"Cease" The Day...

"The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields." (Leviticus 25:11-12)

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." (Genesis 2:2-3)

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam brought up a point concerning God's design for human beings (paraphrased here): In the beginning the Lord created man on Day Six, and then He instituted Sabbath rest on Day Seven. The first lesson taught to man, then, was not the mandate to work: it was the mandate to periodically and intentionally cease from work.

This is a mandate that was also given concerning the working of lands, supported in Scripture by the miraculous signs promised by God to the Israelites. In Leviticus 25 we see God's assurance of His provision being poured out into the lands that adhered to the cycle of rest and labor: "You may ask, 'What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?' I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in." (Leviticus 25:20-22)

An old crop that feeds a household for three years?
An old crop that remains edible through the seasons' weather changes?
An old crop that does not succumb to the habits of insects and creatures known to invade farmlands?

Well, God promised to make abundant harvest a reality for those who demonstrated obedience by letting their lands rest. Let's take Him at His word.

Questions for reflection:

• Are we okay with taking a break from "doing our own planting"?
• Will we rest and make room for the miraculous to occur?
• Do we trust that God, who created us with the ability to work, is also the God who can sustain us in our rest?

Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

One. Ordinal. Ordinand.

Today we'll close out our thoughts on Pastor Benji's sermon.

In ecclesiastical language, "ordinal" is a book of instructions for conducting services, or a book of the forms used for the ordination of ministers.

In secular language, "ordinal" refers to order, rank, or position.

Before the fall, Adam and Eve were both number one on the earth.
After the fall, Adam was number one and Eve was number two.

Well, let's fast-forward to 2009 and ask ourselves some questions:

How do I respond to the authorities God has placed over me?
How do I respond to God's authority?
How do I treat God's book of instructions? Am I reading it? Am I living it?

In our fallen state, let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).
In our fallen state, let us recognize that God is in heaven, and we are on earth: we can trust Him because He is in the highest position (see Ecclesiastes 5:2).

One day, we will reign with Him.
Today, we wait patiently and joyfully.

New Game. New Rules. New Jerusalem.

Let's continue our reflections on Pastor Benji's sermon.

After the fall, Eve was served three judgements for her role in disobeying God's command:

Physical- she would experience pain in childbirth;
Psychological- she would experience desire and longing for her husband;
Political/Social- she would experience being demoted from her position of shared leadership.

We have a gracious God, and He is able to fully restore all the things that were lost in the fall. We are promised an eternity with Christ, and His word speaks of heaven- the place where there is no pain, the place where we have no other longings because Christ Himself is our sustenance, the place where there is no "battle of the sexes" because we have all become one in Christ (see Revelation 21:3-7).

Oh Lord, how we long for that day! We hear You say, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12).

Yes, we wait in faith. And we work honestly. And we walk in the way that pleases You.
Yes. We will see You soon.

Before The Fall...

• the creation of man in the image of God
• shared leadership/rulership
• responsible stewardship
• divine blessing
• abundant resources
• relational harmony

WOW, that could preach all by itself. Let's pause here and think about these amazing gifts God gave, knowing that we would turn from Him... Oh, how we love You God!

Banished. Burdened. Bereaved. Blessed.

One of the salient, encouraging points from this past Sunday's sermon was that of the amazing grace of God. Pastor Benji shared with us that, in spite of the losses and sufferings Eve experienced, she still credited God for bringing joy to her heart once again: "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him" (Genesis 4:25).

In the face of having one son murdered and one son an exiled murderer, Eve received the gracious gift of a third son to be in the household. We don't have too many direct quotes from Eve in scripture, but this we do have: her testimony of God's role in the children she bore. The beginning of Genesis 4 has the same testimony as its end. Eve says, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man" (Genesis 4:1).

Eve. Banished from the garden, burdened by the curse of pain in childbirth, bereaved of two sons, yet still able to praise God for one blessing: the life of the third son Seth. We often comment on Eve having been deceived by the serpent, but this past Sunday we were reminded of her more noble characteristic: she gave God the praise that was due to Him.

Friends, in spite your sorrow over what was lost, I hope you'll find a way to praise God for what you've gained.

Closed For Inventory.

Pastor Benji spoke on Genesis 2 this past Sunday, and we'll begin this week's blogs considering some thoughts from the sermon.

It is God's presence that sustains us. God is our provider, healer, and friend.

But God is also our judge. In the early chapters of Genesis we see how He responds to the disobedience (and subsequent excuse)s of Adam, Eve, and their firstborn son Cain.

Sometimes, in the midst of abundant provision, wholeness, and love, we live as if God's not watching. We embrace the thing He has told us not to touch. And, when He calls us to Himself, we run and try to hide from the only One who can save us.

What about you? Are you walking with Him, or hiding from His presence?