Zephaniah 2

Just like Kay said in her blog last week: WOW!

God wants us to repent. This chapter makes that clear. The time is near, and we need to act now. I have heard before that “the time is near”, and I really don’t know what that means – a month, a year?. I also think it doesn’t need to be clear for me to act. The things discussed in this chapter are intended to make us realize that we are messed up people. We need to act and change our ways before it is too late.

What does this mean? How can we take action like this? I think the answer comes perfectly in verse 3.

 “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.”

God has made it clear to us all from the beginning. He wants us to seek Him. I know that this may sound vague, but that’s ok. God knows our heart and as long as we are seeking at the level we are at, He is pleased. It makes me think of my family this past Easter.

My nephew and niece that are about 2 and 1 both had a very hard time finding eggs that were sitting in broad daylight. It was hard for them because they were not good at it yet. They were seeking none the less. Their parents helped them along the way, and because they were simply trying, it was perfect. They found the eggs and the treasure inside, and their parents were thrilled. The same goes for us and God. We just need to try. He will guide us, and we will find the treasure. He will be pleased.

-Seth Gordon, Summer Camp Director

Zephaniah 1

Yikes!  What a warning for the people of Judah and for us today!  Zephaniah was writing to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment for their sins.  He was hoping to stir them to repentance before it was too late.  In verse 1 “the word of the LORD that came…” this declares at the beginning that what is to follow though spoken by man but God as its author.  

The book announces in the opening a warning…”I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth…” which is characterized as a day of massive, even total, destruction.  It is a day that reverses creation; humans, animals, birds, and the whole world will be swept away. God is going to utterly consume ALL things and man is the subject of divine anger.  Those who didn’t humble themselves under God’s mighty hand would be brought down.  God was angry and was tired of those that professed to worship Him and other idols.  What about us?  Are we the same way today?  We think we can divide our affections and time between God and other things such as idols.  As we sometimes call it…ride the fence!  What kind of relationship can this be and where can we find peace between light and darkness? 

In v.7…“Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near”. This is a major theme in this small book of Zephaniah occurring 23 times.  It describes a time when God will come to His people and destroy the evil as a means to deliver His people.  But in the Day of the Lord’s judgment, it will clearly appear that those who perish fall as a sacrifice to divine justice for breaking God’s law and because they have no interest in the Redeemer’s atoning sacrifice.

This warning of destruction was enough to make the sinners in Zion tremble; it referred to the great day of the LORD, the day in which God would show himself by taking vengeance on them.  What about us? How often do we put God off simply because we know He’s a patient and loving God?  In working with youth over the years I have heard them say “I’m young, I still have time for that later when I’m older”.  This breaks my heart because no one, none of us are guaranteed a day.  We can choose life, life eternal, life of hope and peace, a life with our Heavenly Father, a life that cannot be taken away from us. We have just gone through Holy Week and Easter.  The celebration of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and we are reminded that nothing can separate us from the love that God has for us. I love the words by Toby Mac in his song Lose My Soul… “Father God, I am clay in your hands, Help me to stay that way through all life's demands, 'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me “.  These words are so true!  Life is full of distractions whether it be an idol, a person, a habit, whatever; it will nag and chip at us if we choose to ride the fence.  Let us step away from the fence and give God our heart and soul.

-Kay Kastner, Retreat Manager

Habakkuk 2

I am always amazed by the men God chooses to use to reveal His truth to His people.  I see it in such contrast to the people we often choose in our own lives.  Do we lift up men as leaders who have grievous actions in their pasts?  No, we seek to tear men down with their past sins and force men to hide behind facades of righteousness in order to lead us.  Do we employ men to whom we must explain our mission over and over again?  No, we expect those we entrust with expanding our purpose to always be on the same page, understanding who we expect them to be and what we expect them to do.  Do we befriend men who question our motives and suspect our ways?  No, we gather close to us those who are “supportive,” always in agreement with our thoughts and deeds.

Yet, we are flawed humans and our God is a perfect, righteous God.  Who better than He to demand unstained, intelligent, blindly supportive carriers of His truth?  Yet, this is never who He chooses.  He speaks through murderers, adulterers, persecutors.  He speaks through those with terribly blemished pasts.  He surrounds Himself with those who continually miss His purpose.  And, in Habakkuk, He prophesies to His people through a man who questions His motives and methods.

As we saw in Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk asked God how He could allow the sin in Judah to go unpunished.  God answered Him, saying that Babylon would bring punishment to Judah.  But, Habakkuk was not content with that answer.  How, after all, could a God who is so pure and perfect use a nation who was even more repugnant that Judah to bring judgment to them?  But, God again answers Habakkuk, saying that Babylon too will face judgment.

There is certainly much to be learned in these verses both about God’s justice and about God’s sometimes unfathomable ability to use that which humankind means for evil instead for His own greater glory.  But, as I sit reading Habakkuk 2, I am impressed by such a personal story, a relationship between an almighty God and a small, confused man through whom He chooses to reveal His plan, His truth.  Habakkuk, like us, doesn’t always understand.  Habakkuk, like us, often says, “Yes, God, but…”  Habakkuk, like us, is often not content with the first answer, but questions God further.  And Habakkuk’s God, our God, submits to a dialogue with His own creation.

I am humbled by the duality of the book of Habakkuk.  Our God is a God who does not tolerate sin and will bring judgment where it is practiced without repentance.  Yet, our God is also a God who will sit in patient dialogue with us.  He does not choose the perfect – He knows there is none.  He chooses those who ask.

- Tara Bennett

Habakkuk 1

As I read through Habakkuk 1, I wonder about a parallel between Judah, a nation ravaged by sin, and our own nation and society today.   I wonder about the destruction that Habakkuk prophesies will eventually come to Judah and I begin to feel anxiety about our own future.

In verse 1:2, the prophet cries out for help, wondering why God has not already stepped in to end the unrighteousness. I have heard my Christian brothers and sisters do the same.  I have heard the leaders of our churches pray for the Lord to move against the sins of our own time.  I wonder what destruction we might be facing.  Verse 1:4 says, "So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth.  For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." I see even today that justice is being perverted. The wicked receive earthly rewards, while the righteous cry out for help.  I see non-believers using this perceived silence of God as fuel to continue to not believe.

One commentary suggests that The Lord allowed the injustice to continue for so long so that Judah’s eventual destruction would leave no confusion – sin does indeed lead to death.  I can’t help but find it frightening as I wonder about the future of our own society, if this is the same case.  What will it take for our country, our leaders, our people to return to the Lord?  How far into sin do we need to go?

But, listening to the radio this morning, the Lord reminds me not to worry.  It seems hard to let go of the anxiety after reading through this parallel. But, we must hold fast and faithful to Him, relying not on how we think it should be, but on what plan He has.  The Lord has a plan, and it is PERFECT!  In the end, this plan will lead to a place with Him, where Holiness reigns and no violence will be set against us.  So I keep my mind on the verse from the radio this morning.  Matthew 6:25: "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

It’s funny how I used to quote this verse from Matthew to my mom when I’d be out late in high school and she’d worry about me.  Now, as a father myself, as I wonder about this world that I will be leaving to my own children, it is so much more real to me and so much more a comfort.

-Dave Bennett, Media & LOT Manager

1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16 basically consists of closing remarks and instructions for the people in Corinth. Paul instructs them about the money they are saving to give to poverty-stricken Jerusalem, tells them he plans to visit soon, asks them to treat Timothy favorably, gives them updates on fellow believers and authenticates the letter. But smack dab in the middle of this closing oratory, Paul includes some clear instructions for life that not only applied to the Corinthians, but to all believers.

Verse 13 and 14 says, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

Be on guard – Be alert and watchful for spiritual enemies such as divisions, sin, pride, disorder or erroneous theologies. These can come in your life in very innocent looking packages including friends achievements, and being busy with good things. We must constantly be aware of anything pulling us away from the Lord as our first priority.  (Ephesians 6:12-13)

Stand firm in the faith – Know and don’t waver from the gospel message in God’s word. This is what brought you to salvation and new life. Don’t give in to influences around you that may put a different “spin” on God’s truth.  (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Be courageous – Stand up to others who may criticize your beliefs. Don’t give in to peer pressure and cultural pressure to be like those of the world.  (Joshua 1:9, Romans 12:2)

Be strong – Be filled daily with the Holy Spirit and His strength.  (Ephesians3:16-19)

Do everything with love – Without love for others and for Christ, your actions are meaningless. It’s through love that we are able to be obedient servants of God.  (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 13)

If we are able to walk with the Lord in these five areas, we are being obedient to His call. I challenge myself and all of you to put these five things up where you will see them every day (shower, bathroom mirror, fridge, etc.). Pray that the Lord will fill you daily with His Holy Spirit that empowers us to continue fighting the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12)

-Kim Newton