national or regional. As if following Jesus is limited to a certain culture, nation or people group. For there is no culture, nation, language or people whom the Lord does not love and want to redeem from their sins and eternal damnation (Acts 10). Nor does Jesus say in our following Him for us to base His accepting people on whether they have lived good, righteous and or virtuous lives in our eyes (Rom. 3:23). For if that is the basis of our (or anyone else's) being accepted by God, our being "good enough", then Jesus’ suffering and dying on the cross for all our sins was in vain (Gal. 2:21). For neither the Scriptures, nor the Gospel, is a message about "good people" for “good people". For we have all proven that there is no one that is good, except One, and that is God, as Jesus said (Matt. 19:16-17). Again Jesus said He did not come to call the righteous, (that is those who are righteous in their own eyes) but sinners to repentance (See Matt. 9:9-13).

Similarly Jesus does not say in following Him that we are to make His accepting someone based on whether or not they will adhere to our own personal likes and dislikes (in all non-moral, ethical and doctrinal matters) in whatever areas of life we have these in. Especially in regards to how we worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. For God does not give us who believe liberty to love, worship, and serve Him freely in all joy and peace so that we can exclude or judge other believers when they do not conform to our (or our congregations) personal likes and dislikes in whatever areas of life we have these in (Rom. 14). For it is Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead and that makes for all our acceptance before God because we believe in Jesus Christ’s Person (John 3:16-21; Rom. 1:16-17). For that is the sole basis for our being justified in the sight of God, faith in Jesus, period (Rom. 3:19-28; 5:1).

And so back to Jesus’ command to follow Him. He’s not asking us to take on some sort of heavy religious burden (Matt. 11:28-30). And thus bear the fruits of that self-imposed and self limiting  servitude. For all works based religions inevitably lead to legalism, isolation and or self justification. And thus all to frequently religious arrogance, indifference (Luke 18:9-14), or worse justifying the condemnation of others. For sadly it is often the most “religious” of people who are often the most indifferent towards wayward mankind (Matt. 9:9-13), and or hostile towards God’s redeemed people of grace (Gal. 4:21-31), of whom we all are as Jesus' followers; for we all who believe in Christ are now Christ's and are all washed by the Lambs blood, and thus saved by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore Jesus is inviting us all to follow Him, to first acknowledge our own sinfulness, and thus our need for His redemption of our persons by His Crucifixion death and Resurrection from the dead, then as we go on with Him in His Spirit's power, our own powerlessness along the way. For to follow Jesus in discipleship is to follow Him with no preconceived ideas of what that is going to look like (John 12:26). In other words Jesus is asking us to let Him write the script of our new lives (2 Cor. 5:17).

But again first we must see our need for Him (in this consider Peter's own acknowledgment of his own sinfulness when Christ called him; Luke 5:1-11, vs. 8). And so to follow Jesus in grace and truth (John 1:14) we have to come to the place of acknowledging our sinful condition to God and look to Jesus Christ crucified as the sole solution for it (John 3:16). Then having received the solution for our sins by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Person. God accepts Jesus Christ’s atoning work on the cross for our sins and then imputes His Righteousness to us (2 Cor. 5:21). Having then received the gift of God's salvation by faith in Jesus Christ's Person we then are to follow Jesus in discipleship. That is how one becomes a Christian. Not by water baptism (1 Cor. 1:17); not by trying to emulate charismatic gifts, not by endlessly confessing one's sins, or making prayers to Mary or any "saint", and thus not by practicing useless religious rituals, counting beads on a string, or observing sacred days (Gal. 4:9-11). And certainly not by scrict bodily neglect and or self abuse (Col 2:20-22). But only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person as the sole means of being made right with, and transformed by God (Titus 3:4-7). And so having been born again by the Spirit of God who regenerates us, and baptizes us into the Body of Christ, we begin the incredible journey of Living the life of Christ. That is of Jesus Christ Living inside us and manifesting Himself through us.

Today then it may be that Jesus will bring into your path someone whom He has prepared to receive the gospel; or has a certain need that He has Spirit equipped you to meet, witness too, or build up in love as Jesus has commanded we do as His disciples (Matt. 22:37-39; John 15:12). Or maybe it is too do some good work that God has prepared before hand for you to do, or to encourage or bless someone today by (Eph. 2:10). And thus you may find yourself sharing Christ on a street corner, or in a university campus. Maybe you'll find visiting someone in the hospital or serving in a local food bank. Maybe it will be preaching a sermon somewhere, or teaching a Sunday school class. Maybe it will start by just being a Godly mother, father or role model in some capacity to someone and thus preparing your children, yourself and those in your sphere of influence for greater things. I cannot limit or prescribe what Jesus will have you do for Him, and what He will do through you and me individually, as well as corporately as a church body as we follow Him in discipleship. For we are as the recipients of the grace of God to be, and always striving to be, a blessing in this life to all people. Regardless of what may distinguish one person from another. Since we all bear the image of God. Therefore whatever it is, may it always revolve around being a maturing disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is Jesus Christ alone who has brought us into God’s love and salvation so that we might manifest it to all. Therefore we are to be His servants and witnesses of this by both words and deeds. That’s the outworking of following Jesus Christ, where ones faith, by abiding in Jesus Christ's love, produces works and words like Christ's (John 14:12; 15:1-11). Now the the inward part of our following Jesus is our sanctification; that is our progressively being transformed by the Power of the Holy Spirit as we obey Christ's commandments. Now in both of these obedience to Jesus Christ’s commandments really takes precedence. For in order to remain grounded in Christ’s life one must not only believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, but we must also learn obedience to Him by abiding in and keeping His Word (John 8:31; 14:23). For we cannot possibly be Christ like in this life unless we strive to put into practice what He Himself does and has commanded us all to do.

Now in saying this I want you to understand I’m not immune to either temptations or failure (just as you are not). But I am thoroughly confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me (and you) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). Therefore I'm always encouraged by the knowledge of my co-crucifixion with Christ (Rom. 6) by which the Holy Spirit who works in accord with this truth, empowers me to either resist or flee, and thus eventually overcome whatever temptations the flesh or the tempter brings my way (1 Cor. 10:13). For that is my, as well as your responsibility. To overcome the flesh, the world, the devil (Hebrews 12:1-17) . Ultimately by submitting to God and resisting the devil. For in so doing he will flee from us (James 4:7-10). Now in this struggle we are not alone as the Lord Jesus Christ our merciful High Priest is with us in all our temptations and trials (Hebrews 4:14-16), as we learn to resist and overcome the enemy who seeks to devour us, and or forward our falling into sin (1 Peter 5:8-11).

Therefore as believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are called to bear each other’s burdens and thus fulfill the Law of Christ by encouraging and strengthening each other in our common faith, trials and weaknesses. And so when necessary restore in a spirit of gentleness those who fall into sin; (for that is what a merciful person does, Matt. 5:7) while still holding each other accountable for our own lives. For we shall each bear our own load (Gal. 6:1-5). Yet I believe it will be through every trial of person and faith that God will increase our discernment as well our knowledge and understanding of Him and His dealings with us and others as well. Therefore we are to always “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Eph. 6:10). As we bear up under the pressures of this life by using the whole armor of God which is exceedingly effective as we believe and obey the truth given us (Eph. 6:11-18), and thus as we put into practice what we are taught and commanded (1 John 5:18-20). For we must overcome it all by the power of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection (Rom. 7:4-6; 1 Cor. 15:56-57; Col. 2:11-23; Rev. 3:21). And so in accord with this as a follower of Jesus is our mind renewal (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 10:5). Therefore readily receive the Word of God which alone can sanctify us (John 17:17-19) and grant us an inheritance amongst those who are sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18). For having lived according to this world and it's evil age we should not return to it (1 John 2:15-17). Something that God works in all who truly believe, our separation from it (John 15:19-21; Rev. 18:4-5). Therefore in all wisdom, discernment and patient understanding believe in and follow Jesus Christ to eternal life (Col. 1:9-23).

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.