WEEKLY ALL IN DEVOTION: Thursday, February 27th

The Cost of Freedom

MiT Julie Hutchins

Numbers 14:3 encourages us as sons and daughters to either walk in our freedom, or be defined by the 'grasshopper effect'. When we are in the wilderness, we need to ask God for His wisdom, understanding and specific directions. We cannot afford to be frivolous with what God has given and trusted us with. We only have ourselves to blame when we refuse to go "ALL IN" for our freedom. Hebrews 3:19 instructs us about the importance of having 'functional faith' when we don't always see the manifestation of our prayers. Because "we live by faith, not by sight", let's reflect that Jesus paid for our freedom with His life, and "who the Son has set free, is free indeed"! unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). Yes, we live orchestral lives, often with sudden syncopation, yet the depths of God's "hesed"--(God's faithfulness to His covenant), draws us "ALL IN" to himself, drumming mercy and blowing forgiveness, that we may know Him intimately, and flow harmoniously with our fellow man

The Cost of Freedom

Sermon Text: Numbers 14: 3(d)…Wouldn't be better for us to go back to Egypt?

Point 1: Find yourself  Numbers 13: 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.

Point 2: Find your way Exodus 13: 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Point 3: Can't be Frivolous Exodus 12: 35, 36 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. 32: 2 - 4…take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me. So all the people took off earrings and brought them to Aaron. [Aaron made a golden calf]

Point 4: Fully Committed Numbers 11: 5…We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.

functional faith.

Point 5: Functional Faith  Hebrews 3: 19 So we see that they [Children of Israel] were not able to enter[The Promised Land], because of their unbelief.

Conclusion:

WEEKLY ALL IN DEVOTION: Thursday, February 20th

The Percussion of Seduction

By MiT Valerie A. Johnson

In an orchestra, the audience experiences rhythmic movements to the tuneful sounds of strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion. The cadence of the drum, cymbals, or piano add vivid color and excitement, galvanizing our senses, often without our consent. We detect similar lyrical fluctuation in the expression of Hosea 11:1 as he metaphorically characterizes a nurturing parent-child relationship between God and His beloved son (Israel). Israel's heart strayed from his father, preferring the seductive snare of idol worship. But God was 'aroused' with compassion (Hosea 11:8-9), devotedly pursuing justice by mercy and forgiveness, not wrath. As parents, caregivers, or school officials, can we forgive our children when they break our rules? Can we affirm and restore them when they've wronged us? God's infinite love caresses us with words of affirmation-- "I love you with an everlasting love" (Jer 31:3), "I'll never leave nor forsake you" (Deut 31:6), "though your sins be as scarlett, they will white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). When we fall prey to seductive reasoning (sin), we must confess it, and ask our heavenly Father's forgiveness, knowing "...he's faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). Yes, we live orchestral lives, often with sudden syncopation, yet the depths of God's "hesed"--(God's faithfulness to His covenant), draws us "ALL IN" to himself, drumming mercy and blowing forgiveness, that we may know Him intimately, and flow harmoniously with our fellow man.

God 2 Me: "I am All N2U"

Text: Hosea 11: 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Context: God loves Israel like Hosea is instructed to love his adulterous wife…

Point 1: God finds me Lovable Vs. 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

The first thing the text tells me about how God feels about Israel is He is lovable. God says I loved you out of Egypt. In other words, when you were in chains and nobody recognized you because you were a small nation I stepped in and chose you.

Point 2: God finds me Irresistible Vs. 8 How can I give up on Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zebolim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

Point 3: God finds me Forgivable Vs. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

Despite what Israel did God still found them forgivable. The text says they still ran after other gods. Vs. 7 says My people are determined to turn from me… Notice God's response. I will not carry out my fierce anger.

Life Application: How do I live in love with God? You live in love with God…

God 2 Me "I'M ALL N2U"

Romans 8: 35 - 39

Point 1: Inseparable

Who shall separate me from the love of God; tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, rulers things present, things to come, nor powers, height, depth…

John 10: 10 put it this way the enemy comes to kill steal and destroy 

Romans 8: 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Point 2: Unconquerable Vs. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 5: 20…But where sin increases, grace [love] increased all the more

Point 3: Incalculable Vs. 35 Who shall separate me from the love of God; tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, rulers things present, things to come, nor powers, height, depth…

Ephesians 3: 17 - 19 So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breath and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

1 John 4: 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation [substitute] for our sins.

Life Application:

My response:

1.   Love…

2.   Be…

3.   Spread…