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.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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.
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