February 2015

Welcome to the wonderful month of February - may the Lord bless you as you read and study His word.

1-Feb	Leviticus 1-4
2-Feb	Leviticus 5-7
3-Feb	Leviticus 8-10
4-Feb	Leviticus 11-13
5-Feb	Leviticus 14-15
6-Feb	Leviticus 16-18
7-Feb	Leviticus 19-21
8-Feb	Leviticus 22-23
9-Feb	Leviticus 24-25
10-Feb	Leviticus 26-27
11-Feb	Numbers 1-2
12-Feb	Numbers 3-4
13-Feb	Numbers 5-6
14-Feb	Numbers 7
15-Feb	Numbers 8-10
16-Feb	Numbers 11-13
17-Feb	Numbers 14-15
18-Feb	Numbers 16-17
19-Feb	Numbers 18-20
20-Feb	Numbers 21-22
21-Feb	Numbers 23-25
22-Feb	Numbers 26-27
23-Feb	Numbers 28-30
24-Feb	Numbers 31-32
25-Feb	Numbers 33-34
26-Feb	Numbers 35-36
27-Feb	Deuteronomy 1-2
28-Feb	Deuteronomy 3-4

Manners Matter

Heads up, this is a rant.

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Luk 6:31  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

I am appalled at the lack of manners in our society today, and amazingly NOT just young people.

You sort of expect the younger generation to be lacking in social graces...I mean they spend most of their time locked into some electronic world, right?

You know, those electronic hand extensions, social (hahahaha) media outlets, etc.

But even older (senior citizens) are lacking in politeness.  I sent an electronic invitation to someone, knowing they don't 'live' in email, I followed up a few days later with a card.  Did I hear anything?  No. I had to 'chase' them down to get an answer.

So why do manners matter - what does it say about us, especially as Christians when we don't treat people, their time, their resources with respect?

When you don't respond - in essence you're saying, "You're not worthy of my time, thought or attention.  I am so (fill in the blank), that acknowledging your request, invitation, gift, etc. is beneath me."

"Oh, I didn't have an answer.  I forgot.  I needed to check with someone before answering."  There is a litany of excuses...but really, how much time does it take to acknowledge you've 'heard' someone?  Acknowledging someone says they have value - and aren't we supposed to value others above ourselves?  Preferring one another?

Then there are the excuses from the 'grace camp':

"They're young. They don't know. Give them time. They are just like that.  They are always (fill in the blank). I'm sure you can think of many more (ad nauseam).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating NO grace...but the question becomes, if no one says anything.  If people are allowed to be thoughtless, rude, insensitive, discourteous and NO ONE calls them on it, are we truly 'loving' them?

If it's not me (or you) saying something, if not now, when?  So they don't know, they are tunnel visioned, they are whatever...so if no one ever corrects, rebukes, challenges, where do we end up?

Someone has to hold a line, point out the plumb line, direct to the standard and ladies, we've been commanded to set a good example, to challenge the younger women.  Why?

So the word of God won't be blasphemed.

Lord, help us to examine ourselves, to see if we in any way shape or form are treating others disrespectfully, not loving one another by being honest, by communicating.  Help us Lord to treat others as if you are watching every word, every thought (which You are), to remember we need to honor YOU in all our relationships.

Rebuking God - Mark 8

Mar 8:32  And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Mar 8:33  But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Rebuke - G2008 - From G1909 and G5091; to tax upon, that is, censure or admonish; by implication forbid.

• G1909 - A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
• G5091 - From G5093; to prize, that is, fix a valuation upon; by implication to revere.
• G5093 - Including the comparative τίμιώτερος timiōteros and the superlative τίμιώτατος timiōtatos; from G5092; valuable, that is, (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved.

The word rebuke is used 44 times in all of Scripture; 12 times in the NT.  Corresponding verses to the ones above are Matthew 16:22 and Luke 17:3, using the same Greek word G2008, as well as in Luke 19:39, 2 Timothy 4:2, and Jude 1:9.

The other 'rebukes' are:

G298 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G3469; unblameable. Philippians 2:15

G1969 - From G1909 and G4141; to chastise, that is, (with words) to upbraid. 1 Timothy 5:1

G1651 - Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish. 1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 1:13, 2:15 and Revelation 3:19.

I would N-E-V-E-R (or in southern, nevah) rebuke God, would you?

Wait...anytime we grumble or complain (whether out loud or inwardly) aren't we 'rebuking' God?  What we're really saying is God you don't know what you're doing.  I don't trust YOU to really have it all under control.  *sigh* I fail in this area soooo much.  Father, help me to fully surrender to YOU, trusting that everything you allow (or not) is for Your glory and my sanctification.  Help me Lord to praise you in the storm.