07 February: Misguided Dedication

When traveling through the turbulence of a lifepath, or helplessly watching the lifepaths of your children that should have been blessed and dump-free, today’s Breadcrumb may prove to be ‘food for thought’… After saving a slave nation from a ruthless nation, the rubber hit the road with the first relationship requirement: the dedication of the first born sons…

READ EXODUS 13  Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Dedicated on Logos II, Mike was the last to paint her anchor
Mike: dedicated on Logos II and (right) the last person to paint her anchor

I can’t read more than a few sentences of this chapter before I remember kneeling beside the lifeless body of our son. More than 14 years have passed since that day, yet a simple morning read can bring it all back as if it were yesterday. The reason: I well remember our Mikey’s Dedication and what I thought those blessings meant in that ceremony. We were in Brazil and living on board our charity’s third ship, Logos II. Very close friends from Germany performed Mike’s Dedication service for us, and the ship’s Director and his wife consented to being Mike’s God-parents then committed to pray for him throughout his life.

But what happens if the act of dedication, motivated by happy thoughts of protection and blessing (like a sort of “pillar of cloud by day” [v21] to guide your son’s lifepath and “a pillar of fire by night” [v22] that illuminates his dark moments), is actually misguided dedication? The original Hebrew understanding of “dedication” in today’s chapter was originally about a kingdom of priests – “called out ones” – who have irrevocably handed over their heirs in a gesture that meant: that what is dedicated belongs to God.

If true, then what happens when the child comes of age and his Maker takes back that which belongs to Him? Will my dedication be misguided, or can I still trust/follow/dedicate myself to the One I dedicated my son to – even when the deal that once involved “handing him over into God’s loving care” now includes a sword that pieces my own soul?[a] Wherever we go in my Breadcrumbs from here on, you must be absolutely clear that your Maker is not a Genie in a Bottle who gives you three wishes and is then in your debt to perform what you want. Your Creator God is what the Chinese call Shang Di – the Supreme God, the Lord God Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth – all what is seen and unseen. We trust ourselves into his care and leadership and in Faith confirm this by formally ‘handing over’ our heirs (the next generation down) not just because of what He is capable of doing for us, but for who He truly is…

Read More? …CLICK on “07 February – Additional Notes”

But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.

Wanting to connect with the Lord the Giver of Life? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[b]

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

   1.   Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”

Father, I trust You that a day is coming when it’ll be said: “Behold, this is our God for whom we’ve waited that He might save us. This is the Lord for whom we’ve waited. Let’s rejoice now and be glad in His salvation.” [Isaiah 25:9]

   2.   Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”

  • The World: Use the link to pray for the Pacific Islands[c]
  • Your Country: Parachurch Ministries
  • Yourself: Victory over Temptation
  • Your concerns for today
O God my praise, please don’t be silent when I need Your help. [Psalm 109:1]

   3.   Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”

As I go about my daily choices, Lord, help me to remember that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in me, whom I have from God. I’m not my own, I’ve been bought with a price. Help me today to glorify God in my body. [1 Corinthians 6:19-20]

   4.   Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Thank You Lord that You are with me like a victorious warrior. You’ll exult over me with joy. You’ll quieten me with Your love. You’ll rejoice over me with shouts of joy. [Zephaniah 3:17]

“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”

When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked, or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[d] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = The Creator’s Will

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” [1 John 2:6]

[a] Luke 2:33-35

[b] Matthew 6:5-15

[c] http://www.operationworld.org/region/pacific/owtext.html

[d] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31

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