Tuesday Devotional: Habakkuk 1

bible Habbakuk 1

“Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.”

I am raising up the Babylonians,
that ruthless and impetuous people,
who sweep cross the whole earth
to seize dwelling places not their own.”

God is unbelievable. The Bible is unbelievable. The Gospels are unbelievable. Jesus is unbelievable. Not because they cannot by trusted and therefore must be false, but because they contradict our human nature and instincts as storytellers so much that if they could not possibly have been created for literary or moral purposes. The Bible contains far more honesty than we like. It contains far more justice than we are comfortable with. It also contains far more wisdom than we are even able to fathom.

The God of the Bible never acts out of consideration for our feelings, interests or desires. The God of the Bible ONLY acts on behalf of what is true and what is just. Therefore, when we need correction, He gives it. When we need instruction, He gives it. When we need compassion and gentleness, He gives it. When we need discipline, He gives it. In fact, God challenges us to believe the unbelievable in regards to His approach to discipline and suffering. Through Jesus we no longer have to fear punishment from God, but suffering persists. Why? If the suffering is not a sign of God punishment, what is it?

The purpose of our suffering or hard times has one purpose and one purpose only. It is ONLY to see God as sovereign and us as entirely fallible. As Jesus is Emmanuel and therefore with us in any and all situations, the purpose of the suffering is ONLY to move us to seek the face of Jesus, to take up His grace in order to carry us through the storm. But let us never forget that suffering will persist. Bearing the name of Christ not only means that suffering will persist but that it will inevitably increase.

But in the face of increasing suffering we are never to disown the name of Jesus by interpreting our hard time as the divine punishment only Jesus has any right or claim to. We were not and are not punished because Jesus already was. Therefore, the suffering we experience is present with us to reveal the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And in His name and because of His Lordship we will prevail amidst the suffering and we will see His face in the storm. The presence of God in our lives through Jesus does not yield to suffering and sin. It overcomes sin and suffering entirely. Jesus rose on the third victorious over sin and death proclaiming, “Where, O death, is your sting? Where, O death, is your victory?” God allows suffering to a degree of such intensity that to create such a God out of thin air would not only fail to appeal to anyone but would be mocked rather than worshipped. While one side of the world writhes back in disbelief in the face of God’s grace and compassion, the other writhes back in the face of God’s justice. The only message relevant to the entire world is a message that is true to both sides of the world. In Jesus, truth is united at the cross, revealing God’s grace and justice simultaneously. The extent of both God’s grace and His justice are truly unbelievable, but in Jesus they CAN be believed and they CAN do more than we think.

Tuesday Devotional: Nahum 2

Devotional, Uncategorized

Read Nahum 2

The world we live in is not a world of justice. We strive for justice, we seek for it, we need it, but we are always left feeling that injustice retains its overwhelming presence in this world.

Why do we feel the need for justice? What is it within us that cries out when justice is not done? While we live in a world that believes that no one is truly wrong or that no one should ever be truly judged, deep down we desire justice to be done. We can easily recognize when injustice is playing out before our very eyes.

We all know this. At times we deny it in the face of a judgmental crowd that is eager to judge our insensitive and unreasonable judgment. However, as much as there is an inexplicable desire in all of us to love, there is equally a desire to see justice done when something or someone is left unloved. The Gospel of Jesus promises many things, but with the grace of God also comes the judgment of God that is not only justifiable but necessary in the world that lacks justice even by our imperfect and fallen standards. We need God’s justice. The Gospel of Jesus promises that justice will ultimately be seen and done.

There will be a time upon Christ’s return when all will have to answer for the life they lived and for the lives they took. There will be a time when excuses will no longer be worth anything, and fruit of the spirit will mean everything. As a result of sin we have all contributed to the injustice in the world. What’s important is not how much. The point is that we have all inescapably contributed. For this reason, the only acceptable decision is to face a perfect God, admit and take ownership of our injustice, ask for forgiveness and then, with the spirit of Jesus Christ, heal the world and put right what was once wrong. With Jesus we can see justice now, and those still suffering have the eternal hope that justice will be done. There will be a time when they will live under the reign of the King of Kings who will administer the only perfect justice this world has and will ever know.

Tuesday Devotional: Amos 5

Devotional, Uncategorized

Amos 5:18 bible

¹⁸Woe to you who long
for the day of the Lord!
Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
That day will be darkness, not light.

Judgment is swift and final. In court, the gavel falls, in one fell swoop the verdict is announced and the sentencing established. No more arguments. No more pleas. No more discussion. Final.

This is not an easy teaching and only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we understand the justification for judgment and eternal sentencing. We often cannot fathom a judgment so unfair and cruel. However, that tells us not that God’s judgment is unfair and cruel but that we also cannot fathom God’s holiness and our sinfulness. If I only eat sweets from birth, I will never understand how sweet “sweet” actually is until someone introduces me to salt for the first time. The judgment of God will come, but many even at that time will not believe and will not turn from their sin to submit themselves to a holy and good Abba father. All will be judged and many will fall on the side of the guilty. The world has never seen a judgment like the one that awaits it. Our minds cannot imagine it and it is by the grace of God that it has only been revealed to us in small doses, for the reality of what will transpire would be too much for us to bear. It is also by the grace of God that we look around us today and see that the day of God’s judgment has not yet fallen on this world.

It is tempting to view Christianity through the same lens of escapism that often accompanies other religions, philosophies or worldviews. Christianity does not consist of waiting patiently and righteously until the last day. The Christian abiding in Jesus Christ will live every day consumed by two thoughts. Am I loving God with all my heart, soul and mind? Am I loving my neighbor as myself? In other words, am I doing everything I can to love God and make my election and calling sure? Am I doing everything I can to proclaim to the world through my words and deeds that Jesus is the only way through the impending cauldron of judgment?

It will truly be a glorious sight to see Jesus coming on the clouds of heaven. However, His return ushers in the time of death, grief, suffering and sorrow that even Heaven was perfectly silent for 30 minutes at the opening of the seventh seal. We have been given the charge to save the lost, heal the sick, free captives and preach good news to the brokenhearted through our devotion to Jesus Christ. God does not desire that any should perish; neither should we. The non-believers in our midst are our brothers and sisters in creation. They are loved dearly by our Father and we are to show them the way of Jesus, saving them from eternal damnation. There will be a day of no more second chances. This will be a dreadful day. As children of God we should never wish this day upon anyone nor refuse to save as many as we possibly can from it. Justice for the wicked will be just and God’s creation will be made new. However, we must understand that His justice is often more far-reaching than we imagine. His judgment will fall upon every person and “good” will not be good enough. There is only Jesus on that day.

New Mobile Word Podcast!

Uncategorized

Screen-Shot-2014-02-03-at-14.06.10-01

Episode 12 of the Mobile Word Podcast is now available on itunes and through our Mobile Word Podcast page!

On this week’s episode we focus on 1 Samuel 20:30-31 and we discuss the challenge of sharing faith in Jesus with family, friends and co-workers who don’t share such faith. We learn in 1 Samuel how non-believers tend to understand our new faith in Jesus and how we can rebuke division, anger and resentment in Jesus’ name by anticipating specific tendencies and reactions and pray for the spirit of Jesus to guide our words and steps as we share and testify about Jesus Christ.

Enjoy and remember to send us your comments, questions and scriptures to mobilewordministry@gmail.com if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.

Jeremiah Commentary

Uncategorized

global comm

We are currently holding Bible studies on skype and this commentary comes from such a Bible study. This Bible study has members from South Korea, the Philippines and the USA and we are working our way through the book of Jeremiah. The goal of the commentary post is to help the members understand what we are reading more fully and also to give all of you a glimpse inside the current and ongoing Bible study ministry at Mobile Word. If you would like to schedule a skype Bible study please contact us at: mobilewordministry@gmail.com. We’d love to walk through the word with you!

Jeremiah 2:26-35

v.26: When we are truthfully in the presence of God we cannot stand as innocent. We are guilty and caught in our sinfulness when we are in the presence of God’s holiness.

v.27: Many will ask, “How am I guilty?” God’s response is that we have looked at things in this world and made them God in our hearts. We value our money and possessions more than God. We value our jobs and careers more than God. We value our friends and family more than God. But these things cannot save us. Only God can.

v.28: The lie from Satan in the Garden of Eden was that we can be like God and that we don’t need to follow His rules.

Genesis 3:4-5

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When we choose things that are not God to be our true love and desire God simply let’s us have what we want. When we say, “God, I don’t need you. I only need my money and my job.” God says, “Ok.” However, when we choose to worship things that are not God we will always be disappointed and we will never feel safe.

v.29: It is easy to blame and accuse God for the bad times we encounter. We are very good at pointing the finger at other people and we are especially good at pointing the finger at God when things go wrong but then take the credit when things go well.

v.30: God allows challenges to happen to us so that we will turn back to Him and need Him only. However, even when bad things happen we fail to look to God for help or for guidance. We are obsessed with ourselves.

We are also obsessed with being independent and right. We hate when people tell us what to do and when someone tells us to turn back to God or to repent to God for our guilty behavior we often get upset and reject their advice. Even when God is the answer to our problems we often reject that answer because we don’t like to be told what to do.

v.31: God is asking, “What did I ever do to you? How did I mistreat you? How have I not helped or guided you? How have I not loved you? Why do you dislike me so much?” We often turn away from God but God asks, “Why?” He asks us, “What are you hoping to find with something or someone else that you cannot find with me?”

v.32: We remember the things we care the most about.

Matthew 6:21

²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Think about what you think about the most when you are alone. Not when you are in church, at a Bible study or with other people. When you are alone and without an audience, God will reveal your true God and the thing that you would never ever forget.

v.33: We were designed for love. We were designed to receive love and to give love. However, as a result of sin we are especially good at looking for love in everything except God.

v.34: We are selfish beings. Our instinct is always to look after ourselves and to protect ourselves. Because of this we have often taken advantage of other people and taken things that are not ours. We are sinners this has caused us to cheat, lie and steal. There is no person who comes to Jesus that is free from this charge.

Romans 3:10-12

¹⁰As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;
¹¹ there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
¹²All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”

Romans 3:23

²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

v.35:

Even though we are guilty, our natural reaction is to deny our own guilt and to blame someone else. When sin entered into this world so did the instinct to blame others and deny our own guilt.

Genesis 3:11-12

¹¹And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” ¹²The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Genesis 3:13

¹³Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Bible Study Commentary: Jeremiah

Uncategorized

global comm

The following is a short summary/commentary for a current skype Bible study with members from the Phillippines, South Korea and the USA. Follow along in your Bible as we go through the book of Jeremiah together each week. If you have any additional questions or comments please send us your thoughts to mobilewordministry@gmail.com

Also, if you would like to start your own Bible study on skype through Mobile Word, send us an email and we can start walking through the Bible with you too!

Jeremiah 2:15-25

v.15: The “he” pronoun is talking about Israel. God is saying that Israel is being oppressed during this time in their history. The lions represent other nations or kingdoms that are attempting to take over the nation of Israel. This is a figurative verse meaning that there are not actual lions invading Israel. However, the situation was real. Many other nations were planning and attempting to overtake Israel and literally destroying their land.

v.16: Memphis and Tahpanhes refer to powerful cities in Egypt along the Nile River. The threat against Israel was coming from all sides and even the area in Egypt was a threat too.

v.17: God is saying that this current dangerous and terrible situation is not happening because God is treating Israel unfairly. God is reminding Israel that they created this situation by not following God’s will and plan. In English some parents tell their children, “YOU made the mess, now YOU clean it up!” Also, this verse is one of many pointers to Christ in the Old Testament. The words,“The Way,” would appear during Jesus’ ministry:

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

v.18: God is asking the people of Israel why they pursue water in other places and not in Israel. This is also figurative and literal. God is asking the people, “Why do you not like what I give you? Why do I not satisfy you? Why do you go to find happiness in other things and not me?”

v.19: God is telling the people of Israel that there are consequences for their actions. When they don’t follow God or when they don’t have “awe” for Him, there are consequences and typically they are not good. When we follow God life is more clear, more satisfying, more peaceful. When we don’t follow God our lives are full of stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and loneliness. However, we have the choice to follow God and experience a life joy or to not follow him and experience a life of strife

v.20: God is saying that Israel has always had a problem with God being the King and God being in control. In English we say that we are “control-freaks.” Or, we are “back-seat drivers.” This is when you are driving and someone sitting in the backseat keeps telling you how you should drive even though they aren’t the person driving.

A “yoke” is a tool used typically by farmers that goes over the animals neck so it can pull another vehicle or heavy farming equipment. This is another pointer to Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus is saying that when we let him have control, we don’t feel the heavy weight of a yoke. In fact, following God’s rules sounds stressful but when we follow his rules our life becomes much lighter, much more enjoyable and much more peaceful.

The reference to a prostitute is a very graphic and very convicting metaphor that God chooses to depict the Israelites. God is saying that we devote our entire heart and life to other things as if we were giving the most precious thing we have, our bodies, to other things that are unworthy and not God. God is always depicted in the Bible as our husband and when we put more of our love and attention on our jobs, our families, our money, etc. it is as if we are cheating on our husband who loves us more than any other thing in the world.

v.21: The reference to a vine is another reference to Jesus.

John 15:5-8

⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

God is depicted as a husband and also a farmer. This verse is saying that God chose us like a seed and planted us but then when we grew into a real plant we forgot the farmer and acted like we planted ourselves. Sin is forgetting God.

v.22: Even though we try and act like we are good and we have no problems, God is saying that no matter how much we try, we are still guilty in our hearts. Jesus talks about this:

Matthew 23:25-6

You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.²⁶Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

v.23: This is very similar to verse 20. As it discusses our lack of devotion to God and our desire to find pleasure elsewhere.

v.24: This is also very similar to verse 20. As it discusses our lack of devotion to God and our desire to find pleasure elsewhere.

v.25: God is saying that we are addicted to following other Gods, or other idols and not God himself. He is saying that we often get bored of Him, tired of Him, frustrated with Him and then we look to find happiness in other things. Jesus talks about this too:

John 4:14

but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Let’s study the Bible!

Uncategorized

global comm

Mobile Word was created out of a passion we have for studying the Bible with people from all backgrounds and from all countries. Most, if not all, of the resources we create and add to Mobile Word Ministry are aimed at equipping people with the tools and skills to study the Bible with people in their particular area today! Alongside creating reflections, devotionals, and recording podcast episodes, we continue to study the Bible with people from all around the world.

We are adding a new feature to Mobile Word Ministry and it is designed to give you a glimpse into the world of doing a Bible study with us. Currently we are engaged in a Bible study with people from the USA, the Philippines and South Korea. We meet once a week on skype and we are going through the book of Jeremiah. Before each meeting the members read the selected passage and identify difficult concepts, messages or vocabulary and then we use their interaction with the text to guide our Bible study meeting. Allowing the members to address their needs enables the meeting time to be relevant to the needs of the members attending and it reminds us of our need for the Holy Spirit to guide the meeting in that the particular focus or topic of the meeting is not known prior to our skype appointment by the leader or the members.

After each meeting I create a very simple commentary to ensure that the major themes and concepts are made known to each member as they proceed to the next passage of study. Too often Bible studies discuss a lot but don’t ensure understanding at all. Our goal at Mobile Word Ministry is not only to show the information but to help people understand the information.

Enjoy walking through the book of Jeremiah with us and if you would like to schedule a Bible study with me on skype, send me a message at mobilewordministry@gmail.com.

Enjoy the word and God bless.

Sincerely,

Nathan

New Podcast Episodes!

Uncategorized

Screen-Shot-2014-02-03-at-14.06.10-01

After two weeks of scheduling conflicts and technical difficulties we are excited to have the Mobile Word Podcast back and running. To make up for lost time we are planning to upload 1 or 2 episodes per day over the next week and the 7th and 8th episodes are now available on itunes and on this site. Thank you for your patience and enjoy the online Bible study!

Mobile Word Podcast: Episode 6

Uncategorized

Screen-Shot-2014-02-03-at-14.06.10-01

What does it mean to be a Christian? What does the world around us think it means for someone to be a Christian? What does it mean to be a witness of Jesus Christ? On this episode of the Mobile Word Podcast we address the question, “What does it mean or look like to be a witness of Jesus Christ? How we define being a witness and how we live as witnesses of Jesus Christ has a profound impact on the world around us.

Check out the latest episode at our Mobile Word Podcast page or on Itunes.

Remember to send in any comments, questions or scriptures for use on the Podcast at: mobilewordministry@gmail.com

Podcast Episode 5: Worship

Uncategorized

Screen-Shot-2014-02-03-at-14.06.10-01

On the latest episode of the Mobile Word Podcast we discuss the idea of worship using Psalm 8. What is worship? How does God approach worship? How do we misuse and misunderstand worship? In Pslam 8 we find three fundamental motivations that direct us in the practice of Godly worship: Acceptance, Value and Purpose. Listen to Episode 5 by clicking on the Mobile Word Podcast page or by finding the episode on ITunes. Enjoy!