It could not have been the easiest of trips to make. A young girl, heavily pregnant, on the back of a donkey for the 80-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of her husband Joseph who was from the house and lineage of David (Luke 2:4). Given the circumstances of her pregnancy (Luke 1:26-35), it would have been interesting to know what was going on in her mind. Sure she had submitted herself to the will of God (v.38) however, traveling in a caravan as they would have done at the time for company and safety reasons, some of the older ladies would have probably made her aware that her delivery was imminent. Was she scared? Confused? Fearful for her baby?
According to Luke the angel told her, "Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (vv.31-33, KJV). The angel of the LORD had told Joseph in a dream, "Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 1:20). Did they talk about those moments? What was going through his mind? He had married her but restrained himself from knowing her intimately (vv.24-25). Yet, here they were, entrusted with a child who was destined to change the world in ways neither of them could have imagined.
Luke tells us, "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (2:6-7). The moment Jesus entered the world from his mother's womb, nothing remained the same. Matthew reminds us of the prophecy, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (1:23). Some skeptics have long pointed to this as a discrepancy because JESUS was never called Emmanuel by name. However, what they miss is that Emmanuel, God with us, is both a name and an event. John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (1:1, 14).
When JESUS came into the world, it was God in the flesh that came among men; he among us. It is that event that we celebrate at this time of the year. So amidst the hustle and bustle, the fun and laughter, and all the festive events, let us remember that he is the reason for the season. Without him there would be no Christmas. As we exchange gifts with family and friends, let us remember the most precious of them all. In the words of the Apostle Paul, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15).
From my house to yours, Merry Christmas.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Emergency Telephone Numbers
I received the below in an email and thought them prudent to share. It is a comfort to know that before we call God will answer, and while we are yet speaking He will hear (Isaiah 65:24).
These are more effective than 911. When
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
All these numbers may be phoned directly.
No operator assistance is necessary.
All lines to heaven are available 24 hours a day.
These are more effective than 911. When
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
All these numbers may be phoned directly.
No operator assistance is necessary.
All lines to heaven are available 24 hours a day.
The Vertical Perspective
(Adapted from the article by the same name)
"And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:19-20, KJV).
Christians who live by the horizontal perspective will invariably miss the workings of God in their day to day experiences. For most of us, this is where we live. In a culture where, despite words to the contrary, we take credit for our accomplishments and blame others for our disappointments and failures, we seem naturally predisposed to this perspective. From here we see people and things, and because they're so much a part of the social environment with which we interact, we link them to our experiences. They either caused something good or bad to happen to us, or prevented something good or bad from happening to/for us.
Most readers will recognize our reference text as coming from the culmination of the story of Joseph. For our purposes it is not necessary to detail Joseph's joyful reunion with his family, but seventeen years later, "when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him" (Genesis 50:15). It was to this and their other concerns and pleas for forgiveness for the way they had treated him, up to the time they sold him into slavery, that Joseph spoke the words in our reference text. But his response was not the typical response. He would have been well within his right to rehash the past and apportion blame as he saw fit. While in slavery, he could have planned and plotted his revenge. When he first saw them prostrate before him begging for wheat, he could have had them killed, but after a series of meetings, the narrative tells us Joseph wept aloud, called his brothers to him and said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 45:1a-2, 4-5).
The vertical perspective - "God did send me before you to preserve life." Joseph knew enough to recognize that all along the way, the events in his life were orchestrated by God for His purpose. Along the pathways, through every negative experience, the eyes of God never left him. So as his brothers stood before him in fear of revenge, Joseph assured them, "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Couldn't God have done it differently? Sure He could have, but as He told us through Isaiah, His ways are not our ways; neither are His thoughts, our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9).
Because God doesn't always do things the way we think He should, it is difficult to appreciate that maybe some of the disappointments and hurts we experience are part of His plan for our lives. But ask Joseph, Job, and some of the "heroes of faith" whose lives and characters were fashioned through difficult circumstances. Instead of harboring negative feelings and emotions, how about resting in God's sovereignty? There we can rest assured that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
"And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:19-20, KJV).
Christians who live by the horizontal perspective will invariably miss the workings of God in their day to day experiences. For most of us, this is where we live. In a culture where, despite words to the contrary, we take credit for our accomplishments and blame others for our disappointments and failures, we seem naturally predisposed to this perspective. From here we see people and things, and because they're so much a part of the social environment with which we interact, we link them to our experiences. They either caused something good or bad to happen to us, or prevented something good or bad from happening to/for us.
Most readers will recognize our reference text as coming from the culmination of the story of Joseph. For our purposes it is not necessary to detail Joseph's joyful reunion with his family, but seventeen years later, "when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him" (Genesis 50:15). It was to this and their other concerns and pleas for forgiveness for the way they had treated him, up to the time they sold him into slavery, that Joseph spoke the words in our reference text. But his response was not the typical response. He would have been well within his right to rehash the past and apportion blame as he saw fit. While in slavery, he could have planned and plotted his revenge. When he first saw them prostrate before him begging for wheat, he could have had them killed, but after a series of meetings, the narrative tells us Joseph wept aloud, called his brothers to him and said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 45:1a-2, 4-5).
The vertical perspective - "God did send me before you to preserve life." Joseph knew enough to recognize that all along the way, the events in his life were orchestrated by God for His purpose. Along the pathways, through every negative experience, the eyes of God never left him. So as his brothers stood before him in fear of revenge, Joseph assured them, "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Couldn't God have done it differently? Sure He could have, but as He told us through Isaiah, His ways are not our ways; neither are His thoughts, our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9).
Because God doesn't always do things the way we think He should, it is difficult to appreciate that maybe some of the disappointments and hurts we experience are part of His plan for our lives. But ask Joseph, Job, and some of the "heroes of faith" whose lives and characters were fashioned through difficult circumstances. Instead of harboring negative feelings and emotions, how about resting in God's sovereignty? There we can rest assured that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
The Power of the Tongue
There are not very many people who at some time or another have not experienced pain, hurt, shame, or disgrace, as a result of a person or group of persons’ careless and sometimes deliberate use of an unbridled tongue. Characters have been assassinated, reputations destroyed, spirits broken, lifelong friendships ruined, and seemingly irrepairable damage have been done by some members in the family of God.
I remain fully convinced that the Body of Christ, generally speaking, have yet to fully understand the power of the tongue. In this context it is not so much the use of the tongue as an instrument of praise and worship, but moreso its use as an instrument of evil. Among the Body of Christ, this “two-ounce slab of muscle, mucous membrane, and nerves”, often times frame deceit (Ps. 50:19), devises destruction (Ps. 52:2), devours (Ps. 52:4), is a sharp sword (Ps. 57:4), breaks bones (Prov. 25:15), backbites (Prov. 25:23), flatters (Prov. 18:23), and poisons (Rom. 3:13).
The unfortunate thing is that the tongue is simply an instrument that is used. It does not think, nor devise evil, and by itself it really does absolutely nothing. Yet, in the same way that with a bit, a rider can control the body of a horse, and with a rudder, a captain can determine the course of a ship, so it is that the tongue nestled in our mouths control the direction of our lives. It is the owner or master of the tongue that determines how it is used. The tongue basically reflects the contents of the owner’s heart. Jesus states, “Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man…But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies [slanders]” (Matt 15:11, 18-19). It stands to reason therefore, that the things we say is often a reflection of the things in the heart. No wonder Solomon admonishes us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).
It is not cool to gossip, or slander, or to destroy another person’s character or reputation. Such behaviors cannot be excused and among the Body of Christ it should not be present. Where it exists, it is my prayer that you will realize that stomping it out starts with you. If we all resolve to not be a part of it, those who choose to delight in the downfall and plight of others, as well as those taking delight in tearing down and cursing others, will soon find themselves all alone with what is left, if anything, of their consciences.
May God grant us the grace to bridle our tongues, and may that which comes out from our hearts be wholesome, edifying, and pleasing unto our God.
I remain fully convinced that the Body of Christ, generally speaking, have yet to fully understand the power of the tongue. In this context it is not so much the use of the tongue as an instrument of praise and worship, but moreso its use as an instrument of evil. Among the Body of Christ, this “two-ounce slab of muscle, mucous membrane, and nerves”, often times frame deceit (Ps. 50:19), devises destruction (Ps. 52:2), devours (Ps. 52:4), is a sharp sword (Ps. 57:4), breaks bones (Prov. 25:15), backbites (Prov. 25:23), flatters (Prov. 18:23), and poisons (Rom. 3:13).
The unfortunate thing is that the tongue is simply an instrument that is used. It does not think, nor devise evil, and by itself it really does absolutely nothing. Yet, in the same way that with a bit, a rider can control the body of a horse, and with a rudder, a captain can determine the course of a ship, so it is that the tongue nestled in our mouths control the direction of our lives. It is the owner or master of the tongue that determines how it is used. The tongue basically reflects the contents of the owner’s heart. Jesus states, “Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man…But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies [slanders]” (Matt 15:11, 18-19). It stands to reason therefore, that the things we say is often a reflection of the things in the heart. No wonder Solomon admonishes us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).
It is not cool to gossip, or slander, or to destroy another person’s character or reputation. Such behaviors cannot be excused and among the Body of Christ it should not be present. Where it exists, it is my prayer that you will realize that stomping it out starts with you. If we all resolve to not be a part of it, those who choose to delight in the downfall and plight of others, as well as those taking delight in tearing down and cursing others, will soon find themselves all alone with what is left, if anything, of their consciences.
May God grant us the grace to bridle our tongues, and may that which comes out from our hearts be wholesome, edifying, and pleasing unto our God.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Finishing Strong - Part III
Maintaining the faith was important to the apostle Paul. Being aware that his physical death was not far off, he summed up his life to his spiritual son Timothy in three profound statements - "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7, KJV). Here, as was his custom, Paul alludes to the contests at the Grecian games. As the laws of these games must be diligently observed and kept, so he maintains that he kept the rules of the spiritual combat and race.
It is not important just to win; the rules must be observed if one is not to be disqualified. Here we see Paul, in his reflections, steadfastly maintaining that he had spent his life faithfully serving his Lord. John Darby, in commenting on this verse, notes, "As to the apostle, he had finished his work; if others were unfaithful, he had been faithful. In the good fight of the gospel of God he had fought to the end, and successfully resisted all the attacks of the enemy. He had finished his course: it only remained for him to be crowned. He had kept the faith committed to him."
Bible commentator John Gill posits, "[Paul] means ... the profession of faith, which he had held fast without wavering; and chiefly the doctrine of faith, which was committed to his trust, which he had kept pure and incorrupt against all opposition; ... [he had] been faithful to [his] trust, as a good steward of the mysteries of God; not concealing and keeping back anything that was profitable, but declaring the whole counsel of God."
Matthew Henry, Bible Commentator, observes that the apostle "had the testimony of his conscience that by the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living. As a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. He had done the service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and had been instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted Redeemer over the powers of darkness. His life was a course, and he had now finished it; as his warfare was accomplished, so his race was run. 'I have kept the faith. I have kept the doctrines of the gospel, and never betrayed any of them.'"
What outstanding commendations! As we admire the man and his faithfulness to God, let us be reminded that we too are in a fight, we have a course to run, and we have to keep the faith. There are many oppositions and obstacles in our way but if we are to be crowned as victors we must overcome based on the principles in the Word of God. It is not the person with the most money, the most "toys," or the biggest house that wins, but rather the one of whom the Lord can say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
As you contemplate your fight, your course, and the extent to which you are true to the faith that has been entrusted to you, how would you describe it? Could one of your last wishes be that the words from 2 Timothy 4:7 be etched on your tombstone to sum up your life? I am striving for that and I pray that you are too.
It is not important just to win; the rules must be observed if one is not to be disqualified. Here we see Paul, in his reflections, steadfastly maintaining that he had spent his life faithfully serving his Lord. John Darby, in commenting on this verse, notes, "As to the apostle, he had finished his work; if others were unfaithful, he had been faithful. In the good fight of the gospel of God he had fought to the end, and successfully resisted all the attacks of the enemy. He had finished his course: it only remained for him to be crowned. He had kept the faith committed to him."
Bible commentator John Gill posits, "[Paul] means ... the profession of faith, which he had held fast without wavering; and chiefly the doctrine of faith, which was committed to his trust, which he had kept pure and incorrupt against all opposition; ... [he had] been faithful to [his] trust, as a good steward of the mysteries of God; not concealing and keeping back anything that was profitable, but declaring the whole counsel of God."
Matthew Henry, Bible Commentator, observes that the apostle "had the testimony of his conscience that by the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living. As a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. He had done the service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and had been instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted Redeemer over the powers of darkness. His life was a course, and he had now finished it; as his warfare was accomplished, so his race was run. 'I have kept the faith. I have kept the doctrines of the gospel, and never betrayed any of them.'"
What outstanding commendations! As we admire the man and his faithfulness to God, let us be reminded that we too are in a fight, we have a course to run, and we have to keep the faith. There are many oppositions and obstacles in our way but if we are to be crowned as victors we must overcome based on the principles in the Word of God. It is not the person with the most money, the most "toys," or the biggest house that wins, but rather the one of whom the Lord can say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
As you contemplate your fight, your course, and the extent to which you are true to the faith that has been entrusted to you, how would you describe it? Could one of your last wishes be that the words from 2 Timothy 4:7 be etched on your tombstone to sum up your life? I am striving for that and I pray that you are too.
Finishing Strong - Part II
As the apostle Paul came to the close of his second letter to his spiritual son Timothy, he spoke of the Christian life as a fight to be fought, a race to be run, and a faith that is to be steadfastly maintained. As he looked back over his life, he was able to conclude, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7,KJV).
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul writes, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, KJV). Eugene Peterson paraphrases these verses, "You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally" (The Message). Paul not only concluded that he had fought a good fight, but that he had finished his course.
On these verses Bible Commentator John Gill writes, "The act of 'running' is a motion forward, a following on to know the Lord, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another, a pressing forward toward the mark for the prize; and requires spiritual strength from Christ, and a daily renewal of it. [It] is to be performed with readiness, swiftness, and cheerfulness, in opposition to a slowness of heart to believe, and a slothfulness and sluggishness in the business and service of Christ." It is no wonder Paul was able to say "I have finished the course" because his life was one constant act of running; right up to these last days before his execution.
How are you doing in your race? Are you receiving spiritual strength from Christ? If so, is there a daily renewal of it?
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul writes, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, KJV). Eugene Peterson paraphrases these verses, "You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally" (The Message). Paul not only concluded that he had fought a good fight, but that he had finished his course.
On these verses Bible Commentator John Gill writes, "The act of 'running' is a motion forward, a following on to know the Lord, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another, a pressing forward toward the mark for the prize; and requires spiritual strength from Christ, and a daily renewal of it. [It] is to be performed with readiness, swiftness, and cheerfulness, in opposition to a slowness of heart to believe, and a slothfulness and sluggishness in the business and service of Christ." It is no wonder Paul was able to say "I have finished the course" because his life was one constant act of running; right up to these last days before his execution.
How are you doing in your race? Are you receiving spiritual strength from Christ? If so, is there a daily renewal of it?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Finishing Strong - Part 1
If anyone doubted the fact that the Christian life is one of spiritual warfare, they need look no further than in the closing words of Paul's second letter to Timothy in which we read, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7, KJV). In his first letter to his son in the Lord, Paul admonishes him to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). This was a constant theme in a number of his letters as to the brethren at Ephesus he encourages them to "put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13), and to the Corinthians he speaks of fighting "not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27).
It is obvious that this apostle sees the Christian life as a noble conflict with sin, the word, the flesh, and the devil; a conflict that not only has to be fought, but for the Christian it is one that we have to win. Knowing that his death was imminent (see 2 Timothy 4:6), Paul, in looking back over his life, was content with how he had fought the fight of faith. In his commentary on the text, noted Bible Scholar Matthew Henry observes, "[Paul] did not fear death, because he had the testimony of his conscience that by the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living. As a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. He had done the service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and had been instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted Redeemer over the powers of darkness."
Every athlete knows it is important to finish an event strong. There is a certain pride that is present when representing one's club or country that propels an athlete to overcome adversity for a chance to stand on the top of the podium. For the Christian it should be no different. As representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven, we have a responsibility to not only fight the good fight of faith, but to finish strong. Failure is not an option.
If we could know when it is our time to leave this world, and were we to look back on how we fought the good fight, what would we conclude? What would our loved ones write on our tombstones? Now that you have time to ponder, how are you doing in your fight?
It is obvious that this apostle sees the Christian life as a noble conflict with sin, the word, the flesh, and the devil; a conflict that not only has to be fought, but for the Christian it is one that we have to win. Knowing that his death was imminent (see 2 Timothy 4:6), Paul, in looking back over his life, was content with how he had fought the fight of faith. In his commentary on the text, noted Bible Scholar Matthew Henry observes, "[Paul] did not fear death, because he had the testimony of his conscience that by the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living. As a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. He had done the service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and had been instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted Redeemer over the powers of darkness."
Every athlete knows it is important to finish an event strong. There is a certain pride that is present when representing one's club or country that propels an athlete to overcome adversity for a chance to stand on the top of the podium. For the Christian it should be no different. As representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven, we have a responsibility to not only fight the good fight of faith, but to finish strong. Failure is not an option.
If we could know when it is our time to leave this world, and were we to look back on how we fought the good fight, what would we conclude? What would our loved ones write on our tombstones? Now that you have time to ponder, how are you doing in your fight?
"I Agree" But to What?
Whenever I install computer software, I am often presented with an end user licensing agreement (EULA) that requires my agreement and acceptance of the terms and conditions of use to continue. If I disagree, the installation is aborted. To make things easier, the software manufacturers provide the two selectable options at the end the agreement. In other words, I don't have to read it to accept it and if truth be known, I take that option though I probably should read what I am accepting and agreeing to!
I was reminded of that as I stumbled upon a statement on the internet to the effect, "To most Christians the Bible is like a software license. Nobody actually reads it. They just scroll to the bottom and click 'I agree.'" Once I got past my initial chuckle, it occurred to me that the author was right! For while some Christians profess to believe the Bible is the Word of God, far too many are ignorant of His claims and promises. Because we have not read "the agreement," we do not know what has been promised to us and what we can draw upon. We do not know the parts that are our responsibility and the parts that are His. We need look no further than how we respond to life's challenges. When we are confronted with these challenges, our initial response is to do the things God says we shouldn't do. We worry, we fret, we complain, we take matters into our own hands and try to be God; all because we don't know what is in the Book.
To be ignorant of God, who He is and what He is able to do, is to be in a bad place. It has devastating consequences. Through the prophet Hosea He declares, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6a), or as one translation puts it, "Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no knowledge." Similarly, Isaiah, speaking for the Lord, warned the southern kingdom of Judah of a coming time of punitive devastation: “My people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge” (Isaiah 5:13). This lack of knowledge was with respect to God and who He is (Hosea 4:1), and God punished that ignorance.
For us today, Christianity is a religion of instruction and knowledge is a prerequisite to identifying with the faith of the gospel (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jesus declared that favor with God must involve instruction, reception, comprehension, and commitment (John 6:45). How can we receive, comprehend, and commit to the instructions if we haven't read them? Speaking of which, have you read "the agreement" or did you simply go to the end and clicked "I agree"? I submit that to read it is to find a treasure trove of instructions that will make navigating our time here on earth more manageable. Give it a genuine try and see how it transforms your life.
I was reminded of that as I stumbled upon a statement on the internet to the effect, "To most Christians the Bible is like a software license. Nobody actually reads it. They just scroll to the bottom and click 'I agree.'" Once I got past my initial chuckle, it occurred to me that the author was right! For while some Christians profess to believe the Bible is the Word of God, far too many are ignorant of His claims and promises. Because we have not read "the agreement," we do not know what has been promised to us and what we can draw upon. We do not know the parts that are our responsibility and the parts that are His. We need look no further than how we respond to life's challenges. When we are confronted with these challenges, our initial response is to do the things God says we shouldn't do. We worry, we fret, we complain, we take matters into our own hands and try to be God; all because we don't know what is in the Book.
To be ignorant of God, who He is and what He is able to do, is to be in a bad place. It has devastating consequences. Through the prophet Hosea He declares, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6a), or as one translation puts it, "Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no knowledge." Similarly, Isaiah, speaking for the Lord, warned the southern kingdom of Judah of a coming time of punitive devastation: “My people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge” (Isaiah 5:13). This lack of knowledge was with respect to God and who He is (Hosea 4:1), and God punished that ignorance.
For us today, Christianity is a religion of instruction and knowledge is a prerequisite to identifying with the faith of the gospel (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jesus declared that favor with God must involve instruction, reception, comprehension, and commitment (John 6:45). How can we receive, comprehend, and commit to the instructions if we haven't read them? Speaking of which, have you read "the agreement" or did you simply go to the end and clicked "I agree"? I submit that to read it is to find a treasure trove of instructions that will make navigating our time here on earth more manageable. Give it a genuine try and see how it transforms your life.
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Value of Time
It was one of those chain e-mails, author unknown, which landed in my Inbox. Friends who forward them along know the kind of stuff they can send to me and this one was good! It said:
"To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed a final exam. To realize the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of one week, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of one minute, ask the person who has missed the train, bus or plane. To realize the value of one-second, ask a person who has survived an accident. To realize the value of one millisecond, ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics. Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special."
There is a lot of truth in that poem. Though we may not think of it in those terms, time has value, a value that we should endeavor to use wisely. It does not mean that every waking minute must be spent immersed in activities, but we should have an awareness that time lost cannot be regained. Author Henry David Thoreau reminds us, "It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?" For professing believers, we are to be good stewards of our time. In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul reminds them, "Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16, Amplified).
To truly live and to live purposefully means that we will live fulfilling the purpose that God intended for us. To do so means we have to see ourselves the way He sees - living lives of purpose - and resolve to using our time to achieve that goal. M. Scott Peck, noted psychiatrist and author, was right when he states, “Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” Paul encouraged the Ephesian church to "make the very most of the time because the days are evil." How much more evil are the days now?
Let's not be like the man who said, "If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done!" Instead, let us our time wisely and effectively. God, our Heavenly Father, expects nothing less.
"To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed a final exam. To realize the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of one week, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of one minute, ask the person who has missed the train, bus or plane. To realize the value of one-second, ask a person who has survived an accident. To realize the value of one millisecond, ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics. Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special."
There is a lot of truth in that poem. Though we may not think of it in those terms, time has value, a value that we should endeavor to use wisely. It does not mean that every waking minute must be spent immersed in activities, but we should have an awareness that time lost cannot be regained. Author Henry David Thoreau reminds us, "It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?" For professing believers, we are to be good stewards of our time. In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul reminds them, "Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16, Amplified).
To truly live and to live purposefully means that we will live fulfilling the purpose that God intended for us. To do so means we have to see ourselves the way He sees - living lives of purpose - and resolve to using our time to achieve that goal. M. Scott Peck, noted psychiatrist and author, was right when he states, “Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” Paul encouraged the Ephesian church to "make the very most of the time because the days are evil." How much more evil are the days now?
Let's not be like the man who said, "If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done!" Instead, let us our time wisely and effectively. God, our Heavenly Father, expects nothing less.
A Man of Authority
He was a centurion, a Roman officer and a commander of at least a hundred men, who was accustomed to exercising authority. So when he sent his messengers - the Jewish elders - to Jesus beseeching Him that he would come and heal his servant who was dear unto him and sick to the point of death, he knew that it wasn't necessary for Jesus to come to his house. So when Jesus was not far from the house, Luke tells us "the centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it" (7:6-8, KJV).
The dynamics were interesting. This Roman officer, being a Gentile, knew full well that it was not lawful for a Jew to go into the house of an uncircumcised Gentile. The elders even gave Jesus two reasons why He should help the officer, saying "he was worthy for whom He should do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue" (vv. 4,5). Yet, this wasn't what caught Jesus' attention. For when He heard what the centurion had said, "He marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (V.9). In other words, "I've yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how He works" (The Message).
Three things merit our attention. Firstly, the centurion recognized Jesus as man with authority who could as easily rebuke and call off sickness and it would obey Him, as he could command obedience from his soldiers and servant, and have it. Secondly, this expressed faith in Jesus' ability resulted in the servant being healed at that instant (v. 10; Matthew 8:13). Thirdly, the people who were supposed to know about God and how He works, those in Israel, didn't have that kind of faith.
How could they not have it? Not only was Jesus among them but they had also seen the miracles He had done. Yet before we judge them too harshly, what about us? Do we really believe in Jesus' authority and His ability to do the things He says He can do, and has done? Do we, like the centurion, entrust to Him the situations dear to our hearts that only He can tend to? What does our actions say? Simply acknowledging that Jesus is Lord is not enough. Our actions are the clearest expressions of what we truly believe so if we believe God then our actions should reflect that.
Paul affirms, "Clearly, God has put everything under Christ's authority" (1 Corinthians 15:27, God's Word), and that "everything" includes all the things that concern you. He is a Man of authority and He can be trusted; one word from Him can change your situation. Just ask the centurion.
The dynamics were interesting. This Roman officer, being a Gentile, knew full well that it was not lawful for a Jew to go into the house of an uncircumcised Gentile. The elders even gave Jesus two reasons why He should help the officer, saying "he was worthy for whom He should do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue" (vv. 4,5). Yet, this wasn't what caught Jesus' attention. For when He heard what the centurion had said, "He marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (V.9). In other words, "I've yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how He works" (The Message).
Three things merit our attention. Firstly, the centurion recognized Jesus as man with authority who could as easily rebuke and call off sickness and it would obey Him, as he could command obedience from his soldiers and servant, and have it. Secondly, this expressed faith in Jesus' ability resulted in the servant being healed at that instant (v. 10; Matthew 8:13). Thirdly, the people who were supposed to know about God and how He works, those in Israel, didn't have that kind of faith.
How could they not have it? Not only was Jesus among them but they had also seen the miracles He had done. Yet before we judge them too harshly, what about us? Do we really believe in Jesus' authority and His ability to do the things He says He can do, and has done? Do we, like the centurion, entrust to Him the situations dear to our hearts that only He can tend to? What does our actions say? Simply acknowledging that Jesus is Lord is not enough. Our actions are the clearest expressions of what we truly believe so if we believe God then our actions should reflect that.
Paul affirms, "Clearly, God has put everything under Christ's authority" (1 Corinthians 15:27, God's Word), and that "everything" includes all the things that concern you. He is a Man of authority and He can be trusted; one word from Him can change your situation. Just ask the centurion.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Extravagant Love
In John 3:16 we have one of the most well known verses in all the Scriptures: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (KJV), but if you had to describe the extravagance of this love, how would you do it? Adam Clarke, in his commentary on the Bible, says of this verse, "Such a love as that which induced God to give his only begotten son to die for the world could not be described: Jesus Christ does not attempt it. He has put an eternity of meaning in the particle 'so', and left a subject for everlasting contemplation, wonder, and praise, to angels and to men."
French poet and statesman Victor Hugo once said, "The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." However, I don't believe it stops there. Not only do we want to be loved but, generally speaking, it is a part of human nature to want to know how much we are loved. As individuals, it is important to our sense of self. Even as you read this, perhaps you are smiling at the remembrance of the last time someone you love spoke from the heart and told you how much you meant to them. Do you remember how it made you feel? After all, as many people can attest, To be loved and not told how much often leaves a nagging and uncomfortable feeling.
But even as we contemplate the love of God, when we think of how much He loved us - and continue to love us - we need look no further than the cross. There on display, is the magnificent if bloody proof. Of the three crosses on Calvary that day, the one in the middle forever stood alone in its significance and what it represented - the greatest manifestation of love the world has ever seen and would ever see. In trying to put it all into words, hymn writer Frederick M. Lehman wrote, "The love of God is greater far / Than tongue or pen can ever tell / It goes beyond the highest star / And reaches to the lowest hell" (1917). It is no wonder the apostle himself, though evidently filled with God, and walking in the fullness of his light, does not attempt to describe it; but calls on the world and the Church to behold it, to look upon it, to contemplate it, and wonder at it when he states, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:2).
I love the final stanza of Lehman's "The Love of God" as it rises to a rousing conclusion: "Could we with ink the ocean fill / And were the skies of parchment made / Were every stalk on earth a quill / And every man a scribe by trade / To write the love of God above / Would drain the ocean dry / Nor could the scroll contain the whole / Though stretched from sky to sky." And then the chorus, "Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! / How measureless and strong! / It shall forevermore endure / The saints’ and angels’ song."
That God loves the world is certain because there is no greater love than that which He displayed (John 15:13). However, have YOU personally experienced the true measure of his extravagant love for you?
French poet and statesman Victor Hugo once said, "The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." However, I don't believe it stops there. Not only do we want to be loved but, generally speaking, it is a part of human nature to want to know how much we are loved. As individuals, it is important to our sense of self. Even as you read this, perhaps you are smiling at the remembrance of the last time someone you love spoke from the heart and told you how much you meant to them. Do you remember how it made you feel? After all, as many people can attest, To be loved and not told how much often leaves a nagging and uncomfortable feeling.
But even as we contemplate the love of God, when we think of how much He loved us - and continue to love us - we need look no further than the cross. There on display, is the magnificent if bloody proof. Of the three crosses on Calvary that day, the one in the middle forever stood alone in its significance and what it represented - the greatest manifestation of love the world has ever seen and would ever see. In trying to put it all into words, hymn writer Frederick M. Lehman wrote, "The love of God is greater far / Than tongue or pen can ever tell / It goes beyond the highest star / And reaches to the lowest hell" (1917). It is no wonder the apostle himself, though evidently filled with God, and walking in the fullness of his light, does not attempt to describe it; but calls on the world and the Church to behold it, to look upon it, to contemplate it, and wonder at it when he states, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:2).
I love the final stanza of Lehman's "The Love of God" as it rises to a rousing conclusion: "Could we with ink the ocean fill / And were the skies of parchment made / Were every stalk on earth a quill / And every man a scribe by trade / To write the love of God above / Would drain the ocean dry / Nor could the scroll contain the whole / Though stretched from sky to sky." And then the chorus, "Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! / How measureless and strong! / It shall forevermore endure / The saints’ and angels’ song."
That God loves the world is certain because there is no greater love than that which He displayed (John 15:13). However, have YOU personally experienced the true measure of his extravagant love for you?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Going Beyond Race
She must have made the same trip several hundred times. Walking out of Sychar in Samaria to Jacob's well to fetch water, the task of women back in those days. A man standing by the well and striking up a conversation with her wouldn't be that unusual. The Jews held that those who wished to get wives went to the wells where young women were accustomed to come and draw water, and it was not unusual for women of ill-repute to frequent there as well. However, this man was a Jew and she was a Samaritan and this made the tension even more dynamic because as she herself asked, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9, KJV). The Jew replied, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water" (v. 10).
There is a lot more to the narrative of course. John goes on to detail the conversation between the two and the woman's subsequent recognition and testimony of Jesus as a prophet. However, of importance is the crossing of the racial divide. To the Jews, the Samaritans were like poison. They avoided them so much so that they refused to walk through the country. A Jew would not be caught dead talking to a Samaritan. The situation was of such that Jesus, knowing how vociferously the disciples would have objected to the situation, had sent them away to buy meat (v.8) so He could minister to the woman. What Jesus knew, and the disciples hadn't yet recognized, was that the message of the good news was for everybody regardless of race or creed. The Jews worshipped in Jerusalem and the Samaritans at Mount Gerizim, but Jesus had come to break down those walls of division and make divine worship a matter of the heart and not one of location. In order to do that, He had to cross the racial barrier.
As human beings we like what feels comfortable and we are comfortable with what we know. Taking the message of Christ to people of a different culture is not something we instinctively gravitate towards, especially if we know their beliefs are different from ours. This does not necessarily mean going overseas because one of the benefits of globalization is that people of different nationalities, cultures, and beliefs are living and working side-by-side and together. We may view some of them as "the enemy" but we still have a responsibility to share with them the love of Christ.
Does it make you feel uncomfortable? That is not a bad thing. It just mean that we have work to do and because Jesus is our example, we can rest assured that the same Spirit that guided and enabled Him stands ready to guide and enable us. Befriend a non-christian from a different race and culture and allow the love of Christ to shine through you. If you already have such friendships, keep in mind the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "In everything you do preach Christ, and if necessary, use words." We are commissioned to cross the racial divide and like Christ, we have a responsibility to do so.
There is a lot more to the narrative of course. John goes on to detail the conversation between the two and the woman's subsequent recognition and testimony of Jesus as a prophet. However, of importance is the crossing of the racial divide. To the Jews, the Samaritans were like poison. They avoided them so much so that they refused to walk through the country. A Jew would not be caught dead talking to a Samaritan. The situation was of such that Jesus, knowing how vociferously the disciples would have objected to the situation, had sent them away to buy meat (v.8) so He could minister to the woman. What Jesus knew, and the disciples hadn't yet recognized, was that the message of the good news was for everybody regardless of race or creed. The Jews worshipped in Jerusalem and the Samaritans at Mount Gerizim, but Jesus had come to break down those walls of division and make divine worship a matter of the heart and not one of location. In order to do that, He had to cross the racial barrier.
As human beings we like what feels comfortable and we are comfortable with what we know. Taking the message of Christ to people of a different culture is not something we instinctively gravitate towards, especially if we know their beliefs are different from ours. This does not necessarily mean going overseas because one of the benefits of globalization is that people of different nationalities, cultures, and beliefs are living and working side-by-side and together. We may view some of them as "the enemy" but we still have a responsibility to share with them the love of Christ.
Does it make you feel uncomfortable? That is not a bad thing. It just mean that we have work to do and because Jesus is our example, we can rest assured that the same Spirit that guided and enabled Him stands ready to guide and enable us. Befriend a non-christian from a different race and culture and allow the love of Christ to shine through you. If you already have such friendships, keep in mind the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "In everything you do preach Christ, and if necessary, use words." We are commissioned to cross the racial divide and like Christ, we have a responsibility to do so.
You Are What You Believe
Have you ever felt like an eagle among chickens? You feel so much God given potential within you yet it seems you are always in the company of chickens, running around like a chicken, instead of soaring to the skies like an eagle. As a matter of fact you start doubting what is inside of you, choosing instead to believe you are like everybody else; you are where you belong. I came across the following story, author unknown, which highlights this dilemma.
"Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle's nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds." The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar."
The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.
The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken."
We who have the spirit of God are meant to soar above our circumstances. Like the eagle, we use the winds of adversity to lift our wings above the storms. However, it is important to know what is within us. It was never God's intention that we scratch out an existence, living lives of constant defeat. In Isaiah 40:28-31 we read, "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (KJV).
We are what we believe we are. Let us believe God and trust what He has placed inside of us. We were meant to fly.
"Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle's nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds." The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar."
The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.
The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken."
We who have the spirit of God are meant to soar above our circumstances. Like the eagle, we use the winds of adversity to lift our wings above the storms. However, it is important to know what is within us. It was never God's intention that we scratch out an existence, living lives of constant defeat. In Isaiah 40:28-31 we read, "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (KJV).
We are what we believe we are. Let us believe God and trust what He has placed inside of us. We were meant to fly.
Friday, September 24, 2010
He Qualifies the Called
If you didn't know anything about Moses and he walked into your church to interview for the position of Senior Pastor, would you and the rest of the Pastoral Search Committee hire him? Looking at his resume would provoke more questions than answers. His background was a bit sketchy - he fled Egypt after killing a man and then spent the next forty years on the run tending goats and sheep for a man who would become his father-in-law. Those last forty years of his life stand out because he did nothing of significance. Did I mention he was now eighty years old, had no relevant leadership experience, and had a speech impediment? Chances are good that he would not be hired by any Committee because he did not fit the profile of a senior leader. Good intentions wasn't going to cut it. The ability to communicate effectively, strong leadership skills along with the ability to plan, organize and coordinate were some of the key requirements for the position.
However, that is from our human perspective. Because one day while tending the goats and sheep on the backside of the desert, he had an encounter with the God of Abraham, Jacob and Issac, who - after a series of events - told him, "Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10, KJV). Moses' reaction was understandable! "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (v.11). In other words, "Who, me? Go to Egypt and lead out almost two million Israelites? God, are you crazy?" But God would not be denied; Moses was His man - "And he [God] said, Certainly I will be with thee" (v.12a). Moses reminded God, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say" (vv. 10-12).
Do you see a bit of yourself in Moses? In looking at yourself you have no idea why God would call you to do the things He has called you to do. In your eyes and those of others, you are not qualified. Yet, of all the people that God could have called, He called you. It is important to understand that He doesn't necessarily call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called. It is not so much what you bring to Him that He needs because just as He transformed Moses' staff from a stick to a conduit of His power, so He is more than able to transform your inadequacies into conduits of His grace. It is not what we think of ourselves that is important but rather what God thinks of us.
What has God called you to do that you feel you are not qualified for? Rest assured that He was intimately aware of your deficiencies before He called you yet He called you still. It is in your weaknesses that He shows Himself strong, so much so that when all is said and done, He gets the glory because you could not have done it without Him. Trust Him that He knows what He is doing. Your challenge is to go out and do as He say, knowing fully well that "certainly [He] will be with thee" every step of the way.
However, that is from our human perspective. Because one day while tending the goats and sheep on the backside of the desert, he had an encounter with the God of Abraham, Jacob and Issac, who - after a series of events - told him, "Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10, KJV). Moses' reaction was understandable! "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (v.11). In other words, "Who, me? Go to Egypt and lead out almost two million Israelites? God, are you crazy?" But God would not be denied; Moses was His man - "And he [God] said, Certainly I will be with thee" (v.12a). Moses reminded God, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say" (vv. 10-12).
Do you see a bit of yourself in Moses? In looking at yourself you have no idea why God would call you to do the things He has called you to do. In your eyes and those of others, you are not qualified. Yet, of all the people that God could have called, He called you. It is important to understand that He doesn't necessarily call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called. It is not so much what you bring to Him that He needs because just as He transformed Moses' staff from a stick to a conduit of His power, so He is more than able to transform your inadequacies into conduits of His grace. It is not what we think of ourselves that is important but rather what God thinks of us.
What has God called you to do that you feel you are not qualified for? Rest assured that He was intimately aware of your deficiencies before He called you yet He called you still. It is in your weaknesses that He shows Himself strong, so much so that when all is said and done, He gets the glory because you could not have done it without Him. Trust Him that He knows what He is doing. Your challenge is to go out and do as He say, knowing fully well that "certainly [He] will be with thee" every step of the way.
Monday, September 06, 2010
He's More Than Enough = BTC
The first time I heard this song, it ministered to me in a way that I cannot describe. Our God, omnipotent and omniscient. Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Rohi, and all the other names through which He manifests Himself, He is more than enough. I absolutely love this song and I pray it ministers to you as it continues to minister to me.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Separated Unto God
In his first letter to the dispersed Jewish believers in the then Asia Minor, the apostle Peter instructed them, "But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16, KJV). Theologians refer to this call as the effectual call, the work of God's spirit appropriated on the human heart and which is essentially the influencing of the mind to turn to God, or to enter into His kingdom. Though initially written to that constituency of believers, the admonishment is as true for us today as it was for them then.
It is a wonderful thing to be called of God, however, being called of God into His kingdom carries its responsibilities. We see Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, admonishing believers to "be holy in all manner of conversation." The original Greek word translated "conversation" also means "behavior" and so that portion of the text could be read, "be holy in all manner of behavior." We also notice the given reason why they (and us) should be that way was because the One who has called them (and us) is holy, but what does that mean? Bible Scholar Albert Barnes, in his notes on the text, writes, "The meaning here is, the model or example in accordance with which they were to frame their lives, should be the character of that God who had called them into His kingdom. They were to be like Him."
Because what was true for them is also true for us, we are also called to model our lives after The One who has called us. Most of us, if not all, can testify to being greatly challenged in this area, yet the Word of God shows no compromise; we are to be holy [set aside for sacred purposes, devoted, consecrated and pure.] It is not a badge of pride but an emptying of our selfish desires and the taking on of the spiritual desires and values of God's word. Embracing these values enables us to have holy thoughts that leads to holy behaviors, and because God is holy, as we do His will and follow His ways, we become holy also.
Being separated unto God is not a one shot deal but is a daily and continuous process. Some days we experience victory, other days failure. But the challenge remains the same - model our lives after Him who has called us. We should be mindful that as we follow Him, He uses our lives to call others. Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16).
As you go about living your life, which model are you using?
It is a wonderful thing to be called of God, however, being called of God into His kingdom carries its responsibilities. We see Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, admonishing believers to "be holy in all manner of conversation." The original Greek word translated "conversation" also means "behavior" and so that portion of the text could be read, "be holy in all manner of behavior." We also notice the given reason why they (and us) should be that way was because the One who has called them (and us) is holy, but what does that mean? Bible Scholar Albert Barnes, in his notes on the text, writes, "The meaning here is, the model or example in accordance with which they were to frame their lives, should be the character of that God who had called them into His kingdom. They were to be like Him."
Because what was true for them is also true for us, we are also called to model our lives after The One who has called us. Most of us, if not all, can testify to being greatly challenged in this area, yet the Word of God shows no compromise; we are to be holy [set aside for sacred purposes, devoted, consecrated and pure.] It is not a badge of pride but an emptying of our selfish desires and the taking on of the spiritual desires and values of God's word. Embracing these values enables us to have holy thoughts that leads to holy behaviors, and because God is holy, as we do His will and follow His ways, we become holy also.
Being separated unto God is not a one shot deal but is a daily and continuous process. Some days we experience victory, other days failure. But the challenge remains the same - model our lives after Him who has called us. We should be mindful that as we follow Him, He uses our lives to call others. Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16).
As you go about living your life, which model are you using?
Being Persistent
There he was, sitting by the side of the road begging for alms. The chatter of voices and the sound of shuffled feet as people went about their business were all familiar to him, the occasional coin dropping into his outstretched hand. It seemed like just another day in his life. Then he heard more voices coming in his direction, voices that got louder with each step. There was a buzz, an excitement in the crowd that he had not sensed or heard before. It could only mean one thing - someone of note was passing through Jericho. Luke tells us, "And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by" (Luke 18:36,27). Suddenly, nothing else mattered. He had heard about Jesus and the many things He had done. What must have seemed like a million thought raced through his mind. If Jesus was who He said He was, this day could be life-changing. If He could get His attention and plead for His mercy, his blindness could be a thing of the past.
By this time the crowd was much closer. He shuffled himself and despite the noise he cried out, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (v.38). Being a blind beggar did not earn him any sympathy from the crowd. To them he was just wretched and miserable, probably blind as a result of his sins or that of his parents (see John 9:1-2). They rebuked him that he should hold his peace but "he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (v.39). This time not only was his cry more earnest and filled with greater intensity, but he reaffirmed his recognition of who Jesus was. "Thou son of David" was the acknowledgment that Jesus was the Messiah, and so he was not calling out to Jesus out of ignorance but with a conviction that based on the teachings of the Torah and the rabbis, the Messiah could bring him deliverance. The crowd could say all it wanted, the only thing he knew was that he had a need that nobody but Jesus could satisfy and he was going to do whatever it took to get His attention.
How many times have we allowed "the crowd" and our lack of faith to silence us? If we are convinced of who Jesus is, then in our moments of greatest need we should be persistent in our prayers. Calling out to Jesus is not a problem for Him. Yes, there are millions of people calling Him at any given time but it is important to note that amidst the noise and the objections of the crowd, He heard the cry of the beggar. Not only did He hear him but He "stood, and commanded him to be brought unto Him: and when he was come near, He asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" Right there and then, he got Jesus' undivided attention. Luke continues, "And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God" (vv. 41b-43).
The keys to his breakthrough were his persistence and his faith in Jesus as the Messiah who could do all the things that were written of Him in the Scriptures. Do you know Him like that? If so, keep on calling until you get your answer. What He did for that beggar, He is still doing today.
By this time the crowd was much closer. He shuffled himself and despite the noise he cried out, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (v.38). Being a blind beggar did not earn him any sympathy from the crowd. To them he was just wretched and miserable, probably blind as a result of his sins or that of his parents (see John 9:1-2). They rebuked him that he should hold his peace but "he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (v.39). This time not only was his cry more earnest and filled with greater intensity, but he reaffirmed his recognition of who Jesus was. "Thou son of David" was the acknowledgment that Jesus was the Messiah, and so he was not calling out to Jesus out of ignorance but with a conviction that based on the teachings of the Torah and the rabbis, the Messiah could bring him deliverance. The crowd could say all it wanted, the only thing he knew was that he had a need that nobody but Jesus could satisfy and he was going to do whatever it took to get His attention.
How many times have we allowed "the crowd" and our lack of faith to silence us? If we are convinced of who Jesus is, then in our moments of greatest need we should be persistent in our prayers. Calling out to Jesus is not a problem for Him. Yes, there are millions of people calling Him at any given time but it is important to note that amidst the noise and the objections of the crowd, He heard the cry of the beggar. Not only did He hear him but He "stood, and commanded him to be brought unto Him: and when he was come near, He asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" Right there and then, he got Jesus' undivided attention. Luke continues, "And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God" (vv. 41b-43).
The keys to his breakthrough were his persistence and his faith in Jesus as the Messiah who could do all the things that were written of Him in the Scriptures. Do you know Him like that? If so, keep on calling until you get your answer. What He did for that beggar, He is still doing today.
Friday, August 27, 2010
A Matter of Choice
There is undoubtedly a lot of evil in the world. News reports from places all over the world tell stories of violence and mayhem of all kind. In the information age we are living in, the up-to-the-minute onslaught of news can desensitize us to the loss of lives and destruction. If we are not careful we give in to feelings of helplessness and discouragement. For some of us, it is too much. We no longer listen to the news; we don't want to know.
A lot of what we are witnessing is the result of human choices. Guns, landmines, bombs, knives, and other similar things, are deadly when humans decide to use them for such purposes. Indeed, it seems we are discovering new and more deadly ways to destroy each other. Regardless of the cause we indentify with or the belief systems we embrace, individuals - when confronted with a particular situation - bear the responsibility of choosing how we will act. For sure there are any number of factors that will influence those choices, but we are ultimately responsible for the choices we make.
I thought of choices and personal responsibility as I read God's charge to the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 11:26-28; "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known." In verse 19 of Chapter 28 we read, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." In both instances the choices are clear; we as individuals get to choose.
It is worth noting that regardless of where we are in life, we are given the same options. Our actions reflect the choices we make and so do the subsequent results. While we are not able to "solve" the evil in the world, the choices we make send life or death in our spheres of influence. Every God honoring choice breathes life and blessings; every God dishonoring choice breathes death and curses.
God didn't leave His people guessing as to what they should do. He told them, "Choose life, that thou and they seed may live." As you look at your actions, what choices do they reflect? Have you considered the consequences of those actions?
A lot of what we are witnessing is the result of human choices. Guns, landmines, bombs, knives, and other similar things, are deadly when humans decide to use them for such purposes. Indeed, it seems we are discovering new and more deadly ways to destroy each other. Regardless of the cause we indentify with or the belief systems we embrace, individuals - when confronted with a particular situation - bear the responsibility of choosing how we will act. For sure there are any number of factors that will influence those choices, but we are ultimately responsible for the choices we make.
I thought of choices and personal responsibility as I read God's charge to the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 11:26-28; "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known." In verse 19 of Chapter 28 we read, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." In both instances the choices are clear; we as individuals get to choose.
It is worth noting that regardless of where we are in life, we are given the same options. Our actions reflect the choices we make and so do the subsequent results. While we are not able to "solve" the evil in the world, the choices we make send life or death in our spheres of influence. Every God honoring choice breathes life and blessings; every God dishonoring choice breathes death and curses.
God didn't leave His people guessing as to what they should do. He told them, "Choose life, that thou and they seed may live." As you look at your actions, what choices do they reflect? Have you considered the consequences of those actions?
"Eating Habits"
Science and nutrition together have tried to find the ways of eating that is best for us. One way to accomplish this goal is to eat routinely rather than only when you want to eat. Eating balanced meals at regular intervals is one key to long term good health and given rising health risks and costs, financially and otherwise, good health is an excellent goal we should all aim for.
In the same way we have to eat nourishing food to grow healthily, getting into the Scriptures on a daily basis is a good discipline to encourage ongoing spiritual growth. The secret of our future spiritual maturity lies in our daily routine of Bible study. Just as there are times to eat to satisfy the physical man, so we need to ensure we set aside times daily to feed and satisfy the spiritual man. While we can make it through the day by listening to worship music and reading a devotional, it is important that just as we are told to chew our food slowly to facilitate proper digestion, that we read and meditate on (turn over in our minds slowly and methodologically) the Word of God. This we can do several times per day - during our commute, at lunch, as we do housework, wherever we may be.
On the occasion of Him being tempted to turn stones into bread, Jesus affirmed the importance of satisfying the spiritual man when He reminded Satan, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4, KJV). We can get by for a while without food but we cannot get far without the Word of God. It is the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). What are some of the benefits of regularly "eating" the Word? Not only do we grow spiritually and experience the blessings of obedience, but we also discover our purpose and principles for victory, power, and guidance in our lives. The food experts encourage us to not miss a meal; how much more can we not afford to miss times of spiritual nourishing.
As we go through the day taking time to satisfy the physical man's desire for food, let us not ignore the spirit man's need to be nourished. As the Psalmist spent time in the Word he was led to say of the laws, statues, and fear of the Lord, "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10). What has been your experience?
In the same way we have to eat nourishing food to grow healthily, getting into the Scriptures on a daily basis is a good discipline to encourage ongoing spiritual growth. The secret of our future spiritual maturity lies in our daily routine of Bible study. Just as there are times to eat to satisfy the physical man, so we need to ensure we set aside times daily to feed and satisfy the spiritual man. While we can make it through the day by listening to worship music and reading a devotional, it is important that just as we are told to chew our food slowly to facilitate proper digestion, that we read and meditate on (turn over in our minds slowly and methodologically) the Word of God. This we can do several times per day - during our commute, at lunch, as we do housework, wherever we may be.
On the occasion of Him being tempted to turn stones into bread, Jesus affirmed the importance of satisfying the spiritual man when He reminded Satan, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4, KJV). We can get by for a while without food but we cannot get far without the Word of God. It is the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). What are some of the benefits of regularly "eating" the Word? Not only do we grow spiritually and experience the blessings of obedience, but we also discover our purpose and principles for victory, power, and guidance in our lives. The food experts encourage us to not miss a meal; how much more can we not afford to miss times of spiritual nourishing.
As we go through the day taking time to satisfy the physical man's desire for food, let us not ignore the spirit man's need to be nourished. As the Psalmist spent time in the Word he was led to say of the laws, statues, and fear of the Lord, "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10). What has been your experience?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What Do You Want?
Have you been praying for something and without success? If you are like me, you have had those times when you have diligently sought the Lord about a particular matter and it seems like He has no idea you have been talking to Him. Often times in my mind I ask tongue in cheek, "Hello, is anybody up there?" only to be met with deafening silence. But for the grace of God, those times can be incredibly frustrating.
I thought about prayers that bounce off the wall, figuratively of course, as I wondered what Abraham must have felt while waiting for his promised son. The Bible said he believed God (Galatians 3:6) yet after ten years of waiting he tried to force God's hand by yielding to Sarah's suggestion that since she was well past child-bearing age, that he get with Hagar to see if she would give him a son (Genesis 16:1-4). That plan backfired when God "rejected" the son of that union (Genesis 17:17-22) and poor Abe had to wait another fourteen years before Issac was born to him and Sarah as God had promised. The fact that God kept on appearing to the couple in the narrative tells us that He was fully aware of what was going on with them. It is some comfort to us to know that even as it seems all heaven is silent and God is nowhere to be found, He knows exactly where we are and what is going on with us. But what changed between God and Abraham? Why after twenty-five years did God finally say "yes" to Abraham & Sarah's efforts at parenthood?
While Scripture sheds no light on the subject, further in the narrative we see something significant. In Genesis 20, Abraham told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister and so Abimelech decided to take Sarah as his wife. A fascinating story unfolded which resulted in God closing up the all the wombs of the household of Abimelech (V.18), however, in verse 17 we read, "So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children" (KJV). The narrative continues, "And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him" (Genesis 21:1-2). So what does one have to with the other? God opened Sarah's womb when Abraham prayed for the opening of the wombs of the women of Abimelech's household.
God didn't need Abraham's help of course. He had closed the wombs all by Himself and could just as easily have re-opened them. However, since God doesn't waste words I believe the lesson for us is that when we need something desperately and know of others who need the same thing, if we pray for them first we set in motion the spiritual mechanism necessary for our own answered prayers. We see this principle at work in the story of Job as well. While we remember that God gave Job double for his trouble, we often forget that "The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). Note the time it happened - "when he prayed for his friends."
When our hearts are open to the needs of others, we find God's heart open towards us. Looking out for ourselves and ours is a learned behavior; God intended for us to look out for each other. Why not forget about yourself and your needs and pray earnestly and fervently for someone who has the same needs as you? I believe now is as good a time as any to start. God is watching and I believe He stands ready to release your blessing as He releases the blessings of those you have prayed for.
I thought about prayers that bounce off the wall, figuratively of course, as I wondered what Abraham must have felt while waiting for his promised son. The Bible said he believed God (Galatians 3:6) yet after ten years of waiting he tried to force God's hand by yielding to Sarah's suggestion that since she was well past child-bearing age, that he get with Hagar to see if she would give him a son (Genesis 16:1-4). That plan backfired when God "rejected" the son of that union (Genesis 17:17-22) and poor Abe had to wait another fourteen years before Issac was born to him and Sarah as God had promised. The fact that God kept on appearing to the couple in the narrative tells us that He was fully aware of what was going on with them. It is some comfort to us to know that even as it seems all heaven is silent and God is nowhere to be found, He knows exactly where we are and what is going on with us. But what changed between God and Abraham? Why after twenty-five years did God finally say "yes" to Abraham & Sarah's efforts at parenthood?
While Scripture sheds no light on the subject, further in the narrative we see something significant. In Genesis 20, Abraham told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister and so Abimelech decided to take Sarah as his wife. A fascinating story unfolded which resulted in God closing up the all the wombs of the household of Abimelech (V.18), however, in verse 17 we read, "So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children" (KJV). The narrative continues, "And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him" (Genesis 21:1-2). So what does one have to with the other? God opened Sarah's womb when Abraham prayed for the opening of the wombs of the women of Abimelech's household.
God didn't need Abraham's help of course. He had closed the wombs all by Himself and could just as easily have re-opened them. However, since God doesn't waste words I believe the lesson for us is that when we need something desperately and know of others who need the same thing, if we pray for them first we set in motion the spiritual mechanism necessary for our own answered prayers. We see this principle at work in the story of Job as well. While we remember that God gave Job double for his trouble, we often forget that "The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). Note the time it happened - "when he prayed for his friends."
When our hearts are open to the needs of others, we find God's heart open towards us. Looking out for ourselves and ours is a learned behavior; God intended for us to look out for each other. Why not forget about yourself and your needs and pray earnestly and fervently for someone who has the same needs as you? I believe now is as good a time as any to start. God is watching and I believe He stands ready to release your blessing as He releases the blessings of those you have prayed for.
His Ability or Ours?
Philip had probably wondered if Jesus had lost His mind. There they were out in the middle of nowhere it seemed, a large crowd captivated by the miracles He was performing harboring around, and the Passover approaching. Writing some years later the Apostle John tells us, "When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" Philip, surveying the crowd, articulated the dilemma, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (John 6:5,7; NIV). In other words, "Jesus, we've got a problem!"
Isn't it amazing how standing right next to Jesus, who by this time had performed many miracles, Philip immediately focused on the problem? Interestingly, Jesus knowing the situation first hand had purposefully asked the question. In verse 6 we read, "He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do." Undoubtedly, He wanted Philip to recognize and acknowledge His ability to supernaturally feed the multitude. However, the disciple got caught up in problem of the moment and lost sight of the master who transcended all situations. Philip had not yet come to a full realization of who Jesus really was.
Before Philip knew there was a problem, Jesus already had the solution; He already had in mind what He was going to do. What tremendous comfort to the child of God. We are reminded of the promise of our unchangeable God, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24). Like Philip we often times instinctively focus on the problem at hand, but let us remember that our problems are God's opportunities. Just because we are overwhelmed by them doesn't mean that He is. The disciple thought he needed to find a solution, not understanding that the Solution he needed was standing next to him. His ability was no match for the problem, but Christ’s ability far surpassed any problem they could encounter.
As we think about what is happening in our space, in our ability it is "Jesus, we've got a problem!" However, once we recognize who He is and the awesomeness of His ability, we can face our challenges and say "Jesus, this is something right up your street!" While you ponder, He already has in mind what He's going to do. Do you?
Isn't it amazing how standing right next to Jesus, who by this time had performed many miracles, Philip immediately focused on the problem? Interestingly, Jesus knowing the situation first hand had purposefully asked the question. In verse 6 we read, "He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do." Undoubtedly, He wanted Philip to recognize and acknowledge His ability to supernaturally feed the multitude. However, the disciple got caught up in problem of the moment and lost sight of the master who transcended all situations. Philip had not yet come to a full realization of who Jesus really was.
Before Philip knew there was a problem, Jesus already had the solution; He already had in mind what He was going to do. What tremendous comfort to the child of God. We are reminded of the promise of our unchangeable God, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24). Like Philip we often times instinctively focus on the problem at hand, but let us remember that our problems are God's opportunities. Just because we are overwhelmed by them doesn't mean that He is. The disciple thought he needed to find a solution, not understanding that the Solution he needed was standing next to him. His ability was no match for the problem, but Christ’s ability far surpassed any problem they could encounter.
As we think about what is happening in our space, in our ability it is "Jesus, we've got a problem!" However, once we recognize who He is and the awesomeness of His ability, we can face our challenges and say "Jesus, this is something right up your street!" While you ponder, He already has in mind what He's going to do. Do you?
A Matter of Perspective
According to Numbers 13, when the twelve spies returned from spying out the land God had promised them, ten of them returned with a negative report. The land was as God said it would be, "neverthless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan" (vv. 28-29, KJV). Caleb, one of the two with a different opinion, "stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we" (vv. 30-31).
One would think that after all the miracles God had performed in taking them out of Egypt, the last thing they would do was to doubt whatever He told them. However, they got so wrapped up in what they saw that it affected their perception of themselves. Verse 33 tells us, "We saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" and therein lies the problem when we look at our challenges with our natural eyes instead of seeing them as God sees them. There is no doubt that God often takes His people through seemingly impossible situations, but He does so fully expecting His people to trust Him in the journey. It is as the saying goes, "If God takes you to it, He will lead you through it;" something we tend to forget when we stand before what seems like insurmountable challenges.
Yet, God desires to show Himself strong in the lives of His people. If we are constantly faced with situations that we can overcome on our own, we would be totally self-reliant and God would take second place in our lives. However, in order to claim all the things He declares to be ours, we have to have faith in His ability to do all that He says He will do. There are no situations too difficult for Him to handle, none so far gone that is beyond the reach of His power and might.
It is absolutely important that we remember that God can be trusted. He "is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19). Because His track record is perfect, His promises are one hundred percent guaranteed. Once we are fully persuaded of this fact it will change the way we think; it will change the way we see ourselves.
Amidst life's challenges, are you believing God for what He has promised you?
One would think that after all the miracles God had performed in taking them out of Egypt, the last thing they would do was to doubt whatever He told them. However, they got so wrapped up in what they saw that it affected their perception of themselves. Verse 33 tells us, "We saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" and therein lies the problem when we look at our challenges with our natural eyes instead of seeing them as God sees them. There is no doubt that God often takes His people through seemingly impossible situations, but He does so fully expecting His people to trust Him in the journey. It is as the saying goes, "If God takes you to it, He will lead you through it;" something we tend to forget when we stand before what seems like insurmountable challenges.
Yet, God desires to show Himself strong in the lives of His people. If we are constantly faced with situations that we can overcome on our own, we would be totally self-reliant and God would take second place in our lives. However, in order to claim all the things He declares to be ours, we have to have faith in His ability to do all that He says He will do. There are no situations too difficult for Him to handle, none so far gone that is beyond the reach of His power and might.
It is absolutely important that we remember that God can be trusted. He "is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19). Because His track record is perfect, His promises are one hundred percent guaranteed. Once we are fully persuaded of this fact it will change the way we think; it will change the way we see ourselves.
Amidst life's challenges, are you believing God for what He has promised you?
Faith: Walking the Walk
The story is told of a village that was in the midst of a drought and the local minister called upon his parishioners to come out for a day of prayer; they would pray from rain. On the day designated quite a number of people including the church's officers turned out. Standing out like a sore thumb among them was a little boy. Not because of his physical appearance, or what he was wearing, but because he was the only one who came with an umbrella.
What is the point of praying if one isn't going to believe that the thing being prayed for is going to be received? In Christian circles it is called praying in faith. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, "FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" (Hebrews 11:1, AMP). While most of us are familiar with that portion of text, how many of us have actually walked it out? I recall sometime ago asking someone, "If you have no food to cook and prayed for God to provide some, what do you do next?" The reply was, "I believe God so I would wait for the answer." Now while that sounds fairly reasonable, the fact is that because faith moves a person to action the person standing in faith would not just wait for an answer but actually put the pot on the stove while thanking God for the food that hadn't yet arrived. Remember, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV). In our example, to wait until we see the food to put on the pot doesn't require faith. That is an action based on what is in front of us; it takes faith to put on the pot when the food hasn't yet arrived.
Without doubt, that goes against our natural way of being and thinking. Jesus reminds His disciples, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:22-24, KJV). Notice that it was faith coupled with the act of speaking to the mountain that produces the desire result.
Genuine faith in God demands action; we have to do something that demonstrates our conviction that we have those things which we said will come to pass and which are consistent with God's will for us. Just like the little boy with his umbrella. If you were standing in the crowd that day, would you have had yours?
What is the point of praying if one isn't going to believe that the thing being prayed for is going to be received? In Christian circles it is called praying in faith. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, "FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" (Hebrews 11:1, AMP). While most of us are familiar with that portion of text, how many of us have actually walked it out? I recall sometime ago asking someone, "If you have no food to cook and prayed for God to provide some, what do you do next?" The reply was, "I believe God so I would wait for the answer." Now while that sounds fairly reasonable, the fact is that because faith moves a person to action the person standing in faith would not just wait for an answer but actually put the pot on the stove while thanking God for the food that hadn't yet arrived. Remember, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV). In our example, to wait until we see the food to put on the pot doesn't require faith. That is an action based on what is in front of us; it takes faith to put on the pot when the food hasn't yet arrived.
Without doubt, that goes against our natural way of being and thinking. Jesus reminds His disciples, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:22-24, KJV). Notice that it was faith coupled with the act of speaking to the mountain that produces the desire result.
Genuine faith in God demands action; we have to do something that demonstrates our conviction that we have those things which we said will come to pass and which are consistent with God's will for us. Just like the little boy with his umbrella. If you were standing in the crowd that day, would you have had yours?
Watch Your Step
In many parts of the world, landmines continue to be a challenge to the personal security of millions of people. According to one source, a landmine is usually a victim-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage its target via blast and/or fragments. Another source states that landmines "can be triggered by a number of things including pressure, movement, sound, magnetism and vibration. Anti-personnel mines commonly use the pressure of a person's foot as a trigger, but tripwires are also frequently employed." One particular country is reportedly littered with approximately 10 million of these; all lying in wait to be triggered by unsuspecting individuals, usually innocent victims caught in a war.
Seemingly, landmines are not big things. "Many are the size of a coffee cup saucer. Some leap into the air, exploding into a thousand metal splinters and maiming everyone within a 25 meter radius. A few are small enough to hide in a cigarette lighter." Regardless, the results are the same - the loss of limbs and life.
I thought of landmines as I considered Satan's strategy for the children of God. In trying to vigilant in our christian walk, many of us are on guard for the big things - the obvious temptations. However, what about the more subtle temptations - the landmines - that we are not so quick to recognize? It is true that a lot of believers will never be accused of stealing, murder, adultery, and so on, but we may be guilty of the "smaller things" - a bit of gossiping, constantly criticizing, slandering, complaining, and so on, which we often comfortably justify to ourselves to silence our guilty.
And what about the sins of omission - the things we should do but don't? One of Satan's strategy is to keep us from doing the things we ought to do for the kingdom of God while keeping us busy with the things that pertains to ourselves. For example, we forget that we are our brother's keeper and so become negligent in sharing good works, or words, or thoughts with them. When was the last time you recognized someone in need of encouragement and took the time to provide it?
We cannot afford to be ignorant of how the enemy works. His mandate remains the same - to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). God didn't intend for us to be victims but victors. Let us commit to walking in the Spirit so we recognize and be equipped to avoid the landmines laid by the enemy.
Seemingly, landmines are not big things. "Many are the size of a coffee cup saucer. Some leap into the air, exploding into a thousand metal splinters and maiming everyone within a 25 meter radius. A few are small enough to hide in a cigarette lighter." Regardless, the results are the same - the loss of limbs and life.
I thought of landmines as I considered Satan's strategy for the children of God. In trying to vigilant in our christian walk, many of us are on guard for the big things - the obvious temptations. However, what about the more subtle temptations - the landmines - that we are not so quick to recognize? It is true that a lot of believers will never be accused of stealing, murder, adultery, and so on, but we may be guilty of the "smaller things" - a bit of gossiping, constantly criticizing, slandering, complaining, and so on, which we often comfortably justify to ourselves to silence our guilty.
And what about the sins of omission - the things we should do but don't? One of Satan's strategy is to keep us from doing the things we ought to do for the kingdom of God while keeping us busy with the things that pertains to ourselves. For example, we forget that we are our brother's keeper and so become negligent in sharing good works, or words, or thoughts with them. When was the last time you recognized someone in need of encouragement and took the time to provide it?
We cannot afford to be ignorant of how the enemy works. His mandate remains the same - to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). God didn't intend for us to be victims but victors. Let us commit to walking in the Spirit so we recognize and be equipped to avoid the landmines laid by the enemy.
According to the Power
People love to talk about what God can do and quite rightly so. Serving a God to whom all things are possible is wonderfully exciting as it reaffirms biblical truths that we can take all things to Him, and trust Him to work them out on our behalf and for His glory.
However, one thing that is consistent throughout the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, is the fact that God's promises to His people are usually conditional. Nowhere is this more clearly enunciated than in John 15:7 where we read Jesus' words to His disciples, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (KJV). Interestingly in verse 14 we also read, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Our relationship with our heavenly Father is not a passive one, but one that demands our active engagement. Don't we have the same expectations of our own children? What kind of relationship would it be if they did nothing and the parents did everything to make them comfortable and to meet every need?
I thought of this active engagement as I read Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Most of us are intimately acquainted with the first clause but what about the second? I like the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases it in The Message: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
After meditating on this for a while, it occurred to me that just maybe we are the hindrance to our blessings. There is no doubt that God is more than ready, willing, and able to do His part but are we doing our part? Are we allowing His Spirit to work deeply and gently within us? See, both go hand in hand; we cannot have one without the other.
Today is as good a time as any to stop and consider the following: What power is at work in your life? Who is in control? Who are you listening to? Yes, our God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think BUT only according to the power that worketh in us. We get to decide.
However, one thing that is consistent throughout the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, is the fact that God's promises to His people are usually conditional. Nowhere is this more clearly enunciated than in John 15:7 where we read Jesus' words to His disciples, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (KJV). Interestingly in verse 14 we also read, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Our relationship with our heavenly Father is not a passive one, but one that demands our active engagement. Don't we have the same expectations of our own children? What kind of relationship would it be if they did nothing and the parents did everything to make them comfortable and to meet every need?
I thought of this active engagement as I read Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Most of us are intimately acquainted with the first clause but what about the second? I like the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases it in The Message: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
After meditating on this for a while, it occurred to me that just maybe we are the hindrance to our blessings. There is no doubt that God is more than ready, willing, and able to do His part but are we doing our part? Are we allowing His Spirit to work deeply and gently within us? See, both go hand in hand; we cannot have one without the other.
Today is as good a time as any to stop and consider the following: What power is at work in your life? Who is in control? Who are you listening to? Yes, our God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think BUT only according to the power that worketh in us. We get to decide.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
The Silence Within
I love the sound of silence. Silence punctuated by the sound of running water, the rustling of leaves, and the chirping of birds is also just as good. Growing up in the bustling capital city of my island home didn't afford a lot of opportunities for outward silence and it took a tremendous amount of discipline to achieve inner silence. Left unchecked, the mind is like an elementary school playground during recess. We are always thinking, always planning, and being surrounded by a vast amount and array of stimulants, additional thoughts are constantly invading our already noisy mind.
It may come as a surprise to some that the mind needs true peace to calm down its unpredictable and never ending flow of thoughts and feelings. True peace is rest in the mind, and to compensate for the lack of it some people often try to create a false peace with alcohol, drugs, sex, or other addictions. Some have tried self-assurance, reachable expectations, and various forms of meditation. These provide very temporary moments of respite but no lasting peace. Of course, true peace can only be found in being in the will of God; it is a gift from God found only through Christ. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27). For the child of God to really settle his or her mind, the peace offered by the world is a poor substitute. We need the peace that only Christ can give.
To be in the will of God is to abide in the peace of God. When we are in His will there is no need to worry, doubt, or fear; these are the activities that often keep our minds busy. These are replaced by an unwavering faith in our God's ability to take care of the things that pertain to us. We can rest in His care. It is no wonder the Psalmist declares, "My soul waits in silence only for God; from Him comes my salvation (Ps. 62:2); a salvation that includes his peace. Though life may be hard, though our bodies be frail, though pain is our companion, and life is unpredictable, when it seems our minds are on the verge of being overwhelmed, by God's grace we can find stillness; we can find silence within. I am praying that for you.
It may come as a surprise to some that the mind needs true peace to calm down its unpredictable and never ending flow of thoughts and feelings. True peace is rest in the mind, and to compensate for the lack of it some people often try to create a false peace with alcohol, drugs, sex, or other addictions. Some have tried self-assurance, reachable expectations, and various forms of meditation. These provide very temporary moments of respite but no lasting peace. Of course, true peace can only be found in being in the will of God; it is a gift from God found only through Christ. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27). For the child of God to really settle his or her mind, the peace offered by the world is a poor substitute. We need the peace that only Christ can give.
To be in the will of God is to abide in the peace of God. When we are in His will there is no need to worry, doubt, or fear; these are the activities that often keep our minds busy. These are replaced by an unwavering faith in our God's ability to take care of the things that pertain to us. We can rest in His care. It is no wonder the Psalmist declares, "My soul waits in silence only for God; from Him comes my salvation (Ps. 62:2); a salvation that includes his peace. Though life may be hard, though our bodies be frail, though pain is our companion, and life is unpredictable, when it seems our minds are on the verge of being overwhelmed, by God's grace we can find stillness; we can find silence within. I am praying that for you.
The God of All Comfort
One of the most meaningful attributes of a relationship is the ability to find comfort, when needed, in the company of those we hold dear. Because life isn't always fair we are often faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, and we can relate to the Apostle Paul in feeling troubled on every side (2 Corinthians 4:8). However, as difficult as Paul's experiences were, there was one profound truth he mentioned to the Corinthians - The God he served was not only the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, but He was also "the God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our [troubles]" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4a, KJV).
Those times of troubles are the times we feel most vulnerable and most misunderstood. We cannot find the words to express our thoughts and while we go around seemingly at ease, inwardly the struggle continues; the invisible dark cloud seem to follow us everywhere. It is during these times we can find comfort in the assurance that we have an high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities [feebleness of body or mind]. Not only is He intimately aware of what we are going through, but in Him we can find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In the same way that a parent stands ready with open and loving arms to receive and embrace a child who is hurting, God stands ready with open and loving arms also. When no one else understands, He does. When there are no words to express the way we feel, He knows our thoughts and He feels our hurts. When the tears flow, they speak a language that only He understands. No matter how long it takes to see us through, He will never run out of patience. On the days we struggle, He doesn't give up on us. In Him we can confide our deepest fears, our innermost longings, and know that they are safe with Him.
The God of all comfort. Reassuring, isn't it?
Those times of troubles are the times we feel most vulnerable and most misunderstood. We cannot find the words to express our thoughts and while we go around seemingly at ease, inwardly the struggle continues; the invisible dark cloud seem to follow us everywhere. It is during these times we can find comfort in the assurance that we have an high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities [feebleness of body or mind]. Not only is He intimately aware of what we are going through, but in Him we can find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In the same way that a parent stands ready with open and loving arms to receive and embrace a child who is hurting, God stands ready with open and loving arms also. When no one else understands, He does. When there are no words to express the way we feel, He knows our thoughts and He feels our hurts. When the tears flow, they speak a language that only He understands. No matter how long it takes to see us through, He will never run out of patience. On the days we struggle, He doesn't give up on us. In Him we can confide our deepest fears, our innermost longings, and know that they are safe with Him.
The God of all comfort. Reassuring, isn't it?
Saturday, May 22, 2010
An Attitude of Ingratitude
English novelist and essayist Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) posits an enduring truth when he states, "Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted." It is not that we purposefully set out to be that way, but it is easy for us to become so accustomed to certain things that we become indifferent to them; we accept them without thankfulness or a thought.
Let us stop and consider some of those things. When was the last time you thanked God for the ability to feed yourself? To tie your shoe laces? For the sense of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, touching? For family, friends, spiritual leaders? When was the last time you thanked your children for helping with the chores? Your spouse for taking care of the home; for being a hard working husband or wife who put his or her family's needs ahead of himself or herself? A friend for always being there when needed? When was the last time you thanked anybody for anything and really meant it? If we take the time to stop and count our blessings, we would be surprised at how much there is to be thankful for.
Our inability to be aware of and express thankfulness for what God has blessed us with is indicative of an attitude of ingratitude. The Apostle Paul exhorted the church at Colosse to "cultivate thankfulness" (Colossians 3:15, The Message). The same message applies to us today. Instead of being murmurers and complainers let us resolve to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. To the Thessalonians Paul affirmed, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Yes, it is God's will that we have an attitude of thankfulness not only towards Him but towards those in our sphere of influence.
To be unthankful is to be in a dangerous place; it is to live on the level of the depraved (Romans 1:21, 28-30). In Deuteronomy 28:47-48 we see it is an attitude that God frowns upon; "Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you], Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord shall send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck until He has destroyed you" (Amplified). If we are not attaining a thankful spirit then we are slipping toward a depraved mind.
The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart. Such a heart does not know ingratitude but seeks to continually thank God for His blessings, no matter how routine and insignificant they may seem. Do you have such a heart? If not, how about asking His help, starting today, to cultivate a thankful heart? Try it; I guarantee it will change your life.
Let us stop and consider some of those things. When was the last time you thanked God for the ability to feed yourself? To tie your shoe laces? For the sense of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, touching? For family, friends, spiritual leaders? When was the last time you thanked your children for helping with the chores? Your spouse for taking care of the home; for being a hard working husband or wife who put his or her family's needs ahead of himself or herself? A friend for always being there when needed? When was the last time you thanked anybody for anything and really meant it? If we take the time to stop and count our blessings, we would be surprised at how much there is to be thankful for.
Our inability to be aware of and express thankfulness for what God has blessed us with is indicative of an attitude of ingratitude. The Apostle Paul exhorted the church at Colosse to "cultivate thankfulness" (Colossians 3:15, The Message). The same message applies to us today. Instead of being murmurers and complainers let us resolve to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. To the Thessalonians Paul affirmed, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Yes, it is God's will that we have an attitude of thankfulness not only towards Him but towards those in our sphere of influence.
To be unthankful is to be in a dangerous place; it is to live on the level of the depraved (Romans 1:21, 28-30). In Deuteronomy 28:47-48 we see it is an attitude that God frowns upon; "Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you], Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord shall send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck until He has destroyed you" (Amplified). If we are not attaining a thankful spirit then we are slipping toward a depraved mind.
The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart. Such a heart does not know ingratitude but seeks to continually thank God for His blessings, no matter how routine and insignificant they may seem. Do you have such a heart? If not, how about asking His help, starting today, to cultivate a thankful heart? Try it; I guarantee it will change your life.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Believing God
Whenever I think of Abraham, the words "believed God" immediately follow the intrusion of his name into my thoughts. As a matter of fact, his obedience was so pivotal in the success of what God wanted to do in the earth that two of the New Testament writers, Paul and James, found it necessary to use him as an example in their exposition of the doctrine of faith (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). From the time God first showed up with only the promise of making him a great nation and demanded that he leave his country and family for some unidentified place (Genesis 12), and throughout the rest of his life, the circumstances under which the obedience of this patriarch of God was tested were not always clear to him. Yet, in obvious reference to Genesis 15:6, Paul and James remind us that "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
The faith which Abraham exercised was that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven in number. This promise was made to him when he had no child, and of course when he had no prospect of such a posterity. In detailing the strength and nature of this faith, Paul writes, "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before Him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:16-21, KJV). As Bible Scholar Albert Barnes notes, "The reason why it was counted to him for righteousness was, that it was such a strong, direct, and unwavering act of confidence in the promise of God."
Strong. Direct. Unwavering. Words that reflect the kind of faith that God honors. This was not blind faith because it was faith in the One who call those things which be not as though they were. With that kind of omnipotence, there was nothing He couldn't do and therefore Abraham was fully persuaded that what God had promised He was able to perform. He knew quite intimately what God desires for every one of His children to know - He can be trusted. However, as Abraham found out, God's timetable is not our timetable and therein lies our challenge. Can we trust God enough to wait upon Him, even if that wait seems to be an awfully long one? It took 25 years from the declaration of the promise of a son to it's fulfillment. Did God have to take that long? No, but I'm sure He had His reasons. The most important thing is not how long He will take to answer but can we stay the course and trust Him.
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Could the same thing be said about you?
The faith which Abraham exercised was that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven in number. This promise was made to him when he had no child, and of course when he had no prospect of such a posterity. In detailing the strength and nature of this faith, Paul writes, "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before Him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:16-21, KJV). As Bible Scholar Albert Barnes notes, "The reason why it was counted to him for righteousness was, that it was such a strong, direct, and unwavering act of confidence in the promise of God."
Strong. Direct. Unwavering. Words that reflect the kind of faith that God honors. This was not blind faith because it was faith in the One who call those things which be not as though they were. With that kind of omnipotence, there was nothing He couldn't do and therefore Abraham was fully persuaded that what God had promised He was able to perform. He knew quite intimately what God desires for every one of His children to know - He can be trusted. However, as Abraham found out, God's timetable is not our timetable and therein lies our challenge. Can we trust God enough to wait upon Him, even if that wait seems to be an awfully long one? It took 25 years from the declaration of the promise of a son to it's fulfillment. Did God have to take that long? No, but I'm sure He had His reasons. The most important thing is not how long He will take to answer but can we stay the course and trust Him.
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Could the same thing be said about you?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
A Thankful Heart
It may be a cliché but there is a lot of truth to it; our attitude determines our altitude. Whether we journey through life angry and proud or are true representatives of Christ living a life of joy, prayer, and gratitude is largely dependent on our attitude. In his letter to church in Colossia, the Apostle Paul writes, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful" (Colossians 3:15, KJV). This was not unlike his message to the church in Thessalonica, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Notice the words - "Be ye thankful" and "In everything give thanks." Paul, more than anyone else, knew that life is not a bed of roses; it isn't always fair. There are pressures, challenges, disappointments, hurts, ups and downs, but Paul is saying that when something goes wrong in life, we should not lose our joy over it. Amidst all the bad stuff we should remember that God is in us, we are heaven-bound, and we have a responsibility to let the world know of our faith by our attitude. It seems to be a human tendency to complain and grumble when things are not going well. As believers, we are called to go against the tide and to give thanks in everything. Usually, that being thankful during those times is the last thing on our minds. Yet Paul did not leave us with an option. His admonition, spoken under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, is quite clear. Be ye thankful! Rejoice always! In everything give thanks!
It is instructive to note that this attitude "is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Francis Frangipane says it well, "Thanksgiving is the language of faith." The faith in God that says, "I do not understand all that is going on at the moment but I trust you that you know what you are doing, and all of this is going to work out for my good and for your glory." Frangipane continues, "The moment we spend time thanking the Lord, we begin to see more clearly what He is actually doing. Our eyes are open as our hearts open."
The Psalmist declares that we must enter the gates of the LORD "with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4). As we bless His name, He blesses us but our capacity to receive God's blessing is only as functional as our ability to be grateful for them. Remember, a thankful heart is the gateway through which the blessings of God enter our lives.
As you consider your own attitude amidst life's challenges, how thankful are you?
Notice the words - "Be ye thankful" and "In everything give thanks." Paul, more than anyone else, knew that life is not a bed of roses; it isn't always fair. There are pressures, challenges, disappointments, hurts, ups and downs, but Paul is saying that when something goes wrong in life, we should not lose our joy over it. Amidst all the bad stuff we should remember that God is in us, we are heaven-bound, and we have a responsibility to let the world know of our faith by our attitude. It seems to be a human tendency to complain and grumble when things are not going well. As believers, we are called to go against the tide and to give thanks in everything. Usually, that being thankful during those times is the last thing on our minds. Yet Paul did not leave us with an option. His admonition, spoken under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, is quite clear. Be ye thankful! Rejoice always! In everything give thanks!
It is instructive to note that this attitude "is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Francis Frangipane says it well, "Thanksgiving is the language of faith." The faith in God that says, "I do not understand all that is going on at the moment but I trust you that you know what you are doing, and all of this is going to work out for my good and for your glory." Frangipane continues, "The moment we spend time thanking the Lord, we begin to see more clearly what He is actually doing. Our eyes are open as our hearts open."
The Psalmist declares that we must enter the gates of the LORD "with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4). As we bless His name, He blesses us but our capacity to receive God's blessing is only as functional as our ability to be grateful for them. Remember, a thankful heart is the gateway through which the blessings of God enter our lives.
As you consider your own attitude amidst life's challenges, how thankful are you?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Be on Guard!
In the book of Job we read, "Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" (2:1-2, KJV). It is interesting to note that like a child who is up to no good and is confronted by a parent, Satan did not say what he was doing in his coming and going and the LORD did not pursue it. However, we are not left ignorant because under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Peter exposed him when he wrote, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
That Satan is up to no good is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. Jesus said of him, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). To put it bluntly, he is not our friend! He is not someone we want to befriend, nor is he someone that we want to entertain. As our adversary he not only opposes us in his best interests, but is also opposed to us and what we represent. Because he does not play fair, he will use every weapon in his arsenal. Some of his favorite weapons are fear, doubt, depression, insecurities, distractions, among others, because he knows that if he can get God's people distracted and discouraged, he can keep them from taking advantage of God's grace, His favor, and His provisions.
It is no wonder that Peter encouraged us to be sober and be vigilant! In other words, be constantly alert and on guard. As he walks about, Satan is studying our every move. He knows our feelings and our tendencies, and informs himself of all our circumstances; only God can know more and do more than he. But we have God on our side, and because of that we do not have to be intimidated by the lion's roar.
As we go about our day to day business, let us be diligent and be aware of how Satan works. If we inform ourselves of his strategies, we will be in a much better position to handle the distractions when they come.
That Satan is up to no good is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. Jesus said of him, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). To put it bluntly, he is not our friend! He is not someone we want to befriend, nor is he someone that we want to entertain. As our adversary he not only opposes us in his best interests, but is also opposed to us and what we represent. Because he does not play fair, he will use every weapon in his arsenal. Some of his favorite weapons are fear, doubt, depression, insecurities, distractions, among others, because he knows that if he can get God's people distracted and discouraged, he can keep them from taking advantage of God's grace, His favor, and His provisions.
It is no wonder that Peter encouraged us to be sober and be vigilant! In other words, be constantly alert and on guard. As he walks about, Satan is studying our every move. He knows our feelings and our tendencies, and informs himself of all our circumstances; only God can know more and do more than he. But we have God on our side, and because of that we do not have to be intimidated by the lion's roar.
As we go about our day to day business, let us be diligent and be aware of how Satan works. If we inform ourselves of his strategies, we will be in a much better position to handle the distractions when they come.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
This is the Lord's Doing (Marvelous)
A beautiful Andre Crouch song done by the Oslo Gospel Choir out of Norway.
Because God is sovereign, everything that touches our lives passes through His hands first. Because of that, and though we do not always understand the way He works, we can confidently declare, "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes."
I sure hope it blesses you as it continues to bless me.
Because God is sovereign, everything that touches our lives passes through His hands first. Because of that, and though we do not always understand the way He works, we can confidently declare, "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes."
I sure hope it blesses you as it continues to bless me.
For the Glory of God
Lazarus of Bethany was sick, and his sisters Mary and Martha had sent an interesting message to Jesus to let Him know. According to Luke's gospel the message was simply, "Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is sick" (11:3, KJV), and without even being told a name, Jesus not only knew exactly who it was, but He also knew the exact nature of the illness. There are many profound truths in the realization of that truth, but for our purposes we note Jesus' immediate response - "When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (v.4).
In a time when Christians are tempted to think that their walk with Christ should be characterized by material blessings and a life free of illnesses and difficulties, Jesus' statement is a sobering reminder of our place in the unfolding of the plan of God. While we see and judge things from our human perspective, God sees and judges them from His divine perspective. Through the prophet Isaiah He declared, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (55:8), or as The Message paraphrases it, "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." Neither the sisters, nor Lazarus, knew of the workings of God in their circumstances, but through the sickness, God would be glorified.
This is great encouragement for the believer. Because the steps of those who are in right standing with the Lord are ordered by Him (Psalm 37:23), the events in our lives are not by chance or coincidence but are opportunities for God to demonstrate His glory through us. Paul got a hold of this truth when in writing about God's denial of His request to remove his thorn in the flesh, he told the brethren, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Instead of complaining when things do not seem to be going right from our vintage point, let us keep in mind that God is at work in our lives. The events of Job's life seemed all out of control, yet God was in control. So it was with him, so it is with us. As Sovereign God, He can orchestrate events that are designed for no other purpose than to bring Him glory, and for Him to demonstrate that glory in our sphere of influence. "Lord, as difficult as this situation seems, let your will be done in my life, and may you be glorified through it. For in my moments of weakness your grace makes me strong. I yield me and my life, all for your glory." Isn't that a good way to pray?
In a time when Christians are tempted to think that their walk with Christ should be characterized by material blessings and a life free of illnesses and difficulties, Jesus' statement is a sobering reminder of our place in the unfolding of the plan of God. While we see and judge things from our human perspective, God sees and judges them from His divine perspective. Through the prophet Isaiah He declared, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (55:8), or as The Message paraphrases it, "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." Neither the sisters, nor Lazarus, knew of the workings of God in their circumstances, but through the sickness, God would be glorified.
This is great encouragement for the believer. Because the steps of those who are in right standing with the Lord are ordered by Him (Psalm 37:23), the events in our lives are not by chance or coincidence but are opportunities for God to demonstrate His glory through us. Paul got a hold of this truth when in writing about God's denial of His request to remove his thorn in the flesh, he told the brethren, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Instead of complaining when things do not seem to be going right from our vintage point, let us keep in mind that God is at work in our lives. The events of Job's life seemed all out of control, yet God was in control. So it was with him, so it is with us. As Sovereign God, He can orchestrate events that are designed for no other purpose than to bring Him glory, and for Him to demonstrate that glory in our sphere of influence. "Lord, as difficult as this situation seems, let your will be done in my life, and may you be glorified through it. For in my moments of weakness your grace makes me strong. I yield me and my life, all for your glory." Isn't that a good way to pray?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
What Do You Desire From God?
Not long after the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon, the narrative continues, "And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee" (1 Kings 3:3-5, KJV).
In reflecting on this portion of text, one cannot help but notice two important characteristic of Solomon at the time: he loved the LORD and continued to live in the God-honoring ways of David his father. Being in right standing with God and offering burnt offerings unto Him during the time of worship caused God to show supernatural favor to Solomon. He appeared to him in a dream and asked, "What shall I give thee?"
It is important to note that this took place in Gibeon where Solomon had gone to worship, because in a number of ways it reflects God's pleasure with true worship. Of course, there is no true worship without obedience to the Word. It is often in an atmosphere of trust, obedience, and worship, that God ministers to those who delight themselves in Him. The Psalmist reminds us, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and [H]e shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). Because God moves in so many ways, He may not come to us in a dream but we can rest assured that wherever we are and as long as we are walking in His ways, He comes to us in that atmosphere of anointing and asks, "What shall I give thee?"
What are you believing God for? Solomon asked "an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" We are told "And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days" (vv.9-14).
The LORD favored Solomon and so reaffirmed that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). How are you walking?
In reflecting on this portion of text, one cannot help but notice two important characteristic of Solomon at the time: he loved the LORD and continued to live in the God-honoring ways of David his father. Being in right standing with God and offering burnt offerings unto Him during the time of worship caused God to show supernatural favor to Solomon. He appeared to him in a dream and asked, "What shall I give thee?"
It is important to note that this took place in Gibeon where Solomon had gone to worship, because in a number of ways it reflects God's pleasure with true worship. Of course, there is no true worship without obedience to the Word. It is often in an atmosphere of trust, obedience, and worship, that God ministers to those who delight themselves in Him. The Psalmist reminds us, "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and [H]e shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). Because God moves in so many ways, He may not come to us in a dream but we can rest assured that wherever we are and as long as we are walking in His ways, He comes to us in that atmosphere of anointing and asks, "What shall I give thee?"
What are you believing God for? Solomon asked "an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" We are told "And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days" (vv.9-14).
The LORD favored Solomon and so reaffirmed that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). How are you walking?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
But For Your Grace / Amazing Grace
An awesome song that I learned recently, sung by Rita Baloche. But for His grace; where would we be without it?
But for Your grace I could not be saved
But for Your grace I would go my way
I'm forever grateful
That You have been faithful to me, Lord
For Your amazing grace
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
But for Your grace I could not be saved
But for Your grace I would go my way
I'm forever grateful
That You have been faithful to me, Lord
For Your amazing grace
For Your amazing grace
For Your amazing grace
But for Your grace I could not be saved
But for Your grace I would go my way
I'm forever grateful
That You have been faithful to me, Lord
For Your amazing grace
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
But for Your grace I could not be saved
But for Your grace I would go my way
I'm forever grateful
That You have been faithful to me, Lord
For Your amazing grace
For Your amazing grace
For Your amazing grace
Sunday, March 21, 2010
"To Obey Is Better"
When Samuel confronted Saul about his disobeying the voice of the Lord in not carrying out His instructions to "utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed" (1 Samuel 15:15, KJV), Saul's defense was, "Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal" (vv.20-21).
Samuel was in no mood for the technicalities. The narrative continues, "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice" (vv. 22-24).
Before we allow our righteous indignation to judge Saul harshly, can we honestly say we have not walked in his shoes? How many times have we not done the things God commands because we feared what others would think or say about us? How many times have we taken the easy way out by neglecting to take a stand for Christ in situations where such a stand is necessary? There in no denying that we are all capable of allowing, and we have allowed, others to influence the things we do. Unfortunately, this sometimes means we disobey the LORD; instead of doing the things we are supposed to do, we often end up doing the things we are not supposed to do. However, let us bear in mind that God's instructions are not mere suggestions, but mandates to be followed regardless of the consequences to ourselves. In the words of Samuel, "to obey is better."
The consequences to Saul were tragic; the LORD rejected him from being king over Israel (vv. 25-26). May God grant us the grace to do the things He says we should do. Today is a good time to start.
Samuel was in no mood for the technicalities. The narrative continues, "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice" (vv. 22-24).
Before we allow our righteous indignation to judge Saul harshly, can we honestly say we have not walked in his shoes? How many times have we not done the things God commands because we feared what others would think or say about us? How many times have we taken the easy way out by neglecting to take a stand for Christ in situations where such a stand is necessary? There in no denying that we are all capable of allowing, and we have allowed, others to influence the things we do. Unfortunately, this sometimes means we disobey the LORD; instead of doing the things we are supposed to do, we often end up doing the things we are not supposed to do. However, let us bear in mind that God's instructions are not mere suggestions, but mandates to be followed regardless of the consequences to ourselves. In the words of Samuel, "to obey is better."
The consequences to Saul were tragic; the LORD rejected him from being king over Israel (vv. 25-26). May God grant us the grace to do the things He says we should do. Today is a good time to start.
Friday, February 26, 2010
He Knows My (Your) Name
According to the Exodus narrative, Moses was on the backside of the desert, minding the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, when he came to Horeb, to the mountain of God. Suddenly, he saw a flame of fire in the midst of a bush that though burning was not consumed. Marveling at the "great sight" and being perplexed as to why the bush was not burnt, his curiosity got the better of it and he approached the flame. The writer tells us, "And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground" (3:4-5, KJV).
While the rest of the story is familiar to most of us, and undoubtedly there have been numerous messages preached on this portion of the Scriptures, in reflecting on the text it occurred to me that this was the very first recorded encounter between God and Moses. The detail that really caught my attention was the fact that God called Moses by his name. In other words, He knew him on a personal level and knew exactly where to find him when He needed him. Bible Expositor John Gill observes, "The Lord knows his people distinctly, and can call them by name; ... the repetition of his name [Moses, Moses] ... shows familiarity and a strong vehement affection for him." We are not told if Moses was surprised at the sound of the voice, especially one calling his name, but we know he answered "Here am I." Chances are good that most of us would have been out of there as fast as our legs could carry us, but after seeing a bush burning without being burnt, Moses could be excused for not being intimidated by a voice. His experience has given every child of God a reason to rejoice; God knows us by name and no matter where we are, He knows where to find us.
Given that there are over six billion people on planet earth, that is a sobering thought. We can rest assured that despite what we are going through, His eyes are tracking us. This is the same God who said to Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee" (1:5), and if He knew him and us even then, it is nothing to Him that He knows our names. It also means that despite the best efforts of the enemy to tell us otherwise, we are never forgotten by Him.
Be encouraged. As you go through your day, if you listen really closely you too just might hear Him calling your name.
While the rest of the story is familiar to most of us, and undoubtedly there have been numerous messages preached on this portion of the Scriptures, in reflecting on the text it occurred to me that this was the very first recorded encounter between God and Moses. The detail that really caught my attention was the fact that God called Moses by his name. In other words, He knew him on a personal level and knew exactly where to find him when He needed him. Bible Expositor John Gill observes, "The Lord knows his people distinctly, and can call them by name; ... the repetition of his name [Moses, Moses] ... shows familiarity and a strong vehement affection for him." We are not told if Moses was surprised at the sound of the voice, especially one calling his name, but we know he answered "Here am I." Chances are good that most of us would have been out of there as fast as our legs could carry us, but after seeing a bush burning without being burnt, Moses could be excused for not being intimidated by a voice. His experience has given every child of God a reason to rejoice; God knows us by name and no matter where we are, He knows where to find us.
Given that there are over six billion people on planet earth, that is a sobering thought. We can rest assured that despite what we are going through, His eyes are tracking us. This is the same God who said to Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee" (1:5), and if He knew him and us even then, it is nothing to Him that He knows our names. It also means that despite the best efforts of the enemy to tell us otherwise, we are never forgotten by Him.
Be encouraged. As you go through your day, if you listen really closely you too just might hear Him calling your name.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Stir Up the Gift!
In his second letter to Timothy, the spiritual son he loved so much (2Tim. 1:1), the Apostle Paul, after commending him for his honest faith, felt it necessary to encourage Timothy in the use of the ministry that God had placed upon his life. We are not told what was going on with Timothy at the time but judging from the contents of what we know as the first chapter, it would appear that for whatever reason(s) he was reluctant to step into his God ordained ministry. Paul writes, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God" (vv.6-8).
It is not always easy to do the will of God. Surrounded by values that conflict with our own, and in environments that are often hostile to God and the things of God, it is easy for the believer to be intimidated into silence. We need look no further than how difficult it is to share one's faith in the workplace, or to speak openly about God in public places. Our culture dictates that religious convictions are a "private matter" and the more we accept that as the norm, the more our light grows dim. But as he reminded Timothy so Paul reminds us that amidst the challenges, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear." As Bible Scholar Matthew Henry observes of this verse, "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them."
We cannot afford to hide our candle under a bushel, nor can we allow ourselves to be intimidated into not walking in the spiritual gifts that God has given us. What is your gift or ministry? I encourage you to "stir it up" and walk boldly in doing the things that God has called you to do.
It is not always easy to do the will of God. Surrounded by values that conflict with our own, and in environments that are often hostile to God and the things of God, it is easy for the believer to be intimidated into silence. We need look no further than how difficult it is to share one's faith in the workplace, or to speak openly about God in public places. Our culture dictates that religious convictions are a "private matter" and the more we accept that as the norm, the more our light grows dim. But as he reminded Timothy so Paul reminds us that amidst the challenges, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear." As Bible Scholar Matthew Henry observes of this verse, "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them."
We cannot afford to hide our candle under a bushel, nor can we allow ourselves to be intimidated into not walking in the spiritual gifts that God has given us. What is your gift or ministry? I encourage you to "stir it up" and walk boldly in doing the things that God has called you to do.
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