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The Jealousy Drink Test

2/26/2015

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Reading through the Bible cover to cover will bring you to a number of events that are rarely, if ever spoken about on a Sunday morning or in a small group setting; such as not wearing different types of clothing material or boiling a young goat in its mothers’ milk. A very strange test is explained by God and recorded in Numbers 5:11-31.

If a husband suspected his wife of unfaithfulness and he thought she has slept with another man, he was to bring her before the priest. The jealous husband was to also bring an offering to the LORD. The priest had the woman stand before the LORD, he loosened her hair, and placed the offering in her hands. He holds a clay jar of holy water that has dust from the tabernacle floor mixed in it and puts her under an oath. If she is innocent, nothing will happen. If she is guilty, she will be under a curse, not be able to have children, she will have swelling in her abdomen and be under a curse.

What, really!?!

This law of jealousy protected innocent wives from jealous husbands through God declaring her innocent. A guilty woman would bear the consequence of her sin by an act of God. The law reminded people that when nobody else sees to prove innocence or guilt, God sees and knows all things.

Though, there was no such test for a jealous wife to give to her husband, Jesus addresses the importance of purity among men in the New Testament.

Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”



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Are You a Fat Tuesday Christian?

2/18/2015

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The French words, Mardi Gras, means Fat Tuesday. It is the party before Ash Wednesday. People anticipating their somber participation of Lent, people have a big party before the serious season before Easter.

Followers of John the baptizer and the Pharisees lived like it was lent all the time. They fasted often and were the “Green Beret” of spirituality. Jesus’ followers were accused of living as though it was Fat Tuesday every day. They hardly fasted and were not as regimented as John’s followers.

Jesus explained that He is the reason for the party. There would be a time when He is gone to be somber. It was just too hard to be serious when the life of the party was with them.

Matthew 9:14-15  (NIV)
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”


Jesus came to give us life and life to the full.
The Holy Spirit fills the believer with joy.
Are you a Fat Tuesday follower?


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Awesome Authority

2/17/2015

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Jesus came to earth to point humankind to the Father. He reminded us of the relationship with our Creator and position of awesome authority on this earth.

The Jewish leaders question Jesus’ authority
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; He can do only what He sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Jesus did miracles because He was connected to the Father.
What miracles did Jesus do on the earth that He had His followers also do?
* Heal sick
* Cast out demons
* Walk on water
What do followers of Jesus have authority to do today in His name? The same as His followers did.

Luke 10:1,17-21 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go.
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what You were pleased to do.


There is a difference between what we have in our spiritual account and what we have in our possession:
I went to the store and was 37 cents short of cash for my purchase. I had more in my account, but was short in what I possessed in my hands.                 
In Christ, you have a full account of authority in His name – have full amount in possession.

So now what?
> Walk each step aware of Holy Spirit's presence.
> Exercise awesome authority in health, relationships, finances, through power in Jesus’ name this week.


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Why Read Leviticus?

2/13/2015

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The book of Leviticus is one of the difficult books of the Bible to read through. The details and regulations seem to fill every chapter. Each year I read through the Bible and wonder what value can you get from this book today?  After numerous readings I suggest there are three important reasons to read Leviticus.

1.       Exodus is a book about God getting Israel out of Egypt. Leviticus is a book about God getting Egypt out of Israel. The book tells you that forgiveness and acceptance should be followed by holy living and spiritual growth.

2.       The holiness of God is a major theme of the book. You are reminded that God is holy and how sin devastates our relationships with our Creator.

3.       It is good news that the lists of laws detailing diets, sacrifices and social behavior  are not requirements to following Jesus today. We boldly approach the throne of grace for forgiveness instead of bringing a lamb to a priest at a temple to sacrifice. Jesus is our High Priest and was the perfect, spotless sacrifice for your sin.

Leviticus 19:2 is a key verse:
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

Remember these three points as you read through this significant book, Leviticus.

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Who is this Guy?

2/10/2015

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Who is the most famous person you have met face to face?
I saw a sports reporter for a local news channel at a Holidazzle parade.My son saw Minnesota Twins baseball player, Joe Maurer at our Cub foods store.

What do we do when we see a
celebrity
or someone famous?
We stare, perhaps get an autograph, or maybe photo.

Jesus Christ was the most famous person who walked on this earth and killed because He looked ordinary, but was extraordinary.

If the news, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, some or all the social media outlets said Jesus was going to be on the street just down the road from your house – what would you do???

People rushed to meet Jesus for different reasons. Most were trying to figure out who this guy was.
Matthew 16:13
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
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A Holy Nation?

2/5/2015

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America is referred to as a nation that has lost its’ spiritual moorings. God blessed America, but we are losing or have lost that blessing due to our turning away from Him. I believe this is true, but not irreversible.

God called a people to Himself and rescued them from Egypt. His desire was for them to be a people devoted to Him and God would be devoted to them.
Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”


Even though they said they would fully follow God, they did not live up to their commitment. But God lived up to His commitment to them. God expands this beyond the nation of Israel to include all those who follow and love Him.
1 Peter 1:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.


If you are a devoted follower of Jesus, what does it mean to be chosen, royal, a holy nation and God’s possession?

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Fearless Fellowship, Radical Relationships

2/3/2015

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Churches build fellowship halls for luncheons, wedding receptions, and potlucks. Too often, fellowship is considered something we do when we get together and eat.

Fellowship was a big deal in the early church.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

What is fellowship and how do you devote yourself to fellowship? Fellowship in this verse is from the Greek word koinonia, which means participation, communion, fellowship.

We were created for fellowship with God and with others. Church is a relationship with God and others.
John writes about this devotion to fellowship.
1 John 1:3-7
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our[some manuscripts - your] joy complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[every] sin.


Fearless fellowship means not wearing a mask, not hiding wrongs, or having shallow relationships. You will have radical relationships when you walk in the light of truth with others.

Last week, I had to apologize to the other leaders in our Young Life ministry. We play broomball Saturday nights with students to enjoy the sport and develop friendships. I was overly competitive and was criticizing others. I had to open a room up in my life that I wanted to keep private and apologize. Otherwise, I am living a lie and have broken fellowship. My apology was accepted and our friendship deepened because of fearless fellowship.

So now what?
>Evaluate what unopened rooms you have in your life.
>Begin living honestly with your family.
>Grow in a radical relationship with a trusted friend.
>Pursue fearless fellowship, radical relationships in your church family .

In the Bible, there is no such thing as a Christian who comes to worship and lives independently. It is always in a relationship with one another.


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    Mark Radeke

    Husband of one, father of five, pastor and friend of many.

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