LIFTED UP
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.."
John 3:14-15

It seems that every person knows John 3:16. Whether we learned it in Sunday school, or saw it posted on a sign at a sports game, the fact is that it can be quoted by almost everyone. But do we know the verses right before this famous one? I first became familiar with this verse in my Hermeneutics class in college. As we dissected this verse and its Hebrew roots, God began to show me personally the relationship between His being lifted up and His love for the world.
If we go back to Numbers 21 we find the story that Jesus is referring to concerning Moses. Following the defeat of Hormah (Num 21:3), the people traveled along a route leading to the Red Sea. However, the Israelites began another of their many waves of grumbling. They spoke against God and Moses, cursing them for detestable food and a lack of water. As a result, God sent venomous snakes into the camp. It is recorded that many Israelites died as a result of these snake bites. Then seeing the effects of their sin, the people came to Moses, pleading that Moses pray to the LORD to take the snakes away and forgive their sin of speaking out against God and His anointed one. When Moses prayed, God instructed Moses to craft a bronze snake and place it on a pole. For those who were bit, they simply were to look at the pole and they would not die (Num 21:4-9).
Skipping forward in time to John's gospel writing, John shares in chapter 3 where Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus. After pointing out that the simple earthly things are not always comprehended and a concern for the heavenly things to also be learned, Jesus attempted to speak to Nicodemus in a way he maybe better understand. Jesus related to this time in Israel's past where the salvation from the snake bite came by looking at the image on the pole. But as Matthew Henry points out, it was not the snake that God was trying to get Israel to worship (as idolatry is a sin), but rather the looking up toward God.

"The Jews themselves say it was not the sight of the brazen serpent that cured; but in looking up to it, they looked up to God as the Lord that healed them."
Matthew Henry Commentary

Jesus was making a parallel in that the snake pointed people to God. So then, when Jesus Himself was on the cross, people were once again fixing their eyes Heavenward. As the truth of looking on the cross proved to bring physical healing, so the truth of looking on Jesus as Savior brought spiritual healing. Just as Jesus was lifted for us, He was bringing all men unto Him. It is on these heels then that John 3:16 makes more sense. For God the Father did love us all so much, just as He did the people of Israel,. Because of this love, He gave to the world His Son. If we believe in and look upon Him, just as Israel believed in life even after the snake bite when looking on the pole, then we too will have life. Our life will not be the physical as it was for Israel, but rather will be eternal life. Let us lift up our eyes, then, to the one who is lifted up. Lift up your eyes and join me ON THE VANGUARD!

TRUTH IN EVERY AREA
“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”
Psalm 51:6

We have all lied at some point, right? Admit it; you know it is true. Right away I can remember a few lies I told during my years growing up. And I can remember lies I told me spouse when I was married. But why do we lie? What point does it serve other than to leave a guilty film on our soul which doesn’t leave until we either confess or grow so numb that we don’t even care? Is a lie worth saving ourselves in that moment only to cause pain and distrust when the truth is finally made known?
In the Hebrew language, the word for TRUTH in Psalm 51:6 is EMET (אֱמֶת). However, let us look for a moment at this word in the Hebrew, as every letter has a reason. The first letter in the Hebrew alphabet is aleph (א). There are a few less letters in the Hebrew alphabet, but the letter in the middle is mem (מ). The final letter in the Hebrew alphabet is tav (ת). So now that I have given you a simple Hebrew lesson, what is my point?
I have been studying this word for a few days now, allowing God to teach me and convict me in areas where I need to be more EMET-ful. In my studies, God showed me that He desires truth in every area of my life. God desires I be truthful in the beginning, the aleph’s of life. This may take me having to be a little more cautious from the start in both my words and my actions. But God also desires truthfulness in the middle, the mem’s of life. What God showed me concerning this relates to the areas where even now I am in the midst of dishonesty. While I still have the opportunity, I must change my ways from that of deceit and lying to that of truth before it is too late. And lastly, I must be truthful in the tav’s of life. I want to finish strong and without the regret of dishonest gain.
God desires truth in the inner parts. He delights with pleasure when truth is found in our inner regions and hidden areas. And God is willing to reveal to us the wisdom we need in our life. Maybe that is why one of the pieces of our armor is the belt of truth. God does not want us to be deceived and lied to, nor deceive and lie to others.
I don’t know where you are in life; whether you struggle with deceit and ‘little white lies’, but I want to challenge you to begin implementing EMET into your life. When we see God as the way, the TRUTH, and the life in our lives, then we will begin to live with more truth in every area of our personal life – the beginning, the middle, and the end. If you also choose EMET, then join me ON THE VANGUARD!

SIN AND INIQUITY
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2

As a parent, there are times I do not hear my kids. While sometimes that has to do with selective hearing after so many request to buy toys, other times it is honestly that I did not hear. That lack of hearing can be a result of other noises overpowering or other obstacles blocking. For instance, when my children are in the living room and I am in my room with the door closed, that closed door can muffle out sounds. It is no different than being in the office and seeing the traffic but not hearing the noise of the cars driving by. This barrier, whether my door or the office structure, prevents hearing in the same way that our sin and iniquity prevents God from hearing us.
I was listening to a minister's CDs the last few days and he mentioned that there is a difference between our sin and our iniquity. Now I will confess that even though I was a Bible student, it had never been explained to me that there was a difference. So I sought out the answer for myself, as I encourage you to do as well. Armed with my Strong's Concordance, I found:

SIN - Strong's 2403 - the Hebrew word 'chatta'ath'
meaning: sin, guilt
- from the root Chata' (2398) meaning: miss the way, go wrong
INIQUITY - Strong's 5771 - the Hebrew word 'avon'
meaning: depravity, guilt or punishment, condition or curse of punishment

Did you catch it? It is both our sin and iniquity that prevent God from hearing us. It is both the going of the wrong way AND the curse on our life for going the wrong way that separates us. The two words seem to be lumped together in today's culture. However, if we read the Bible in the original language and understand the culture, then we too can understand that there is a difference. Let us take for instance Daniel 9:16, where Daniel is pleading on Jerusalem's behalf. He beseeches God that His fury be turned away for the sin and iniquity of Jerusalem. Here also, Daniel pleads that God would forgive the sin and the curses still left behind because of the sin.
So then, what is the answer? Going back to Isaiah, when Christ was described as the Lamb in Isaiah 53:5, it was prophesied that He would be wounded for our transgressions (rebellions) and bruised (translated as crushed or broken) for our iniquities. Christ not only died for our missed targets, but also for the curses that result from our sin. As a result, we are now able to come boldly before the throne only because Christ was the sacrificial lamb that brought our cleansing and forgiveness, and confess our sins and be cleansed of both sin and iniquity.
The two are not the same. They are related, but not the same. When we come before the Father and ask His forgiveness, we should seek His forgiveness for the areas that we went in the wrong direction. But just as importantly, we should also ask that the curse as a result of our sin be forgiven, broken, and removed. Come out from under the lingering curse of sin and join me ON THE VANGUARD!

BRIGHT AND SHINING FACES
"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD."
Exodus 34:29

Have you ever played laser tag? I played my first game in college on a community date night. My mission was to hit anyone I could, and that included my date. The only problem was that I stuck out like a sore thumb. I failed to understand that night that although I look good in white, I was going to glow in the dark. With the black lights broadcasting my glow, I became the easy target for everyone playing.
Moses had a similar experience. No he didn't play laser tag, but he did glow. The Bible tells us in Exodus 34:29-35 that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai after being with the LORD, his face was radiant. In fact, it was so radiant that when Moses spoke to the people, he covered his face with a veil. The veil was not worn when he was in God's presence, however.
As I read this, there are a few things that come alive to me that I want to share with you. The first is that the Bible records Moses speaking with God, not to Him. "But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with Him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant." (Ex 34:34-35a). When Moses and God spoke, it was with God. But when Moses and the people spoke, it was to the people. I personally think that too many times we speak to God and with others.
Another lesson that speaks to me personally is within the veil. Now although Moses wore the veil in the presence of the people, he did not wear it in the presence of God. This veil was not the prayer shawl or tallit, but simply a veil (masvah) that kept the glow from being too much for others around him. I point this out as the tallit also was used to cover one's face, but that is for another soon devotional. However, I am simply struck by the fact that in the presence of God, Moses had no hindrance. The veil was not worn when speaking to God so that Moses and God were able to speak without any barriers.
The last point, and most obvious to see, is that simple fact that because Moses had been in God's presence, his face shined. In all honesty, keeping a daily (or mostly daily) devotional site keeps me constantly in God's Word. I cannot be a hypocrite and challenge you to be in God's Word if I am not in the Word myself. And as a parent, I cannot preach to my children about things that I also am unwilling to change. But the fact of Moses' face glowing as a result of being with God makes me desire the same. I want to shine so bright that I do point others to God. And I don't mean this in a 'holier than thou' way, but in a way where I truly shine for God and others are brought to Him by the light of God I portray.
I became an unhidden target that night playing laser tag. I tried to hide. But as hard as I tried, I was seen by all. But oh, how I desire the same, now, with a little twist. I desire to not be hidden; to let the light of God shine in me. I want to be a reflection of God's glory and presence in and on me. I want my face to shine like Moses'. It is only in being in His presence that this desire will ever come about.
So I challenge you now in the three areas of today's thoughts. First, are you talking with God, or to God? Second, when you come to God, are you covering yourself because of fear of your past, or convictions of your present? Or are you coming without a veil so as to seek God's face and risk the shine? Only after we remove the veil in these moments with God will we risk the last piece of our challenge, to be told that we are too shiny. Oh how I would rather be too shiny for God than too dim that others do not see God in me. How about you?

JEHOVAH ROHI
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Psalm 23:1

The word shepherd means 'one who tends'. We see throughout the Bible that
there were many who tended. We know Jacob was a shepherd. Moses also
served in this capacity. However, I believe the most famous shepherd in the
Bible was probably David. Through training and on hands practice the skills
of the shepherd were built. In the example of David we see this when the bear
and lion attacked David's sheep. His 'tending' skills came into full force (I Sam
17:34-35). Running after each, striking and killing it, David proved the
characteristics of a shepherd. But even with this display and these duties
performed, David cannot be considered the Greatest Shepherd. This title is
reserved for Christ alone.
In John 10:11-13, Jesus is quoted saying that He is the good shepherd. A
comparison is made by Jesus showing that a hired hand will tend to run when
a wolf attacks, whereas the good and committed shepherd will lay down his
life for the sheep. And Matthew 18:12-13 records Jesus' story of the shepherd
who left the ninety-nine sheep in search of the one missing. If the duties of a
shepherd consist of guarding, herding, feeding, and physical care, would it
not be safe to say that Jesus truly is the Great Shepherd?
Perhaps in order to see Him as the Shepherd, we must turn and look at
ourselves as the sheep. Sheep are not considered to be the smartest or
strongest of animals, therefore they show their need for assistance and
protection. Sheep have the tendency to wander, and in wandering can find
themselves in trouble. A sheep needs to be guided to a pasture for feeding.
And try as they might, a sheep cannot dress wounds for itself or others. For
this it relies on the abilities of someone stronger. In all these areas, we as
sheep can see the need for one who is greater.
We all need a shepherd; we all need the Good Shepherd. I Peter 2:25 points
out that we are like sheep who have gone astray. We are prone to wander.
Whether wandering in a search to locate 'greener pasture' or wandering to get
away from the herd, we wander. Yet it stands true that we need a shepherd
who will oversee our soul. We need to be herded back to the flock, and back
into the safe keeping of our shepherd. If we as sheep know the Shepherd's
voice, then we as sheep need to obey our Shepherd and stay within His
protection.
David wrote that it was the LORD who was his shepherd. In Him there was no
want. He led him to where he was able to feed and drink and rest without the
fear of wolves. When he walked through the questionable valleys, his
Shepherd was on the vanguard for his safety and brought him through to a
place where fear no longer troubled him. This same provision made for David
is stretched out to us as well as the Lord's sheep. Therefore, when we allow
ourselves to see our God as Jehovah Rohi and not as an over-protectant
tyrant, then we allow ourselves to also be led to a place of food, water, and
rest.
In contemplating, I am no more than a dumb sheep and the Lord is my
shepherd. I rejoice in the fact that the Good Shepherd left the ninety-nine to
find me, and this results in my attempt to listen and heed His voice. However,
as is the case with every challenge I write concerning, I can only speak for
myself. But are you also a dumb sheep who needs the Lord as your shepherd.
There is no wrong in admitting it, for as we confess our weakness we find His
strength. Is the LORD your Jehovah Rohi? If not, I pray that you would allow
Him to be your Great Shepherd, and join me ON THE VANGUARD!

I'M PREGNANT!
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."
3 John 2

I recently read an article that spoke of 8 natural ways to enhance a woman's fertility. Now I know what you're thinking...why? Well I am not pregnant, nor do I have a wife who is trying to get pregnant. Honestly, it was just the memory of when my daughter was born that spurred the interest. We tried for a while to get pregnant only to result in misses and an empty sack. So I wanted to see what we had done right or wrong. But as I read this article, I began to see the spiritual connection concerning fertility.
Studies show that 1 in 8 couples are infertile. In talking with people who declare themselves Christian, it might be a true spiritual statistic as well. I define spiritual fertility as those who have a passion for Christ as opposed to those who just go to church out of habit and lack any true feelings for God; those who take the title but live amiss. It is my desire, as has always been my goal with the ON THE VANGUARD blog and devos, that you would be strengthened. With that in mind, I want to make the parallels from this article.
The first way named is practice. Just as a couple gets together physically to enjoy each other's company and body, so also we need to come together with God and enjoy intimacy with Him. I recall a book I read in college that defined intimacy as: into me see. The love we share with our spouse should be an overflow of the love we share with God. This can be seen in Ephesians 5:25-33 where Paul refers to our relationship with others being a reflection of God's relationship with us. We need to invite God to see into us, as He invites us to see into Him.
The following three steps refer to health issues, such as taking care of our body through exercise, ceasing bad habits and addictions of drinking and smoking, and being sure to get enough rest. As we prepare ourselves for our own pregnancy of fulfilled dreams with God, we must also consider our spiritual health. Take a moment to reflect on your spirit's health. Are you exercising your faith? Are you involved in bad habits or sins that you have failed to release? And are you resting in the Spirit? Psalm 46:10 reminds us to be still and know that He is God. So unless we are taking care of our bodies or spirits, we cannot expect to have the intimacy with God that is needed to hear the desires and dreams He is birthing in us.
Step five is cleaning house. Here it is pointed out that certain household chemicals can hinder the normal workings of the body. Here again we can see the relationship that the world pushes on our spirit. We are in the world to make a difference, not to be conformed by it (Rom 12:2). Let us clean ourselves from our connections with sin.
The final steps include scoreing well on physical exams, taking vitamin B, and enjoying dairy. Although we do not have to visit the doctor for our exams, we are still graded. Our attitude can be one of grumbling or one of joy, and the affects of our attitude can determine if we pass the test or repeat it. And what better vitamin B than the 'B'ible. We need to daily take in the Bible as it will encourage us and strengthen us in our daily battles. Remember, God's word is a light unto our path and lamp unto our feet (Ps 119:105). Lastly, as physically one is told to enjoy dairy, so spiritually we are encouraged to enjoy fellow believers. Allow other believers to build you up as you take the time to hear God speaking through them into your life (Heb 10:25).
No joy can compare to the birth of a child, and I have been blessed to experience this twice. But as God gives us dreams, He also wants to see them birthed in our lives. Before this birth can take place, however, we must be sure we are ready. It is my desire that we all prosper in life, but we first need to prosper in spirit as 3 John 2 reminds us. So are you pregnant? Has God given you a dream waiting to be birthed? Are you asking for God to give you a dream? Let us first put ourselves in the proper position and see what God, in time, births in us to share with others. Prepare yourself for fertility, and join me ON THE VANGUARD!


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THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
"The LORD said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites: On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days.'"
Leviticus 23:33-34

As we come to the end of the Jewish season of high holy days, we come to the beginning of the eight days of Sukkot. It is in this season we find two distinct purposes. The first derives from Leviticus 23 where the LORD speaks concerning the fall harvest. Sukkot was to be a time of bringing in the latter harvest; a Jewish Thanksgiving so to say. A second purpose of Sukkot lays within the command to dwell in booths as a memorial of Israel's wilderness experience. To quote Barney Kasdan, "We know from the Torah that God dwelt with his people in their forty-year wilderness camping trip. Yet, as we camp in booths today, we should be reminded that this same faithful God watches over our lives."
A sukkah is a temporary hut in which one is to live instead of in a permanent home. At the very least, one is expected to eat a mimimum one meal per day within the sukkah as a remembrance. Since it is only temporary, it serves that the exterior three walls would seem flimsy. It is the roof that bears the utmost importance as it should consist of anything grown from the ground, be it corn stalks, branches, or palm branches. Likewise, the interior also fits in with the harvest theme as fruit decorates the inside of the sukkah. As the feast then begins when the sun falls, the kiddush is said over the wine and a blessing pronounced over the challah.
With the remembrance of Sukkot being the memory of God dwelling with us, it serves true that the season of Sukkot could indeed be the true time of Jesus' birth. Whether we take the three and a half years of Christ's ministry to substract from Shavout (Easter), or we consider the shepherds would not have been outside with sheep in the cold of winter, we still would come to rest that sometime in the late fall, Jesus Christ was born. This adds to show us that Christ was born in the season on Sukkot. It is Sukkot that is known as the holy day commemorating God's dwelling with His people, and how fitting that it would be fulfilled in this season.
But moreso, how does Sukkot apply to us today? The sukkah is a guidline illustrating God's desire to dwell with His people. Perhaps the true question that should be asked in this season is more straight forward. Is Christ dwelling with you? There are many Jews who this season will set up a sukkah and thank the LORD of the latter harvest. Simply doing a search on Google.com brings up many illustrations of the ways and booths people will celebrate in. But as this is just a demonstration, perhaps we need to focus more on you personally.
Is Christ able to dwell in you? Have you opened yourself up and received Him as Lord of your life? Are you going through the motions and confessing only for the security of 'life insurance', or do you truely worship God? Yes, this is a season of celebrating the harvest, but there are many that have not been harvested (Matt 9:37-38). God wants to dwell with all His children; He wants to sukkah with them. Isn't it time we ask ourselves if He has a place to dwell in us? And then, isn't it time we invite others into our dwelling as well? The 'yes' response to this question is what gives reason for a festival.
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Kasdan, Barney, God's Appointed Times.

YOM KIPPUR
"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."
Jonah 3:10

Tonight is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This holiday has for a long time standing been considered the most holy day in the Jewish biblical calendar. It is this in history that once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the nation. It is a perfect illustration of regeneration for those who follow God's atonement.
In Leviticus 16 we read concerning the ceremony first performed by the children of Israel following their great exodus. The ceremony began with two goats. One goat was named the Chatat and would be slain as a blood sacrifice as a symbol of the covering of sins for the people. The second goat named the Azazel, or Scapegoat, would be brought before the priest. The priest would lay his hands on the goat's head as the sins of the people were confessed. Whereas the first was slain, the Scapegoat was released into the wilderness as a representation of the sins being removed from the people.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He did so for our sin. Jesus, who knew no sin, became our sacrifice and Scapegoat. As his body was beat and cut, His blood flowed becoming our Chatat. Yet He also became our Azazel in that He took our sin away from us. It is only because of His sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins that we have the ability to stand in His presence.
The Greek word Kapparah means propitiation. In Greek mythology this word was used in showing appeasement to the gods. But this word also means atonement. On the cross, Jesus was displayed as our kapparah, our sacrifice, the fulfillment of all that is celebrated at Yom Kippur. The atonement has been made.
As time moved forward and the ability to perform animal sacrifices became a lesser approved option, the rabbis of the first century assisted with substitutions that would still portray original reasons of Yom Kippur. The holiday now consist of the Tefilah (prayer), Teshuvah (repentance), and Tzedakah (charity). So in this time of Yom Kippur we are challenged to this and reflect on forgiveness. In the last ten days between Rosh HaShanan and Yom Kippur, known as the Days of Awe, we were to present forgiveness to those we have offended and confess our sins to God. For today, I urge you to reflect on the truth found in the book of Jonah, that if we confess and turn from our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us as He did the people of Ninevah. God has forgiven you, now take your place ON THE VANGUARD!