1 John 3:10
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
John is sometimes a confusing writer to read. His truths are so plain, once we grasp them, but he writes like your ascending to the truth on a spiral staircase, continually twisting and turning, while seeing the same scene above and below at different angels and different views. Yet, John gives great, big, bold statements and when we land on them they are easy to grasp and safe to hold on to and wonderful for meditation. The above passage is an example of such a "landing." In the third chapter of John he is addressing the temptation and false teaching in the church that you can both believe in Jesus Christ AND continue to sin. The argument of false teachers is that Christ saves the soul but the body is not saved and continues in sin, and that is okay since it is not part of the redemptional plan. So, to the false teachers, sinning is something we live with and really doesn't equate in the redemption process. John is debunking that argument in the third chapter and he has already told them that those who "practice sin" (meaning continued and repetitive and un-repentive) are not really believers in Christ. He is not saying believers don't sin, but he is telling them (and us) that those who sin and make a practice of it, do not have a relationship with Christ. In the middle of that argument, he lands at the above verse. Like a summary statement to his apology, John tells them (and us) that the easiest way to know your relationship with Christ, whether it is genuine or fake, is your repetitive walk in God's righteousness, demonstrated by whether he or she loves his brother. The litmus test for believers is their walk in God's way and their love of other brothers and sisters in Christ. We can't hate or mistreat other brothers in Christ and say we are believers. That just doesn't work. It is, for sure, the hardest aspect of the Christian life that we have failed relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. To love them, in Christ, is often a struggle and beyond our normal fleshly tendencies. God has instructed us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ through Jesus and in His power. That is part of the exchanged life. We give Him our sin to pay for and satisfy the penalty and He gives us His love to shed abroad in our hearts to others. God's righteousness is seen in how we treat other children of God. God's righteousness is demonstrated when we love those who aren't always lovable. God loves us when we are not always lovable (we are never lovable!). We ought not measure our Christianity by our church attendance, level of service, brand of worship or even depth of knowing God's Word. If all of that is not worked out in our love for others and demonstration of that love through practical manners, we have lost sight of true faith and true belief.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Do you have a Jerusalem AND a Rome? Acts 19-20
Acts 19:21
Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Do you have a Rome and a Jerusalem? In the above text you couldn't have two cities farther apart in belief and philosophy of life. Paul knew both. Jerusalem was the bedrock of Judaism and Paul was raised and schooled in all respects of the Old Testament. Rome was the bedrock of Greek philosophy and, inferred from Acts 17 when Paul was on Mars Hill, Paul was schooled in the beliefs and structure of Greek thought. Jerusalem was old school; Rome was new school. Jerusalem was the birth of Christianity; Rome would become the furtherance of Christianity. Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem in time of Pentecost to renew his commitment to the church and his ties to the beliefs founded in the O.T. but realized in the new. Paul wanted to go to Rome because he saw there the avenue to expand Christianity. He saw the challenge, no doubt, but also the fruit that could be had. He will later get to Rome, albeit not as he would like: In chains. But, he had a Rome. He had a vision for Christ and the expansion of Christianity and the Church. Do we have our own Jerusalem and Rome? Do we have a bedrock of our faith we want to visit and ALSO a place we want to take that faith? Have we forgotten our Jerusalem? Have we lost sight of our Rome? God has placed in our hearts a desire for Him. He wants us to cultivate that and move His mission and plan forward. Paul was a driving force to move Christianity forward both because God put it in his heart and he cultivated it. He was willing to hang onto the good things of Jerusalem and also see the possibility for things in Rome.
Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Do you have a Rome and a Jerusalem? In the above text you couldn't have two cities farther apart in belief and philosophy of life. Paul knew both. Jerusalem was the bedrock of Judaism and Paul was raised and schooled in all respects of the Old Testament. Rome was the bedrock of Greek philosophy and, inferred from Acts 17 when Paul was on Mars Hill, Paul was schooled in the beliefs and structure of Greek thought. Jerusalem was old school; Rome was new school. Jerusalem was the birth of Christianity; Rome would become the furtherance of Christianity. Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem in time of Pentecost to renew his commitment to the church and his ties to the beliefs founded in the O.T. but realized in the new. Paul wanted to go to Rome because he saw there the avenue to expand Christianity. He saw the challenge, no doubt, but also the fruit that could be had. He will later get to Rome, albeit not as he would like: In chains. But, he had a Rome. He had a vision for Christ and the expansion of Christianity and the Church. Do we have our own Jerusalem and Rome? Do we have a bedrock of our faith we want to visit and ALSO a place we want to take that faith? Have we forgotten our Jerusalem? Have we lost sight of our Rome? God has placed in our hearts a desire for Him. He wants us to cultivate that and move His mission and plan forward. Paul was a driving force to move Christianity forward both because God put it in his heart and he cultivated it. He was willing to hang onto the good things of Jerusalem and also see the possibility for things in Rome.
Friday, November 28, 2014
How do you know God loves believers? Malachi 1-4
Malachi 1:2-3
" “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”"
The book of Malachi is all about God's final word in the Old Testament to the nation of Israel. They had been taken into captivity for their sins. They have returned from captivity in blessing, only to return to sin, again. The prophet Malachi is sent as the final prophet to warn them of their sin. Four hundred years from his words we will read about John the Baptist and, eventually, Jesus Christ, coming to remove their sin and the wrath has for that sin. This little book begins with one of the most profound and debated truths in God's Word. No one can deny the truth because it is stated so frequently. But, theologians, pastors and priest do their best to twist the truth to meet the limits of our minds. What is the truth? The truth is that God chooses. Read the above passage, again. The book starts out with the nation complaining to God that they are not sure of His love for them. To demonstrate His love for them God DOES NOT outline all the miracles He did for them. God does not outline all the promises He has made, fulfilled, continues to make and will continue to fulfill. God's answer to their question of skepticism about His love for them goes all the way back to the days that the twins Jacob (eventually to be renamed, Israel) and Esau were in the womb of their mother, Rebekah, Isaac's wife. God demonstrates His love to them by telling them that, while still in the womb, God chose Jacob to love. Before Jacob had done one act of breathing and no acts of doing good to others, God placed His love on Him. That is a truth!! But, the rest of the verse states that God hated Essau, his older, twin brother. We shutter at this part of the verse (which are restated by Paul in Romans 9:13 to defend the doctrine of election). We seem to rejoice and rest in the fact that God choose Jacob, but shrink into a pit about the fact that God choose to hate Esau. Before Esau took a breath and did one act of sin, God is said to hate him. Some fear this truth. Others rest in the amazing fact that God demonstrates His love to us but choosing. God chose the believers of the world. Ephesians 1 outlines this great and wonderful truth. If we are believers it is because looked out in a sea of dead people and choose to give us life. That should humble us. That should cause us to fall on our face in worship and service. He chose us and decided not to choose others. We can wrestle with that truth or we can rest in it. God was answering their question about how they would know if He loved them. He went to the core of who He is and said the reason you can know I love you, is that I choose you and not someone else. That is ultimate love. No matter what you think that means about others, it means God is full of love and puts His grace where He wants. He is, after all, God!
" “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”"
The book of Malachi is all about God's final word in the Old Testament to the nation of Israel. They had been taken into captivity for their sins. They have returned from captivity in blessing, only to return to sin, again. The prophet Malachi is sent as the final prophet to warn them of their sin. Four hundred years from his words we will read about John the Baptist and, eventually, Jesus Christ, coming to remove their sin and the wrath has for that sin. This little book begins with one of the most profound and debated truths in God's Word. No one can deny the truth because it is stated so frequently. But, theologians, pastors and priest do their best to twist the truth to meet the limits of our minds. What is the truth? The truth is that God chooses. Read the above passage, again. The book starts out with the nation complaining to God that they are not sure of His love for them. To demonstrate His love for them God DOES NOT outline all the miracles He did for them. God does not outline all the promises He has made, fulfilled, continues to make and will continue to fulfill. God's answer to their question of skepticism about His love for them goes all the way back to the days that the twins Jacob (eventually to be renamed, Israel) and Esau were in the womb of their mother, Rebekah, Isaac's wife. God demonstrates His love to them by telling them that, while still in the womb, God chose Jacob to love. Before Jacob had done one act of breathing and no acts of doing good to others, God placed His love on Him. That is a truth!! But, the rest of the verse states that God hated Essau, his older, twin brother. We shutter at this part of the verse (which are restated by Paul in Romans 9:13 to defend the doctrine of election). We seem to rejoice and rest in the fact that God choose Jacob, but shrink into a pit about the fact that God choose to hate Esau. Before Esau took a breath and did one act of sin, God is said to hate him. Some fear this truth. Others rest in the amazing fact that God demonstrates His love to us but choosing. God chose the believers of the world. Ephesians 1 outlines this great and wonderful truth. If we are believers it is because looked out in a sea of dead people and choose to give us life. That should humble us. That should cause us to fall on our face in worship and service. He chose us and decided not to choose others. We can wrestle with that truth or we can rest in it. God was answering their question about how they would know if He loved them. He went to the core of who He is and said the reason you can know I love you, is that I choose you and not someone else. That is ultimate love. No matter what you think that means about others, it means God is full of love and puts His grace where He wants. He is, after all, God!
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Are you pursuing the desires of your eyes? Ecclesiates 11-12
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
Solomon continues, toward the end of Ecclesiastes, to tell us what he has learned in life. When reading this book, we must never forget that Solomon is on a journey to experience everything in life and to give us a report; assuming we will simply listen to him and not attempt to do this at home. Yet, that is what we do. Solomon lives a life full of everything he can (he was, at the time, the richest man on earth) and he expects us to simply believe him. He knows, however, we won't simply take his word for it and, therefore, leaves us these final words, we read above. Having reached old age He tells us to "rejoice" in our youth. Grab the gusto!! He even tells us to "follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of the eyes." However, Solomon warns us, God WILL bring us into judgement for those things we pursue. We might not take his word for the fleetingness of life and we might want to try all the vain things in life ourselves, but, Solomon wants us to know that we will be judged for those things. We might think it is our "right" to pursue all these things, especially in our youth. But God is taken note and will be judge accordingly. Solomon solution is to remove everything from us that brings grief, anger and pain because life is short and fleeting. If we don't get it, he must be referring to sin in life, as that is what brings grief, anger and pain. When we have grief and anger in our hearts, it will lead to pain in our bodies. Our ability to allow God to take those out of our hearts allows us to live a free life and a life full of joy and peace from God. The fruit of the Spirit is the life Solomon envisions for us. A life full of joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, gentleness, etc. God gives us this life; we don't attempt to find it and live it by the choices we make. The prime of life is fleeting. We must allow the gift of God to live in us rather than pursue the things of our desires and bring pain and suffering to ourselves and those we love.
Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
Solomon continues, toward the end of Ecclesiastes, to tell us what he has learned in life. When reading this book, we must never forget that Solomon is on a journey to experience everything in life and to give us a report; assuming we will simply listen to him and not attempt to do this at home. Yet, that is what we do. Solomon lives a life full of everything he can (he was, at the time, the richest man on earth) and he expects us to simply believe him. He knows, however, we won't simply take his word for it and, therefore, leaves us these final words, we read above. Having reached old age He tells us to "rejoice" in our youth. Grab the gusto!! He even tells us to "follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of the eyes." However, Solomon warns us, God WILL bring us into judgement for those things we pursue. We might not take his word for the fleetingness of life and we might want to try all the vain things in life ourselves, but, Solomon wants us to know that we will be judged for those things. We might think it is our "right" to pursue all these things, especially in our youth. But God is taken note and will be judge accordingly. Solomon solution is to remove everything from us that brings grief, anger and pain because life is short and fleeting. If we don't get it, he must be referring to sin in life, as that is what brings grief, anger and pain. When we have grief and anger in our hearts, it will lead to pain in our bodies. Our ability to allow God to take those out of our hearts allows us to live a free life and a life full of joy and peace from God. The fruit of the Spirit is the life Solomon envisions for us. A life full of joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, gentleness, etc. God gives us this life; we don't attempt to find it and live it by the choices we make. The prime of life is fleeting. We must allow the gift of God to live in us rather than pursue the things of our desires and bring pain and suffering to ourselves and those we love.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Does God know your next move ... before you do? Psalm 137-139
Psalms 139:1-6
"O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it."
Recognizing God's knowledge of everything we think and do might be startling to some. To think that God is already knowing what you think about Him knowing what you think, could be fearful to some. God knows your thoughts, BEFORE you think them, not simply as you think them. God is not reading your mind, He is knowledgable of it, before we have the thought. Such knowledge, according to the writer of the above Psalm (King David) is "too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it." Even the great poet, king, warrior, shepherd David was awestruck by this truth. To some it is so vast, that they can't fathom thinking of it and ignore it. They run their trite lives in blissful ignorance and will only learn later that this thought will be their doom as God brings to the record all they have ever done, including rejected His truth and Him! To the believer, this is a blessed truth. God is the one who knows our cares and concerns before they become cares and concerns. God is in the midst of all our disaster, because He knew about it before each piece was put into motion ... in fact, He put it into motion.. For the believer the truth contained in these verses might be impossible to attain but peaceful to believe. To claim in you understand it would be to elevate your own mind and diminish Gods. To claim you believe it and rest in it is an act of faith, given by God and enjoyed by you. Let's live our lives in a way that reflects the beauty of these truths. He knows the path you took today ... each turn. He knows the next words you are going to say after reading this devotional ... before you know them. He has "enclosed" before and behind. Such knowledge is too wonderful. It is so calming to the soul who has learned it and rested upon it.
"O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it."
Recognizing God's knowledge of everything we think and do might be startling to some. To think that God is already knowing what you think about Him knowing what you think, could be fearful to some. God knows your thoughts, BEFORE you think them, not simply as you think them. God is not reading your mind, He is knowledgable of it, before we have the thought. Such knowledge, according to the writer of the above Psalm (King David) is "too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it." Even the great poet, king, warrior, shepherd David was awestruck by this truth. To some it is so vast, that they can't fathom thinking of it and ignore it. They run their trite lives in blissful ignorance and will only learn later that this thought will be their doom as God brings to the record all they have ever done, including rejected His truth and Him! To the believer, this is a blessed truth. God is the one who knows our cares and concerns before they become cares and concerns. God is in the midst of all our disaster, because He knew about it before each piece was put into motion ... in fact, He put it into motion.. For the believer the truth contained in these verses might be impossible to attain but peaceful to believe. To claim in you understand it would be to elevate your own mind and diminish Gods. To claim you believe it and rest in it is an act of faith, given by God and enjoyed by you. Let's live our lives in a way that reflects the beauty of these truths. He knows the path you took today ... each turn. He knows the next words you are going to say after reading this devotional ... before you know them. He has "enclosed" before and behind. Such knowledge is too wonderful. It is so calming to the soul who has learned it and rested upon it.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Does God give you an opportunity to serve only to add resistance later? Why? Nehemaih 1-4
Nehemiah 2:8b-10
"... And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me. Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel."
Nehemiah was given a burden by God (see 2:13) to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He was in captivity and was the cupbearer for the king. We have no information about how he was selected to be the cupbearer, however. The cupbearer was to always be ready to supply the king with wine to drink. He was to taste the wine prior to serving the king. If one of the king's enemies had poisoned the wine, the cupbearer would die first. When Nehemiah had requested that he be allowed to return to Jerusalem for a short trip, he was taking his own life in his hand. The king, on the occasion, however, allowed it and even supplied him with letters he could take to those officials in the land to let them know that the king was in favor of this return to build the walls. Even though God had put Nehemiah in the correct place to get the king's permission, letters and a military escort, there were still those in the land who would want to oppose Nehemiah. In one land, Nehemiah was honored and given great privilege for a captive in the land. However, in another land, his home land, he is not treated with contempt, even though he had letters from the king giving him permission to rebuild the city walls. Where we have God's grace on the one hand, we have Satan's work on the other. God had turned the ungodly man's heart (the king) to allow the work, but God had permitted resistance in the land (Sanballat) to keep Nehemiah faithful in prayer and to test the will of the people. We all want things to go smoothly in life, but that is not how life goes. Smooth is for heaven. We will have smooth some day. Right now God is using us and moving us into situations of great favor, only to give us just enough resistance to keep us armed for battle. Peter and Paul were given great doors of opportunity for the gospel and saw thousands, in single days, come to Christ, only to be beaten and imprisoned and flogged at the end of the day. God is not here to make our lives smooth, but He is here to make our lives look like Christ. Christ went through daily suffering just living among sin. His finally suffering on the cross was for us. God's pattern is to put us in places of great opportunity (maybe the cupbearer to the king) and to use that opportunity to work on His mission. That work WILL BE opposed by the enemy. That is both a sign you are doing God's work and the grace of God to keep you humble, relying on Him and conforming you to the image of His Son.
"... And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me. Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel."
Nehemiah was given a burden by God (see 2:13) to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He was in captivity and was the cupbearer for the king. We have no information about how he was selected to be the cupbearer, however. The cupbearer was to always be ready to supply the king with wine to drink. He was to taste the wine prior to serving the king. If one of the king's enemies had poisoned the wine, the cupbearer would die first. When Nehemiah had requested that he be allowed to return to Jerusalem for a short trip, he was taking his own life in his hand. The king, on the occasion, however, allowed it and even supplied him with letters he could take to those officials in the land to let them know that the king was in favor of this return to build the walls. Even though God had put Nehemiah in the correct place to get the king's permission, letters and a military escort, there were still those in the land who would want to oppose Nehemiah. In one land, Nehemiah was honored and given great privilege for a captive in the land. However, in another land, his home land, he is not treated with contempt, even though he had letters from the king giving him permission to rebuild the city walls. Where we have God's grace on the one hand, we have Satan's work on the other. God had turned the ungodly man's heart (the king) to allow the work, but God had permitted resistance in the land (Sanballat) to keep Nehemiah faithful in prayer and to test the will of the people. We all want things to go smoothly in life, but that is not how life goes. Smooth is for heaven. We will have smooth some day. Right now God is using us and moving us into situations of great favor, only to give us just enough resistance to keep us armed for battle. Peter and Paul were given great doors of opportunity for the gospel and saw thousands, in single days, come to Christ, only to be beaten and imprisoned and flogged at the end of the day. God is not here to make our lives smooth, but He is here to make our lives look like Christ. Christ went through daily suffering just living among sin. His finally suffering on the cross was for us. God's pattern is to put us in places of great opportunity (maybe the cupbearer to the king) and to use that opportunity to work on His mission. That work WILL BE opposed by the enemy. That is both a sign you are doing God's work and the grace of God to keep you humble, relying on Him and conforming you to the image of His Son.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Are you distracted in the fight against sin? Deuteronomy 20-22
Deuteronomy 20:5-8
" The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. Who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit. And who is the man that is engaged to a woman and has not married her? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would marry her.’ Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart.’"
Going to war is a difficult task, for anyone. In this chapter, Moses repeats what God had earlier told them about the prospects of war. The nation was about to enter into the promise land that was already possessed by several nations. Nations we discovered earlier (from the twelve spies that went) were giants in the land. These nations had great armies and strong fortresses. We have to remember that this new nation consists of everyone who was under twenty-years of age during the exodus from Egypt. They saw the miracles, but were only children. Now they were told they were going to war and that they would have to be focused. That is what this passage is all about. It is about focus. They were (according to 20:1-4) to be focused on God's sovereign control. Yet, God, through Moses, warns them that the lack of focus on God's power is so important, that it would be better for them to not be in the fight, than to be in it and be a distraction. Moses outlines for them the reasons they could stay home. If they had just built a house, they could stay home. If they just planted a vineyard, they could stay home from the fight. If they just got married, they could stay home from the fight. IF they were simply scared, they could stay home, less their fear became contagious like the flu. Although the last two of these reasons for staying home sound plausible, the first two beg a question: They haven't even secured the land yet and the war was for that purpose ... so, how would they have a house the just built and how would they have just planted a vineyard? The implication of these "distractions" is that there would be a lengthy battle going on. These wars were not going to be over in a weekend. This is way Moses tells them these things. Conquering the land would be a long process. Just like how we have a war on sin in our lives, it does not get over quickly. Like this nation, we are not to be distracted in our fight to defeat sin. Our focus is to be on the sovereign control of God and His power to secure the victory. We are not to be focused on things of this world. We are to have an eternal focus. Don't let the things of this world distract you from the fight at hand. Focus on Christ's strength in you and realize the defeat of sin is our primary objective as we wait for our glorification in Christ.
" The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. Who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit. And who is the man that is engaged to a woman and has not married her? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would marry her.’ Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart.’"
Going to war is a difficult task, for anyone. In this chapter, Moses repeats what God had earlier told them about the prospects of war. The nation was about to enter into the promise land that was already possessed by several nations. Nations we discovered earlier (from the twelve spies that went) were giants in the land. These nations had great armies and strong fortresses. We have to remember that this new nation consists of everyone who was under twenty-years of age during the exodus from Egypt. They saw the miracles, but were only children. Now they were told they were going to war and that they would have to be focused. That is what this passage is all about. It is about focus. They were (according to 20:1-4) to be focused on God's sovereign control. Yet, God, through Moses, warns them that the lack of focus on God's power is so important, that it would be better for them to not be in the fight, than to be in it and be a distraction. Moses outlines for them the reasons they could stay home. If they had just built a house, they could stay home. If they just planted a vineyard, they could stay home from the fight. If they just got married, they could stay home from the fight. IF they were simply scared, they could stay home, less their fear became contagious like the flu. Although the last two of these reasons for staying home sound plausible, the first two beg a question: They haven't even secured the land yet and the war was for that purpose ... so, how would they have a house the just built and how would they have just planted a vineyard? The implication of these "distractions" is that there would be a lengthy battle going on. These wars were not going to be over in a weekend. This is way Moses tells them these things. Conquering the land would be a long process. Just like how we have a war on sin in our lives, it does not get over quickly. Like this nation, we are not to be distracted in our fight to defeat sin. Our focus is to be on the sovereign control of God and His power to secure the victory. We are not to be focused on things of this world. We are to have an eternal focus. Don't let the things of this world distract you from the fight at hand. Focus on Christ's strength in you and realize the defeat of sin is our primary objective as we wait for our glorification in Christ.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Why do we read and study God's Word? 2 Peter
2 Peter 3:1-2
"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles."
Why are Christians encouraged to read the Bible every day? Why do we believe it is beneficial to be engulfed in God's Word on a daily basis? Why do we think it is a key of the Christian life to memorize and meditate on Scripture? It's not that the Word of God is some secret potion. We do not believe that simply hearing God's Word will permanently change lives. James tells us to be aware of the fallacy (James 2:18-20). Yet, Paul does say that faith can't happen without the hearing of the Word (Romans 10:17). Peter, in the above couple of verses, outlines for us both the reason for the book he is writing and the reason Christians are encouraged to read, study and mediate on God's Word: We ALL have a tendency to forget. It is amazing how quickly we forget things in our lives. We often, quite easily, forget the things we have learned and even studied. Peter, before his death (it appears to be imminent) wants his readers to go back and remember what they had learned. He knew they might fall into sin, simply because of a weak mind with memory issues. But, he also knew that the false teachers were spreading a variety of variant views and, by reminding them of what they knew, Peter is assuring they will be warding off evil teaching. Spending time in God's Word is a way to ward off the evil teachers and to keep one's mind sharp. We are not to be lazy minded. Peter tells us that he is "stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder." The implication is that when we read God's Word and hear it, we are keeping our mind sharp and that is the bedrock of our life decisions. Peter is reminding them to remember the words spoken by the prophets (Old Testament) and the Savior (the Gospels) and those words, by extension the Apostles (the Epistles). All the Words of God Word are to be read, meditated upon and observed. That is why we read God Word.
"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles."
Why are Christians encouraged to read the Bible every day? Why do we believe it is beneficial to be engulfed in God's Word on a daily basis? Why do we think it is a key of the Christian life to memorize and meditate on Scripture? It's not that the Word of God is some secret potion. We do not believe that simply hearing God's Word will permanently change lives. James tells us to be aware of the fallacy (James 2:18-20). Yet, Paul does say that faith can't happen without the hearing of the Word (Romans 10:17). Peter, in the above couple of verses, outlines for us both the reason for the book he is writing and the reason Christians are encouraged to read, study and mediate on God's Word: We ALL have a tendency to forget. It is amazing how quickly we forget things in our lives. We often, quite easily, forget the things we have learned and even studied. Peter, before his death (it appears to be imminent) wants his readers to go back and remember what they had learned. He knew they might fall into sin, simply because of a weak mind with memory issues. But, he also knew that the false teachers were spreading a variety of variant views and, by reminding them of what they knew, Peter is assuring they will be warding off evil teaching. Spending time in God's Word is a way to ward off the evil teachers and to keep one's mind sharp. We are not to be lazy minded. Peter tells us that he is "stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder." The implication is that when we read God's Word and hear it, we are keeping our mind sharp and that is the bedrock of our life decisions. Peter is reminding them to remember the words spoken by the prophets (Old Testament) and the Savior (the Gospels) and those words, by extension the Apostles (the Epistles). All the Words of God Word are to be read, meditated upon and observed. That is why we read God Word.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Do you know who to correct another? Will you take correction? Acts 17-18
Acts 18:26-28
" and he (Apollos) began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."
The "he" in the above verse is a man named Apollos, who would later become a great defender of the faith and man even Paul would refer to in 1 Corinthians, as a fellow proclaimer of the truth. Paul would later write to the Corinthian believers and acknowledge that some said they "were of Paul" and others would say they "were of Apollos"; this in reference to the person who led them to Christ. So, we see that Apollos is a great man of God's Word. Yet, as the above passage shows, it was not always so. Apollos had come to Ephesus, were two of the early churches greatest advocates for the Gospel would reside: Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife preaching team. When Apollos, an eloquent man, began to preach, he had limited knowledge of God's Word. He was only, thus far, familiar with Jesus in regard to the Baptism of Repentance, preached by John the Baptist. We have to stop and ask, "Where was this man during all this time?" We may not know, but we are told he was powerful and eloquent in the Scripture. Luke, the writer of Acts goes out of his way to tell us that Apollos was "instructed in the way of the Lord" and then quickly adds, only to the extent of John the Baptist. Apollos was truly a rising start, who was still young and misinformed. God brought this man into the hearing of a more seasoned veteran of God's Word, Priscilla and Aquila, who would approach him to provide needed teaching. The word we have Luke use to describe P&A's approach, in the above passage, is translated "explain" to him the "way of the Lord." This word "explained" is made up of two Greek words and literally means "to place out" or "to expose." These two seasoned man and woman of the Gospel laid out for Apollos the correct interpretation of the Gospel. He was currently misinformed, operating under the information he had at the time. Notice the spirit of this event, however. He preached and was corrected by these two. After he is corrected he goes on to be powerful in dealing with the Jews about Jesus. He was receptive to their correction and they were sensitive to his need to be correct. Apollos needed to see the Scriptures and learn them. His zeal for what he knew was great. But, his need to have proper understanding was necessary. Try any of this today and we might see a different result. Those who attempt to correct often do it in the wrong spirit. Those who are being corrected often receive it in the wrong spirit. Here is a great example of being corrected and having that correction fall into good ground and bring forth great fruit. Apollos would go on to be a great leader in the church. But, not until he was corrected, appropriately and accurately, being exposed to the truth.
" and he (Apollos) began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."
The "he" in the above verse is a man named Apollos, who would later become a great defender of the faith and man even Paul would refer to in 1 Corinthians, as a fellow proclaimer of the truth. Paul would later write to the Corinthian believers and acknowledge that some said they "were of Paul" and others would say they "were of Apollos"; this in reference to the person who led them to Christ. So, we see that Apollos is a great man of God's Word. Yet, as the above passage shows, it was not always so. Apollos had come to Ephesus, were two of the early churches greatest advocates for the Gospel would reside: Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife preaching team. When Apollos, an eloquent man, began to preach, he had limited knowledge of God's Word. He was only, thus far, familiar with Jesus in regard to the Baptism of Repentance, preached by John the Baptist. We have to stop and ask, "Where was this man during all this time?" We may not know, but we are told he was powerful and eloquent in the Scripture. Luke, the writer of Acts goes out of his way to tell us that Apollos was "instructed in the way of the Lord" and then quickly adds, only to the extent of John the Baptist. Apollos was truly a rising start, who was still young and misinformed. God brought this man into the hearing of a more seasoned veteran of God's Word, Priscilla and Aquila, who would approach him to provide needed teaching. The word we have Luke use to describe P&A's approach, in the above passage, is translated "explain" to him the "way of the Lord." This word "explained" is made up of two Greek words and literally means "to place out" or "to expose." These two seasoned man and woman of the Gospel laid out for Apollos the correct interpretation of the Gospel. He was currently misinformed, operating under the information he had at the time. Notice the spirit of this event, however. He preached and was corrected by these two. After he is corrected he goes on to be powerful in dealing with the Jews about Jesus. He was receptive to their correction and they were sensitive to his need to be correct. Apollos needed to see the Scriptures and learn them. His zeal for what he knew was great. But, his need to have proper understanding was necessary. Try any of this today and we might see a different result. Those who attempt to correct often do it in the wrong spirit. Those who are being corrected often receive it in the wrong spirit. Here is a great example of being corrected and having that correction fall into good ground and bring forth great fruit. Apollos would go on to be a great leader in the church. But, not until he was corrected, appropriately and accurately, being exposed to the truth.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Do some sheep just refused to follow? Zecharaiah 8-14
Zechariah 11:8-9
" Then I annihilated the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also was weary of me. Then I said, “I will not pasture you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be annihilated, let it be annihilated; and let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.”
In chapter eleven of this great prophetic book, we have the story of Zechariah becoming a shepherd for a rebellious remnant of the nation. He replaces three other shepherds. Their reputation was to lead on the backs of the people. They were wicked leaders. They bought and sold the sheep (the people). Zechariah, however, grows weary of them and impatient. They were a rebellious group and refused to follow the Godly leadership he offered, as a servant of God. They had grown "weary" of Zechariah's leadership. As a result, Zechariah cut them lose. If they didn't want to follow him there was nothing left for God to do, through His servant. Word Biblical Commentary stated it as follows:
The lesson of the parable is that if a people will not follow good leaders they are doomed to suffer under evil ones. But "the arm of the foolish shepherd will wither and his right eye will be expressionless." The arm of the leader represented "strength for defense" and the right eye was the one used to see over the shield in aiming his arrow. Thus the people under a foolish shepherd will be defenseless (v 17).
People have the right to be foolish! "Right" might be the wrong word there, but they certainly have the option. God provided a great leader and they rejected him. It should be noted that Zechariah had to come to the point to realize that foolishness is bound into the heart. In this case the rod of correction did not drive it far from them. Sometimes the fool fails to be corrected, even by the rod (Proverbs 22:15). Leadership, especially those bent on reaching ALL the lost, have a hard time giving up on someone. Zechariah had to dispose of the evil leadership around him. He then saw that the people didn't follow him either and that is why they are given over to their own devices. If we refuse to follow God's leaders we have nothing left but to act out our foolishness and become defenseless in our walk. Sometimes you have to just let fools be fools. Christ was a great example to His disciples. Yet, Judas still had foolishness bound into his heart. Exposed daily to the Son of God did nothing to soften the evil and envious manner by which he walked. Even the Good Shepherd could not melt or mold his cold heart.
" Then I annihilated the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also was weary of me. Then I said, “I will not pasture you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be annihilated, let it be annihilated; and let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.”
In chapter eleven of this great prophetic book, we have the story of Zechariah becoming a shepherd for a rebellious remnant of the nation. He replaces three other shepherds. Their reputation was to lead on the backs of the people. They were wicked leaders. They bought and sold the sheep (the people). Zechariah, however, grows weary of them and impatient. They were a rebellious group and refused to follow the Godly leadership he offered, as a servant of God. They had grown "weary" of Zechariah's leadership. As a result, Zechariah cut them lose. If they didn't want to follow him there was nothing left for God to do, through His servant. Word Biblical Commentary stated it as follows:
The lesson of the parable is that if a people will not follow good leaders they are doomed to suffer under evil ones. But "the arm of the foolish shepherd will wither and his right eye will be expressionless." The arm of the leader represented "strength for defense" and the right eye was the one used to see over the shield in aiming his arrow. Thus the people under a foolish shepherd will be defenseless (v 17).
People have the right to be foolish! "Right" might be the wrong word there, but they certainly have the option. God provided a great leader and they rejected him. It should be noted that Zechariah had to come to the point to realize that foolishness is bound into the heart. In this case the rod of correction did not drive it far from them. Sometimes the fool fails to be corrected, even by the rod (Proverbs 22:15). Leadership, especially those bent on reaching ALL the lost, have a hard time giving up on someone. Zechariah had to dispose of the evil leadership around him. He then saw that the people didn't follow him either and that is why they are given over to their own devices. If we refuse to follow God's leaders we have nothing left but to act out our foolishness and become defenseless in our walk. Sometimes you have to just let fools be fools. Christ was a great example to His disciples. Yet, Judas still had foolishness bound into his heart. Exposed daily to the Son of God did nothing to soften the evil and envious manner by which he walked. Even the Good Shepherd could not melt or mold his cold heart.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Do you know hears your private thoughts? Ecclesiates 9-10
Ecclesiastes 10:20
" Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known."
The phrase, "a little birdie told me" hails from this passage in Solomon's preaching. In the entire tenth chapter Solomon is warning us, the listeners, to be wise in our dealings with others, because foolishness profits nothing. Here, in the above proverb, Solomon tells us that to express your disloyalty or displeasure about those in high places (politicians and the wealth ... or, politicians who are also wealthy) is to take one's fate and toss it to the wind. We MIGHT think we are simply expressing our thoughts in private ("in your sleeping rooms") but the curse or statement of displeasure will come back to hunt you. Those in the position to rule and be the king and/or those in the possession of great wealth, have accomplished these things for particular reason. They know things and hear things and seek out things. Your stating something in private, Solomon warns, is not necessarily private. God can even use His smallest of creatures to convey that statement to others. We often get into "who told you I said that" arguments with others, rather than "I can't believe I said that" reflections. Solomon is warning us that the foolish man is the one who says things thinking it will never be heard. The wise man (the one who Fears God) is one who recognizes the power in words and that the powerful are truly powerful, that even a small creature might inform them. Don't over estimate your private thoughts and don't underestimate how far the strong and powerful can hear. That is wisdom.
" Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known."
The phrase, "a little birdie told me" hails from this passage in Solomon's preaching. In the entire tenth chapter Solomon is warning us, the listeners, to be wise in our dealings with others, because foolishness profits nothing. Here, in the above proverb, Solomon tells us that to express your disloyalty or displeasure about those in high places (politicians and the wealth ... or, politicians who are also wealthy) is to take one's fate and toss it to the wind. We MIGHT think we are simply expressing our thoughts in private ("in your sleeping rooms") but the curse or statement of displeasure will come back to hunt you. Those in the position to rule and be the king and/or those in the possession of great wealth, have accomplished these things for particular reason. They know things and hear things and seek out things. Your stating something in private, Solomon warns, is not necessarily private. God can even use His smallest of creatures to convey that statement to others. We often get into "who told you I said that" arguments with others, rather than "I can't believe I said that" reflections. Solomon is warning us that the foolish man is the one who says things thinking it will never be heard. The wise man (the one who Fears God) is one who recognizes the power in words and that the powerful are truly powerful, that even a small creature might inform them. Don't over estimate your private thoughts and don't underestimate how far the strong and powerful can hear. That is wisdom.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Do you have the power? Where does it come from? Psalm 134-136
Psalms 134:3
" May the Lord bless you from Zion,
He who made heaven and earth."
Many times throughout the Psalms the words, "May the Lord bless you," are either written, expressed or alluded to in regard to God granting us blessings. The Scriptures are pure in regard to WHERE blessings comes, or better WHO provides blessings. In this verse the writer gives us insight that the blessing from the Lord will come out of Zion (another name for Jerusalem) and from the God who has so much power, He made heaven and earth. God is not shy about telling of His greatness. We should take that cue from Him and praise Him all the more for it. Psalm 135 and 136, to follow, are a breakdown and description of His great power - as are many of the Psalms. In this little chapter (134) we have only three verses, but powerful verses, about God. The above verse calls for us to be blessed with the same power that God used to create the heavens and the earth. How is that possible? And, that blessing is to come out of Jerusalem. How would that work? Do I have to take a journey to the Promise Land and Jerusalem, in particular, to receive this blessing? There are many who believe that. However, this little Psalm is a big prophetic utterance for us. Our of Jerusalem comes our Savior. Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem and overcame death and rose from the dead in Jerusalem. Jesus was there at Creation when the heaven and earth was made and that same power was used to raise Him from the dead. So, when the Psalmist writes that you and I can be blessed out of Zion, by the God who made heaven and earth, he is writing that Christ would dwell in our hearts in power. The same power He used to create the physical universe is the same power He uses to re-create us in the likeness of Christ. We are blessed out of Zion. Zion becomes the conduit for all of God's blessings because it is through Zion that Christ was crucified and resurrected. Our blessing for power in our lives comes from Christ. When Christ dwells in our hearts we have the power that was used to create heaven and earth. That means our "blessing" is powerful. There is no addiction, sin, chain, or corruption Jesus can't care for appropriately. We have, dwelling in us, the blessing from Zion, the Son of God, who's power made the heavens and the earth ... again, it is dwelling in us. We have been blessed out of Zion!!
" May the Lord bless you from Zion,
He who made heaven and earth."
Many times throughout the Psalms the words, "May the Lord bless you," are either written, expressed or alluded to in regard to God granting us blessings. The Scriptures are pure in regard to WHERE blessings comes, or better WHO provides blessings. In this verse the writer gives us insight that the blessing from the Lord will come out of Zion (another name for Jerusalem) and from the God who has so much power, He made heaven and earth. God is not shy about telling of His greatness. We should take that cue from Him and praise Him all the more for it. Psalm 135 and 136, to follow, are a breakdown and description of His great power - as are many of the Psalms. In this little chapter (134) we have only three verses, but powerful verses, about God. The above verse calls for us to be blessed with the same power that God used to create the heavens and the earth. How is that possible? And, that blessing is to come out of Jerusalem. How would that work? Do I have to take a journey to the Promise Land and Jerusalem, in particular, to receive this blessing? There are many who believe that. However, this little Psalm is a big prophetic utterance for us. Our of Jerusalem comes our Savior. Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem and overcame death and rose from the dead in Jerusalem. Jesus was there at Creation when the heaven and earth was made and that same power was used to raise Him from the dead. So, when the Psalmist writes that you and I can be blessed out of Zion, by the God who made heaven and earth, he is writing that Christ would dwell in our hearts in power. The same power He used to create the physical universe is the same power He uses to re-create us in the likeness of Christ. We are blessed out of Zion. Zion becomes the conduit for all of God's blessings because it is through Zion that Christ was crucified and resurrected. Our blessing for power in our lives comes from Christ. When Christ dwells in our hearts we have the power that was used to create heaven and earth. That means our "blessing" is powerful. There is no addiction, sin, chain, or corruption Jesus can't care for appropriately. We have, dwelling in us, the blessing from Zion, the Son of God, who's power made the heavens and the earth ... again, it is dwelling in us. We have been blessed out of Zion!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Have you ever experienced God moving in a community? Ezra 7-10
Ezra 10:10-12
" Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful and have married foreign wives adding to the guilt of Israel. Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers and do His will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” Then all the assembly replied with a loud voice, “That’s right! As you have said, so it is our duty to do."
When God grips the heart, the lives of people change!! God has the power to change people and only God can change them. In this book of the return to the promise land from captivity, the scribe, Ezra, discovers that those who were left in the land had married foreign wives. Ezra, as the scribe, was well versed in the ways of God's Word and he informs those who were left in the land during the captivity that they were not allowed to marry and mix with the nations that surrounded them. This remaining remnant had figured since the majority of God's people were gone, they were no longer responsible to keep the Law of Moses. But, Ezra reminds them that they were and are required. When Ezra (and Nehemiah, later) return, revival begins to take place. Ezra falls down in prayer of this and begins to ask God to move in the hearts of these people. As a result of God's hand upon him and them, the above verses are penned. The remnant is moved by their guilt and their desire to walk upright with God, according to His Word. Change takes place because the men of the day were moved by God and God's hand was upon them. That movement caused them to repent and repentance always changes the way we leave. The book ends with an entire listing of those men who had taken foreign wives. Some had even produced children as a result of these unholy marriages. According to the text these men "put away" these wives, with the children. God's Word was specific in this regard. God, in His plan, was keeping the line of Christ pure. It was important to God's plan. In order for that to happen a revival was going to have to take place and drastic change was going to have to be realized. When God moves in the hearts of men, whole communities move and change. Read the stories in Acts when Peter and Paul entered towns and preached the gospel. Drastic changes are seen when the Gospel is preached and, by faith, acted upon. God is in the business of changing things.
" Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful and have married foreign wives adding to the guilt of Israel. Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers and do His will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” Then all the assembly replied with a loud voice, “That’s right! As you have said, so it is our duty to do."
When God grips the heart, the lives of people change!! God has the power to change people and only God can change them. In this book of the return to the promise land from captivity, the scribe, Ezra, discovers that those who were left in the land had married foreign wives. Ezra, as the scribe, was well versed in the ways of God's Word and he informs those who were left in the land during the captivity that they were not allowed to marry and mix with the nations that surrounded them. This remaining remnant had figured since the majority of God's people were gone, they were no longer responsible to keep the Law of Moses. But, Ezra reminds them that they were and are required. When Ezra (and Nehemiah, later) return, revival begins to take place. Ezra falls down in prayer of this and begins to ask God to move in the hearts of these people. As a result of God's hand upon him and them, the above verses are penned. The remnant is moved by their guilt and their desire to walk upright with God, according to His Word. Change takes place because the men of the day were moved by God and God's hand was upon them. That movement caused them to repent and repentance always changes the way we leave. The book ends with an entire listing of those men who had taken foreign wives. Some had even produced children as a result of these unholy marriages. According to the text these men "put away" these wives, with the children. God's Word was specific in this regard. God, in His plan, was keeping the line of Christ pure. It was important to God's plan. In order for that to happen a revival was going to have to take place and drastic change was going to have to be realized. When God moves in the hearts of men, whole communities move and change. Read the stories in Acts when Peter and Paul entered towns and preached the gospel. Drastic changes are seen when the Gospel is preached and, by faith, acted upon. God is in the business of changing things.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Are we supposed to remember or forget the things of the past? Deuteronomy 16-18
Deuteronomy 16:12
" You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes."
What we remember in life is important. We are often trying to forget things. In fact, in Philippians 4:8 we are actually told by Paul's example to forget things from the past that are hindering our walk with Christ:
Philippians 3:13
" Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,"
Paul realized that there were things in the past that could hold us back from laying hold of what Christ has for us. In his case it was the pride of life and the accomplishments of life he needed to forget. He was keenly aware that when we hold onto our own accomplishments we will not lay hold of what Christ has for us. So, forgetting is a good thing. Yet, in the above passage in Deuteronomy we see that God tells the nation of Israel to "remember" their former state. In this case the remembering is to assure they don't forget that God brought them out of something ... something they should not forget. An alcoholic is always told to introduce themselves at a AA meeting with their name and with the statement, "... and I'm an alcoholic." The reminder for them is to make sure they don't forget their station in life and the bad steps they have made and the fact they "might" return to that station. However, if you look at the above passage, God tells the nation to remember that they "were" slaves in Egypt. God has redeemed them. God has set them free from their slavery (see the entire Psalm 107). God has set us free from the slavery of the past through His Son. We ought not continue to remember that were "are" something, but that we "were" something and, by the grace of God, we have been set free. We ought NEVER forget what were "were" and that God set us free. The organization of AA has done a lot of good in our country, but where they fail is to combine the concepts taught in Deuteronomy 16:12 and Philippians 3:13. We are to forget what we have accomplished, because that may hinder us from attaining what God has for us. But, we are to remember we ARE free and we can refer to those things in the past as past-tense. Christ has changed us once for all. I am no longer a sinner. I should always remember what I WAS and put that in the frame work of what I NOW AM, in Christ. I should forget anything that might hinder me from laying hold of that truth.
" You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes."
What we remember in life is important. We are often trying to forget things. In fact, in Philippians 4:8 we are actually told by Paul's example to forget things from the past that are hindering our walk with Christ:
Philippians 3:13
" Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,"
Paul realized that there were things in the past that could hold us back from laying hold of what Christ has for us. In his case it was the pride of life and the accomplishments of life he needed to forget. He was keenly aware that when we hold onto our own accomplishments we will not lay hold of what Christ has for us. So, forgetting is a good thing. Yet, in the above passage in Deuteronomy we see that God tells the nation of Israel to "remember" their former state. In this case the remembering is to assure they don't forget that God brought them out of something ... something they should not forget. An alcoholic is always told to introduce themselves at a AA meeting with their name and with the statement, "... and I'm an alcoholic." The reminder for them is to make sure they don't forget their station in life and the bad steps they have made and the fact they "might" return to that station. However, if you look at the above passage, God tells the nation to remember that they "were" slaves in Egypt. God has redeemed them. God has set them free from their slavery (see the entire Psalm 107). God has set us free from the slavery of the past through His Son. We ought not continue to remember that were "are" something, but that we "were" something and, by the grace of God, we have been set free. We ought NEVER forget what were "were" and that God set us free. The organization of AA has done a lot of good in our country, but where they fail is to combine the concepts taught in Deuteronomy 16:12 and Philippians 3:13. We are to forget what we have accomplished, because that may hinder us from attaining what God has for us. But, we are to remember we ARE free and we can refer to those things in the past as past-tense. Christ has changed us once for all. I am no longer a sinner. I should always remember what I WAS and put that in the frame work of what I NOW AM, in Christ. I should forget anything that might hinder me from laying hold of that truth.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
How do you face suffering? 1 Peter 4-5
1 Peter 5:6-7
" Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."
The Christians, in Peter's day, were under immense struggle and persecution. Nero was charging up his kingdom and Christians would soon be the entertainment for his sport and his fuel for lighting the streets during that entertainment. Peter is preparing these believers, and us, to not be alarmed at persecution and suffering. As Christ suffered (1 Peter 4:1), so too will we. This is a foreign concept to Westerners, our society. However, in China, Africa, the Middle East, this is the norm, not the exception. Peter wants them to find hope in the plan of God (He will judge those who are causing their suffering) and the hope in Christ (He will rescue and bring us all to Him). That is the purpose of the book. As we read the above verse we should be careful how we quote it. Most simply pull the verse out of the context and take great hope that if things are going well, God will exalt you in due time. However, we mostly interpret this in the context of our jobs or temporal life. We believe that it means if we are having a bad day God will eventually put us in the place or station of life we deserve and, might even believe we deserve. However, the immediate context of the passage is that, since we face such certain and expected persecution for our faith (meaning: A loss of material possessions, jobs, leg, limb and life), we are to humble ourselves under God's will (1 Peter 4:1-2) and expect Him to exalt us (in the spiritual world) in due time. God is going to exalt us to heaven because we are "in Christ" and our hope is in the exaltation. We are not to ignore the certain sufferings. They are real and painful. But, we are not to lose hope about them. We are to, in faith, trust in God's leading, protecting and elevating us, in due time. It is okay to believe, that, as we humble ourselves, God will certainly exalt us into positions and responsibilities in this world (think Joseph or Daniel). There are plenty of passages that preach God doing just that for His children. But, the context in the above verses is much bigger for us. We can rejoice that the worse it gets for believes the closer we get to being exalted into the presence of Christ, who also suffered that we might have that hope.
" Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."
The Christians, in Peter's day, were under immense struggle and persecution. Nero was charging up his kingdom and Christians would soon be the entertainment for his sport and his fuel for lighting the streets during that entertainment. Peter is preparing these believers, and us, to not be alarmed at persecution and suffering. As Christ suffered (1 Peter 4:1), so too will we. This is a foreign concept to Westerners, our society. However, in China, Africa, the Middle East, this is the norm, not the exception. Peter wants them to find hope in the plan of God (He will judge those who are causing their suffering) and the hope in Christ (He will rescue and bring us all to Him). That is the purpose of the book. As we read the above verse we should be careful how we quote it. Most simply pull the verse out of the context and take great hope that if things are going well, God will exalt you in due time. However, we mostly interpret this in the context of our jobs or temporal life. We believe that it means if we are having a bad day God will eventually put us in the place or station of life we deserve and, might even believe we deserve. However, the immediate context of the passage is that, since we face such certain and expected persecution for our faith (meaning: A loss of material possessions, jobs, leg, limb and life), we are to humble ourselves under God's will (1 Peter 4:1-2) and expect Him to exalt us (in the spiritual world) in due time. God is going to exalt us to heaven because we are "in Christ" and our hope is in the exaltation. We are not to ignore the certain sufferings. They are real and painful. But, we are not to lose hope about them. We are to, in faith, trust in God's leading, protecting and elevating us, in due time. It is okay to believe, that, as we humble ourselves, God will certainly exalt us into positions and responsibilities in this world (think Joseph or Daniel). There are plenty of passages that preach God doing just that for His children. But, the context in the above verses is much bigger for us. We can rejoice that the worse it gets for believes the closer we get to being exalted into the presence of Christ, who also suffered that we might have that hope.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Do you what the requirements are to stay on mission? Zechariah 1-7
Zechariah 7:9-10
" “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’"
The entire book of Zechariah was written to record the prophecy - the prophecy was spoken to encourage the people of God to keep building the temple for God and to keep living for Him. Even though they had spent seventy-years in captivity, they were tempted, upon return, to repeat the sins of the past. In the past they had rejected God and followed the evilness of their own hearts. The above verses are spoken to remind them of what the essential requirements of God are all about and how to keep walking in His ways. Certain leaders in the nation had come to Zechariah and asked if they should keep fasting, now that they had returned to Jerusalem and started to build the temple. God rebukes them through the prophet because He knew they were not fasting in their hearts - hoping for the holiness of God to be revealed in them - but, they were fasting as a form of religion. The prophet tells them that the way to reflect the Law and to do what God wants was simple: Do right to all those you come across by showing kindness and compassion on every brother you see, even the lowly, and do it in a just like manner. The reason that becomes a theme of the prophets (see also Micah 6:8) is because that is who God is!! God is compassionate and kind on us. Note in the beginning of the book, when Zechariah was stumbling about the meaning of all the visions he was seeing. God sent His angel to speak a word that would "comfort" him (Zechariah 1:13). God is about being compassionate and comforting. He is about being just. He doesn't just forgive to simply forgive to show His big heart. He forgives in a just manner by taking the wrath, intended for us, and placing on His Son, who pays our penalty. Now, having the penalty paid, He can truly forgive us. You can't have justice without payment and you can't have payment with love and compassion. We are to reflect that character of God in all that we do. The nation had wanted to practice religion. God's Word was sent to encourage them to practice compassion measured and balanced by justice.
" “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’"
The entire book of Zechariah was written to record the prophecy - the prophecy was spoken to encourage the people of God to keep building the temple for God and to keep living for Him. Even though they had spent seventy-years in captivity, they were tempted, upon return, to repeat the sins of the past. In the past they had rejected God and followed the evilness of their own hearts. The above verses are spoken to remind them of what the essential requirements of God are all about and how to keep walking in His ways. Certain leaders in the nation had come to Zechariah and asked if they should keep fasting, now that they had returned to Jerusalem and started to build the temple. God rebukes them through the prophet because He knew they were not fasting in their hearts - hoping for the holiness of God to be revealed in them - but, they were fasting as a form of religion. The prophet tells them that the way to reflect the Law and to do what God wants was simple: Do right to all those you come across by showing kindness and compassion on every brother you see, even the lowly, and do it in a just like manner. The reason that becomes a theme of the prophets (see also Micah 6:8) is because that is who God is!! God is compassionate and kind on us. Note in the beginning of the book, when Zechariah was stumbling about the meaning of all the visions he was seeing. God sent His angel to speak a word that would "comfort" him (Zechariah 1:13). God is about being compassionate and comforting. He is about being just. He doesn't just forgive to simply forgive to show His big heart. He forgives in a just manner by taking the wrath, intended for us, and placing on His Son, who pays our penalty. Now, having the penalty paid, He can truly forgive us. You can't have justice without payment and you can't have payment with love and compassion. We are to reflect that character of God in all that we do. The nation had wanted to practice religion. God's Word was sent to encourage them to practice compassion measured and balanced by justice.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Are you concerned about religion or faith? Zechariah 1-7
Zechariah 7:9-10
" “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’"
The entire book of Zechariah was written to record the prophecy - the prophecy was spoken to encourage the people of God to keep building the temple for God and to keep living for Him. Even though they had spent seventy-years in captivity, they were tempted, upon return, to repeat the sins of the past. In the past they had rejected God and followed the evilness of their own hearts. The above verses are spoken to remind them of what the essential requirements of God are all about and how to keep walking in His ways. Certain leaders in the nation had come to Zechariah and asked if they should keep fasting, now that they had returned to Jerusalem and started to build the temple. God rebukes them through the prophet because He knew they were not fasting in their hearts - hoping for the holiness of God to be revealed in them - but, they were fasting as a form of religion. The prophet tells them that the way to reflect the Law and to do what God wants was simple: Do right to all those you come across by showing kindness and compassion on every brother you see, even the lowly, and do it in a just like manner. The reason that becomes a theme of the prophets (see also Micah 6:8) is because that is who God is!! God is compassionate and kind on us. Note in the beginning of the book, when Zechariah was stumbling about the meaning of all the visions he was seeing. God sent His angel to speak a word that would "comfort" him (Zechariah 1:13). God is about being compassionate and comforting. He is about being just. He doesn't just forgive to simply forgive to show His big heart. He forgives in a just manner by taking the wrath, intended for us, and placing on His Son, who pays our penalty. Now, having the penalty paid, He can truly forgive us. You can't have justice without payment and you can't have payment with love and compassion. We are to reflect that character of God in all that we do. The nation had wanted to practice religion. God's Word was sent to encourage them to practice compassion measured and balanced by justice.
" “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’"
The entire book of Zechariah was written to record the prophecy - the prophecy was spoken to encourage the people of God to keep building the temple for God and to keep living for Him. Even though they had spent seventy-years in captivity, they were tempted, upon return, to repeat the sins of the past. In the past they had rejected God and followed the evilness of their own hearts. The above verses are spoken to remind them of what the essential requirements of God are all about and how to keep walking in His ways. Certain leaders in the nation had come to Zechariah and asked if they should keep fasting, now that they had returned to Jerusalem and started to build the temple. God rebukes them through the prophet because He knew they were not fasting in their hearts - hoping for the holiness of God to be revealed in them - but, they were fasting as a form of religion. The prophet tells them that the way to reflect the Law and to do what God wants was simple: Do right to all those you come across by showing kindness and compassion on every brother you see, even the lowly, and do it in a just like manner. The reason that becomes a theme of the prophets (see also Micah 6:8) is because that is who God is!! God is compassionate and kind on us. Note in the beginning of the book, when Zechariah was stumbling about the meaning of all the visions he was seeing. God sent His angel to speak a word that would "comfort" him (Zechariah 1:13). God is about being compassionate and comforting. He is about being just. He doesn't just forgive to simply forgive to show His big heart. He forgives in a just manner by taking the wrath, intended for us, and placing on His Son, who pays our penalty. Now, having the penalty paid, He can truly forgive us. You can't have justice without payment and you can't have payment with love and compassion. We are to reflect that character of God in all that we do. The nation had wanted to practice religion. God's Word was sent to encourage them to practice compassion measured and balanced by justice.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Why did your life take that bend in the road? Why did God bend it? Ecclesiates 7-8
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
" Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
Have you ever taken stock of your life to step back and view it in its whole? Think of the twisted puzzle pieces of your days and consider the pattern they make and the story behind each. As you assemble each colorful piece a pattern will start to emerge ... if you view them through the eyes of faith ... a faith that sees them through God's eyes and a faith that sees them shaped and formed by the hand of God. This is what God is telling us in the above passage. Through Solomon's writing and thoughts, God is telling us to "consider" the work of God in our lives. We often simply think of "God's work" as His creation and we are here to enjoy it and live in it. Yet, the real work of God's hand is how He moves us through this creation and uses the events of our lives to shape us and to form us. God, according to Solomon, actually takes time to "bend" parts of our lives. We would like everything straight and comfortable, but Solomon tells us that what we want straighten, God has "bent." The Hebrew word used here in the verse for "bent" is often used in the negative of making the truth, crooked, or making justice, perverted. It can also mean to bend down and bend over. What Solomon is telling us is that the puzzle pieces of our lives have been made crooked and twisted by the work of God. That work, he tells us, should be celebrated when it appears to bring prosperity. But, when it brings us adversity we ought to stop to "consider" the work. God has made the prosperity but He also uses the adversity ... we ought to consider that. God makes one as well as the other. The last line of verse 14 is to be the conclusion of the previous. If we consider the work of God in our lives and that he brings the adversity (for a purpose) along with the prosperity, if we indeed consider that by faith, then there is nothing to discover in mystery after that. We are not going to find some secret thing later that explains life other than this fact: God is in charge and nothing else matters. He will go on to write about seeing the righteous end up, in Solomon's eyes, like the wicked and the wicked, in man's eyes, will end up like the righteous. This all might seem futile, but in reality God is simply weaving a bigger pattern than we can see, at times. We are to praise God and worship Him for how He bends parts of our lives. Consider the work of God's hands in your life. It might look bent, but God did it for a purpose that fits His plan for you and others.
" Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
Have you ever taken stock of your life to step back and view it in its whole? Think of the twisted puzzle pieces of your days and consider the pattern they make and the story behind each. As you assemble each colorful piece a pattern will start to emerge ... if you view them through the eyes of faith ... a faith that sees them through God's eyes and a faith that sees them shaped and formed by the hand of God. This is what God is telling us in the above passage. Through Solomon's writing and thoughts, God is telling us to "consider" the work of God in our lives. We often simply think of "God's work" as His creation and we are here to enjoy it and live in it. Yet, the real work of God's hand is how He moves us through this creation and uses the events of our lives to shape us and to form us. God, according to Solomon, actually takes time to "bend" parts of our lives. We would like everything straight and comfortable, but Solomon tells us that what we want straighten, God has "bent." The Hebrew word used here in the verse for "bent" is often used in the negative of making the truth, crooked, or making justice, perverted. It can also mean to bend down and bend over. What Solomon is telling us is that the puzzle pieces of our lives have been made crooked and twisted by the work of God. That work, he tells us, should be celebrated when it appears to bring prosperity. But, when it brings us adversity we ought to stop to "consider" the work. God has made the prosperity but He also uses the adversity ... we ought to consider that. God makes one as well as the other. The last line of verse 14 is to be the conclusion of the previous. If we consider the work of God in our lives and that he brings the adversity (for a purpose) along with the prosperity, if we indeed consider that by faith, then there is nothing to discover in mystery after that. We are not going to find some secret thing later that explains life other than this fact: God is in charge and nothing else matters. He will go on to write about seeing the righteous end up, in Solomon's eyes, like the wicked and the wicked, in man's eyes, will end up like the righteous. This all might seem futile, but in reality God is simply weaving a bigger pattern than we can see, at times. We are to praise God and worship Him for how He bends parts of our lives. Consider the work of God's hands in your life. It might look bent, but God did it for a purpose that fits His plan for you and others.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Do you know what you don't know about God? Psalm 131-133
Psalms 131:1
"O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me."
It may be above my pay grade. In Psalm 131:1,2 we read that there are some things we should not try to understand or some problems we should not try to solve. We should always realize that some things are above our pay grade, even as believers in an omnipotent God. In Deuteronomy 29:29 we read that some things are “secret” onto God. We always want to “figure” everything out. But, in this life we can't and shouldn't try to figure it all out. Some things are for God and only for His knowledge. If we could figure it all out why would we need God? If we could understand God completely why would we want that kind of God? God has some things only He knows and we shouldn't try to figure them out. Paul called parts of the Gospel, a mystery. When we consider the doctrine of election, we have a mystery. Many great men of a variety of beliefs about that doctrine. We should attempt to understand it, only to the point of what God gave us. Many great men argue about the return of Christ; if there will be one and if so, when will it be? Again, we should seek to believe and understand to the level of truth that God gave us. Some talk as though they have it ALL figured out. To be truthful we know a thimble worth about God. The ant knows the sugar taste good but has no clue how it is grown, refined, distributed, packaged and purchased. We know so much about God that is so little in comparison of His greatest. Our lack of knowing all the things about God should push us to praise, as in this Psalm. Pride makes us speak like we know it all. Humility recognizes we are privilege for what God has revealed to us and we ought to be thankful and humble for that. Praise Him for what you know about Him ... Praise Him more for what you don't know!
"O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me."
It may be above my pay grade. In Psalm 131:1,2 we read that there are some things we should not try to understand or some problems we should not try to solve. We should always realize that some things are above our pay grade, even as believers in an omnipotent God. In Deuteronomy 29:29 we read that some things are “secret” onto God. We always want to “figure” everything out. But, in this life we can't and shouldn't try to figure it all out. Some things are for God and only for His knowledge. If we could figure it all out why would we need God? If we could understand God completely why would we want that kind of God? God has some things only He knows and we shouldn't try to figure them out. Paul called parts of the Gospel, a mystery. When we consider the doctrine of election, we have a mystery. Many great men of a variety of beliefs about that doctrine. We should attempt to understand it, only to the point of what God gave us. Many great men argue about the return of Christ; if there will be one and if so, when will it be? Again, we should seek to believe and understand to the level of truth that God gave us. Some talk as though they have it ALL figured out. To be truthful we know a thimble worth about God. The ant knows the sugar taste good but has no clue how it is grown, refined, distributed, packaged and purchased. We know so much about God that is so little in comparison of His greatest. Our lack of knowing all the things about God should push us to praise, as in this Psalm. Pride makes us speak like we know it all. Humility recognizes we are privilege for what God has revealed to us and we ought to be thankful and humble for that. Praise Him for what you know about Him ... Praise Him more for what you don't know!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Did you get the memo? That God is in complete control! Ezra 1-6
Ezra 6:22
" And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel."
What a great-great story we have here at the hand of Ezra, the scribe. He has given us an unfolding story of God's sovereign rule in the hearts of man. If you ever thought you were up against something and you needed to have a mountain moved to get it done, this is the story to read. It begins with God putting into the heart of a non-believing king, King Cyrus, of Persia, the desire to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. We don't know why he would want to rebuild the temple, only that he did. We can assume it was political reasons, but, we KNOW it was from the act of God placing it in his heart because he told us that in chapter one. However, like most great works the work would take time and King Cyrus would die and two more kings would reign in his stead. Weeks became months and months became years and the work sat idle. Haggai the prophet is speaking to the nation at this time and encourages them to keep building, even though the local politicians and power-brokers were persuading the current king to force them to stop. This is were the story takes on special meaning. Once again the local politicians try to stop the work and appeal to the new king, Artaxerxes. Art is not fool and he checks the historical data and finds a memo from King Cyrus, explaining the purpose of the work. Art not only tells the local politicians to let the work go on but to provide whatever the workers need, daily, to accomplish the work. The above verse is the conclusion of the whole story as the small, returning remnant celebrates the new temple, giving glory to God as He and HE alone, caused them to rejoice. God had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them. Only a big God and turn an evil heart toward His people. God is the one who opens these doors and makes things happen for His plan.
Proverbs 21:1
" The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes."
" And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel."
What a great-great story we have here at the hand of Ezra, the scribe. He has given us an unfolding story of God's sovereign rule in the hearts of man. If you ever thought you were up against something and you needed to have a mountain moved to get it done, this is the story to read. It begins with God putting into the heart of a non-believing king, King Cyrus, of Persia, the desire to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. We don't know why he would want to rebuild the temple, only that he did. We can assume it was political reasons, but, we KNOW it was from the act of God placing it in his heart because he told us that in chapter one. However, like most great works the work would take time and King Cyrus would die and two more kings would reign in his stead. Weeks became months and months became years and the work sat idle. Haggai the prophet is speaking to the nation at this time and encourages them to keep building, even though the local politicians and power-brokers were persuading the current king to force them to stop. This is were the story takes on special meaning. Once again the local politicians try to stop the work and appeal to the new king, Artaxerxes. Art is not fool and he checks the historical data and finds a memo from King Cyrus, explaining the purpose of the work. Art not only tells the local politicians to let the work go on but to provide whatever the workers need, daily, to accomplish the work. The above verse is the conclusion of the whole story as the small, returning remnant celebrates the new temple, giving glory to God as He and HE alone, caused them to rejoice. God had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them. Only a big God and turn an evil heart toward His people. God is the one who opens these doors and makes things happen for His plan.
Proverbs 21:1
" The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes."
Monday, November 10, 2014
Are you holding onto a debt that should long since be forgiven? Deuteronomy 13-15
Deuteronomy 15:1-6
“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts. This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the Lord’s remission has been proclaimed. From a foreigner you may exact it, but your hand shall release whatever of yours is with your brother. However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, if only you listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you."
God knows the nature of man. He knows, left unchecked, man will find a way to rule over other human beings, in a harsh, if not violent manner. He also knew that would often revolve around money and property. In the above passage God outlines what life would be like for His chosen people to avoid that subservient rule and authoritative dominance. God outlines for them that they can lend to others within their nation and those outside their nation. However, to keep them holy and to keep them from dominant rule over each other and from poverty, God instructed them to release their debts to each other ever seven years. Known as the Sabbatical Year, the nation would be able to "re-bot" ever seven years. This would assure that no one would accumulate all the wealth and, thus, establish oppressive rule over those so poor they could no longer defend themselves. Our country today has created just the opposite society. We now have the majority of the nation in a state of poverty and dependent upon the rule and favor of the wealthy. Imagine if we had the Sabbatical Year every seven years, now!! What would the politician's think and do? What would the wealthy do? Those who exact interest from others would collapse. Imagine the pain it would cause banks! God intended for his people to be different. They could charge interest from a foreigner or neighboring nation, but not from their nation. God meant for them to be different. What would happen if this principal was practice within believers today? What would happen if our churches practiced such principles? Or homes? Debts wiped away simply by the calendar chiming up seven years. God set this in motion because it reflects His character. He forgives debt based upon the payment of His Son. God knows how to forgive and sets the pattern. We have no reason to not practice the same character. Simply out of grace, with no other motives, we are to forgive someone their debt against us. That is God like. That is Christ like.
“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts. This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the Lord’s remission has been proclaimed. From a foreigner you may exact it, but your hand shall release whatever of yours is with your brother. However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, if only you listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you."
God knows the nature of man. He knows, left unchecked, man will find a way to rule over other human beings, in a harsh, if not violent manner. He also knew that would often revolve around money and property. In the above passage God outlines what life would be like for His chosen people to avoid that subservient rule and authoritative dominance. God outlines for them that they can lend to others within their nation and those outside their nation. However, to keep them holy and to keep them from dominant rule over each other and from poverty, God instructed them to release their debts to each other ever seven years. Known as the Sabbatical Year, the nation would be able to "re-bot" ever seven years. This would assure that no one would accumulate all the wealth and, thus, establish oppressive rule over those so poor they could no longer defend themselves. Our country today has created just the opposite society. We now have the majority of the nation in a state of poverty and dependent upon the rule and favor of the wealthy. Imagine if we had the Sabbatical Year every seven years, now!! What would the politician's think and do? What would the wealthy do? Those who exact interest from others would collapse. Imagine the pain it would cause banks! God intended for his people to be different. They could charge interest from a foreigner or neighboring nation, but not from their nation. God meant for them to be different. What would happen if this principal was practice within believers today? What would happen if our churches practiced such principles? Or homes? Debts wiped away simply by the calendar chiming up seven years. God set this in motion because it reflects His character. He forgives debt based upon the payment of His Son. God knows how to forgive and sets the pattern. We have no reason to not practice the same character. Simply out of grace, with no other motives, we are to forgive someone their debt against us. That is God like. That is Christ like.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Do you control your mind? 1 Peter 1-3
1 Peter 1:13-16
" Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”"
The Greek word in the above verse for "prepare" in the statement, "prepare your minds for action," is anazonnumi. Here is Vines statement:
anazonnumi (ἀναζώννυμι, 328), “to gird up” (ana, “up,” and No. 1), is used metaphorically of the loins of the mind, 1 Pet. 1:13; cf. Luke 12:35 (see No. 4). The figure is taken from the circumstances of the Israelites as they ate the Passover in readiness for their journey, Exod. 12:11; the Christian is to have his mental powers alert in expectation of Christ’s coming. The verb is in the middle voice, indicating the special interest the believer is to take in so doing.
Peter instructs us to gird up our minds. We don't use the word "gird" very much in our society, however. So, the meaning could be lost, even though we no what Greek word is used. Here is another description of this word:
g0328. ἀναζώννυμι anazōnnymi; from 303 and 2224; to gird afresh: — gird up.
AV (1) - gird up 1;
to gird upmetaph. be prepareda metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt.
Today we don't wear long flowing garments in our U.S. society. The above description of the word helps us, in that we are to take all the loss and dangling aspects of our mind and draw them together under the hope we have in Christ and the expectation we have in the revelation of the Christ. By making our minds focusing on that revelation, through faith (see the first verses of this chapter) will allows us to avoid conforming to this world through ignorance and worldly lusts, and, instead, be holy in Christ. Our holiness in Christ, begins by faith in the revelation of Christ and continues as we allow the Spirit to empower us to "gird" our minds. Prior to Christ our minds were alienated from Christ:
Romans 8:6-7
" For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,"
We are empowered, now, by the Spirit to gird our minds. We ought not let them dangle into the world's system and titillate our former lusts. Holiness includes our girding up our minds. This is what Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2. Both Peter and Paul see our mind control as essential for our personal growth and walk in holiness. Don't let your mind dangle. Gather it up and make sure it has no roots dragging through the world's system.
" Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”"
The Greek word in the above verse for "prepare" in the statement, "prepare your minds for action," is anazonnumi. Here is Vines statement:
anazonnumi (ἀναζώννυμι, 328), “to gird up” (ana, “up,” and No. 1), is used metaphorically of the loins of the mind, 1 Pet. 1:13; cf. Luke 12:35 (see No. 4). The figure is taken from the circumstances of the Israelites as they ate the Passover in readiness for their journey, Exod. 12:11; the Christian is to have his mental powers alert in expectation of Christ’s coming. The verb is in the middle voice, indicating the special interest the believer is to take in so doing.
Peter instructs us to gird up our minds. We don't use the word "gird" very much in our society, however. So, the meaning could be lost, even though we no what Greek word is used. Here is another description of this word:
g0328. ἀναζώννυμι anazōnnymi; from 303 and 2224; to gird afresh: — gird up.
AV (1) - gird up 1;
to gird upmetaph. be prepareda metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt.
Today we don't wear long flowing garments in our U.S. society. The above description of the word helps us, in that we are to take all the loss and dangling aspects of our mind and draw them together under the hope we have in Christ and the expectation we have in the revelation of the Christ. By making our minds focusing on that revelation, through faith (see the first verses of this chapter) will allows us to avoid conforming to this world through ignorance and worldly lusts, and, instead, be holy in Christ. Our holiness in Christ, begins by faith in the revelation of Christ and continues as we allow the Spirit to empower us to "gird" our minds. Prior to Christ our minds were alienated from Christ:
Romans 8:6-7
" For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,"
We are empowered, now, by the Spirit to gird our minds. We ought not let them dangle into the world's system and titillate our former lusts. Holiness includes our girding up our minds. This is what Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2. Both Peter and Paul see our mind control as essential for our personal growth and walk in holiness. Don't let your mind dangle. Gather it up and make sure it has no roots dragging through the world's system.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Do you know what causes conflict and how to respond to it? Acts 15-16
Acts 15:1-2
" Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue."
There are many causes of conflict in our lives. James tells us that wars and fighting among us come from the internal pleasures within us that fight for their perspective desires. Note James' words below:
James 4:1-2
" What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask."
The reason we quote James when it comes to conflict is that he was the one who would preside over one of the first MAJOR conflicts in the church. In Acts 15 we have the conflict within the church about some believing Pharisees who couldn't let go of the requirements in the Law: Particularly that everyone has to be circumcised to be a part of the family of God. So, it is no surprise that they would speak their voice and cause some conflict within the body. One of the "pleasures" that James talks about in his letter (one of the first written to the Church) might have been the pleasure, or desire within us, for things to be done right and correct. The Pharisees wanted people to believe. But, they were mistaken, according to Peter, Paul and the Apostles, at what requirements came after that. In their "Ignorance" they caused a conflict. Ignorance is one of the maid sources of conflict in our lives Their desire to be "right" and in the "know" caused them to interpret wrongfully the requirements of faith and walking in faith. Ignorance is a main source of conflict in life. James knew that that desire to be right and express our thoughts on what is right would be a major issue as it was taken captive by sin and held hostage. Sin closes the minds of those who are ignorant (See Romans 8). When we act on ignorance we fail to consider the truth available through God and/or available through God's messengers. Let's rejoice that God gives us truth and we don't have to be ignorant and hold views that hurt others. Acts 15 is a perfect example of how conflict starts and how it should be handled, especially when that conflict is caused by ignorance. James called for a conference to discover the truth. He allowed others to speak and reveal truth which educated those there. He then declared a judgment and a method to disperse that judgment. Acts 15 is the cause and resolution of conflict. Rejoice in the truth found in this great chapter of Acts. Praise God that He didn't hide the conflict in the church. Praise God that He reveals it to us and shows us how Godly men and women are to resolve it by truth He reveals.
" Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue."
There are many causes of conflict in our lives. James tells us that wars and fighting among us come from the internal pleasures within us that fight for their perspective desires. Note James' words below:
James 4:1-2
" What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask."
The reason we quote James when it comes to conflict is that he was the one who would preside over one of the first MAJOR conflicts in the church. In Acts 15 we have the conflict within the church about some believing Pharisees who couldn't let go of the requirements in the Law: Particularly that everyone has to be circumcised to be a part of the family of God. So, it is no surprise that they would speak their voice and cause some conflict within the body. One of the "pleasures" that James talks about in his letter (one of the first written to the Church) might have been the pleasure, or desire within us, for things to be done right and correct. The Pharisees wanted people to believe. But, they were mistaken, according to Peter, Paul and the Apostles, at what requirements came after that. In their "Ignorance" they caused a conflict. Ignorance is one of the maid sources of conflict in our lives Their desire to be "right" and in the "know" caused them to interpret wrongfully the requirements of faith and walking in faith. Ignorance is a main source of conflict in life. James knew that that desire to be right and express our thoughts on what is right would be a major issue as it was taken captive by sin and held hostage. Sin closes the minds of those who are ignorant (See Romans 8). When we act on ignorance we fail to consider the truth available through God and/or available through God's messengers. Let's rejoice that God gives us truth and we don't have to be ignorant and hold views that hurt others. Acts 15 is a perfect example of how conflict starts and how it should be handled, especially when that conflict is caused by ignorance. James called for a conference to discover the truth. He allowed others to speak and reveal truth which educated those there. He then declared a judgment and a method to disperse that judgment. Acts 15 is the cause and resolution of conflict. Rejoice in the truth found in this great chapter of Acts. Praise God that He didn't hide the conflict in the church. Praise God that He reveals it to us and shows us how Godly men and women are to resolve it by truth He reveals.
Are you free? Acts 13-14
Acts 13:38-39
" Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses."
In the story of Acts we see how the gospel was presented to multitudes of hungry people. They were hungry for the truth and Paul and Barnabas, in this section, were willing to give them the truth. Most who listened to Paul, as in the above, were Jews, who were fully versed in the Old Testament and all things Moses. Paul knew his audience. He went from the known to the unknown with his message. He quoted the O.T. and made sure he made a connection with what they currently believed to what they should believe. Yet, there would have to be some change they would have to face. What they believe, the Law of Moses, was only a shadow of what Christ was and what He would do for them. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, the blood of bulls and goats could not permanently make us clean:
Hebrews 9:13-14
" For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
The Law was perfect, but we are sinful and we CAN'T do all that is in the law. So, the obedience to it, will never cleanse us and make us clean. We needed someone who would keep the law and who would fulfills its every demand, to represent us and fulfill it for us. He would also take the payment for our sin, for our inability to pay it on our own. We read in the above passage that Christ was able to provide for us forgiveness for our sins AND to free us from those things we could not be freed from by keeping the law. Christ was the fulfillment of all things for us and the provided of all things to us. He made it possible for us to be free from those sins that hold us and make us sinful before God. But, Jesus Christ freed us. That should be what we rejoice in and recognize as powerful in our lives. Jesus sets us free from anger, lust, greed, pride, etc. The Law could not do that because we are full of sin and can't keep the law. Jesus can and did and gave that privilege and power.
" Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses."
In the story of Acts we see how the gospel was presented to multitudes of hungry people. They were hungry for the truth and Paul and Barnabas, in this section, were willing to give them the truth. Most who listened to Paul, as in the above, were Jews, who were fully versed in the Old Testament and all things Moses. Paul knew his audience. He went from the known to the unknown with his message. He quoted the O.T. and made sure he made a connection with what they currently believed to what they should believe. Yet, there would have to be some change they would have to face. What they believe, the Law of Moses, was only a shadow of what Christ was and what He would do for them. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, the blood of bulls and goats could not permanently make us clean:
Hebrews 9:13-14
" For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
The Law was perfect, but we are sinful and we CAN'T do all that is in the law. So, the obedience to it, will never cleanse us and make us clean. We needed someone who would keep the law and who would fulfills its every demand, to represent us and fulfill it for us. He would also take the payment for our sin, for our inability to pay it on our own. We read in the above passage that Christ was able to provide for us forgiveness for our sins AND to free us from those things we could not be freed from by keeping the law. Christ was the fulfillment of all things for us and the provided of all things to us. He made it possible for us to be free from those sins that hold us and make us sinful before God. But, Jesus Christ freed us. That should be what we rejoice in and recognize as powerful in our lives. Jesus sets us free from anger, lust, greed, pride, etc. The Law could not do that because we are full of sin and can't keep the law. Jesus can and did and gave that privilege and power.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Have you lost your motivation? Haggai
Haggai was written to motivate the returning remnant to build the temple. They had left their captivity, started the work of rebuilding the temple and then stopped. The prophet becomes a motivtional speaker and gives them the ideas behind the motiviation they will need to complete their assignment. Note four motivational tools Haggai uses to get them back to the work:
1. We can become motivated by changing our Priorities: God's work takes priority over our creature comforts. God puts Himself and our worship of Him before our own creature comforts. (1:2-15)
2. We can become motivated by moving past the Present: The future provides motivation for the present work. God expects believers to work today because of what He promises tomorrow (2:1-9)
3. We can become motivated by striving for personal Purity: God's blessing is awaiting those who strive for personal holiness (2:10-19) Sin is easier transmitted than holiness. Holiness takes God’s intervention. Hope motivates us to holiness - 1 John 3:3
4. We can become motivated by believing in God’s Providence: God is working in leadership in the nations and will place His servants in final positions of rule (2:20-23)
God knows the human nature. He created it and He watched it fall into depravity. He knows how to motivate it. When you think that you are out of steam and can't go on, Haggai is the proper book to read to get our fire back.
1. We can become motivated by changing our Priorities: God's work takes priority over our creature comforts. God puts Himself and our worship of Him before our own creature comforts. (1:2-15)
2. We can become motivated by moving past the Present: The future provides motivation for the present work. God expects believers to work today because of what He promises tomorrow (2:1-9)
3. We can become motivated by striving for personal Purity: God's blessing is awaiting those who strive for personal holiness (2:10-19) Sin is easier transmitted than holiness. Holiness takes God’s intervention. Hope motivates us to holiness - 1 John 3:3
4. We can become motivated by believing in God’s Providence: God is working in leadership in the nations and will place His servants in final positions of rule (2:20-23)
God knows the human nature. He created it and He watched it fall into depravity. He knows how to motivate it. When you think that you are out of steam and can't go on, Haggai is the proper book to read to get our fire back.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Do you know that injustice will come? Ecclesiates 5-6
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
" If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land."
Don't be surprised if injustices are seen in the earth and the impact of those injustices affect us all!!! That seems to be the truth stated by Solomon in the above passage. He is telling us not be shocked or in awe of injustice. We live in an unjust society with unjust leaders ruling us. Every time we see a judge, politician, corporate CEO, (or any other person of influence) do something bad, corrupt or illegal, we seemed to be shocked. Yet, the world we live in is filled with people who do not honor God with in their hearts and therefore do not hesitate to take short-cuts in practices of power. The fact that one official is over another may be Solomon's way of saying that there will be justice in the end. However, it is more likely, what most commentators conclude, however. They assume that the corruption at the bottom is due to the hierarchy of unjust judges. The statement then, from these men of God is: Don't be surprised at injustice. The system is breeding it. The use of the word "for" (for one official watches over another official ...), suggests such an interpretation. Solomon somewhat illustrates the thought that corruptions is in the system, by suggesting a positive illustration. He tells us, "after all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land." This statement in verse nine is in contrast to previous remarks of injustice. What he seems to be telling us is that when a leader (the king) cultivates the land, good things can happen. Don't be surprised then, if the king cultivates injustice, bad things happen. The truth we have in these two verses is that leadership matters. It can cultivate good in the land, through justice and honor and Godliness, or, it can cultivate injustice, as one leader oversees the other leader in an injustice manner. The oppression of the poor and the denial of justice is corrupt within the injustice of man's heart. And, like a field the leader can cultivate that and that cultivation affects the entire land. No one in the land is exempt from injustice. Praying that we have just leaders and Godly leaders is imperative to our lives. A king who cultivates the field is an advantage.
" If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land."
Don't be surprised if injustices are seen in the earth and the impact of those injustices affect us all!!! That seems to be the truth stated by Solomon in the above passage. He is telling us not be shocked or in awe of injustice. We live in an unjust society with unjust leaders ruling us. Every time we see a judge, politician, corporate CEO, (or any other person of influence) do something bad, corrupt or illegal, we seemed to be shocked. Yet, the world we live in is filled with people who do not honor God with in their hearts and therefore do not hesitate to take short-cuts in practices of power. The fact that one official is over another may be Solomon's way of saying that there will be justice in the end. However, it is more likely, what most commentators conclude, however. They assume that the corruption at the bottom is due to the hierarchy of unjust judges. The statement then, from these men of God is: Don't be surprised at injustice. The system is breeding it. The use of the word "for" (for one official watches over another official ...), suggests such an interpretation. Solomon somewhat illustrates the thought that corruptions is in the system, by suggesting a positive illustration. He tells us, "after all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land." This statement in verse nine is in contrast to previous remarks of injustice. What he seems to be telling us is that when a leader (the king) cultivates the land, good things can happen. Don't be surprised then, if the king cultivates injustice, bad things happen. The truth we have in these two verses is that leadership matters. It can cultivate good in the land, through justice and honor and Godliness, or, it can cultivate injustice, as one leader oversees the other leader in an injustice manner. The oppression of the poor and the denial of justice is corrupt within the injustice of man's heart. And, like a field the leader can cultivate that and that cultivation affects the entire land. No one in the land is exempt from injustice. Praying that we have just leaders and Godly leaders is imperative to our lives. A king who cultivates the field is an advantage.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Do you allow circumstaces to determine your mood? Psalm 128-130
Psalms 129:2
" “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up;
Yet they have not prevailed against me."
In these three Psalms (128-130) we see the writer(s) expressing their hope in God despite their circumstances of life. It is so easy to look at our surroundings and believe God is not there or that we hare hopelessly domed. In the above verse in particular we read that the writer recognized that many times he had been on the wrong end of persecution ... from his youth and upward. He had grown up with the feelings of persecution. It would be natural for such a person to develop a mindset of defeat and low self-esteem. Yet, we see, rather, a confident spirit that believes the current persecution will not continue or be conquering in this life. This fits with Proverbs 28:1 that states that the righteous are bold as a lion. The hope the writer has is not in himself, but in the character and promises of the God he serves. God knows the ways that we take and He knows the difficulties we face. He will not allow the righteous to suffer. He makes the way straight and the paths clear, even if there are persecutors along the way. They will not prevail. We are not defeated by those who hate God and hate us. We are defeated when we fail to recognize that God allows difficulties in our lives to grow us and to groom us. "Many times" the writer states he has been persecuted ... from "my youth up." Yet, he developed a trust in God that transcends that persecution and his trust is in God not the circumstances he has experienced or that surround him.
" “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up;
Yet they have not prevailed against me."
In these three Psalms (128-130) we see the writer(s) expressing their hope in God despite their circumstances of life. It is so easy to look at our surroundings and believe God is not there or that we hare hopelessly domed. In the above verse in particular we read that the writer recognized that many times he had been on the wrong end of persecution ... from his youth and upward. He had grown up with the feelings of persecution. It would be natural for such a person to develop a mindset of defeat and low self-esteem. Yet, we see, rather, a confident spirit that believes the current persecution will not continue or be conquering in this life. This fits with Proverbs 28:1 that states that the righteous are bold as a lion. The hope the writer has is not in himself, but in the character and promises of the God he serves. God knows the ways that we take and He knows the difficulties we face. He will not allow the righteous to suffer. He makes the way straight and the paths clear, even if there are persecutors along the way. They will not prevail. We are not defeated by those who hate God and hate us. We are defeated when we fail to recognize that God allows difficulties in our lives to grow us and to groom us. "Many times" the writer states he has been persecuted ... from "my youth up." Yet, he developed a trust in God that transcends that persecution and his trust is in God not the circumstances he has experienced or that surround him.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Did you know that God can accomplish His mission despite the ungodly leaders at the top? 2 Chronicles 32-36
2 Chronicles 36:22-23
"Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah—the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up!’”"
This is the ending of the book of Chronicles, which is a book to remind the returning remnant of how they got into captivity and who lead them there, by their sins. Without the these last verses the Chronicles is simply a history book of success and failure ... mostly failure ... of leaders who either followed God or disobeyed Him. But, the purpose of the book is to give to the returning remnant purpose, meaning and mission. God is going to restore the land and the people to it. He had promised them the land and would keep His promises. The writer of Chronicles wants us to know that God is still in control and He has the capability to stir the heart of an ungodly king to do His bidding. In this case it is Cyrus, King of Persia. The above text says that "... the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom ..." to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This was the same temple that David was stirred to build and Solomon endeavored to finish. God makes the heart of all men do His will. God is in control of all authority and can make them, entice them, use their evilness against them, to accomplish His will. In this case He stirred up Cyrus to have a desire to build the temple in Jerusalem. We aren't told why. Just told that he had a desire. It was probably for political reasons and his evil heart so some advantage. It could have been for financial gain and God used his greed to accomplish His mission. We are not told what the motive is, only that God used it to accomplish the task to bring the nation back to their land. God knows when to stir up the non-believer, how to stir him/her and why to stir them up. God's sovereign rule in the hearts of men is as true today as it was then. God uses the men of this world to accomplish His greater good ... the message of the Gospel.
"Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah—the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up!’”"
This is the ending of the book of Chronicles, which is a book to remind the returning remnant of how they got into captivity and who lead them there, by their sins. Without the these last verses the Chronicles is simply a history book of success and failure ... mostly failure ... of leaders who either followed God or disobeyed Him. But, the purpose of the book is to give to the returning remnant purpose, meaning and mission. God is going to restore the land and the people to it. He had promised them the land and would keep His promises. The writer of Chronicles wants us to know that God is still in control and He has the capability to stir the heart of an ungodly king to do His bidding. In this case it is Cyrus, King of Persia. The above text says that "... the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom ..." to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This was the same temple that David was stirred to build and Solomon endeavored to finish. God makes the heart of all men do His will. God is in control of all authority and can make them, entice them, use their evilness against them, to accomplish His will. In this case He stirred up Cyrus to have a desire to build the temple in Jerusalem. We aren't told why. Just told that he had a desire. It was probably for political reasons and his evil heart so some advantage. It could have been for financial gain and God used his greed to accomplish His mission. We are not told what the motive is, only that God used it to accomplish the task to bring the nation back to their land. God knows when to stir up the non-believer, how to stir him/her and why to stir them up. God's sovereign rule in the hearts of men is as true today as it was then. God uses the men of this world to accomplish His greater good ... the message of the Gospel.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Did you know the Ten Commandments ... the Law ... was a picture of God's grace? Deuteronomy 10-12
Deuteronomy 10:1-5
“At that time the Lord said to me, ‘Cut out for yourself two tablets of stone like the former ones, and come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood for yourself. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered, and you shall put them in the ark.’ So I made an ark of acacia wood and cut out two tablets of stone like the former ones, and went up on the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. He wrote on the tablets, like the former writing, the Ten Commandments which the Lord had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly; and the Lord gave them to me. Then I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are, as the Lord commanded me.”"
Our God is the God of the second chance!!! In the above passage we have a simply explanation, by Moses, to the new generation, about the grace and mercy of God. This new generation was not those who were responsible for the act of idolatry that Moses witnessed after he came down from the mountain with the first tablets of the Ten Commandments. When he and Joshua came down from the mountain and he saw that Aaron and made a golden calf, it was hard for him to show them the first commandment was to have no other gods before them, but Yahweh. Moses, in righteous anger or sinful rage, through the first tablets on the ground and destroyed them. It would be symbolic of what God was about to do with that generation and "could have" done to the entire nation. But, those who were twenty years old and younger were spared and they are now being told this great truth in the above passage: God can make things new. He is the God of the second chance. Like the word of the Lord coming to Jonah a second time (Jonah 3:1), God comes to us a second, third and many, many more times to give us grace upon grace. These two new tablets of the Ten Commandments were not a picture of laws, but a picture of God's grace. The Law was given in grace ... God could have wiped out the entire nation, but instead He gave them two new tablets ... because He is a God of grace.
“At that time the Lord said to me, ‘Cut out for yourself two tablets of stone like the former ones, and come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood for yourself. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered, and you shall put them in the ark.’ So I made an ark of acacia wood and cut out two tablets of stone like the former ones, and went up on the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. He wrote on the tablets, like the former writing, the Ten Commandments which the Lord had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly; and the Lord gave them to me. Then I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are, as the Lord commanded me.”"
Our God is the God of the second chance!!! In the above passage we have a simply explanation, by Moses, to the new generation, about the grace and mercy of God. This new generation was not those who were responsible for the act of idolatry that Moses witnessed after he came down from the mountain with the first tablets of the Ten Commandments. When he and Joshua came down from the mountain and he saw that Aaron and made a golden calf, it was hard for him to show them the first commandment was to have no other gods before them, but Yahweh. Moses, in righteous anger or sinful rage, through the first tablets on the ground and destroyed them. It would be symbolic of what God was about to do with that generation and "could have" done to the entire nation. But, those who were twenty years old and younger were spared and they are now being told this great truth in the above passage: God can make things new. He is the God of the second chance. Like the word of the Lord coming to Jonah a second time (Jonah 3:1), God comes to us a second, third and many, many more times to give us grace upon grace. These two new tablets of the Ten Commandments were not a picture of laws, but a picture of God's grace. The Law was given in grace ... God could have wiped out the entire nation, but instead He gave them two new tablets ... because He is a God of grace.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Do you use prayer as a tool to accomplish God's plan? James 4-5
James 5:16-18
" Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit."
Perhaps the most under used gift believers are giving by God is the action and attitude of prayer. We so underestimate the power of prayer and we so spend little time in the work of it. And, it is a work. It is first a work done by the Spirit and not by us. We are only the vessels of prayer and must learn to submit to the Spirit so that He can offer prayer for us, albeit through us. Note how Paul frames this thought:
Romans 8:26-27
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
It must also see that it is work when we consider the example that James gives. Of all the Old Testament examples for prayer that James could give, he picks out Elijah, a man of similar passions to us, who prays for rain. He doesn't use Daniel or Joseph, who each prayed for wisdom to interpret the king's dream(s). James doesn't use the three Hebrew boys who are facing a fiery furnace as an example of how to pray. He doesn't use one of David's or Aspah's great Psalms as an example of prayer warriors. And, he doesn't use our Savior, who sweat drops like blood in prayer. No, he uses Elijah, who, he states, was just like us. Elijah, before he prayed on Mt. Carmel for rain, was on the run from King Ahab. He would go on the run and hide out after Mr. Carmel, as well. But, in the story of Mt. Carmel and the prophets of Baal, Elijah puts God to the test and asks for rain to stop a long, long drought. He had previously asked God to stop the rain and didn't rain for three years and six months. He then asked God to make it rain and it did. Now, that is being in a state of prayer and close to God in prayer. Imagine if you went to the governance of this land and told them if they did not repent you would pray for a drought that would last 3 1/2 years. Imagine if that did happen and you then prayed that the drought would instantly stop and it did. Elijah was a man like us ... fearful and human ... yet, he prayed earnestly and something like rain stopped and started, as though Elijah's prayers were like the on-off knob on the kitchen faucet. The "effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Not using prayer is like having a bank account, needing money, but never going to the bank. Not using prayer is like having lumber, nails and a hammer and not building because you don't have a hammer ... its right there, but you don't use it. Prayer is a powerful tool God gave us to communion with Him and to ask for His will to be done in our lives and in the lives of others. James already told us to not abuse that tool in James 4:1-5. Don't use it to ask for things we simply want to consume in lust. Use it to accomplish things for God's plan .. use it.
" Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit."
Perhaps the most under used gift believers are giving by God is the action and attitude of prayer. We so underestimate the power of prayer and we so spend little time in the work of it. And, it is a work. It is first a work done by the Spirit and not by us. We are only the vessels of prayer and must learn to submit to the Spirit so that He can offer prayer for us, albeit through us. Note how Paul frames this thought:
Romans 8:26-27
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
It must also see that it is work when we consider the example that James gives. Of all the Old Testament examples for prayer that James could give, he picks out Elijah, a man of similar passions to us, who prays for rain. He doesn't use Daniel or Joseph, who each prayed for wisdom to interpret the king's dream(s). James doesn't use the three Hebrew boys who are facing a fiery furnace as an example of how to pray. He doesn't use one of David's or Aspah's great Psalms as an example of prayer warriors. And, he doesn't use our Savior, who sweat drops like blood in prayer. No, he uses Elijah, who, he states, was just like us. Elijah, before he prayed on Mt. Carmel for rain, was on the run from King Ahab. He would go on the run and hide out after Mr. Carmel, as well. But, in the story of Mt. Carmel and the prophets of Baal, Elijah puts God to the test and asks for rain to stop a long, long drought. He had previously asked God to stop the rain and didn't rain for three years and six months. He then asked God to make it rain and it did. Now, that is being in a state of prayer and close to God in prayer. Imagine if you went to the governance of this land and told them if they did not repent you would pray for a drought that would last 3 1/2 years. Imagine if that did happen and you then prayed that the drought would instantly stop and it did. Elijah was a man like us ... fearful and human ... yet, he prayed earnestly and something like rain stopped and started, as though Elijah's prayers were like the on-off knob on the kitchen faucet. The "effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Not using prayer is like having a bank account, needing money, but never going to the bank. Not using prayer is like having lumber, nails and a hammer and not building because you don't have a hammer ... its right there, but you don't use it. Prayer is a powerful tool God gave us to communion with Him and to ask for His will to be done in our lives and in the lives of others. James already told us to not abuse that tool in James 4:1-5. Don't use it to ask for things we simply want to consume in lust. Use it to accomplish things for God's plan .. use it.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Do you know the penalty for trying to steal God's glory? Acts 11-12
Acts 12:21-23
" On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died."
The above passage is written about King Herod. In chapter 12 we read of a several events about this kings' life. He was responsible, according to the first verses in the chapter, of killing James, the brother of John, one of the first disciples and an Apostle. Herod then, seeing that this pleased the Jews, put Peter in jail. When God miraculously set Peter free, King Herod had the guards killed that were supposed to be watching Peter. Herod continued to persecute the church. It should be noted, that for any one of these particular "crimes" or abuse of power, we would have wanted God to strike Herod dead. But, God, in His mercy and grace allowed the man continue to lead and abuse others. However, in the above passage we read that Herod is struck dead because of his pride and failure to give glory to God. Pride is the ultimate sin against God. It was pride that caused Satan to be tossed out of heaven. It was pride that caused Eve to eat the fruit. It was pride that caused Cain to kill Abel. It was pride that caused David to commit adultery AND to kill Uriah to cover it up. It was pride that caused Peter to deny he knew Christ. It was pride that caused Ananias and Sapphire to SAY they sold their land for the money they were giving the church, when indeed they sold it for more. Pride is what makes us lie, steal, promote ourselves, but ultimately steal the stage from God. Like a junior high boy who pushes others out of the way to get noticed, we attempt to move God off the spotlight and steal it ourselves. It is the thing God hates and must destroy. God allowed Herod to do some wicked things and He used those wicked things to accomplish His mission. Yet, He would not allow King Herod to steal glory from God. Like King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, who also tried to steal God's glory and God caused him to eat grass in the field, like a cow, for seven-years, God destroyed Herod. Don't attempt to steal God's glory.
" On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died."
The above passage is written about King Herod. In chapter 12 we read of a several events about this kings' life. He was responsible, according to the first verses in the chapter, of killing James, the brother of John, one of the first disciples and an Apostle. Herod then, seeing that this pleased the Jews, put Peter in jail. When God miraculously set Peter free, King Herod had the guards killed that were supposed to be watching Peter. Herod continued to persecute the church. It should be noted, that for any one of these particular "crimes" or abuse of power, we would have wanted God to strike Herod dead. But, God, in His mercy and grace allowed the man continue to lead and abuse others. However, in the above passage we read that Herod is struck dead because of his pride and failure to give glory to God. Pride is the ultimate sin against God. It was pride that caused Satan to be tossed out of heaven. It was pride that caused Eve to eat the fruit. It was pride that caused Cain to kill Abel. It was pride that caused David to commit adultery AND to kill Uriah to cover it up. It was pride that caused Peter to deny he knew Christ. It was pride that caused Ananias and Sapphire to SAY they sold their land for the money they were giving the church, when indeed they sold it for more. Pride is what makes us lie, steal, promote ourselves, but ultimately steal the stage from God. Like a junior high boy who pushes others out of the way to get noticed, we attempt to move God off the spotlight and steal it ourselves. It is the thing God hates and must destroy. God allowed Herod to do some wicked things and He used those wicked things to accomplish His mission. Yet, He would not allow King Herod to steal glory from God. Like King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, who also tried to steal God's glory and God caused him to eat grass in the field, like a cow, for seven-years, God destroyed Herod. Don't attempt to steal God's glory.
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