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Fourthstream

King, Kingdom & Community

THIS IS US

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I have spoken often using the term intentionality. Most of what is valuable in life occurs as a result of good intentions – acted upon. Nowhere is this more important than in how we relate to one another. In fact, when Jesus was asked to identify the greatest commandment of God’s law He said simply “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength – and love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Apparently in Jesus’ mind everything hinged upon these two primary intentions.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

You are probably aware of many good qualities of friends and companions. Acceptance is big. Faithful love warms the heart. Some of my favorite people are those who are solid encouragers. I also love people who are able to dream. And those who are adventurous as well. Perhaps best of all is those who are willing and able to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Each of us has been given our own special recipe of giftedness (K27). It makes us who we are. It also makes us good for one another. These are key ingredients for the kinds of people you will want to help cultivate your friend focus.

Of course the best way to walk through life is with an authentic heart authentic friends. Here are some easy yet poignant resources for you to choose from as you pursue the kinds of relationships which prepare us for eternity.

An Engage conversation sheet on This is Us
This is Me (K26)
Kingdom Friends (CJ 19)
From Curious Journey: One Another
A great together song

THANKS!

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My degree of experienced thankfulness is one of the key heart-metrics in my spiritual journey. Usually when I am ungrateful it is because circumstances or relationships are letting me down, and I have begun the descent into personal anger or feeling sorry for myself. Fear also feeds my ungratefulness, inasmuch as my discomfort or even dread (a continuum) assault my state of well-being, eroding my hope.

Experiencing a thankful heart is also totally tied into the people I love and the degree of perspective I am gaining from time spent talking and listening to God. When God is not a priority, I am distracted and/or consumed by lesser things – even though these things may be pressing regarding my perceptions, and hard on my ability to hope.

Today Burnadette and I are pausing to “count our blessings” and do a stress test on our level of hopeful gratefulness. We think you will be stimulated to once again gather “cups of gratefulness” from the ever-moving river of time.

Here’s to your satisfied mind, friend. We’re with you!
Dave & Burnadette

My Thankful Life
A Great Hope Psalm
A great Hope Song

BOOK BY BOOK 17/DEUTERONOMY 15-34

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This week we are completing the “books of Moses.” Genesis has taught us about our origins: both of the human race (chapters 1-11) and the chosen race (12-52).

Exodus displays God’s power as He delivers millions from the Pharoah’s bondage in Egypt.

Leviticus helps this chosen people know how to worship as they begin the journey to the “promised land.” This 40 day journey takes 40 years, and Numbers is the account of the grumbling disobedience of Gods people.

The broken tablets of commandment are given a second time (Deuteronomy means “second law.”). It is a historical review of all that God did in the process of bringing Israel out of Egypt, and how He used the events in the wilderness to get Egypt out of the people. It is important to understand that GRACE and the LAW are not in opposition but harmony.

The Law was given through Moses to explain God’s grace in inviting humanity to experience forever freedom. Grace and truth were realized in Jesus Christ. He satisfies the requirements of the Law, and through faith provides a way for a human heart to be set free. The Law was given to clarify how far we fall short of the glory of God. Jesus was sent to bridge the chasm.

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”  – John 1:16-18

BOOK BY BOOK 15/NUMBERS 13-36

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Israel was filled with complainers. Belly-achers. Deliverance from their humbled position in Egypt had done little to diminish their natural pride and desire for power and recognition. This pride begins to ramp up into a series of conflicts that could have had even more devastating consequences – if not for the long-suffering kindness of God.

In his own way even Moses is caught up in the rebellion when he strikes the rock over the rebellion of others. This is one of the chief benefits of the stories and teachings of Numbers for Christ-followers in any century. In this book we learn the ins and outs of personal pride, and how to avoid the traps contained within adversity and relationships.

Take care to observe and listen my friend! The teachings and insights of this book have delivered me more times than I would like to admit.

“Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “the people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” 

Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:6-13

BOOK BY BOOK 14/NUMBERS 1-12

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Consider what Israel has experienced leading up to this moment. A rich human history in Adam (Genesis 1-11). A new understanding of what it means to honor God through suffering (Job). A new nation birthed through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. A supernatural deliverance from bondage in Egypt (Exodus). A new way of living explained through the sacrifices, priests, and ceremonies in Leviticus.

Now we turn to the things Israel will learn from their wanderings. A journey that was meant to take about 40 days (to the promised land) ended up taking closer to 40 years.

This is the nature of our spiritual journey. We are empowered to leave our own Egypt and trust our Father. We are invited to grow deeply during our journey and to learn things we would never be able to find without following God’s design for the path of faith.

Numbers is loaded with journey principles that can help us as we leave our own Egypt and head for the promised land. Yes!

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 

And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”  – Hebrews 11:13-16

BOOK BY BOOK 13/LEVITICUS 10-27

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Israel had become a nation of millions of souls. Can you imagine caring for such a group – let alone shepherding them into a heart-understanding connection with God?!

This is what Leviticus is all about. How can a group who are so pagan learn to leave their gods and attach themselves to the Living God? Is this story really any different from God’s work among the Gentiles? (I am a gentile – this is everyone who is a non-Jew.)

The sacrifices provided access to the Father. The priests encouraged personal worship as they pointed the nation to God. The ceremonies were potent reminders of the big things that were going on – not the least of which was the coming of the One Whose blood would cover and deliver countless souls. Moses brought God’s Law to the people (twice). Leviticus explains what they were to do with it!

As you read, translate each element you see into a greater principle. Leprosy is a picture of the curse of sin. Egypt is a metaphor for bondage – and so on. If we can gaze into the heart-needs of the Jews, we can find principles which will help us find our way as “true Jews.”

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
– Romans 2:28-29

BOOK BY BOOK 12/EXODUS 33-40 & LEVITICUS 1-9

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Wow – the golden calf story is so creepy, isn’t it? What a contrast to the story of the ark of the covenant. I guess I need to show a little understanding. Israel didn’t know God very well. How fitting that a man who had received His Father’s mercy (Moses) was so willing to give the same grace to his companions.

As the journey is resumed the people make their contributions to preparations for the tabernacle and everything in it. It is important to keep sight of the fact that Yahweh’s dwelling was, and is, within the hearts of His people. The tabernacle was a visible reflection of the glory of God. Everything placed within it and around it was a copy of what is in heaven. This is key as you read, because it is easy to focus on this earthly “tent” rather on the one in heaven (passages below).

We also begin the book of Leviticus. Exodus is the context for understanding the purpose of the tabernacle. The Jews had spent 430 years in bondage in Egypt. Now it was time to shift focus. The sacrifices, the priests, and the ceremonies of Leviticus were given to enhance the people’s connection with God. And there were millions of people!

Check these out as you read, providing some major insight and perspective!

“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”   – Mark 14:58

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands”  – Acts 17:24

“You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all.”  – Acts 19:26

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation…” – Hebrews 9:11

“For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” – Hebrews 9:24

Think about this as a summary for Leviticus:
“For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’”  – Leviticus 11:44,45

BOOK BY BOOK 11/Exodus 17-32

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There is so much in Exodus that is foundational to authentic faith. Egypt is a parallel to being hopelessly in bondage to sin. Pharaoh perfectly exhibits the pride of mankind even in the face of terrible judgement. The power Moses wielded originated from God, just as all Good emanates from our heavenly Father.

The grumbling of the people perfectly encapsulates the ongoing response of mankind to the conditions of our lives. The glory of God led them in the wilderness, just as God’s Spirit continues to lead us today.

So many of the principles we follow as Christ-followers find roots in the books of the Law (Genesis – Deuteronomy), in the history books and the prophets, and in the writings and stories of the kings of Israel. This is the rich backdrop upon which Jesus lived His life, taught the Words of God, and did the works of His Father. Amazing!

In Genesis we see the origins of the human race, and those of the chosen race. In Job we are given insight into the greater purposes of God. In Exodus we are taught the basics (and the heart) of what it means to be delivered “by a Mighty Hand!”

“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”  – Genesis 4:7

“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”  – Romans 6:17,18

Read on my adventurous friend!

BOOK BY BOOK 10/Exodus 1-16

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Joseph’s story is hard to beat for drama. Job’s story is filled with deep insight into the purposes of God. How can it get any better?! The 70 family members of Jacob’s tribe find themselves numbering in the millions after a span of 430 years. Wow. The organizational headaches. The human drama.

God deals with nations but always tells His Story through everyday people like you and me. So – now it is time to meet Moses. And what a crazy ride. So much of spiritual life is waking up to the fact we are in the middle of a very purposeful and active story. And even though we may never find the notoriety of a Moses – does this really matter when we consider the source of true meaning?

“Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.” – Exodus 33:9-11

By placing Exodus and Leviticus side by side we can learn much about the spiritual transition we also can make, as we leave Egypt in the rear-view mirror and head to the promised land. Genesis: Origins of the Human Race/Origins of the Chosen Race. Exodus: Exit from the Bondage of Sin. Leviticus: Worshipping God from the heart!

Prepare to encounter some of the God Story’s deepest teaching on what it means to trust and connect with God. And to not. Check this out:

“And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!” – Revelation 15:3

Dave & Burnadette

POORLY TAUGHT/OR NOT

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“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have found eternal life. They tell you about Me. But you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I have not come to receive glory from men. I know you: you do not have the love of God in yourselves.

I have come in My Father’s name, and you reject Me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory which is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”  – John 5:39-47

The religious leaders were deeply at odds with Jesus. Why? Their love was not only incomplete, it was tainted by self-interest.

Here are a few thoughts you may find helpful in your pursuit of authentic spirituality. These are discerned as you allow the scriptures to interpret themselves (the only way).

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  – 2 Timothy 2.15

“For the word of God is living and powerfully active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It brings clarity as far as the distribution of all things by soul and spirit (the soul part) as well as our joints and marrow (the body part). The Word is able to reveal the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature He does not see, and all things are open and fully known before the eyes of Him who is over all.” – Hebrews 4:12,13

Here is a great self-conversation – or one to engage within your home or among friends:

You are poorly taught in the Word if…
#1     You have spent time around religious people (some well-meaning) but you have neither seen and/or embraced the life of the Father permeating your heart and mind. Your religion is probably an add-on. This is how the modern mind determines spirituality: as an add-on rather than core.

#2     You have learned to separate the truth you know from the way you live, and your conscience has become (or remained) seared (yes, like meat on a hot grill). This happens as we cling to from the world as more important than what God has offered. This is at the heart of all idolatry.

#3     You have boiled down your God experience to merely reflect what you DO rather than WHO you are (exterior vs. interior).

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.”  – Mark 7:8-9

#4     Your connection to God and His Son is primarily intellectual or religious and God-limited relationally. You have figured a way to live the way you wish without facing the weight of His commands.

You are well-taught if…

#1     You are aware that there is no god above Yahweh, and that Jesus is the only Door of the sheep.

#2     You understand: King first – then Kingdom – then church. Not the other way around.

#3     You can distinguish between the visible, historical church and the authenticity of true God-community.

#4     You have adopted a lifestyle of searching the scriptures to find Life.

#5     You recognize the valued role of the Spirit for guiding you into to truth and into a satisfying life.

#6     You are dedicated to a life of true love being at the forefront of your choices for life.

Just some thoughts. I am sure you have your own 🙂

Freedom of the Deepest Kind
Slide from today’s teaching
A great freedom song: Enter the word Warrior in the search box

 

JESUS & THE GOOD NEWS

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How do you feel about Jesus? Do you know much about Him? What specifically have you experienced in your relationship with Him? In what ways do you feel connected within His unfolding Kingdom? How do you view the differences/contrasts between church and the Kingdom? How well has historic and church history represented God’s Son?

“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life – and the life was became publicly obvious, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us – what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”  – 1 John 1:1-7

I have found that to understand the scope and the impact of the Good News, it is imperative to see the unfolding role of the Son of God in the big picture process.

The Eternal Story
First, the Son has no beginning or end. Read Colossians 1:15-20. What do you learn about the Son of God?

The Prophecy Connection
Was Jesus expected? Check these out!

The Arrival
What did the wise men of the east expect? See Matthew 2:10-12
Why did the Holy Spirit need to make Mary pregnant with baby Jesus? Because only God could do what needed to be done!

The Work
I have come to set hearts and souls free…John 8:31,32/What does this look like?
You are My Friends…John 15:12-14/What does this take?
You are doing my work…John 9:4-5/What does this mean?!

The Promise
John 14:3  What is the promise?
Revelation 22:1-5  What will the fulfillment look like?

For conversations with kids and teens (and adults perhaps?):
Jesus and the Good News Conversation sheet
Jesus and His Followers Conversation Sheet
Jesus for the entire World Conversation Sheet

Also, the Streamsbook is a great personal experience in face to face interaction with the Gospel. Go to COURSES on Fourthstream.com to find the Streamsbook resource – for your own encouragement, or to use to establish another person in the greatest Story ever to have occurred on the face of the earth!

A few great song links for your family:
Shine Upon My Heart
Jesus is the King
Revelation 22

CONSCIENCE 12/Spacious Places

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The LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…”  – Exodus 3:7-8

This is the story of all humanity, whatever race, region, or tribe from which we come. Affliction follows us all the days of our lives. God stands ready to deliver those who turn our hearts toward him. His hope is for our freedom.

It is important to carefully track the God Story inasmuch as it provides a framework for understanding God and man. This means we can not only understand the plan and purposes of God, but may also place ourselves in the middle of the greater story.

It would be an understatement to say that mankind is lost without God. We are simply dead. The story of Genesis and Job (the oldest books) make it quite clear that unless God intervenes, there is no hope for deliverance of the soul. His Son would become the conduit for faith that would deliver any searching heart. His commands (the big ten etc.) clarify our predicament. Without our Creator we will experience separation forever.

Enter the Good News of Jesus and the gift of His Holy Spirit. We are given insight into how to live within the circle of a clear conscience. The Thou-Shalt-Nots are markers to explain what internal bondage looks like. The Spirit brings conviction and forgiveness into our own circle, and allows us to live in open spaces.

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  – 1 Timothy 1:5

Selah! (lift this up to the highway of our God!)

Your Wide Open Spaces Conversation Sheet
A Good Clarity Song

CONSCIENCE 11/No Coveting or Craving

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The word covet means to take pleasure in something which belongs to another. In essence it is the self-invitation to “live free to crave.” It also has a nuance of stealing the butchered and prepared offerings of others by our choice to covet. God’s Law was given to the Jews (and to humanity) to clearly define what it meant to please God – as well as to clarify what it means to spit in His face.

Once again we are looking at a commandment which has relational implications. My choice to covet what belongs to another will always result in a cost for me as well as the person my mind and heart have targeted.

“But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.” – Romans 7:8

As with rejecting the other freedom commandments, coveting/craving what belongs to another not only costs us something, it robs the other person of his or her satisfying joy. This also helps with clarity:

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Specifically, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet – these are summed up in the truth that you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the way we fulfill what God requires.”           – Romans 13:8-10

When His commands are observed our consciences are free to dance the dance of life, and to do so with huge satisfaction of heart, mind, and soul.

Coveting Conversation Sheet
A Difficult Days Song