Psalms 118:10-13
All nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me.
Truth: In the Name of Christ we are Protected
We do not always remember the power in the name of Jesus Christ. This Psalm was written before Christ walked on the earth and before He died and rose from the dead. However, this is a Psalm about His power and His protection. Later in the Psalm the writer tells us, "... The right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly! (Psalm 118:15). Who sits on the right had of God? Jesus Christ!! So, when we claim the name of Christ, we are claiming the very power of God. When we read the Acts of the Apostles we see numerous times where Peter and the others called upon the name of Jesus to cast out demons, heal the ill, open prison doors and save kings and subjects of the kings. Jesus name is powerful. In the above verses of this Psalm we see that although this writer is pursued, surrounded and swarmed by an enemy, He simply calls upon the name of the Lord and is helped. In the verses just proceeding these verses we read how vain it is to trust in men in the time of need. But, we can trust in God, through Christ, who strengthens us and helps us. We ought not to fear what man can do to us. We ought to simply fear God and live in awe of Him. It is then we have protection and help in our times that the enemy surrounds us.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Truth #275 - Even in old age we are to seek God - 2 Chronicles 11-16
2 Chronicles 16:1-2
Asa's Last Years
In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying,
Truth: In old age we are not exempt from following and worship God with our whole heart!
Chapter 16 of this book ought to be for all men and women of retirement age ... especially men. When, after years of service to the Lord and this age group reaches a comfort level with material things (meaning they have material things), why do they forsake God? Over and over again in this book about the Kings of Judah, we see men in their old age, forsake the following of the True King. King Asa is a prime of example of what happens when you get old, comfortable, and complacent. When the King Baasha came against Asa, instead of turning to God he turns to the King of Syria for support. As you read later in the chapter, Syria does bail Asa out and defeats King Baasha. However, note the results of trusting in an outside source rather than God:
2 Chronicles 16:7-9
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”
God sees us when we rely on our own strength, wisdom and power. We are futile when we attempt to live life in this manner. God wants to care for us and wants to strengthen us. He wants us to come to Him in faith. When we reject Him for the things of this world; for the false power found in empty vessels of this world, we lose out on His blessings and we put ourselves into the place of King Asa. We are to grow more and more dependent upon God; despite our age and our comfort.
Asa's Last Years
In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying,
Truth: In old age we are not exempt from following and worship God with our whole heart!
Chapter 16 of this book ought to be for all men and women of retirement age ... especially men. When, after years of service to the Lord and this age group reaches a comfort level with material things (meaning they have material things), why do they forsake God? Over and over again in this book about the Kings of Judah, we see men in their old age, forsake the following of the True King. King Asa is a prime of example of what happens when you get old, comfortable, and complacent. When the King Baasha came against Asa, instead of turning to God he turns to the King of Syria for support. As you read later in the chapter, Syria does bail Asa out and defeats King Baasha. However, note the results of trusting in an outside source rather than God:
2 Chronicles 16:7-9
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”
God sees us when we rely on our own strength, wisdom and power. We are futile when we attempt to live life in this manner. God wants to care for us and wants to strengthen us. He wants us to come to Him in faith. When we reject Him for the things of this world; for the false power found in empty vessels of this world, we lose out on His blessings and we put ourselves into the place of King Asa. We are to grow more and more dependent upon God; despite our age and our comfort.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Truth #274 - In worship, we are to seek to please God, not ourselves - Numbers 29-32
Numbers 29:2
and you shall offer a burnt offering, for a pleasing aroma to the Lord: one bull from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;
Truth: Our worship to God is to please Him, not us.
Three times in this chapter of Numbers the writer, Moses, states that the nation of Israel is to come before God with a specific offering for the sole purpose that it would be a "pleasing aroma to the Lord" (see verses 7 and 13). The worship to God was to pleasing to God. He was the one the one that was to be honored in the worship. You would think in all worship of God this would be a normative. But, in reality, it is not. We don't judge our worship by whether it is pleasing to God ... we judge our worship in regard to if it pleases man ... us ... most of the time. We tend to leave formal worship services focusing on whether the music was the right selection and/or the preaching the right inflections. We want to be the judge of the worship "atmosphere," rather than allowing God to be the judge. In our "informal" worship (everything but Sunday morning) we seldom even consider if God is honored and pleased. God is to be honored in all that we do and it is Him who is to be sought pleasure and not, we, ourselves. In Hebrews 11 we are told that the only way we can please God is through the vehicle of faith. Therefore the one way we bring an offering to God and know for sure that we can please Him, is through faith. We are not to seek to please ourselves, we are to seek to please God through faith.
and you shall offer a burnt offering, for a pleasing aroma to the Lord: one bull from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;
Truth: Our worship to God is to please Him, not us.
Three times in this chapter of Numbers the writer, Moses, states that the nation of Israel is to come before God with a specific offering for the sole purpose that it would be a "pleasing aroma to the Lord" (see verses 7 and 13). The worship to God was to pleasing to God. He was the one the one that was to be honored in the worship. You would think in all worship of God this would be a normative. But, in reality, it is not. We don't judge our worship by whether it is pleasing to God ... we judge our worship in regard to if it pleases man ... us ... most of the time. We tend to leave formal worship services focusing on whether the music was the right selection and/or the preaching the right inflections. We want to be the judge of the worship "atmosphere," rather than allowing God to be the judge. In our "informal" worship (everything but Sunday morning) we seldom even consider if God is honored and pleased. God is to be honored in all that we do and it is Him who is to be sought pleasure and not, we, ourselves. In Hebrews 11 we are told that the only way we can please God is through the vehicle of faith. Therefore the one way we bring an offering to God and know for sure that we can please Him, is through faith. We are not to seek to please ourselves, we are to seek to please God through faith.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Truth #273 - To enter into rest, trust in His Word - Hebrews 1-4
Hebrews 4:11-13
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Truth: If we wish to enter God's rest we must trust in the validity and power of His spoken and written Word.
The readers of this letter to the Hebrews were tempted to fall back into Judaism, so either supplant or augment their faith in Christ. Either way, the writer of this book wants them to be careful to trust solely in Christ for their salvation and for their walk through life. Yet, the teaching of the day was pushing them to a Christ-Plus Philosophy. In part, like the believers addressed in the book of Colossians, they were tempted to think angels and special worship services would draw them closer to God and purer for God. The writer of this book warns them that just like the unbelief of the Israelites in the Old Testament had failed to enter into the "rest" of the promise land, so, too, they could fail to enter into the rest, now promised in Christ. But, the writer doesn't simply give them the warning to "be careful" and then go on to other issues. The writer tells them that we are to "strive" to enter into "that" rest ... "for" the Word of God is ...! The key to make sure we don't fail to miss this "rest" in the person of Christ is complete and utter faith and trust in the Word of God. Why? Because God's Word is powerful (obviously the Scriptures ... but more than just the Scriptures ... God's Word no matter when and where spoken is meant here). It is God's Word that spoke the world into existence. It is God's Word that sustains the universe (Hebrews 1:1-4). It is God's Word that will judge the dead and the nations. "No creature" is hidden from His sight, and all are "naked and exposed" to His eyes. The very source of the rest (faith in His Words) will become the very tool of His judgement to those who don't rest in His Word.
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Truth: If we wish to enter God's rest we must trust in the validity and power of His spoken and written Word.
The readers of this letter to the Hebrews were tempted to fall back into Judaism, so either supplant or augment their faith in Christ. Either way, the writer of this book wants them to be careful to trust solely in Christ for their salvation and for their walk through life. Yet, the teaching of the day was pushing them to a Christ-Plus Philosophy. In part, like the believers addressed in the book of Colossians, they were tempted to think angels and special worship services would draw them closer to God and purer for God. The writer of this book warns them that just like the unbelief of the Israelites in the Old Testament had failed to enter into the "rest" of the promise land, so, too, they could fail to enter into the rest, now promised in Christ. But, the writer doesn't simply give them the warning to "be careful" and then go on to other issues. The writer tells them that we are to "strive" to enter into "that" rest ... "for" the Word of God is ...! The key to make sure we don't fail to miss this "rest" in the person of Christ is complete and utter faith and trust in the Word of God. Why? Because God's Word is powerful (obviously the Scriptures ... but more than just the Scriptures ... God's Word no matter when and where spoken is meant here). It is God's Word that spoke the world into existence. It is God's Word that sustains the universe (Hebrews 1:1-4). It is God's Word that will judge the dead and the nations. "No creature" is hidden from His sight, and all are "naked and exposed" to His eyes. The very source of the rest (faith in His Words) will become the very tool of His judgement to those who don't rest in His Word.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Truth #272 - God operates on His plan but uses us to accomplish it. Acts 1-2
Acts 1:7-8
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Truth: God operates on His plan but uses us to accomplish it
After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples wanted to know more about the future. Based upon their previous inquiries, we might be lead to believe they were wondering when the Kingdom would be set up and when "their" reign with THE King would begin. But, Jesus gives them neither details or outlines of times, seasons or events. Instead Jesus simply tells them THEY are the vehicle of those times, seasons and events. Being the conduit for Christ message would be their lot in life. But, they would not be normal conduits. They would not be empty conduits. They would carry power. Not human power. Not the power of knowledge. Not muscle power. Not financial, positional or societal power. The Power the disciples would have was the Spirit of God dwelling in them. God would accomplish His plan via men He would equip with Himself. No other religion even thinks this way. Christ was telling them to not worry about the future, but to trust in Him, working through them, to change the future.
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Truth: God operates on His plan but uses us to accomplish it
After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples wanted to know more about the future. Based upon their previous inquiries, we might be lead to believe they were wondering when the Kingdom would be set up and when "their" reign with THE King would begin. But, Jesus gives them neither details or outlines of times, seasons or events. Instead Jesus simply tells them THEY are the vehicle of those times, seasons and events. Being the conduit for Christ message would be their lot in life. But, they would not be normal conduits. They would not be empty conduits. They would carry power. Not human power. Not the power of knowledge. Not muscle power. Not financial, positional or societal power. The Power the disciples would have was the Spirit of God dwelling in them. God would accomplish His plan via men He would equip with Himself. No other religion even thinks this way. Christ was telling them to not worry about the future, but to trust in Him, working through them, to change the future.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Truth #271 - God hates pride - Obadiah
Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rock,
in your lofty dwelling,
who say in your heart,
“Who will bring me down to the ground?”
Though you soar aloft like the eagle,
though your nest is set among the stars,
from there I will bring you down,
declares the Lord.
Truth: God HATES pride
When we read Scripture, it is no doubt that we can see that God HATES pride. Notice what King Solomon said about pride:
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
Notice what another prophet will say about pride:
Amos 6:8
The Lord God has sworn by himself, declares the Lord, the God of hosts:
“I abhor the pride of Jacob
and hate his strongholds,
and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.”
We don't often think of God as hating. But, God does hate and as these verses indicate, He hates pride. Pride was the reason for the sin in the garden. Eve was tempted by Satan to eat the fruit in order to "become like God." Satan was kicked out of heaven because he attempted to promote himself over God. So, the issue with pride is that it is everything against God. Pride is the thing that keeps God's grace away from us:
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
In the prophet Obadiah's words we see that God is condemning Edom for their pride and their arrogant way. During the time in which the Babylonians were conquering Jersusalem, the Edomites helped capture Israelites who were trying to escape. They became the allies of Babylon and this angered God. They also, in the earlier days of Israel's history, did not help Israel ... even though they are, Israel's brother. God was angered by their pride of their heart and send Obadiah to tell them about their certain doom and destruction. God hates the pride that enters are hearts and when we fail to recognize Him and His glory and truth. Edom exalted himself against God and that was the reason for their destruction. We can't exalt ourselves and live in pride and not think that we are sinning against God.
The pride of your heart has deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rock,
in your lofty dwelling,
who say in your heart,
“Who will bring me down to the ground?”
Though you soar aloft like the eagle,
though your nest is set among the stars,
from there I will bring you down,
declares the Lord.
Truth: God HATES pride
When we read Scripture, it is no doubt that we can see that God HATES pride. Notice what King Solomon said about pride:
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
Notice what another prophet will say about pride:
Amos 6:8
The Lord God has sworn by himself, declares the Lord, the God of hosts:
“I abhor the pride of Jacob
and hate his strongholds,
and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.”
We don't often think of God as hating. But, God does hate and as these verses indicate, He hates pride. Pride was the reason for the sin in the garden. Eve was tempted by Satan to eat the fruit in order to "become like God." Satan was kicked out of heaven because he attempted to promote himself over God. So, the issue with pride is that it is everything against God. Pride is the thing that keeps God's grace away from us:
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
In the prophet Obadiah's words we see that God is condemning Edom for their pride and their arrogant way. During the time in which the Babylonians were conquering Jersusalem, the Edomites helped capture Israelites who were trying to escape. They became the allies of Babylon and this angered God. They also, in the earlier days of Israel's history, did not help Israel ... even though they are, Israel's brother. God was angered by their pride of their heart and send Obadiah to tell them about their certain doom and destruction. God hates the pride that enters are hearts and when we fail to recognize Him and His glory and truth. Edom exalted himself against God and that was the reason for their destruction. We can't exalt ourselves and live in pride and not think that we are sinning against God.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Truth #270 - Hatered will eventually be exposed - Proverbs 26
Proverbs 26:24-26 (NIV1984)
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
but in his heart he harbors deceit.
Though his speech is charming, do not believe him,
for seven abominations fill his heart.
His malice may be concealed by deception,
but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Truth: Hatered will eventually be exposed to everyone
The warning in the above proverbs is a warning to the reader. We are being warned to beware of men and women who carry hatred in their heart (maliciousness). The person who has this hatred in their heart will always try to cover it. Solomon tells us they hide their hatred and deceit with charming speech. He uses deception to cover his malice. When the proverb says there are "seven abominations in his heart," he is telling us that his heart is "completely" full of hatred. We are to be warned about this deceit and malice. We don't have to worry about the results of it, however. According to Solomon the deceit will be exposed to everyone someday. We are not told when they will be exposed. Even though his speech is "charming" we are not to believe him. The mouth is camouflage for the heart. We are not to be deceived by their lips. Be careful when you find yourself with someone with sweet speech. They just might of a dark heart.
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
but in his heart he harbors deceit.
Though his speech is charming, do not believe him,
for seven abominations fill his heart.
His malice may be concealed by deception,
but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Truth: Hatered will eventually be exposed to everyone
The warning in the above proverbs is a warning to the reader. We are being warned to beware of men and women who carry hatred in their heart (maliciousness). The person who has this hatred in their heart will always try to cover it. Solomon tells us they hide their hatred and deceit with charming speech. He uses deception to cover his malice. When the proverb says there are "seven abominations in his heart," he is telling us that his heart is "completely" full of hatred. We are to be warned about this deceit and malice. We don't have to worry about the results of it, however. According to Solomon the deceit will be exposed to everyone someday. We are not told when they will be exposed. Even though his speech is "charming" we are not to believe him. The mouth is camouflage for the heart. We are not to be deceived by their lips. Be careful when you find yourself with someone with sweet speech. They just might of a dark heart.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Truth #269 - We are free!! Psalm 114-116
Psalms 116:16
O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
Truth: We have been set free
There is nothing worse than bondage. Being locked up in a prison is, outside of death, the worse punishment. Perhaps, something worse than death and punishment behind bars, is being visible free, but spiritually in bondage. Being in bondage to your fears, sins, habits and/or human nature, is incredibly wretched. In the above passage the writer recognizes that he is, based upon his faith, a child of God: As a child of God he is free!!! Note the following verses in the Old and New Testament that talk about the freedom God gives us through His Son, Jesus. We are free. By faith in Christ we have a freedom that we often experience, practically. As we read these verses we need to, by faith, claim their truth and in faith walk in the freedom we have been given at the expense of Christ's work:
Isaiah 58:6
“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Romans 6:20-22
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
1 Peter 2:16
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
We are free. We should rejoice in our freedom and live as though we are free men. We can't use our freedom to do was we want, as we are now slaves to righteousness, not slaves to sin. But, the sin that defined us is no longer in control over us. Live as free men!!!
O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
Truth: We have been set free
There is nothing worse than bondage. Being locked up in a prison is, outside of death, the worse punishment. Perhaps, something worse than death and punishment behind bars, is being visible free, but spiritually in bondage. Being in bondage to your fears, sins, habits and/or human nature, is incredibly wretched. In the above passage the writer recognizes that he is, based upon his faith, a child of God: As a child of God he is free!!! Note the following verses in the Old and New Testament that talk about the freedom God gives us through His Son, Jesus. We are free. By faith in Christ we have a freedom that we often experience, practically. As we read these verses we need to, by faith, claim their truth and in faith walk in the freedom we have been given at the expense of Christ's work:
Isaiah 58:6
“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Romans 6:20-22
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
1 Peter 2:16
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
We are free. We should rejoice in our freedom and live as though we are free men. We can't use our freedom to do was we want, as we are now slaves to righteousness, not slaves to sin. But, the sin that defined us is no longer in control over us. Live as free men!!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Truth #268 - God allows conflict to happen to accomplish His plan(s) - 2 Chronicles 6-10
2 Chronicles 10:15
So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
Truth: God uses disagreements to His glory.
It is hard to believe that the God of peace and love might use the sins found in disagreements to glorify Himself, but He does. The above passage, and the one that follows, bears out this truth:
Acts 15:39
And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
In the above passages we have an Old Testament example and a New Testament example of where conflict and disagreement between two people brought a blessing to God. In the O.T. we see that the tension between the new king, Solomon's son, Rehoboam and the rebellious upstart, Jeroboam, was actually allowed to happen, by God, Himself. In the N.T. example we see the tension between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take John-Mark on a missionary trip. God does not originate conflict or "make it happen." But, God knows that man will be in conflict. By His grace we do not kill and devour one another completely out of existence. Yet, in the above passages God gently removes His grace to allow the normal nature of man to take over ... in order to accomplish His ends. God allows the conflict, by removing His grace, to accomplish His purpose, so that others may praise Him!!! Remarkable!!! We see that God needed to punish the nation of Israel for their disobedience. God meant the disagreement to happen ... He didn't cause it ... He simply removed His grace and the sin in both Jeroboam and Rehoboam's hearts did the rest. The same is true with Barnabas and Paul. Although they were "Men of God", God meant the disagreement to happen ... He didn't cause it ... He simply removed HIs grace and the sin in Paul and Barnabas' heart did the rest. The truth is that God uses conflict to accomplish His ends. When we attempt to solve conflict we have to keep in mind what God is trying to do in our lives to allow the conflict to exists and milk all the good we can from it.
So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
Truth: God uses disagreements to His glory.
It is hard to believe that the God of peace and love might use the sins found in disagreements to glorify Himself, but He does. The above passage, and the one that follows, bears out this truth:
Acts 15:39
And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
In the above passages we have an Old Testament example and a New Testament example of where conflict and disagreement between two people brought a blessing to God. In the O.T. we see that the tension between the new king, Solomon's son, Rehoboam and the rebellious upstart, Jeroboam, was actually allowed to happen, by God, Himself. In the N.T. example we see the tension between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take John-Mark on a missionary trip. God does not originate conflict or "make it happen." But, God knows that man will be in conflict. By His grace we do not kill and devour one another completely out of existence. Yet, in the above passages God gently removes His grace to allow the normal nature of man to take over ... in order to accomplish His ends. God allows the conflict, by removing His grace, to accomplish His purpose, so that others may praise Him!!! Remarkable!!! We see that God needed to punish the nation of Israel for their disobedience. God meant the disagreement to happen ... He didn't cause it ... He simply removed His grace and the sin in both Jeroboam and Rehoboam's hearts did the rest. The same is true with Barnabas and Paul. Although they were "Men of God", God meant the disagreement to happen ... He didn't cause it ... He simply removed HIs grace and the sin in Paul and Barnabas' heart did the rest. The truth is that God uses conflict to accomplish His ends. When we attempt to solve conflict we have to keep in mind what God is trying to do in our lives to allow the conflict to exists and milk all the good we can from it.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Truth #267 - If you want a good transition of leadership make sure you "invest" in the next leaders success - Numbers 25-28
Numbers 27:20 (ESV version)
You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.
Numbers 27:20 (NIV version)
Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
Numbers 27:20 (NASV version)
You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him.
Truth: If you want a good transition of leadership make sure you "invest" in the next leaders success.
The above verse is taken from a chapter that is outlining God's final words and instruction to Moses. The only leader Israel has had, up to this point, is Moses. He is revered by them and will be revered forever by the nation. But, God is not allowing him to enter the promise land because of his own disobedience (God is no respecter of persons). Moses, in his wisdom, ask God, however, for someone to follow in his steps; someone to lead the nation. Here is what he says to God in the verses just prior to our above verse:
Numbers 27:15-17
Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
There is about to be a transition of leadership. Moses wants to make sure that someone is leading Israel (shows his compassion for them) and to make sure the person is successful in the eyes of the nation (shows his knowledge of them). God appoints Joshua. But, to make sure the transition works, God instructs Moses to give Joshua some authority now. This early "investment" into Joshua would be a way for the nation to see his leadership and Moses approval of it. In each of the versions of this verse, above, there is a little different twist, but the truth is the same: Give Joshua some responsibility and authority NOW and he will be successful tomorrow. If you want success in leadership transition you have to be willing to invest in the person you are about to give leadership to. That will allow them to be successful.
You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.
Numbers 27:20 (NIV version)
Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
Numbers 27:20 (NASV version)
You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him.
Truth: If you want a good transition of leadership make sure you "invest" in the next leaders success.
The above verse is taken from a chapter that is outlining God's final words and instruction to Moses. The only leader Israel has had, up to this point, is Moses. He is revered by them and will be revered forever by the nation. But, God is not allowing him to enter the promise land because of his own disobedience (God is no respecter of persons). Moses, in his wisdom, ask God, however, for someone to follow in his steps; someone to lead the nation. Here is what he says to God in the verses just prior to our above verse:
Numbers 27:15-17
Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
There is about to be a transition of leadership. Moses wants to make sure that someone is leading Israel (shows his compassion for them) and to make sure the person is successful in the eyes of the nation (shows his knowledge of them). God appoints Joshua. But, to make sure the transition works, God instructs Moses to give Joshua some authority now. This early "investment" into Joshua would be a way for the nation to see his leadership and Moses approval of it. In each of the versions of this verse, above, there is a little different twist, but the truth is the same: Give Joshua some responsibility and authority NOW and he will be successful tomorrow. If you want success in leadership transition you have to be willing to invest in the person you are about to give leadership to. That will allow them to be successful.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Truth #266 - Bad circumstances are intended for spiritual blessings - Philemon
Philemon 1:15-16
For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Truth: Bad circumstances are intended for spiritual blessings
The book of Philemon was written by Paul to a member of the Body of Christ ... Philemon. At one time Philemon had a slave working for him, named Onesimus. Since there were a variety of "slave-master" relationships, we don't know the exact details of the Philemon-Onesimus relationship. What we do know is that Onesimus ran away from Philemon and, we assumed, landed in the same prison where Paul was detained. And there you have it. Paul was in prison for standing for his faith and it runs into a run-away-slave ... running away from a man Paul knew. What are the chances? Paul knew his purpose in life. It was to point others to Christ. Can you imagine Onesimus arriving in prison, playing the victim and complaining to Paul about his "master" (the whole time not realizing that it was someone Paul had won to Christ). Perhaps Philemon's treatment of Onesimus was less than stellar ... Paul did write to MANY believers about their relationships with their "slaves" and to many slaves in their relationship to their "masters." It would not be unusual for Onesimus to have some legitimate complaints about Philemon. It would not be unusual to believe that Onesimus was an unfaithful and unworthy slave, either. God had put Paul and Onesimus together and Paul had led him to the Lord. Did Philemon, earlier, read one of Paul's letters about slaves and begin a prayer life about the disobedient slave? As we read further in the letter we discover that Onesimus must have wrong Philemon and owed him something ... something Paul was willing to now pay. The key here is that the bad circumstances of Paul placed into prison for his faith; of Philemon losing a laborer for his work causing him a lost in productivity; Onesimus on the run and tossed into prison, all worked out to the faith of Onesimus and, now, a chance for Philemon to show his Biblical love. In our world today it would be easy to see these circumstances as bad luck, mis-fortune, or poor karma. Yet, Paul makes the above statement that "perhaps" this is why Onesimus ran away ... so that Paul could lead him to the Lord and now Philemon had a brother, not a slave. Bad circumstances are intended for spiritual blessings ... we just often miss them because we are focused on the circumstances, not the God behind them.
For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Truth: Bad circumstances are intended for spiritual blessings
The book of Philemon was written by Paul to a member of the Body of Christ ... Philemon. At one time Philemon had a slave working for him, named Onesimus. Since there were a variety of "slave-master" relationships, we don't know the exact details of the Philemon-Onesimus relationship. What we do know is that Onesimus ran away from Philemon and, we assumed, landed in the same prison where Paul was detained. And there you have it. Paul was in prison for standing for his faith and it runs into a run-away-slave ... running away from a man Paul knew. What are the chances? Paul knew his purpose in life. It was to point others to Christ. Can you imagine Onesimus arriving in prison, playing the victim and complaining to Paul about his "master" (the whole time not realizing that it was someone Paul had won to Christ). Perhaps Philemon's treatment of Onesimus was less than stellar ... Paul did write to MANY believers about their relationships with their "slaves" and to many slaves in their relationship to their "masters." It would not be unusual for Onesimus to have some legitimate complaints about Philemon. It would not be unusual to believe that Onesimus was an unfaithful and unworthy slave, either. God had put Paul and Onesimus together and Paul had led him to the Lord. Did Philemon, earlier, read one of Paul's letters about slaves and begin a prayer life about the disobedient slave? As we read further in the letter we discover that Onesimus must have wrong Philemon and owed him something ... something Paul was willing to now pay. The key here is that the bad circumstances of Paul placed into prison for his faith; of Philemon losing a laborer for his work causing him a lost in productivity; Onesimus on the run and tossed into prison, all worked out to the faith of Onesimus and, now, a chance for Philemon to show his Biblical love. In our world today it would be easy to see these circumstances as bad luck, mis-fortune, or poor karma. Yet, Paul makes the above statement that "perhaps" this is why Onesimus ran away ... so that Paul could lead him to the Lord and now Philemon had a brother, not a slave. Bad circumstances are intended for spiritual blessings ... we just often miss them because we are focused on the circumstances, not the God behind them.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Truth #265 - God restores us for ministry despite our denials of Him- John 19-21
John 21:15-17
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Truth: God restores us for ministry despite our denials of Him
Peter is you and me. He is the one who, at one moment, is excited to serve and lead and stand tall for Christ, and the next, he is denying Christ three times in front of the world. Note his enthusiasm, above the other disciples, at the time:
Matthew 26:33-36 - And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Yet, we all know that Peter denied Christ in front of His accusers, three times. In the above account of Jesus' last days by John we see that the Risen Lord now gives Peter a chance to be restored. He not only gives Peter a chance to tell Him, he loves Christ, He gives him the chance to do so three times ... the same number of his denials. But, at the end of each of Peter's confessions of love, Jesus gives him a restorative responsibility to the new church. Jesus is about restoration. Our churches today are very much in the dark about restoration. However, those who wish to be restored are very much in the dark about the commitment needed in regard to restoration. Here we see Jesus' method of restoring someone. There is first, "public" confession of love and devotion. Jesus could have had this conversation in private with Peter. Instead it has the conversation in front of the other disciples. Public failure calls for public correction. The second step in restoration is service. It was enough that Peter "states" that he loves Jesus. That love must be manifested by a love of action. Loving Jesus is to love His disciples (His "lambs"; His "sheep"). John will later tell us in his epistle that our love for Christ is manifested by an obedience to the commands of Christ and a service in fellowship with Christ's people. This story might have been John's teaching on that subject. The rest of the disciples might have been less willing to follow Peter because of Peter's denials. The third aspect of restoration was for the disciples. They NOW must also forgive Peter and they must NOW follow Peter. Jesus gives Peter the leadership of the church. They are not to hold Peter's failure against him. Restoration is not only the responsibility of the individual but also the entire church. We are to also forgive and restore those around us who fail and seek repentance and a reaffirmation of their love for Christ. God restores the individual and the Body ... our forgiveness and their confession and affirmation are tied by the blood of Christ.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Truth: God restores us for ministry despite our denials of Him
Peter is you and me. He is the one who, at one moment, is excited to serve and lead and stand tall for Christ, and the next, he is denying Christ three times in front of the world. Note his enthusiasm, above the other disciples, at the time:
Matthew 26:33-36 - And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Yet, we all know that Peter denied Christ in front of His accusers, three times. In the above account of Jesus' last days by John we see that the Risen Lord now gives Peter a chance to be restored. He not only gives Peter a chance to tell Him, he loves Christ, He gives him the chance to do so three times ... the same number of his denials. But, at the end of each of Peter's confessions of love, Jesus gives him a restorative responsibility to the new church. Jesus is about restoration. Our churches today are very much in the dark about restoration. However, those who wish to be restored are very much in the dark about the commitment needed in regard to restoration. Here we see Jesus' method of restoring someone. There is first, "public" confession of love and devotion. Jesus could have had this conversation in private with Peter. Instead it has the conversation in front of the other disciples. Public failure calls for public correction. The second step in restoration is service. It was enough that Peter "states" that he loves Jesus. That love must be manifested by a love of action. Loving Jesus is to love His disciples (His "lambs"; His "sheep"). John will later tell us in his epistle that our love for Christ is manifested by an obedience to the commands of Christ and a service in fellowship with Christ's people. This story might have been John's teaching on that subject. The rest of the disciples might have been less willing to follow Peter because of Peter's denials. The third aspect of restoration was for the disciples. They NOW must also forgive Peter and they must NOW follow Peter. Jesus gives Peter the leadership of the church. They are not to hold Peter's failure against him. Restoration is not only the responsibility of the individual but also the entire church. We are to also forgive and restore those around us who fail and seek repentance and a reaffirmation of their love for Christ. God restores the individual and the Body ... our forgiveness and their confession and affirmation are tied by the blood of Christ.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Truth #264 - Without God's Word we are nothing - Amos 5-9
Amos 8:11-12
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
“when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord,
but they shall not find it.
Truth: Minus God's Word man is nothing
Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Amos has stated a condition of Israel's punishment that is more devastating than any previous prophecy. Amos has already said the land of Israel will be destroyed by pestilence and war. He has already told them that their children will be taken captive and their rich will have no where to hide. He has told them that certain devastation is coming. Yet, when he says the above words he takes away from them any hope. Man lives by the Word that comes out of God's mouth. The Deuteronomy passages is stated by Moses in regard to how God sustained the nation in their wilderness wanderings. He spoke and they had mana. He spoke and they had water. He spoke and they had birds fly in for dinner. He spoke and Egypt was destroyed. We are sustained by the power of His Word. Notice what the Gospel writer, John, and the writer of Hebrews say about Christ and the Word:
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I can't imagine getting up in the morning and not having the Word of God to turn to. Israel's sin put them in a place NO ONE wants to be in ... NO Word of God. We are sustained by the Word of His Power. He upholds the universe by His voice. Christ was the Word made manifested. Christ is the sustainer of the universe. Minus the word the universe is undone.
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
“when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord,
but they shall not find it.
Truth: Minus God's Word man is nothing
Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Amos has stated a condition of Israel's punishment that is more devastating than any previous prophecy. Amos has already said the land of Israel will be destroyed by pestilence and war. He has already told them that their children will be taken captive and their rich will have no where to hide. He has told them that certain devastation is coming. Yet, when he says the above words he takes away from them any hope. Man lives by the Word that comes out of God's mouth. The Deuteronomy passages is stated by Moses in regard to how God sustained the nation in their wilderness wanderings. He spoke and they had mana. He spoke and they had water. He spoke and they had birds fly in for dinner. He spoke and Egypt was destroyed. We are sustained by the power of His Word. Notice what the Gospel writer, John, and the writer of Hebrews say about Christ and the Word:
Hebrews 1:3
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I can't imagine getting up in the morning and not having the Word of God to turn to. Israel's sin put them in a place NO ONE wants to be in ... NO Word of God. We are sustained by the Word of His Power. He upholds the universe by His voice. Christ was the Word made manifested. Christ is the sustainer of the universe. Minus the word the universe is undone.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Truth #263 - God expects leaders to show righteous judgment - Proverbs 24-25
Proverbs 24:23-25 (NASV)
These also are sayings of the wise.
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;
But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
Proverbs 24:23-25 (NIV)
Further Sayings of the Wise
These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent” –
peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.
But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and rich blessing will come upon them.
Truth: God expects leaders to show righteous judgment
Many times in Proverbs we have Solomon speaking about leadership being just and fair in their ruling. God is not pleased when leadership calls the guilty and wicked people, righteous. But if you convict the wicked and/or rebuke them there is blessing from God is waiting. The thrust, however, in this group of Proverbs is not on the what the leader does but on what happens when they do what they do. Those who call the wicked, "innocent", are denounced and condemned by the world. On the other-hand, those who condemn and convict the wicked will be in the way of rich blessings being poured out them. The point of the proverb is that God notices bad judges, bad judgement and bad judicial processes. He rewards those who do such things appropriately. This can be said of a parent who favors one child over the other. Of a person who makes an unfair judgment about someone. Of a Pastor who judges his congregation inappropriately. Don't show partiality. Show Godly justice by judging based upon God's character. God holds "all" leaders to this standard. Even the kings of Egypt and Babylon were judged for their righteous judgment and it doesn't matter if they had faith or not. God puts leaders in positions to make judgments and He holds them responsible to make judgments in a righteous manner.
These also are sayings of the wise.
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;
But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
Proverbs 24:23-25 (NIV)
Further Sayings of the Wise
These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent” –
peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.
But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and rich blessing will come upon them.
Truth: God expects leaders to show righteous judgment
Many times in Proverbs we have Solomon speaking about leadership being just and fair in their ruling. God is not pleased when leadership calls the guilty and wicked people, righteous. But if you convict the wicked and/or rebuke them there is blessing from God is waiting. The thrust, however, in this group of Proverbs is not on the what the leader does but on what happens when they do what they do. Those who call the wicked, "innocent", are denounced and condemned by the world. On the other-hand, those who condemn and convict the wicked will be in the way of rich blessings being poured out them. The point of the proverb is that God notices bad judges, bad judgement and bad judicial processes. He rewards those who do such things appropriately. This can be said of a parent who favors one child over the other. Of a person who makes an unfair judgment about someone. Of a Pastor who judges his congregation inappropriately. Don't show partiality. Show Godly justice by judging based upon God's character. God holds "all" leaders to this standard. Even the kings of Egypt and Babylon were judged for their righteous judgment and it doesn't matter if they had faith or not. God puts leaders in positions to make judgments and He holds them responsible to make judgments in a righteous manner.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Truth #262 - God restores and changes lives - Psalm 111-113
Psalms 113:7-8
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
Truth: God restores and changes lives
The amazing fact about the Gospel is the power of the changed lives as a result of it. When Christ enters the life He changes it. The Bible is full of places where lives are changed. In the above verses the writer of this Psalm sings praise to God for changing the lives of the poor and the needy. My life was one of these lives. I was destitute and lost everything and yet God looked down from heaven, onto the earth, and showed me mercy and grace. Psalm 107 is a great place to read how God changes lives. John 4 and John 9 are places where Christ changed the life of a prostitute and a blind man. Acts 9 is a good example of how God changed Paul's life. Note what Peter says about the Gospel changing lives:
1 Peter 1:18
knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
You and I were "ransomed" from the "futile ways" we inherited from our fathers. God is in the business of changing our lives. He takes the poor and the needy and puts them among princes!! God can change our station in life. He is the ONLY one who can change our station in life. We need to come to Him to request a real change in our lives.
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
Truth: God restores and changes lives
The amazing fact about the Gospel is the power of the changed lives as a result of it. When Christ enters the life He changes it. The Bible is full of places where lives are changed. In the above verses the writer of this Psalm sings praise to God for changing the lives of the poor and the needy. My life was one of these lives. I was destitute and lost everything and yet God looked down from heaven, onto the earth, and showed me mercy and grace. Psalm 107 is a great place to read how God changes lives. John 4 and John 9 are places where Christ changed the life of a prostitute and a blind man. Acts 9 is a good example of how God changed Paul's life. Note what Peter says about the Gospel changing lives:
1 Peter 1:18
knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
You and I were "ransomed" from the "futile ways" we inherited from our fathers. God is in the business of changing our lives. He takes the poor and the needy and puts them among princes!! God can change our station in life. He is the ONLY one who can change our station in life. We need to come to Him to request a real change in our lives.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Truth #261 - When we walk with God in business it gives the world a reason to priase God - 2 Chronicles 1-5
2 Chronicles 2:11-12
Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, “Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you king over them.” Hiram also said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal palace for himself.
Truth: When we walk with God the world notices and will have caused to praise God.
Our testimony in view of the world is a tremendous way to convey God's character and love to attract the world. The fact that we live our lives differently can and will be noticed by the world. Solomon was seeking God's face through wisdom and the King of Tyre, Hiram, noticed. Hiram would be a supplier and vendor for the nation of Israel who would supply not just the material to be the Temple, but would also supply the needed craftsmen. The people of Israel were shepherds by trade and tent makers. Hiram would be a staffing agency and provide a skilled employee who would be able to craft stone, gold, precious stones, etc. Because Hiram was asked by Solomon and Solomon acted in faith toward God, Hiram began to praise God. This was all based upon Solomon's testimony and business practices. How we do business in the world and with the world can be a dynamic declaration of our faith in Christ. We have to be different, however. We can't expect to play by the world's rules and be noticed and seeing others praise God. We have to be unique in the world. We have to be Godly to have others see us and praise God. We can't cut corners, fudge numbers, charge excessive fees, or do a poor job and expect others to praise God in light of such practices. Solomon was willing to pay well for the service Hiram provided. That caused this man from an idolatrous land to sing praises to God. The same can work today.
Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, “Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you king over them.” Hiram also said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal palace for himself.
Truth: When we walk with God the world notices and will have caused to praise God.
Our testimony in view of the world is a tremendous way to convey God's character and love to attract the world. The fact that we live our lives differently can and will be noticed by the world. Solomon was seeking God's face through wisdom and the King of Tyre, Hiram, noticed. Hiram would be a supplier and vendor for the nation of Israel who would supply not just the material to be the Temple, but would also supply the needed craftsmen. The people of Israel were shepherds by trade and tent makers. Hiram would be a staffing agency and provide a skilled employee who would be able to craft stone, gold, precious stones, etc. Because Hiram was asked by Solomon and Solomon acted in faith toward God, Hiram began to praise God. This was all based upon Solomon's testimony and business practices. How we do business in the world and with the world can be a dynamic declaration of our faith in Christ. We have to be different, however. We can't expect to play by the world's rules and be noticed and seeing others praise God. We have to be unique in the world. We have to be Godly to have others see us and praise God. We can't cut corners, fudge numbers, charge excessive fees, or do a poor job and expect others to praise God in light of such practices. Solomon was willing to pay well for the service Hiram provided. That caused this man from an idolatrous land to sing praises to God. The same can work today.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Truth #260 - The world sees God like another god ... He is NOT!! - Numbers 21-24
Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Truth: The world sees God like another god ... He is NOT!!
In Numbers 21-24 we have the story of Israel requesting to travel "through" Moab. The King of Moab, Balak, didn't want them in his land, assuming they would "lick up the land as a hoard." To stop them from coming through the land, Balak decided to higher a prophet of God that lived in the land named, Balaam. Balak through if Balaam would simply "curse" Israel that would end the national threat. God, however, told Balaam to "bless" Israel and not curse them. Balak decides to take Balaam to another spot to observe the nation and ask God, again. However, Balaam states the same thing and blesses Israel, again. In this second blessing Balaam states the above words. Balak had made the mistake of thinking that, like Balaam, God could be bought. He thought if we just up the anti of place and type of worship, God would change His mind. In Balaam's reply the above words are what Balak heard. God is not like man ... that He should lie (something Balak did and observed from other leaders). God is not like man ... that He should change His mind for greater material things (something Balak did and observed from other leaders). God is not a liar, saying He WILL do something and DOESN'T do something (something Balak did and observed from other leaders). Man has such a narrow and earthly view of God and His character. Man interprets the events of the world through this narrow view of God. They evaluate God's actions through this corrupted lens. God is God. We can only understand Him if we read about Him in His Word and, by faith, believe He is who He says He is. God is NOT like man. He keeps His promises. He does what He says He will do.
God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Truth: The world sees God like another god ... He is NOT!!
In Numbers 21-24 we have the story of Israel requesting to travel "through" Moab. The King of Moab, Balak, didn't want them in his land, assuming they would "lick up the land as a hoard." To stop them from coming through the land, Balak decided to higher a prophet of God that lived in the land named, Balaam. Balak through if Balaam would simply "curse" Israel that would end the national threat. God, however, told Balaam to "bless" Israel and not curse them. Balak decides to take Balaam to another spot to observe the nation and ask God, again. However, Balaam states the same thing and blesses Israel, again. In this second blessing Balaam states the above words. Balak had made the mistake of thinking that, like Balaam, God could be bought. He thought if we just up the anti of place and type of worship, God would change His mind. In Balaam's reply the above words are what Balak heard. God is not like man ... that He should lie (something Balak did and observed from other leaders). God is not like man ... that He should change His mind for greater material things (something Balak did and observed from other leaders). God is not a liar, saying He WILL do something and DOESN'T do something (something Balak did and observed from other leaders). Man has such a narrow and earthly view of God and His character. Man interprets the events of the world through this narrow view of God. They evaluate God's actions through this corrupted lens. God is God. We can only understand Him if we read about Him in His Word and, by faith, believe He is who He says He is. God is NOT like man. He keeps His promises. He does what He says He will do.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Truth #259 - We were created for good works - Titus
Titus 3:8
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Truth: God saved us to do good works.
Note how the phrase "good works" is used in the following letter Paul wrote to young Pastor Titus:
Titus 2:7
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
Titus 2:13-14
waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 3:1
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Titus 3:14
And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
Obviously Paul wants Titus (and us) to know that we have a purpose for our salvation and our life in Christ. We are to be ready, devoted to, zealous, and be a model of good works. If we think that might be said of the entire world, note the following out of this letter. In writing about the unbeliever in these same words Paul states:
Titus 1:16
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
The non-believer, according to Paul and inspired Scripture, is "un-fit" for good works. The Greek word for "un-fit" "unapproved" after being tested. You can't do good works if you can't pass the test to be approved to do them. The only way you can pass the test is faith in Christ. Therefore, unbelievers fail at every attempt they do in good works. Believers were created for good works and accomplish them in the power and will of the Savior. One last verse to seal these thoughts:
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Truth: God saved us to do good works.
Note how the phrase "good works" is used in the following letter Paul wrote to young Pastor Titus:
Titus 2:7
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
Titus 2:13-14
waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 3:1
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Titus 3:14
And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
Obviously Paul wants Titus (and us) to know that we have a purpose for our salvation and our life in Christ. We are to be ready, devoted to, zealous, and be a model of good works. If we think that might be said of the entire world, note the following out of this letter. In writing about the unbeliever in these same words Paul states:
Titus 1:16
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
The non-believer, according to Paul and inspired Scripture, is "un-fit" for good works. The Greek word for "un-fit" "unapproved" after being tested. You can't do good works if you can't pass the test to be approved to do them. The only way you can pass the test is faith in Christ. Therefore, unbelievers fail at every attempt they do in good works. Believers were created for good works and accomplish them in the power and will of the Savior. One last verse to seal these thoughts:
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Truth #258 - Jesus gives us understanding and power in prayer - John 16-18
John 16:23-24
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Truth: The resurrection gave us understanding and the power of prayer
When Jesus is talking to His disciples, just prior to his death (and subsequent resurrection), He states the above truth. Because our English language is so limited, we can actually get the meaning of the text the way He more than likely meant it. In our English translation it sounds like He is talking about them "asking" Him something. He seems to state that "in that day" (He means the days after His resurrection) they will ask something and they will NOT ask something. Note that is says, "In that day you will ask nothing of me ...". Then it says, "... whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you." Which is it? Will they "ask" or will they "ask nothing?" In the original language of the text, however, Jesus is using two different words for the word ask. In the first use of the word, He is meaning to "ask," as in seek understanding about something. In the second use of the English "ask," He is actually saying "ask" as in "a request for something." So, what the text is telling us is refreshing and enlightening to the disciples. Jesus is telling them that after the resurrection they will NO LONGER need to ask for understanding (because the Spirit is coming to give them and guide them in understanding .... something He just told them in the previous verses to the above) AND since He will now be with the Father and able to make intercession for us, they can ASK what they will and He will give it to them. Up until now they had lack understanding and they continually had to seek answers from Him. Most of the time, however, they didn't understand His answers, even after they asked. Jesus tells them that in just a short while they would have a deeper meaning of understanding and would also know the power of praying to and through a resurrected Savior. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He made it possible for us to "know" things of deep meaning and understanding. Notice what He had just told them about the coming Spirit's work in their life:
John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Later Paul will tell us that Jesus is the source of all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). But, Jesus is also our intermediary. He stands at the right hand of God to be our intercessor and to plead for us. When we pray, in His will, He stands to be there to ask the Father on our behalf. After the resurrection Jesus made it possible for the disciples (and for us) to know and to ask. What a great truth!!!! Note the next few verses:
John 16:25-28
“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Truth: The resurrection gave us understanding and the power of prayer
When Jesus is talking to His disciples, just prior to his death (and subsequent resurrection), He states the above truth. Because our English language is so limited, we can actually get the meaning of the text the way He more than likely meant it. In our English translation it sounds like He is talking about them "asking" Him something. He seems to state that "in that day" (He means the days after His resurrection) they will ask something and they will NOT ask something. Note that is says, "In that day you will ask nothing of me ...". Then it says, "... whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you." Which is it? Will they "ask" or will they "ask nothing?" In the original language of the text, however, Jesus is using two different words for the word ask. In the first use of the word, He is meaning to "ask," as in seek understanding about something. In the second use of the English "ask," He is actually saying "ask" as in "a request for something." So, what the text is telling us is refreshing and enlightening to the disciples. Jesus is telling them that after the resurrection they will NO LONGER need to ask for understanding (because the Spirit is coming to give them and guide them in understanding .... something He just told them in the previous verses to the above) AND since He will now be with the Father and able to make intercession for us, they can ASK what they will and He will give it to them. Up until now they had lack understanding and they continually had to seek answers from Him. Most of the time, however, they didn't understand His answers, even after they asked. Jesus tells them that in just a short while they would have a deeper meaning of understanding and would also know the power of praying to and through a resurrected Savior. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He made it possible for us to "know" things of deep meaning and understanding. Notice what He had just told them about the coming Spirit's work in their life:
John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Later Paul will tell us that Jesus is the source of all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). But, Jesus is also our intermediary. He stands at the right hand of God to be our intercessor and to plead for us. When we pray, in His will, He stands to be there to ask the Father on our behalf. After the resurrection Jesus made it possible for the disciples (and for us) to know and to ask. What a great truth!!!! Note the next few verses:
John 16:25-28
“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
Friday, September 11, 2015
Trtuh #257 - No resource can provide escape from God's Wrath - Amos 1-4
Amos 2:14-16
Flight shall perish from the swift,
and the strong shall not retain his strength,
nor shall the mighty save his life;
he who handles the bow shall not stand,
and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself,
nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;
and he who is stout of heart among the mighty
shall flee away naked in that day,”
declares the Lord.
Truth: No matter your resources you can't escape God's judgement.
The insurance industry has done a pretty good job of making us feel safe and secure, even with certain particular disaster facing us. As long as we have insurance we feel safe and comfortable. That thought tends to creep into our spiritual life, as well. People think if they worship just enough they will have a "fire insurance" policy from hell. They think if they are good enough they are insured some protection from God. They ignore Him every day ... but, when a disaster strikes the cry out, "Where was God?" The same was true in the day Amos prophesied. The "swift" thought, "If disaster comes I can miss it." The "strong" said, "By our strength we can fight it." The archer says, "We can shoot it." The horsemen said, "We can out ride it." But, NO ONE can "outrun, outshoot, pay, speak, or use any talent or resource" to avoid God's wrath. God gives us an out by taking hold of His Word by faith. That is where the nation of Israel failed. God gave them His Word and they ignored it. That put them in the place of His wrath, rather than His mercy and blessing. It is that simple. Obey God's Word through faith and we have blessings. Disobey God's Word and we have cursing (that was the message to them early in their national formation - Deuteronomy 28-32). People think they can escape God's judgment. Ignoring God's Word and pretending that God does not exists or is not interested in us, is not a solution to God's wrath. It only delays the inevitable.
Flight shall perish from the swift,
and the strong shall not retain his strength,
nor shall the mighty save his life;
he who handles the bow shall not stand,
and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself,
nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;
and he who is stout of heart among the mighty
shall flee away naked in that day,”
declares the Lord.
Truth: No matter your resources you can't escape God's judgement.
The insurance industry has done a pretty good job of making us feel safe and secure, even with certain particular disaster facing us. As long as we have insurance we feel safe and comfortable. That thought tends to creep into our spiritual life, as well. People think if they worship just enough they will have a "fire insurance" policy from hell. They think if they are good enough they are insured some protection from God. They ignore Him every day ... but, when a disaster strikes the cry out, "Where was God?" The same was true in the day Amos prophesied. The "swift" thought, "If disaster comes I can miss it." The "strong" said, "By our strength we can fight it." The archer says, "We can shoot it." The horsemen said, "We can out ride it." But, NO ONE can "outrun, outshoot, pay, speak, or use any talent or resource" to avoid God's wrath. God gives us an out by taking hold of His Word by faith. That is where the nation of Israel failed. God gave them His Word and they ignored it. That put them in the place of His wrath, rather than His mercy and blessing. It is that simple. Obey God's Word through faith and we have blessings. Disobey God's Word and we have cursing (that was the message to them early in their national formation - Deuteronomy 28-32). People think they can escape God's judgment. Ignoring God's Word and pretending that God does not exists or is not interested in us, is not a solution to God's wrath. It only delays the inevitable.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Truth #256 - God wants us to toil for Him not weath - Proverbs 23
Proverbs 23:4 (NASV)
Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.
Proverbs 23:4-5 (ESV)
Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.
When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Truth: God wants to work for Him not for wealth
In our modern society we have become self absorb with finances, savings, retirement and accumulation of wealth. Even Christians have become predesposed to focus on "fiscal responsibility" and "financial freedom." We have many talking heads who tell us how to save and how to earn and how to spend and how to invest. And, if you are incline to "lay up treasures on the earth where moth and rust doth corrupt," these talking heads advice is very convincing. However, I have never heard one of them talk about Solomon's words in 23:4. The proverbs is so simply it confuses you with your profoundness. The word translated "consideration" is actually better stated as "understanding." Solomon seems to be saying we are not to focus on gaining wealth and we are not "cease" (pretty clear word use) from trying to understand it. Yet, we do. We study it; we analyze it; we put each penny under a microscope to grasp it. If you are in that camp that holds to this philosophy please tell me how we focus so heavily on money and "cease from our consideration of it."
There are a lot of people in the media today who make a lot of money telling us what to do with our money. They are the money talking heads. People listen to them. The invest where they tell them to invest and do what they tell them to do. However, I doubt if any call in money show would ever quote Solomon's words in 23:4,5. You can't help but read Solomon's words and sense that Solomon (perhaps the richest man who ever lived ... certainly in his day) had no use for money and saw how meaningless it was. Read his words on money in the book of Ecclesiates. He tells them to forget about the money and don't even consider it. We are to let it go. It will fly away anyhow. Like an eagle in the sky. People obese about their money. God tells us here to let it go and don't even consider it. Good advice ... wish I would hear this kind of advice on the radio.
We are not to work for the purpose of gaining wealth. This cuts across most of our thoughts on work. Working to accumulate will leave us wanting at both our bank accounts and our jobs. Solomon tells us when we do set our purpose for work as money that money will "suddenly" be gone. The accumulation of wealth is NOT our aim. The glory of God in work is to be our purpose. That is when we find satisfaction in our work. When we make it about money we will find our jobs bankrupt.
Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.
Proverbs 23:4-5 (ESV)
Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.
When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Truth: God wants to work for Him not for wealth
In our modern society we have become self absorb with finances, savings, retirement and accumulation of wealth. Even Christians have become predesposed to focus on "fiscal responsibility" and "financial freedom." We have many talking heads who tell us how to save and how to earn and how to spend and how to invest. And, if you are incline to "lay up treasures on the earth where moth and rust doth corrupt," these talking heads advice is very convincing. However, I have never heard one of them talk about Solomon's words in 23:4. The proverbs is so simply it confuses you with your profoundness. The word translated "consideration" is actually better stated as "understanding." Solomon seems to be saying we are not to focus on gaining wealth and we are not "cease" (pretty clear word use) from trying to understand it. Yet, we do. We study it; we analyze it; we put each penny under a microscope to grasp it. If you are in that camp that holds to this philosophy please tell me how we focus so heavily on money and "cease from our consideration of it."
There are a lot of people in the media today who make a lot of money telling us what to do with our money. They are the money talking heads. People listen to them. The invest where they tell them to invest and do what they tell them to do. However, I doubt if any call in money show would ever quote Solomon's words in 23:4,5. You can't help but read Solomon's words and sense that Solomon (perhaps the richest man who ever lived ... certainly in his day) had no use for money and saw how meaningless it was. Read his words on money in the book of Ecclesiates. He tells them to forget about the money and don't even consider it. We are to let it go. It will fly away anyhow. Like an eagle in the sky. People obese about their money. God tells us here to let it go and don't even consider it. Good advice ... wish I would hear this kind of advice on the radio.
We are not to work for the purpose of gaining wealth. This cuts across most of our thoughts on work. Working to accumulate will leave us wanting at both our bank accounts and our jobs. Solomon tells us when we do set our purpose for work as money that money will "suddenly" be gone. The accumulation of wealth is NOT our aim. The glory of God in work is to be our purpose. That is when we find satisfaction in our work. When we make it about money we will find our jobs bankrupt.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Truth #255 - God is our defense attorney - Psalm 108-110
Psalms 109:30-31
With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.
Truth: God is our defense attorney
We are all very vile sinners. If the world could see into our hearts they would see darkness, despair and deception. We are really not very good people ... in the depths of our hearts. Romans 3:23 states that we are all sinners. We may not think so, but we are actually standing each day accused and convicted as sinners before an angry God. He demands holiness and we fall well short of that mark. But, we have a defender. When we are "rightly" accuses of our sin, we have a defender by the name of "Jesus" who takes up our defense. He not only defends us verbally, but with His actions. He doesn't tell the Judge (His Father) that we are innocent. That would be a lie. Instead He tells His Father that we are guilty but that the holy and right penalty for our sin (death) has been paid by Him. This Defense attorney does what no legal advocate does ... He not only defends us, He also takes our sentence of death upon Himself. We stand accused, but forgiven ... not because of our ability to pay our debt but because of His willingness to pay the debt for us. And, unlike any lawyer, He doesn't charge us. We have the ability to take His payment for us, rather than figure out a way to pay Him. This is why the writer says in the above verse that, "With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord ... ". Where others would want to condemn me, He stands to advocate for me. My heart might want to condemn me (and it has plenty of evidence to show the Judge I have failed the test of holiness), but He stands to save me from those who would condemn me. I will praise Him in the midst of the throng!!! I write this on my 61st birthday. I have come to realize that I am a terrible sinner who deserves no grace or mercy in my life. Yet, there He is!!! Standing at my right hand to pronounce to all, "This wretched man is holy ... I have made his so!!!" How can we not say praise Him.
With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.
Truth: God is our defense attorney
We are all very vile sinners. If the world could see into our hearts they would see darkness, despair and deception. We are really not very good people ... in the depths of our hearts. Romans 3:23 states that we are all sinners. We may not think so, but we are actually standing each day accused and convicted as sinners before an angry God. He demands holiness and we fall well short of that mark. But, we have a defender. When we are "rightly" accuses of our sin, we have a defender by the name of "Jesus" who takes up our defense. He not only defends us verbally, but with His actions. He doesn't tell the Judge (His Father) that we are innocent. That would be a lie. Instead He tells His Father that we are guilty but that the holy and right penalty for our sin (death) has been paid by Him. This Defense attorney does what no legal advocate does ... He not only defends us, He also takes our sentence of death upon Himself. We stand accused, but forgiven ... not because of our ability to pay our debt but because of His willingness to pay the debt for us. And, unlike any lawyer, He doesn't charge us. We have the ability to take His payment for us, rather than figure out a way to pay Him. This is why the writer says in the above verse that, "With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord ... ". Where others would want to condemn me, He stands to advocate for me. My heart might want to condemn me (and it has plenty of evidence to show the Judge I have failed the test of holiness), but He stands to save me from those who would condemn me. I will praise Him in the midst of the throng!!! I write this on my 61st birthday. I have come to realize that I am a terrible sinner who deserves no grace or mercy in my life. Yet, there He is!!! Standing at my right hand to pronounce to all, "This wretched man is holy ... I have made his so!!!" How can we not say praise Him.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Truth #254 - Inspring children is a planned event - 2 Chronicles 25-29
1 Chronicles 28:9
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
Truth: Legacy through your children is planned not an accident.
King David wanted to build the Temple of God. God told him, "NO!" David was a man of war and had shed blood. But, that did not stop David from preparing for the Temple's construction or the preparation of who would build the temple. That would be David's son, Solomon. David made sure Solomon was ready to continue his passion for God. But, he did not allow that to happen by accident. The above verse gives you the "charge" David gave his son. But, that was just the final push over the top. Notice what David did to assure that Solomon would be successful:
1. David provided him with Instruction. Note the following verse: (1 Chronicles 27:32: Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons.) David provided Godly leadership to give all of his son's instruction in the ways of the Lord. Solomon received a daily doss of Godly coaching.
2. David Provided him with Provision. Most of chapter 27-29 is the Chronicle (thus the name of the book) of David gathering all the material Solomon would need to build the temple. Building such a worship center would be hard in today's world, much less in the days of King David and young Solomon. Solomon was only a young man when he became the king. This would be a large undertaking. Yet, David assured that Solomon wouldn't have to go out and raise one penny or search the mountains for one precious stone. He provided it all to him.
3. David Provide him with Vision. Note the following verse: (1 Chronicles 28:19 “All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, all the work to be done according to the plan.”) David gave Solomon his detailed vision for the Temple. This was to be no guessing game. Solomon was shown what David envisioned for this plan. It was a grand plan. It was a detailed and outlined plan. Solomon would hit the mark because he would be able to see the mark.
4. David provided him with Inspiration. The above verse was David's final words to his son, before his death. David told Solomon that if he followed God with "a whole heart and with a willing mind," he would have success. God has a formula for success. It is not hard to find. God outlines it to several of his key people in the Bible (Moses; Joshua; Daniel; etc.) Solomon accounts this same instruction in Proverbs 2:5. God wants us to pursue Him and when we do, we will have success.
This was David's formula to see his legacy continue and his vision for God continued. It was no accident. It was by design.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Truth #253 - Coming to God in our struggle reveals His glory - Numbers 18-22
Numbers 20:6
Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them,
Truth: When the people complain, God is the source of strength and glory.
Moses and Aaron had quite a calling. They had the role and responsibility to lead the entire nation of Israel. We know, according to this book of Numbers, there were at least 600,000 men. So, when we add women and children there were a million plus people for these two to lead. They were not top heavy in leadership. There were not very many layers between them and the least of the people. Yes, Moses had earlier enacted a system where lesser concerns would be taken to other men in the camp ... other leaders. But, for the big things, these two were it. This is why the above text is so important. Who do you go to when you are at the top? We need to be like Moses and Aaron ... when we have an issue with those around us and those we may lead, we need to God for the source of our strength and our power. Notice that they "fell on their faces." They were only able to receive the glory of God because they were willing to humble themselves toward God. When the people complained, Moses and Aaron had heard it all before. They would hear it again in this book. It is easy, when you hear the same old thing to want to solve the issues yourself. Moses and Aaron were sensitive to God's presence and to take their problems to God. It is when we fail to come to God with our issues and try to solve them in our own strength that we fail. Note Peter's words on this subject. Peter is a great example of someone who, often, tried to do things in his own power, rather than the power of Christ:
1 Peter 5:6-8
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Coming to God is the source of strength. We will see His glory. When we attempt to solve our problems in our own strength we lose the chance to see God's glory.
Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them,
Truth: When the people complain, God is the source of strength and glory.
Moses and Aaron had quite a calling. They had the role and responsibility to lead the entire nation of Israel. We know, according to this book of Numbers, there were at least 600,000 men. So, when we add women and children there were a million plus people for these two to lead. They were not top heavy in leadership. There were not very many layers between them and the least of the people. Yes, Moses had earlier enacted a system where lesser concerns would be taken to other men in the camp ... other leaders. But, for the big things, these two were it. This is why the above text is so important. Who do you go to when you are at the top? We need to be like Moses and Aaron ... when we have an issue with those around us and those we may lead, we need to God for the source of our strength and our power. Notice that they "fell on their faces." They were only able to receive the glory of God because they were willing to humble themselves toward God. When the people complained, Moses and Aaron had heard it all before. They would hear it again in this book. It is easy, when you hear the same old thing to want to solve the issues yourself. Moses and Aaron were sensitive to God's presence and to take their problems to God. It is when we fail to come to God with our issues and try to solve them in our own strength that we fail. Note Peter's words on this subject. Peter is a great example of someone who, often, tried to do things in his own power, rather than the power of Christ:
1 Peter 5:6-8
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Coming to God is the source of strength. We will see His glory. When we attempt to solve our problems in our own strength we lose the chance to see God's glory.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Truth #252 - When our purpose is God's purpose our journey is great - 2 Timothy 3-4
2 Timothy 3:10
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
Truth: Following the "aim" of God makes for a great journey.
In the above passage Paul is giving young pastor Timothy some final instructions for his ministry and service. He reminds Timothy that they young man had followed Paul in ministry and that was a good thing. Timothy was in Ephesus, a modern day city with much temptation and much resistance to the Gospel. Timothy was under great hardship and persecution from those who opposed God's grace. Paul wanted to remind Timothy of his commitment and, like Paul himself, that was in the face of this constant persecution. In this reminder Paul tells Timothy that he was following' Paul's own "aim" in life. The world "aim" in the Greek is the word, "prothesis." It means a "setting forth" of something. To get the full meaning, however, we need to see it used in other passages of God's Word. Note the following:
Ephesians 1:11
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
2 Timothy 1:9
who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
There is a lot of talk today in the work place about how having a "purpose" in life changes the attitude of those who are working in a particular organization. The "purpose-maximizer" as one leadership-guru calls it (Daniel Pink ... "Drive"). Apparently the world is discovering that extrinsic motivators, like money, are not enough to get people to work hard and to be engaged in their work. The world is discovering that they need more in life than a paycheck. They need a purpose. Based upon our above passage(s), Paul would have been a great, modern-day, leadership guru. He is telling young Timothy to remember his "aim" in life. But, Timothy's "aim" was not his own desired aim ... which is also taught by today's gurus. No, Timothy's "aim" was to the same as Paul's "aim." Paul was following God's "aim" for his life. Like Timothy our "aim" in life is not our own feelings and our own comfort and our own desires. The believer was saved to accomplish God's purpose for their lives. It is only when we are on the track to accomplish God's purpose that we find real joy in life. Our "purpose" is to glorify God and to declare the glory of God via the Gospel, the Mystery which is Christ (Colossians 2). When we strive for that "aim" we can know we have a great journey and destination.
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
Truth: Following the "aim" of God makes for a great journey.
In the above passage Paul is giving young pastor Timothy some final instructions for his ministry and service. He reminds Timothy that they young man had followed Paul in ministry and that was a good thing. Timothy was in Ephesus, a modern day city with much temptation and much resistance to the Gospel. Timothy was under great hardship and persecution from those who opposed God's grace. Paul wanted to remind Timothy of his commitment and, like Paul himself, that was in the face of this constant persecution. In this reminder Paul tells Timothy that he was following' Paul's own "aim" in life. The world "aim" in the Greek is the word, "prothesis." It means a "setting forth" of something. To get the full meaning, however, we need to see it used in other passages of God's Word. Note the following:
Ephesians 1:11
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
2 Timothy 1:9
who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
There is a lot of talk today in the work place about how having a "purpose" in life changes the attitude of those who are working in a particular organization. The "purpose-maximizer" as one leadership-guru calls it (Daniel Pink ... "Drive"). Apparently the world is discovering that extrinsic motivators, like money, are not enough to get people to work hard and to be engaged in their work. The world is discovering that they need more in life than a paycheck. They need a purpose. Based upon our above passage(s), Paul would have been a great, modern-day, leadership guru. He is telling young Timothy to remember his "aim" in life. But, Timothy's "aim" was not his own desired aim ... which is also taught by today's gurus. No, Timothy's "aim" was to the same as Paul's "aim." Paul was following God's "aim" for his life. Like Timothy our "aim" in life is not our own feelings and our own comfort and our own desires. The believer was saved to accomplish God's purpose for their lives. It is only when we are on the track to accomplish God's purpose that we find real joy in life. Our "purpose" is to glorify God and to declare the glory of God via the Gospel, the Mystery which is Christ (Colossians 2). When we strive for that "aim" we can know we have a great journey and destination.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Truth #251 - When our hearts are like His heart He answers our prayers - John 13-15
John 15:7-8
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Truth: When we are engulfed in His Word we want and ask Him for what He wants!
A portion of the above text has been taken out of context so frequently. We read, "... ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you," and we walk into God's throne room thinking God is our magic Jennie ... three or more wishes each time we ask. There is NO doubt that God has given us many promises to come to Him and to ask Him for the desires on our heart. Note in Psalm what the writer tells us:
Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
But, this text, and the others, is not a "one-stop-shopping-groupon" for people of faith. The text is telling us that our "abiding" in Christ is a pre-requisite for our coming to Christ. When we abide in Christ we develop desires that are His desires. It is then that we ask whatever we want (His desires) and He gives them to us. Notice how verse eight adds further meaning to this thought: "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." That verse CANNOT be separated from the previous verse. Christ is telling us that "if we abide" in Him our desires will be for the producing of Godly fruit in our lives and bringing glory to God. My prayer life needs to be guided by that thought. When I come to God I need to ask, "Am I asking for something that brings glory to Him, or comfort to me?" When His "words abide in you" we are a changed people. We are not to be like children coming to a fake Santa in the mall. We are not to be governed by our sensual emotions and fleshy motivations. We can come to God in full assurance of faith that He will give us what we ask, WHEN and IF we come to Him ABIDING in Him and having His WORDS ABIDE in us. When we immerse ourselves in His Word our inward motivations, wants, desires and thoughts are all changed. A few verse earlier Christ states the following about this thought:
John 15:3
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
Note what Paul says about this inward change happening in those who are abiding in Christ:
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
We are being sanctified through faith in the truth ... His Word. So, our prayer life is regenerated by our faith in the truth. It is then and only then that we can come to Him and know that He will give us the desires of our heart.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Truth #250 - God empowers those He calls to do His work - Joel
Joel 2:28-29
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
Truth: God will provide His Spirit to those He asks to do His work
We talk a lot in the market place about increasing the "capacity" of our workers. We talk about giving them the "tools" they need for their jobs. There is nothing more frustrating than when we ask people to accomplish a task(s) and we don't equip them for the job. This is not true in our walk with God. God has called us to accomplish great things for Him. He has called us to give a message of truth to a people who rejoice in falsehood. Man resist the truth. Satan is the father of all lies. He loves to leave the world in darkness. They don't want to see the light and hear the truth. Because of such a dynamic message and such a tremendous resistance, we must remember that God will enable HIs message to go out because He empowers His people with His Spirit. In the above passage we see the prophet Joel telling us that God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. This message comes in the middle of Joel telling us about the "coming Day of the Lord" in which the entire world will suffer and be wiped out. In the midst of that truth, God will send fourth His messengers to warn the world about this impending doom. To ensure these messengers will be able to do the job, God gives them (us) His Spirit. We are empowered with the very power of God. This is what it means to be "in Christ." In Acts 2 the above passage was quoted in regard to the pouring out of the Spirit on the Church. God has given us this power and when we yield to the Spirit, we are able to do the work of the Lord. We can, however, quench the Spirit and restrict His work in our lives. Paul warns us to not allow that to happen:
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit.
We can quench the Spirit and cut off our power source by living in sin and by ignoring the Word of God in our lives. This is like having a bank account with all the money in the world and cutting off the use of it but preferring the coins of this world. We jump into sin, because we feel good doing it and we squelch the very source of power we are given. When we yield to the Spirit the Spirit can empower us for great things for God. God equips us to do His good work. We have nothing to fear when we walk in the Spirit.
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
Truth: God will provide His Spirit to those He asks to do His work
We talk a lot in the market place about increasing the "capacity" of our workers. We talk about giving them the "tools" they need for their jobs. There is nothing more frustrating than when we ask people to accomplish a task(s) and we don't equip them for the job. This is not true in our walk with God. God has called us to accomplish great things for Him. He has called us to give a message of truth to a people who rejoice in falsehood. Man resist the truth. Satan is the father of all lies. He loves to leave the world in darkness. They don't want to see the light and hear the truth. Because of such a dynamic message and such a tremendous resistance, we must remember that God will enable HIs message to go out because He empowers His people with His Spirit. In the above passage we see the prophet Joel telling us that God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. This message comes in the middle of Joel telling us about the "coming Day of the Lord" in which the entire world will suffer and be wiped out. In the midst of that truth, God will send fourth His messengers to warn the world about this impending doom. To ensure these messengers will be able to do the job, God gives them (us) His Spirit. We are empowered with the very power of God. This is what it means to be "in Christ." In Acts 2 the above passage was quoted in regard to the pouring out of the Spirit on the Church. God has given us this power and when we yield to the Spirit, we are able to do the work of the Lord. We can, however, quench the Spirit and restrict His work in our lives. Paul warns us to not allow that to happen:
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit.
We can quench the Spirit and cut off our power source by living in sin and by ignoring the Word of God in our lives. This is like having a bank account with all the money in the world and cutting off the use of it but preferring the coins of this world. We jump into sin, because we feel good doing it and we squelch the very source of power we are given. When we yield to the Spirit the Spirit can empower us for great things for God. God equips us to do His good work. We have nothing to fear when we walk in the Spirit.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Truth #249 - Planning with God is bettern than moving without Him - Proverbs 21-22
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
Truth #249 - Planning with God is better than moving ahead without Him
Too many people rush into too many things. Too many people don't look into things long enough before they make their decisions. Too many people are titillated by shinny things and by short term investment in hopes of long term gains. Wisdom says different. Wisdom says that diligence will always pay off. However, those who are hasty and don't plan will find nothing but an empty hand. We get advantage if we move forward according to plan and design. Being diligent will lead to an advantage in all that we do. Others, who fail to plan and fail to work their plan, who move ahead with haste, will end with nothing. They will end in want. They will end in emptiness. Wisdom says move forward with a well thought out plan and with a diligent attitude. It is when we are in haste and without a plan that we stand at the door of want. Plan and be diligent in working it.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
Truth #249 - Planning with God is better than moving ahead without Him
Too many people rush into too many things. Too many people don't look into things long enough before they make their decisions. Too many people are titillated by shinny things and by short term investment in hopes of long term gains. Wisdom says different. Wisdom says that diligence will always pay off. However, those who are hasty and don't plan will find nothing but an empty hand. We get advantage if we move forward according to plan and design. Being diligent will lead to an advantage in all that we do. Others, who fail to plan and fail to work their plan, who move ahead with haste, will end with nothing. They will end in want. They will end in emptiness. Wisdom says move forward with a well thought out plan and with a diligent attitude. It is when we are in haste and without a plan that we stand at the door of want. Plan and be diligent in working it.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Truth #248 - God gives us blessings so that we will praise Him - Psalm 105-107
Psalms 105:39-45
He spread a cloud for a covering,
and fire to give light by night.
They asked, and he brought quail,
and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
it flowed through the desert like a river.
For he remembered his holy promise,
and Abraham, his servant.
So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,
that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!
Truth: God gives us blessings so that we will praise Him with them.
In this passage God is outlining, through the pen of the poet, all that He did for the nation of Israel while bringing them out of Egypt and protecting and providing for them in the wilderness. While the writer outlines a number of areas of God's great provision, the writer draws the conclusion at the end of the passage. He writes that the reason for the proceeding blessings is, "that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!!! We have a reason that God blesses us ... it is not so that we can be comfortable. It is not because we deserve it. It is not so that we can boast about what "we own." It is not so we can impress our neighbors, friends and families. It is so that we can praise God and bless Him!!! When we "count our blessings" we are doing so in order to calculate the amount. We count our blessings to know what to accredit back toward God. God is the one who blesses us so that we can bless Him!!!
He spread a cloud for a covering,
and fire to give light by night.
They asked, and he brought quail,
and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
it flowed through the desert like a river.
For he remembered his holy promise,
and Abraham, his servant.
So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,
that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!
Truth: God gives us blessings so that we will praise Him with them.
In this passage God is outlining, through the pen of the poet, all that He did for the nation of Israel while bringing them out of Egypt and protecting and providing for them in the wilderness. While the writer outlines a number of areas of God's great provision, the writer draws the conclusion at the end of the passage. He writes that the reason for the proceeding blessings is, "that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!!! We have a reason that God blesses us ... it is not so that we can be comfortable. It is not because we deserve it. It is not so that we can boast about what "we own." It is not so we can impress our neighbors, friends and families. It is so that we can praise God and bless Him!!! When we "count our blessings" we are doing so in order to calculate the amount. We count our blessings to know what to accredit back toward God. God is the one who blesses us so that we can bless Him!!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Truth #247 - God's discipline is devestating - Joel
Joel 2:3
Fire devours before them,
and behind them a flame burns.
The land is like the garden of Eden before them,
but behind them a desolate wilderness,
and nothing escapes them.
Truth: Discipline from God is devastating
The prophet Joel can easily be outlined as follows:
1. The devastation - by locust (1:1-13)
2. The devastation - by drought and starvation (1:14-20)
3. The devastation - by wicked army (2:1-17)
4. The deliverance of the remnant - (2:18-29)
5. Deliverance promised (2:18-27)
6. Spirit promised (2:28-29)
7. The devastation - by the Day of the Lord (2:30-3:17)
8. The deliverance of the remnant - (3:18-21)
The prophet is speaking to Judah and giving them the reason that they are about to be taken captive by Babylon, the subject of the above verse. God is going to devastate the nation for their disobedience to His Word and their chasing after other gods. We ought to learn a lesson from Joel. God's devastation is complete and catastrophic. Notice what is stated in the above passage: "The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them the desolate wilderness." We can think that things are so good (like the Garden of Eden) but within just a moment God can make it "a desolate wilderness." Since Romans 8:1 tells believers we have no fear of condemnation, we can rejoice that this devastation of God will no apply to us. Christ paid for our sin, canceling the debt that stood agains us, with its legal demands and nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14-15). But, we should be in deep prayer for family, friends and even enemies who stand in the way of God's wrath. God is a judge. He does not take sin lightly. God's discipline is out of love, but it is still discipline. When God chooses to correct those who don't walk with Him you can be assured that God's discipline is devastating.
Fire devours before them,
and behind them a flame burns.
The land is like the garden of Eden before them,
but behind them a desolate wilderness,
and nothing escapes them.
Truth: Discipline from God is devastating
The prophet Joel can easily be outlined as follows:
1. The devastation - by locust (1:1-13)
2. The devastation - by drought and starvation (1:14-20)
3. The devastation - by wicked army (2:1-17)
4. The deliverance of the remnant - (2:18-29)
5. Deliverance promised (2:18-27)
6. Spirit promised (2:28-29)
7. The devastation - by the Day of the Lord (2:30-3:17)
8. The deliverance of the remnant - (3:18-21)
The prophet is speaking to Judah and giving them the reason that they are about to be taken captive by Babylon, the subject of the above verse. God is going to devastate the nation for their disobedience to His Word and their chasing after other gods. We ought to learn a lesson from Joel. God's devastation is complete and catastrophic. Notice what is stated in the above passage: "The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them the desolate wilderness." We can think that things are so good (like the Garden of Eden) but within just a moment God can make it "a desolate wilderness." Since Romans 8:1 tells believers we have no fear of condemnation, we can rejoice that this devastation of God will no apply to us. Christ paid for our sin, canceling the debt that stood agains us, with its legal demands and nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14-15). But, we should be in deep prayer for family, friends and even enemies who stand in the way of God's wrath. God is a judge. He does not take sin lightly. God's discipline is out of love, but it is still discipline. When God chooses to correct those who don't walk with Him you can be assured that God's discipline is devastating.
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