Do you seek the glory of men or of God? John 10-12

John 12:42-43 (NASBStr)

Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

In Proverbs 29:25 it says that the "Fear of Man" is a snare.   Peer pressure (our word for "fear of man") is such a compelling motivation.    Men love to have the "approval" of other men.  The word for approval in our text is the Greek word, "doxa."   It is where we get our English word, Doxology.   It is to sing the praise of, in a sense.   We love to hear others sing our praises.   It is a strong motivator for life.    However, as seen above, it has an adverse affect on our relationship with God and our ability to follow Him when the praise of men supersedes our desire to have God's approval.  It should be noted that Jesus is not saying that God sings our praises, but rather that our desire to be praised for our relationship for men can superseded our desire to follow and be known as a person who follows God.  It is hard to believe that some men would sacrifice their very lives and eternal relationship with God to obtain a positive relationship in a "club" but that is exactly what John is telling us above.  The religious leaders had come to a point of faith in the Christ and yet remained closet believers because they did not want to jeopardize their standing with men.   Teens do this and we laugh with scorn.  Adults do this and we call it good "politics."   When we sell our faith to be find popular we demonstrate that we really don't have a faith and have not come to the place of "hating" our life for His sake (see John 12:25).  As we go through our day we need to keep ourselves in check to assure we are not seeking the glory from men, but rather the glory for God. 

Do you respond to God's Word? Hosea 8-14

Hosea 14:9 (NASBStr)

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

And the righteous will walk in them,

But transgressors will stumble in them.

Hosea ends his prophecy with the above lines.   It is the summary of both the book and the walk or journey of the nation.   If they were wise they would have known the things the prophets have said are wise and would have sought to follow them.  Instead the words of God became as foreign to them, or as strange words.   Note the following from Hosea's pen:

Hosea 8:12 (NASBStr)

Though I wrote for him ten thousand precepts of My law,

They are regarded as a strange thing.

These words do not reflect a people of God.   Those with the eyes of faith see God's Words and knows they are right, to be believed in and acted upon.   Those with the eyes of the flesh simple pass on and ignore them.  They stumble by them.   The Words of God become a stumbling stone and are actually judged by them.   When we walk by faith (given by God) we see God's Words from His prophets as right and we walk in them.   Let's make sure that we don't follow Israel's pattern.   Walk in His ways and believe in them.   They are right.  

Do you consume or save? Proverbs 20-21

Proverbs 21:20 (NASBStr)

There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man swallows it up.

In a proceeding proverb in this same chapter, Solomon has already spoken to this truth:

Proverbs 21:17 (NASBStr)

He who loves pleasure will become a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

In verse 17 he seems to be talking about the mere "love" and/or "desire" for the pleasures of the life (wine and oil being the symbols of such).   He seems to be stating in that verse that when we love pleasure so much we will eventually lose any wealth we may accumulate.   In verse 20 he now adds another component and goes so far as saying wise people not only avoid the pleasures of "consuming" wise and oil, but we should see the wisdom in storing it.   If you simply read verse 17 you might think it wise to avoid the pleasure of life altogether.   Don't just not drink wine and consume oil, but avoid them, least their use distort your judgment and you become poor (which would not be a bad principle to follow or a fair interpretation of verse 17).  But, in verse 20 we see that Solomon is telling us that wise people actually accumulate things of this world, while the foolish swallow them up ... they only consume.  So, the emphasis of the two together is not teaching us to avoid things of life but to use them wisely.  The verse is not promoting storing up treasures on this earth, which Christ spoke against.  Solomon is telling us that foolish people only consume things and never value or hold things.  Gluttony is a sin of over consumption.   The glutton has nothing left because he consumed it all.   Wise people know the earthly value of the things of this earth.  They don't simply consume they use the things of this world appropriately to the glory of God.   If they trust in the things they accumulate they would be foolish, as well.   So, consumption and greedy accumulation have the same mother: Sin.    But, true wisdom knows how to accumulate for the purpose of using the things accumulated for the glory of God.   

Do you rejoice that God REALLY knows you? Psalm 102-104

Psalms 103:8-14 (NASBStr)

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

 Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

 For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust.

Is there a sweater refrain in all literature, song or  poem than the above?   Is there anything ever written that captures more hope, grace, love, assurance and peace, than what the writer here has given us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit?   In the midst of our filthiest time we can turn here and know that a steadfast God, full of compassion and mercy, loves us just the way we are.   NO ONE else can do that.   NO ONE else does that.   NO ONE wants to do that.   As we look up to the heavens each night we can imagine that God has removed all transgression, as far as He is concerned, from us.   The east NEVER meets the west ... so too our sin in the knowledge of God as it relates to future punishment.   IF God were to deal with us according to our sins we would all be men lost and most miserable.   But, those who fear Him have His compassion.   He knows the dust we are and the dirt we can create in our lives.   HIs chastisements are warranted but never permanent.  His knowledge of us complete but never condemning.   We rejoice in His compassion and graciousness.   We rejoice in His abounding lovingkindness.  

How do you handle disappointment? 1 Chronicles 15-19

1 Chronicles 17:16-17 (NASBStr)

David’s Prayer in Response

 Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord and said, “ Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? This was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; but You have spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the standard of a man of high degree, O Lord God.

How you handle disappointment may say as much about your character and faith in God than any other human experience.   In the above passage David had the thought to build a temple for God.  He had just brought The Ark back to Jerusalem and had a great celebration service.  As with most of us, when we have a great time of worship with God, we want to do more for Him.   David went back to his home (should we say, "castle") and that is where the idea struck him ... build a Temple for God, better than the home he had for himself (17:1-2).  But, God said, "no."   With what we read here and other places, we see that because of David's "warring" and "bloody hands" he was not allowed to do this great work for God.   HIs vision was grand and righteous but his life did not support his aspirations.   God said, "NO!"   This, however, is how you handle disappointment.   God knows what He is doing and we ought to demonstrate it by showing praise when He says no to something.  David recognized God's mercy in his life, despite the answer of no.   He didn't pout.  He didn't stew.  He didn't try to defend his life.  He didn't keep asking, over and over.  He simply did what he could (we will see later that even though he can't build it, he could still gather the material and plans for his son, who would build it).   When God says no we need to know that God has a plan.  His plan is better than ours.   We ought to simply trust and express praise for the mercy God has shown us.   Grand thoughts for God are not sin.   Pushing against God's will to accomplish those grand thoughts is sin.   Rejoice in God's answers to our requests, even when we don't understand.   He knows better than we do.   Handle disappointment in the same manner you handle victory in Christ .. in Faith!!

Who's GPS do you use the most? God's or Man's? Numbers 9-12

Numbers 10:29-32 (NASBStr)

Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father- in- law, “We are setting out to the place of which the Lord said, ‘ I will give it to you’; come with us and we will do you good, for the Lord has promised good concerning Israel.” But he said to him, “ I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.” Then he said, “Please do not leave us, inasmuch as you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will be as eyes for us. So it will be, if you go with us, that whatever good the Lord does for us, we will do for you.”

In the above passage we have an example of the greatest struggles in the Christian faith and walk with God.   God had provided a supernatural "presence" of Himself for the nation to know He was with them, when to move and when to stay put.   Such is the Holy Spirit in our lives today.  Although not as visible in the fire and the cloud, just as powerful to the one who walks by faith.   Yet, in the midst of Moses was his father-in-law.   Hobab knew the land.  He knew the ways to navigate the land.   Hobab is the picture of the flesh and of earthly knowledge.    Moses, although provided with the Cloud-Fire-GPS system, still wanted his father-in-law to accompany him.  This is our struggle in the Christian walk: Do we walk in the Spirit (who we can't see and struggle to understand) or do we walk in the flesh (that we see, feel, and know)?   We know the Biblical answer for this.  We are to "walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:17).   Hobab certainly was a valid source of information.  Remember, it was Moses' father-in-law that gave him the advice on how to delegate to save energy.   He would know where the turns were, where the dangers were and what the passage looked like.   However, he wouldn't know "when" to go and he wouldn't know "how" to get water out of rock, food from the sky, or victory through the minimum.   Those were all miracles.  The trouble with fleshly knowledge is that it seldom accounts for miracles.  The world has a knowledge base that we can often turn to for help.  But, the world doesn't know about the God of miracles.  The world's timing is often off, if not always.   In our walk with God we can turn to Hobab (the world) or to the Cloud-Fire (The Spirit) system.   One is visible and shallow, the other powerful and all-knowing.  Learn to yield to the Spirit even when the world says no.  

Does you hope for tomorrow affect your walk for today? 1 Timothy 4-6

1 Timothy 6:17 (NASBStr)

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

We may have a miss conception in our Christian walk about the word, "hope."    Too many believers use the word like the world does.  Hope to some is that "someday" God is going to do something ... raise us from the dead and bring us into His kingdom.   In a limited way, that definition is true.   Christ becomes the power or the thing or the figure of hope.   The world has the same hope, however.  They believe that their riches, as stated above, will be the thing that, in the future, gives them hope ... raise them out of the ashes and bring them into A kingdom, of some sorts.   However, Christian hope is much more than just the end game.  Christian hope affects the future and the present.   Note the verses Paul writes Timothy just before the above lines, in which he addresses the rich.  And, note the implication about having hope in Christ, for today:

1 Timothy 6:13-16 (NASBStr)

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time —He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Paul is telling us that our hope has a causative on our life for today.   Note what John says, also, in his epistle: 

1 John 3:2-3 (NASBStr)

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Note the contrast between the two writings.  Paul says "no man has seen or can see" while John says, "we will see Him just as He is."   Paul is telling us that our hope, though unseen (that is the definition of hope) is still compelling us to live a holy life; while John is telling us that that hope of seeing Him like He is, should compel us to live a holy life.   Rejoicing in the hope of Christ's return is not just an "end" game.  It is for today and tomorrow.  It affects where I will spend eternity, yes, but it all affects how I live earthly.  

Do you have the flow of the Spirit? John 7-8

John 7:37-39 (NASBStr)

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “ If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. ’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Few Christians in today's church really understand, grasp or even, at times, acknowledge the Holy Spirit's work in their lives.   If asked, they certainly have the language down.  But, most of the conscious thought is centered around Christ (as it should be) and the Father, God.   However, the Spirit is an equal person in the Trinity and should be understood and observed as such.   Jesus is the living water and that water flows through the ministry of the Spirit in our lives.   The Spirit of God gives us that "flow" of "rivers of living water."   Let's rejoice that Jesus did not leave His disciples, or us, alone.   When the Spirit is in control of our lives and we are "yielding" our "instruments" to Him (Romans 6), we can literally sense the "flow."   What the human spirit longs for is the what the Holy Spirit provides, as He ministers to us.  He was sent by the Son to do the work of Salvation (Justification, Sanctification, Glorification).   The Spirit is our strength to allow us to produce any fruit (works ... according to James, these works, fruit, are a result of true faith).    If we want to love others, we need the fruit of the Spirit to do that.   If we want peace in a bad situation, we need the fruit of the Spirit to do that.   If we want patience in times of trial, it is the fruit of the Spirit that produces that.  This is the flow of living water that John is talking about.   What we thirst for (love, peace, patience) the Son provides through the ministry of the Spirit.   

How do you respond to discipline? Hosea 1-7

Hosea 6:1-2 (NASBStr)

 “ Come, let us return to the Lord.

For He has torn us, but He will heal us;

He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

 “He will revive us after two days;

He will raise us up on the third day,

That we may live before Him.

When God rebukes us, what should our response be to that rebuke?   Discipline from parents was often met with the tears of the child; the slamming of the door; the withdrawn pouting.   As a people we don't handle discipline well.   We tend to reject it and become frustrated in the midst of it.  Proverbs tells us it is a wise person who can handle discipline (Proverbs 15:5,10).   So, how does the nation of Israel, Judah in particular, respond to the discipline prophesied by Hosea?   In the above two verses we see their response.   Repentance is the theme of it, faith the trust of it.   Judah acknowledges that it was God who had bound them and it was God who wounded them.  This captivity is was from God for their disobedience to Him.   That acknowledgement is the key to their future blessing.   When we place the blame for our troubles on misfortunate, bad luck, or chance, we miss the point of both the discipline and the recovery.   God binds us so that He might bond with us.   God wounds us so that He might heal us.   Our affliction gives way to adoption.    The mention of two and three days speaks to Judah's understanding that the discipline of captivity would be brief.   As compared to the history of the nation, it was.  As compared to individuals, not so much.   But, discipline that is from God ought to be handled as though brief.  When we are, by faith, focused on the blessings at the end that are so dynamic, we aren't mindful of the time they take to carry out.   The mention that "He will raise us up on the third day" has obvious figurative and prophetic implications to the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord.  They could rejoice in their afflictions, because even though they were well dead, on the third day they would be resurrected (with Him; in Him) and could rejoice.  Even death was not something that could keep them down, should God so choose to use as the ultimate discipline tool.   God can bandage the scrap, place salve on the wound, and even raise from the dead, should that be the discipline.   So, the Nation's response gives us a pattern of how to respond to discipline in our lives.    God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 10).  So, rejoice in that love no matter what it looks like and not matter how severe the pain.   God heals the brokenhearted.   

Do you demonstrate any signs of slough? Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:24 (NASBStr)

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,

But will not even bring it back to his mouth.

This proverb is the same as:

Proverbs 26:15 (NASBStr)

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

In both of these proverbs we see Solomon giving us an observation about what he sees in the sluggard.   As he watches and observes he notices that even though opportunity is right in front of them (the dish full of food) they won't take the effort to do so.   By using food as a metaphor here we can assume he means the sluggard, even for his own sustenance, will not do the work.   The sluggard character in Proverbs is often illuminated to us.  It is simply outcome of a life that is absent the fear of The Lord.    When you think of those who have talent and don't use it, this proverb would apply.   When you think of those  who have time and waste it, this proverb would apply.  When you think of those who have faith and don't express it to God, this proverb would apply.   The "dish" is a great metaphor but we narrow our thinking when we think just food.   The sluggard buries his hand in his resources, no matter what they are, and he won't bother to utilize it.   A person with many friends but won't show his/her friendship is a sluggard.  They are too lazy to do the work to be social to receive the blessings of being social.   So, this proverb has a wide variety of applications.  Believers today have countless ways to study God's Word but although their hand is on the dish (the Bible) they won't so much as bring it to their mouth (digest and enjoy the nutrition of the Word).   The proverb has many applications. 

Are you too merciful, or too just? Psalm 99-101

Psalms 101:1 (NASBStr)

 I will sing of lovingkindness and justice,

To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.

When David wrote this Psalm he expresses in the first lines one of the most basic and important truths to the theology and ethic of the Bible.  He plainly states that God is both, at the same time (with no conflict) a gracious, merciful God, with a never wavering compromise of justice.  He expresses his desire to go throughout his day in a state of singing for this key aspect of God's character.   The Hebrew word in the above verse, for lovingkindness, is "checed".   Perhaps there is not a better explanation of the word than what was penned by W.E.Vine, years ago:

The Septuagint nearly always renders checed with eleos (“mercy”), and that usage is reflected in the New Testament. Modern translations, in contrast, generally prefer renditions close to the word “grace.” kjv usually has “mercy,” although “loving- kindness” (following Coverdale), “favor,” and other translations also occur. rsv generally prefers “steadfast love.” niv often offers simply “love.”

In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact:“strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.

The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law.

The fact that God is BOTH merciful and just is something to sing about.  That is David's refrain.   We tend to lean, as individual believers, on one side or the other.  Some are too, too merciful, always forgiving and never just.   Some are way too just and never forgiving.   The key in the Christian walk is to sing of these two with our lips and practice them in our walk.   Allowing the Spirit of God to work that out in our faith is the key to find perfect balance.   Sing of His character today: Mercy and Justice.  

Do you celebrate God? ... the RIGHT way? 1 Chronicles 10-14

1 Chronicles 13:8-10 (NASBStr)

David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals and with trumpets.

 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it. The anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

They above passages teaches us and is an example of how we can have a feeling of celebration with God, be filled with joy and singing and still be wrong in the way we are serving or worshiping Him.  The Ark was on a cart and David and the people were celebrating.  There was a cause for celebration.  The ark had not been in Jerusalem or sought out in the days of Saul.  David was doing what leaders do: Establishing the priority and functionality of serving God and making Him the focus point.  David actually obtained his kingship because Saul had failed to inquire of God (1 Chronicles 10:14).  So, there was great cause for a celebration.  However, David failed to remember that simply seeking God was not enough.  Being in the presence of God is not enough.   Obedience matters to God and God had told them to "carry" the Ark, always, on polls, made for carrying the Ark.   This book of Chronicles is being written to the nation who is returning to Jerusalem from being in captivity.  The purpose of the book is to remind them of who they are and how they got to where they are.   The reason for their captivity was not because they failed to celebrate and "worship" God.   They did a lot of "form" worship.  They were condemned for their form worship.   God doesn't simply want celebration of Him.  He wants it to be done in Spirit AND in Truth (John 4:24).   Truthful worship is doing what God wants the way He wants in the power of the Spirit.   The people this book was written to are soon going to be asked by Nehemiah to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and by Ezra to rebuild the Temple.   The point was for them to know that no matter who you are (David) you have to obey God.   It cost Uzza his life.    

Does another ministry (minister) have something you don't have? Numbers 5-8

Numbers 7:9 (NASBStr)

But he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder.

In 2 Corinthians we are told that it is not wise when we compare ourselves with each other (2 Corinthians 10:12).   When we see what others have, we tend to want it, even though it is good for them and bad for us.    God does not want us comparing spiritual gifts, as an example.   Those who have the gift of service might find themselves not as favored or validated in our society as those with the gift of administration (leadership).   If we compare ourselves we might become jealous our envious of those in such positions.   This is why God doesn't want us to compare.   The above passage from Numbers is another great example as to why we shouldn't.   In their giving to the Tabernacle construction and administration, the heads of each tribe contributed a number of items, not the least of which was carts to carry the furnishings.   The passage tells who the carts were administrated to and for what service.   However, as the above verse points out, the Kohathites were not allowed to have carts.   They were previously instructed to carry the special furnishings inside the Tabernacle on their shoulders and never put them on a cart.  In fact in 1 Chronicles 15 we read about the death of a man because they used a cart and the man touched the Ark.   In our society, especially in our politically correct-union mindset, we would never let one person have a burden and then provide relief to others.   If one man gets a cart they all get a cart.  If one student gets an iPad, they all get an iPad.  We would never allow what God did to happen in our society.   But, this is what God said to those in His service.  We EACH have a different burden.  1 Corinthians 12 tells us that God gave us different gifts, as HE PLEASES.    And, with those gifts He gives us differing responsibilities and differing burdens.   He only promises one thing: Whatever the burden He will provide the strength (1 Corinthians 10:13.   God does not promise we will all have the same job, talents, gifts or skill sets.  He does promise we all have the same mission and the same power to carry out our tasks: The ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.   Don't be envious of the gifts and tools others have to do their ministry. Lean on God for the power He gives you to do your job with the tools He gives you.  

Have you ever been dragged into a fruitless discussion? 1 Timothy 1-3

1 Timothy 1:5-6 (NASBStr)

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

Have you ever been in a "fruitless discussion?"   They are not a lot of fun; unless you have little knowledge or desire for the truth and faith toward God.   Perhaps the description of our modern day news cast or news panel discussion.  There is a lot of opinion tossed around but not a lot of truth, very little desire for love, and certainly not from a pure heart.  Paul starts out this book of instruction to Pastor Timothy, who was leading the Church at Ephesus, his fear that Timothy, and others, would be lead aside or drawn into false teaching ... no power, no fruit, not based upon Christ.   He is going to show Timothy what he wants him to teach as he goes through the book.   The key in these two verses is to make sure you have the proper goal for your teaching and the correct content.   Teaching that produces love, comes from purity (truth) and is expressed in faith and allows for a good conscious toward God.    The alternative is the fruitless banter we often hear in the public square.   As believes in a church we need to be very careful our content doesn't end up as this fruitless offering of the world.   When we stick to the truth of God's Word we are assured of all the things that make for good instruction.  This is not to mean that we don't join public debate, or teach something other than God's Word.   All of God's Word is truth but not all truth is in God's Word.   There are true things God does not specifically mention.  However, the screen for truth and the litmus test for our discussion and training in the public arena is God's Word.   That is Paul's point.  In Acts 17 he taught the Greeks on Mars Hill, which was a place often filled with fruitlessness of thought and talk.    Yet, Paul even used the writings of the Greek philosopher to prove his point.  Paul didn't stay away from outside truth.  He just warns Timothy and us to watch out that the church and the believer are not lead astray into teaching and talk that produces little benefit and empty banter.   This is why our teaching has to be in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Only the Spirit can produce love (the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, etc).   So, to create teaching that produces love we must allow the Spirit to teach and discuss through us.  The next time you are brought into a political, sporting, or business debate, allow the Spirit to produce the fruit that will glorify God.   

Do you recognize that Jesus is God and has all authority? John 5-6

John 5:18 (NASBStr)

Jesus’ Equality with God

 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

It is important to remember that most of John's account of the Gospel story in this book takes place just prior to Christ's crucifixion.   John is not giving us a narrative of Jesus break from the past (Matthew); nor the quick actions and movement of the Savior (Mark); or, the "accurate" rendition of His complete earthly ministry (Luke).  John is talking to us about "who" Jesus is vs "what" He did; and, "what" Jesus taught  vs. "where" He went.   The "Jews" (mostly meaning the religious leaders of the day) missed most of His teaching, but in the above verse we see something they complete retained from Christ's teaching: Jesus was making Himself out to be on the same level as the God they believed upon; and that was pure blasphemy.   In fact, later, when they are brining false witnesses against Jesus they struggle to find evidence to convict Him until He helps them out by stating He and the Father were one (Mark 14:62).  The Jewish leaders could not believe that Jesus, a carpenter's son, was God.   That is the issue John is trying to demonstrate to his readers.   Jesus is God and has the authority of God, despite the role of Son.   By telling the story of the feeding of the 5,000 John is telling us that Jesus has authority over matter (chapter 6).   By telling us the story of walking on water, he is telling us that Jesus has authority over physics (chapter 6).   Later he will tell us the story about Jesus healing the blind man, demonstrating that Jesus has authority over health (chapter 9).  Earlier he told us about Jesus healing the invalid by the pool demonstrating Jesus has authority of healing (chapter 5).  He also told us about turning water to wine (chapter 3).   In all these miracles John was simply trying to convince his audience that Jesus had power to do the things only God could do.  The Jewish leaders could not accept that truth.  It is not until we accept the truth that Jesus is God and has authority over all, the same as God, that we will really be free in our lives.   Our fears are ropes that tie us down.   Christ's authority to cut the rope is fundamental to our salvation and victorious living.  Christ has authority over all that we do, are, have, want, can be and were.   The quicker we recognize and submit to His authority the quicker we are living victoriously in His blessing.   

Are you doing the king's business while doing the KING'S business? Daniel 7-12

Daniel 8:27 (NASBStr)

Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king’s business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.

Daniel was a captive in a foreign land.  He was a man who wanted to go home but couldn't.    He was a man who wanted to serve God in Jerusalem, or Judea, or, anywhere in the the promise land and not here ... in Babylon.  But, God had Daniel right where He wanted him.   So, Daniel served God in the place God put him, without complaint.   He did what God asked him to do and was now the messenger for some of the most powerful prophecy in the Bible: The description of what the end looks like.    So, in this chapter and book of the Bible we have a picture of God's man, in God's place, giving us God's message.    YET, despite all this "vertical" relationship between Daniel and God, we see in the above verse, the remarkable aspect of Daniel's "horizontal" work:  The "King's Business."   It would be easy to focus on the true importance of Daniel's message in the vision and miss this nugget of affirmation of Daniel't "day job."   Paul had a tent ministry.   David was a shepherd.   Amos was a shepherd.  Joseph was a carpenter.   Lydia a merchant.   Moses a shepherd.   God expects us to be His person in His place for His plan communicating His passion.   But, while in that role, God DOES NOT remove us from the horizontal aspects of the world.  In fact, in Daniel 2:48 we read that Daniel was actually given the King's business as a result of serving God and carrying out God's message to the king at the time.   So, often in the fulfillment of God's plan, acting vertically, God deals with us and and blesses us horizontally for His glory.   A man with a heart for God is not removed from his contact, industry and responsibility toward man.   When God gives us the "king's business" we ought to take pride in what we are required to do.  Daniel could have, as a result of this heavy and complicated prophecy, simply formed a seminary and told the King God had a bigger job for him ... digesting and communicating to the believing world this prophecy.  But, he didn't.  He simply studied God's Word and continued doing what God had him do on the earth.   The king's business while he was actually dong the KING's Business.  

Do you know when to shut-up? Proverbs 17-18

Proverbs 17:27-28 (NASBStr)

He who restrains his words has knowledge,

And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;

When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Proverbs 17:27-28 (NIV1984)

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,

and a man of understanding is even- tempered.

 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,

and discerning if he holds his tongue.

What great counsel is here given by Solomon.  Note the contrast in these two proverbs; which could, without impunity, be handled separately, as well.  If we hold our tongue and have a cool spirit (not hot tempered) we are said to be have knowledge and understanding.   Yes, even a fool, who has no understanding or knowledge by very definition, is admired as though he is wise.   There is an old Egyptian proverb that says if you would have kept silent you might be considered a philosopher.   Those who are pensive and thoughtful and not rushing to say "their piece" are often thought wiser than those who ramble with nothingness until everyone notices.   The balance we have here, as one commentary put it, is that if we speak too much we will be perceived as a wind-bag.  If we don't talk we might be perceived as though we don't know anything.   The power of the tongue to convey the heart is a like the big picture window into any home ... you can see what's going on quite easily.   The calm spirit and slow tongue shows wisdom and prudence.   Our society is full of people who simply want to say what they think.   On the news program we call them the "talking heads."    Yet, Solomon (the ultimate guy the news would go to today) says the wise man should be calm, cool, and of little words.   We don't have to speak first and the loudest.   Sometimes silence is the best way to convey a wise spirit.  If it words for a fool who has nothing to do with wisdom, just think how well it work for those who do.  

See also Proverbs 14:29; 16:32; 18:6-7, 13, 20, 21

Why and how do we worship? Psalm 96-98

Psalms 98:7-9 (NASBStr)

Let the sea roar and all it contains,

The world and those who dwell in it.

 Let the rivers clap their hands,

Let the mountains sing together for joy

 Before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth;

He will judge the world with righteousness

And the peoples with equity.

Throughout the Psalms we are commanded and motivated to praise God.   The book of Psalms not only commands us to praise Him, it shows us who should praise Him, why we should praise Him, how we should praise Him, and what specific attributes of God to praise.   In the above verses from Psalm 98 we see all those given out.   The seas are to praise; the people of the worlds are to praise; the rivers are to praise, the mountains are to praise Him.   We are to do so with singing.  Not just any singing, singing in joy ... Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, so our worship of Him is done via the ministry and power of the Spirit.   We are to sing "Before Him."  Therefore our worship is done as we come before Him in Faith (Hebrews 10).  So, worship of God is a complete faith act, not a feeling act.  We don't worship because we feel like it, or because we get a feeling from it (although we might).  We worship out of obedience, by faith, in the power of the Spirit, who enables us to produce the fruit of Joy in our worship.   Finally, this group of verses teaches us to worship, in this particular set of lines, the combination of His judgement and righteousness and equity.   That means we are worshipping God's particular wrath that is in perfect balance with justice and mercy.   In Psalms 96-98 God's wrath is specifically mentioned as a reason and object of or worship.   In Romans 9 we are told that God created some vessels for destruction just to show the wrath of God and reveal His marvelous glory (Romans 9:22-23).   So, we are to worship and praise God specially out of obedience and for the character of His Divine attributes.  We do so by faith and in the power of the Spirit, who alone, gives us the joy to do so.   

Do you know your role in the Body of Christ ... and like it? 1 Chronciles 5-9

1 Chronicles 9:22-27 (NASBStr)

All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds were 212. These were enrolled by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer appointed in their office of trust. So they and their sons had charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, even the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, to the east, west, north and south. Their relatives in their villages were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them; for the four chief gatekeepers who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God. They spent the night around the house of God, because the watch was committed to them; and they were in charge of opening it morning by morning.

The above text is probably not a text a normal church service would incorporate for the "Scripture Reading for the Day."   In fact, most of 1 Chronicles would miss the cu as approved texts.   However, when we read the above lines again we must be struck by the "gatekeepers" role in the return of the exiles.  1 Chronicles is all about telling us who returns, where their genealogy comes from, where they settled, and what their role was in the return.   Notice the detail the author of Chronicles gives us.   He tells us how many gatekeepers.  He tells us their genealogy and heritage, being originally appointed by King David and, even mentioned by Samuel, the prophet.   He even tells us that in their term of duty they would be visited by their families.  They actually did an inventory of anything taken out and brought back from the temple.   These were men of trust and had a specific job that God recollects for us in this passage.  These were not the kings.  They were not the prophets.  They were not the priests.   They were the gatekeepers.   God had a role for them and that role was mighty in God's plan.   Don't ever relegate your role in the body of Christ as less than another's, simple because our society says the pastor gets paid and the user doesn't.   Don't diminish you role in the Body of Christ simply because the world and the preacher and the worship leader has promoted themselves like rock stars and the couple in the children ministry are not even known.   God has roles.  He values each and has a plan for them in His Kingdom.   

Is your tabernacle holy? Numbers 1-4

Numbers 4:15 (NASBStr)

When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.

Numbers 4:19 (NASBStr)

But do this to them that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy objects:Aaron and his sons shall go in and assign each of them to his work and to his load;

The concept of respect for holy things is somewhat lost on the world today.   Granted, the church building, today, should never be regarded as "The Church.  The Church is the collective body of believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit and has never meet as a group on this earth.    However, here, in these passages, the temple is the place that God is to dwell.  And, since He is dwelling there, the articles of the Tabernacle are to be treated as holy ... the very articles of God.   Aaron and his sons, the priestly line, were to go into the Tabernacle first and cover the holy things.  Then, and only then, could the Levites do their work of carrying the items.  They were allowed to touch them, but not look at them.   Aaron and his sons would cover them with the appropriate cloth and coverings.   God took great care in the construction of the Tabernacle and took great care into who would see what and who would cover what.   The respect for God's design and His place should not be missed.   God is holy and even the artifacts of that holiness should be understood and respected.  When God indwells the Tabernacle, as He did, that made the place special.   It was to be treated special.   The same holds true today of the Temple of God ... our bodies!!  We are God's dwelling place via the Holy Spirit.  God indwells us and we should be careful what we do with that place.  Paul told us on many occasions to not corrupt the temple of God (1 Corinthians).   God has chosen to reside in our lives and since that is true we ought not contaminate it with the sins of this world.   God is holy and He wants us to handle our bodies with the same care the Levites did for the Tabernacle.  

Do you get caught up into fruitless banter? 1 Timothy 1-3

1 Timothy 1:5-6 (NASBStr)

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

Have you ever been in a "fruitless discussion?"   They are not a lot of fun; unless you have little knowledge or desire for the truth and faith toward God.   Perhaps the description of our modern day news cast or news panel discussion.  There is a lot of opinion tossed around but not a lot of truth, very little desire for love, and certainly not from a pure heart.  Paul starts out this book of instruction to Pastor Timothy, who was leading the Church at Ephesus, his fear that Timothy, and others, would be lead aside or drawn into false teaching ... no power, no fruit, not based upon Christ.   He is going to show Timothy what he wants him to teach as he goes through the book.   The key in these two verses is to make sure you have the proper goal for your teaching and the correct content.   Teaching that produces love, comes from purity (truth) and is expressed in faith and allows for a good conscious toward God.    The alternative is the fruitless banter we often hear in the public square.   As believes in a church we need to be very careful our content doesn't end up as this fruitless offering of the world.   When we stick to the truth of God's Word we are assured of all the things that make for good instruction.  This is not to mean that we don't join public debate, or teach something other than God's Word.   All of God's Word is truth but not all truth is in God's Word.   There are true things God does not specifically mention.  However, the screen for truth and the litmus test for our discussion and training in the public arena is God's Word.   That is Paul's point.  In Acts 17 he taught the Greeks on Mars Hill, which was a place often filled with fruitlessness of thought and talk.    Yet, Paul even used the writings of the Greek philosopher to prove his point.  Paul didn't stay away from outside truth.  He just warns Timothy and us to watch out that the church and the believer are not lead astray into teaching and talk that produces little benefit and empty banter.   This is why our teaching has to be in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Only the Spirit can produce love (the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, etc).   So, to create teaching that produces love we must allow the Spirit to teach and discuss through us.  The next time you are brought into a political, sporting, or business debate, allow the Spirit to produce the fruit that will glorify God.   

Are you getting tired of watching others sit while you work? 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NASBStr)

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

It is easy to give up on doing good things.  This is especially true during tough times or times of some affliction.   But, the backdrop for the above statement by Paul to the Thessalonians is not given because of strictly tough times or affliction; though that certainly was present in every New Testament church.   The context here, however, is that in the church there were Christian brothers and sisters seating around and doing nothing.  They were lazy in their conduct and in their production because they were reasoning that since The Lord was coming at any minute, why work?    They simply were using the liberty in Christ to do what they wanted.   They were expecting others to do the work and they could relax and enjoy the labor of these others.   The warning that Paul gives "the others" (to not give up in doing good) is a favored theme of his (cf. 1 Cor 15:50, 58; 16:13; Phil 1:27, 28; 2:15, 16; 4:1; 1 Thess 3:5, 13; 5:23).  Paul was very concerned about the steadfast work of the believer in the view of the world and in the view of the Church.   Paul knows the human nature of mankind.  When we see others doing nothing we are tend to join them more than oppose them.  If someone doesn't pick up the paper on the ground, no one will.   Laziness and a lax life are as contagious as influenza.     Perhaps, more than any other threat, today's church suffers more than anything from Slough-fluenza.   When we see others look like dish rags (sit, soak and sour) we tend to want to join them.  Look at our "retirement" community mentality.   At a certain age we just surrender our work ethic.  Caleb, of Joshua's day, would loudly object to that notion (Joshua 14:11).   Paul does, as well.  Don't grow "cowardly" (as some translations would say it) when it comes to doing good and performing the good works God has for us.  Don't give in to the pattern of those around you, the culture that holds your or the society that nudges you.   Don't grow weary.  Our strength in in Him; Who never grows weary in caring for us.  The Spirit is steadfast in our hearts so that we can be steadfast in His plan.  

How is it we can even do a good work? John 3-4

John 3:21 (NASBStr)

But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

John, in this portion of his letter, is giving us the teaching of Jesus in regard to Nicodemus' desire to know "how to be born again."   Nicodemus was a teacher of the law and, genuinely, wanted to know who the "born again" teaching worked.   Jesus explains it to him and demonstrates that God is the person who gives the new brith.   This is a work of the Spirit, Jesus clearly teaches (John 3:8).   He doesn't want Nicodemus to think that his own works will somehow accomplish the rebirth.  It is an act of God.     He further explains this rebirth in the language of Jesus being the Light of the World.  As He switches metaphors, Nicodemus is told that those who are no reborn, walk in darkness.  Those that God gives life to are said to "be in the light."   And, having been put into the light by God they practice truth.   The real evidence of the believer walking in light and having been reborn is that they "practice truth."   That "practicing truth" is shown by the believers "deeds."    Again, Jesus wants Nicodemus, a strict follower of the Law, to remember, that anything good that man does is wrought by God.   Even the good deeds.   So, Jesus tells the teacher, Nicodemus, that these deeds are being manifested to the world around them to show they have been 'wrought in God."   Here is some great evidence that anything we do is, and must be, accomplished only because we are place in union with Christ.    We can't do good deeds unless God does the work.  Note the following commentator's words: 

Matthew Henry:  Here is the character of a good work:it is wrought in God, in union with Him by a covenanting faith, and in communion with Him by devout affections. Our works are then good, and will bear the test, when the will of God is the rule of them and the glory of God the end of them; when they are done in HIs strength, and for His sake, to Him, and not to men; and if, by the light of the gospel, it be manifest to us that our works are thus wrought, then shall we have rejoicing, Gal. 6:4; 2 Co. 1:12.

Any good work we do finds it's source in God's power, strength and doing.   When we claim the least amount of credit for it we steal from God and dishonor His Work in us.   Our part is faith.  His part is the production of work in our lives.   That is why it is called the "fruit of the Spirit" and not the "results of believer's work."  

What do you think a person with wisdom looks like? Daniel 1-6

Daniel 1:3-4 (NASBStr)

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, youths in whom was no defect, who were good- looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

The above verses describe what happen when Daniel, a young man in the land of Judah, was taken captive and lead away to, apparently, attend Babylonian U.!!   The Babylonians (Chaldeans) took all the young men who looked and fit their image of "the perfect student."   There was no question they had a "preferred" type.   Like most of the world today, people think wisdom and discernment lie in the hearts of those who "look" good.  These candidates had "no defect" as it reads above.   Yet, we know that wisdom and discernment come from God and is given freely to those who fear The Lord.   If you read the next few chapters you read where Daniel was later validated for his Fear of The Lord and his reputation grew based upon that relationship (see Daniel 1:20; 2:47; 4:18; 5:12; 6:3).   In 1 Corinthians 2 we read that God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.   We need to make sure we don't fall into the same trap as the Chaldeans and believe that the inside skills sets of discernment and wisdom and interpretation of life's difficulties can be so easily done simple because of you look.   We often here, "that's a sharp looking young man/women."   However, God doesn't use sharp looking.  King David was not of the appearance of King Saul.  Yet, King David was wise and Saul foolish.   The disciples were poor fishermen and peasants.  Yet, look what God did with them.   Let's make sure we realize the importance of looking at what God has done inside someone not what is on the outside of someone.