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Discovering God’s Purposes by Relating with Him
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God created you for a unique purpose. The very first chapter of Genesis says you were made in His image—His likeness. That encompasses elements of His capacity, including compassion, conscience, creativity, communication and ability to process knowledge. His primary purpose, therefore, is for you to know Him and relate with Him so He will be glorified. Messiah Jesus revealed that “God is spirit.” (John 4:24) He added, “those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." On the very day His disciples were celebrating the Biblical feast of Shavuot—thereafter known as Pentecost—God did something amazing: He released into their hearts His Spirit—the Holy Spirit. Truly, His Spirit gives you the capacity to connect and relate with Him on a personal basis. Old Testament characters experienced His Spirit from time to time. Believing in Messiah Jesus, though, offers you permanent access to His wonderful Spirit residing in the heart. How to tap into His Spirit, relate with God and discover your greatest purposes in life? God designed a series of ways to relate and interact with Him. They are the appointed times of the LORD. Imbedded in them are measures of grace concealed but dynamically revealed as amazing grace in Messiah Jesus, who came to reveal the fullness of God’s purposes. They, therefore, are visual aids that can help you relate with God in meaningful and relevant ways, and see the significance of what the LORD accomplished on your behalf. As you do, you will discover your greatest purposes in life in Him! |
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Sacrifice
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
Sacrifice is the beginning of spiritual growth. It’s about forfeiting something of value for something of greater intrinsic and eternal value. Through the process, we allow God to teach us something significant about the meaning of love, life and relationships—with Him and others.
In Bible times, during the Passover feast a lamb without blemish was sacrificed to represent redemption from bondage. God instructed the Hebrews to celebrate the deliverance from bondage in Egypt by telling the story of all He did during a special Passover meal (Seder).
More than simply telling a story, however, this special celebration models a Hebraic way of fathering children. It fosters a special time of engaging them in active discussion to help them process and reflect upon thoughts; coming to an understanding of why and how things happen, or cause and effect. By explaining what happened, why and how God did what He did, and discussing the fruits of the experience, we are able to impart a way of relating with God and getting to know Him—His ways and character.
RELEVANCE
This in fact was how Messiah Jesus taught and nurtured His disciples. He helped them come to understand God's love in a greater way, connecting and relating the stories of the Scriptures—the Law and Prophets—in a meaningful and relevant way to real life.
The LORD celebrated this feast at what is referred to as “the last supper.” He surprised His disciples by adding a new element to the celebration. When it was time to say the blessing over the bread, He said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Over the wine He said, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28 NKJV )
The LORD became the Passover sacrifice. He sacrificed His life that we may have everlasting life. We participate in His sacrifice and resurrection by not only partaking in this celebration, but experiencing the joy of walking in His liberty and love—where our focus shifts from our self-centered interests to caring about the interests of others.
Paul, therefore, declared, “Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves — 4 look out for each other’s interests and not just for your own.” (Philippians 2:3-4 JNT)
This principle was also in view in exhorting believers to, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
(Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)
The more we become interested in and focused on the interests and needs of others—and how we can contribute to their lives—the more we will discover our greater purposes in life. It is out of our giving and serving others that we truly experience the joy of the LORD—which is our strength.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
How do you look for ways to express God’s love, and live in a sacrificial manner, looking out for the interests of others?
What things do you reflect upon, wondering why things happen how they do, and how things might be able to be changed?
REFERENCES
1 John 3:16-24; Ephesians 5:1-2; Titus 2:6; 3:14; James 3:13-18
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Cleansing
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
Being clean is a key principle of God. Beyond merely being clean on the outside, God looks for us to be clean on the inside. He, therefore, gives us opportunities to see areas within our heart and mind that need cleansing from sin; for sin impairs our relationship with a holy God. Unleavened Bread, therefore, serves to represent times of spiritual cleansing before God.
The scriptures prescribed that all leaven was to be removed from the home. Why leaven? It is a fermenting substance; a turbulent form of bacterium that is permeating and pervasive in nature. It spreads like a cancer or virus, contaminating, polluting and corrupting what it touches. It therefore, is used as a metaphor for sin and falsehood. As it spreads, it compromises and destroys what is true, good and otherwise pure. It prevents the love of God from flowing freely in us and through us.
RELEVANCE
The LORD’s blood erased our slate from the handwriting of God’s judgment, “cleaning” our account from the debt of sin. We celebrate His cleaning of our “spiritual house,” our bodies, by receiving His love and keeping our hearts and minds clean, meditating on His words and noble and righteous thoughts, and resisting the temptations of the world—vain desires, pride and pulls of the world.
Beyond the external things that can destroy our physical bodies, we can allow our spiritual condition to deteriorate from the inside—by harboring destructive attitudes, like bitterness and judgment; and maintaining selfish motivations and pursuing self-centered interests and agendas. That’s why the LORD declared, “There is nothing outside a person which, by going into him, can make him unclean. Rather, it is the things that come out of a person which make a person unclean!” (Mark 7:15 JNT)
God wants us to walk in integrity—values based on what is sound, true and right. That’s why Paul reasoned; “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:8) In other words, be doers of the word in deed and in love.
Paul taught how our body is the temple of God’s Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19) It, therefore, behooves us to keep ourselves clean on the inside by reading, meditating, and digesting God’s Word, communing with Him by the Holy Spirit, and confessing and turning (or repenting) from revealed sins.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
In what ways do you endeavor to keep your heart clean before God?
In what ways do you hurt yourself by harboring wrong attitudes of the heart?
Are there any things you do on a regular basis that may cause harmful attitudes to persist?
What falsehoods might you be holding onto or trusting in that could be preventing you from receiving truth from God?
REFERENCES
Psalm 19:7-14; 24; 51; 119: 1-40; Matthew 5:8; 21-29; 12:33-37; 13:18-23; Mark 7:17-23; Ephesians 4:17-32
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Gratefulness
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
The time of First-Fruits was prescribed to foster a way to express gratitude for God’s grace by giving back to God—or giving forward to others—a portion of the first fruits of our labors. It serves to remind us of our dependence on God and need to trust Him for more. It also helps us practice good stewardship and faithfulness, and suppress tendencies to hoard out of greed, lust or fear of lack.
RELEVANCE
David truly had a heart of gratefulness. He acknowledged God as sovereign, and therefore, His source and sufficiency. In Psalm 24, he declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.” (Psalm 24:1 NKJV)
First-Fruits gives us an opportunity to dedicate ourselves to focusing on preparing our hearts and minds to receive new things of God; new opportunities and even insights God would offer us this season. .
Peter further affirmed that God has given to us “everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowing the One who called us to his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 JNT) For this reason, the LORD taught about the blessings of giving to others from a heart of gratefulness; and in faith, believing that God would multiply whatever you give.
“Give, and you will receive gifts — the full measure, compacted, shaken together and overflowing, will be put right in your lap. For the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure back to you!” (Luke 6:38 JNT)Giving to others truly prepares the heart to receive back from God. Out of gratefulness and in faith, we therefore, dedicate a portion of the first fruits of what God has given to us back to Him; not in mere duty or obligation, but in love.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
In what ways do you freely give back to God a portion of the first fruits of what He has given to you?
What are some ways you can bless others as God blesses you?
How do you demonstrate your trust in God’s provision for the future?
REFERENCES
Matthew 19:21; 25:37; Luke 3:11; Acts 20:35
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Fullness Revelation of Truth Covenant Grace |
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
Shavuot—Pentecost was prescribed to mark the fullness of the harvest. It also marked the time to celebrate God's Word, as Moses was given the Ten Commandments during this time. More than representing the Law or commandments, however, Torah in reality represents God’s divine instruction, truth and revealed wisdom.
As Moses read to the people, they declared, “All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.” (Exodus 24:7 NKJV) They, therefore, rededicated themselves to following God’s Word, and renewed their faith in God.
Pentecost, therefore, serves to remind us to pause and value the love of God expressed through Christ; and specifically the illumination of His Word by His Spirit. The harvest we reap is new insights from what is happening around and through us so that we may grow in wisdom and discernment and be a blessing to others, glorifying God.
RELEVANCE
It was during this feast that the disciples were first filled with the Holy Spirit. As much as the LORD fulfilled the Feast of First-fruits by being the first fruits of those resurrected in the newness of life redeemed by His sacrificial blood, the infilling of the Holy Spirit represented the fullness of God’s new covenant revealed; and also marked the rededication of the believer’s life from a walk under the law of sin and death to a walk of the Spirit—under the law of the Spirit. (Romans 8:2)
For this reason, Paul declared, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:18 NKJV) In other words, you are not in subjection to the system that results from perverting God’s law into legalism.
In order to maintain the vitality of the Spirit, Paul further exhorted the disciples to be continually filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18) This is accomplished by regular reading and meditation of God’s Word, and communing with God, praying in the Holy Spirit. It also involves reaching and releasing outward towards others—giving away what God has given to you, so He can refill His reservoirs within you with more of His substance!
FOCUS ON VALUES, VISION AND VIRTUES
The Holy Spirit imparts insight that strengthens our vision, bringing what was obscure to clarity, and what seemed so complex to simplicity. In order to do so God brings our values into alignment with His. When our values are congruent with God’s, we see things we never saw before! The Holy Spirit imparts new and greater measures of the virtue of Christ; His love, character and power, producing the fruit of the Spirit. Through grace, God’s works His process of transformation within us.
What new values has God impressed you to embrace this season?
What new vision has God imparted in you to give you greater insights?
What virtues of Christ have you received to walk in the new life in Him?
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
In what ways do you continuously renew and rededicate yourself to God?
How do you refresh your thoughts and opinions?
How open are you to new revelations of truth God would offer you?
Are there any areas of your life where your frame of reference may be somewhat legalistic?
Are there any opinions that you have that might be a bit too dogmatic?
REFERENCES
Joshua 1:8; Colossians 2; Galatians 5:1-6; Romans 8;
Philippians 4:8-9; 1Timothy 4:12-16
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Proclamation
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TRUTH AND PURPOSE
Trumpets (also celebrated as Rosh Hashanah; Head of the Year) was designed to serve as a “wake-up call” to bring God’s people into alignment with Him ten days before the solemn Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). It was to begin a period of reconciliation with God; specifically “Ten Days of Repentance” or “Days of Awe” which culminate in Yom Kippur.
The trumpet (ram’s horn, or shofar) was also used to issue a proclamation of a new order of kingdom business so all would hear loud and clear. God still speaks today and seeks those with hearts to receive His love, ears to hear and a conscience to trust and obey!
RELEVANCE
Trumpets were also used to proclaim the entry of a king. Therefore, we likewise have the opportunity to boldly proclaim the message of salvaion and Messiah Jesus as Lord and King of the Universe. Besides doing so in word, we honor His kingship and authority over all creation through noble actions conducted in humility.
David kept a soft heart before God, and maintained a practice of self-examination to stay right with God. “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.” (Psalm 26:2 NKJV)
For this same reason, Paul admonishes us to examine ourselves before participating in the Lord’s communion. “So let a person examine himself first, and then he may eat of the bread and drink from the cup; 29 for a person who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 JNT)
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
It what ways do you proclaim—through language and actions—the LORD your God?
How do you maintain the discipline of self-examination?
How do you allow the Holy Spirit to convict your heart so you can receive God's love and the grace of His mercy?
In what ways do you allow the Holy Spirit to change your inner attitudes so you can come into compliance with God’s ways and by God’s grace, change outward behaviors?
In what ways can you represent the LORD by boldly proclaiming His name?
REFERENCES
Psalm 51:7-10; Galatians 6:4; James 4:7-8
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Affliction Confession Discipline |
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was prescribed to afflict one’s soul by fasting, confessing sins, and repenting before God. This provides for making amends with God, and reconciling one’s standing before God.
Messiah Jesus became our atonement. We have opportunity to receive His love and the grace of His redemption by appropriating His atonement, the forgiveness of our sins.
In the same way, consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God, by your union with the Messiah Yeshua. 12 Therefore, do not let sin rule in your mortal bodies, so that it makes you obey its desires; 13 and do not offer any part of yourselves to sin as an instrument for wickedness. On the contrary, offer yourselves to God as people alive from the dead, and your various parts to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace. (Romans 6:11-14 JNT)
The LORD’s atonement is settled forever! He has discharged us from the debts and penalties of sin and wiped away all the spiritual requirements for righteousness that were—and could ever be—set against us. In union with Him, we are set free from all traces of guilt and condemnation!
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:11-15 NKJV)
As we confess to the LORD revealed sins or ways we have fallen short of God’s best, we receive the LORD’s atonement and reconciliation. We then have the opportunity to adopt new measures of discipline to help us walk in the new light we have received. That’s where God holds us responsible.
God expects us to learn from our mistakes and implement discipline and walk in a deliberate way to avoid things that distract and defile us; and keep us distanced from God. In such a way we allow the LORD to keep us in the grace of His grip; keeping us from bad decisions and harmful practices that perpetuate negative fallout and destructive cycles.
We also can’t forget that God allows trials and suffering to test or prove our faith to develop patience (James 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:6), discipline and strengthen us (Hebrews 12:1-17), cultivate perseverance, character and hope (Romans 5:1-5 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-12) and demonstrate Christ’s strength through us (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
How do you appropriate the LORD’s atonement in your life?
Do you know in your heart that the LORD has performed total atonement for you, exchanging His life for your death to sin?
Are there some areas where you still condemn yourself?
Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to wholly set you free, and receive the LORD’s work and word discharging you from the debts and penalties of sin?
What measures of discipline do you think you can apply and implement in your life to help you walk in the new light you have received?
REFERENCES
Psalm 119:57-176; Romans 1-6
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Rehearse Rest and Relate |
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
God appointed a special time to give His people the opportunity to rest from the pressures of life and catch a vision of His greater purposes; the Feast of Sukkot—Tabernacles, a great love feast you might say. He appointed it to be most joyful celebration, lasting eight days. It was originally prescribed to remind the children of Israel how they dwelt in booths, or small temporary shelters during the wilderness journey. It serves a greater purpose today by facilitating a special time to reflect on the love and goodness of God and all He has done this year, and look forward in anticipation of new things in the season ahead.
RELEVANCE
Tabernacles marks a time of rest from the toils of our labor. It also marks a time to relate to one another about God’s goodness, and reflect upon His grace and mercy. At the same time, Tabernacles serves to remind us that our earthly life is just temporary. A permanent life with God will be our eternal Promised Land. We should, therefore, guard ourselves from materialism and maintain a life of balance.
Those who have received the redemption of Messiah Jesus have opportunity to enter into His permanent and eternal rest—peace with God! For, He has redeemed us from the curse of dead works that cannot justify us before God. We, therefore, celebrate His fulfillment of this feast by gathering in fellowship with other believers, reflecting on His amazing grace, and relating with one another the testimonies of His interaction in our lives.
We also look forward to a time of celebrating the LORD’s return; and permanent fellowship at His banquet table in heaven. We, therefore, have an opportunity to celebrate with great joy—or rehearse the time of Messiah’s return and glorious eternal reign.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
How do you celebrate your peace with God?
With whom do you rest and reflect on God’s goodness, His grace and mercy, and share testimonies of His interaction in the lives of fellow believers?
REFERENCES
Leviticus 23:33-44; Acts 2:46, Colossians 2-3
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