Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (ESV Strong's)
“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt,
how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God.
Therefore when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget.
Truth: Those who do not fear God put themselves as the enemy of God.
The New Testament is clear that God wants us to love our enemies. Romans 12 states that if our enemy is thirsty we are to get them a tall glass of cold water. Jesus stated the same thing in the Gospels. So, what are the above verses telling us about this nation of Amalek? These were the people who, when the nation of Israel was coming out of their captivity in Egypt, not only did not assist them in their journey, the above verses tell us they attacked the stragglers and those weary in the back of the pack. This nation not only attacked the weakest of the Israelites, they also did not "fear God." This is a nation that had collectively decided to reject God and His grace and mercy. They would be a constant source of problems for the nation of Israel throughout its history. Note the following from one commentary:
The Amalekites remained an inveterate enemy of Israel for many years after the settlement (cf. Judg. 3:13; 6:3–5, 33; 7:12; 10:12). Saul failed to eliminate the threat (1 Sam. 15; 28:18), and they were still pillaging in David’s day (1 Sam. 30). They seem to have finally disappeared in Hezekiah’s time (1 Chron. 4:43).
God does want us to love "our" enemies. We ought to seek their welfare as much as they allow us to do so. But, God wants us to be obedient in the treatment of "His" enemies. Those who He identifies through His Word.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Truth #336 - Our relationship with sin tells us about our relationship with Christ - 1 John 1-3
1 John 1:8-10 (ESV Strong's)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Truth: Our relationship with sin tells us a lot about our relationship with Christ.
John was writing his epistle to make sure the believers he was writing to had a deeper understanding of their fellowship with the Son and that their "joy" would be made complete (1 John 1:3-4). In the above passage he goes on to write to them that he wants them to understand that the way they look at and interact and deal with sin is a true evidentiary description of their relationship with Christ. The difference between those who "know" Christ and have a relationship with Him and those who do not is totally based upon what has been done with sin in their lives. To the non-believer, sin is a nuisance and a minor element that holds them back from success or causes them to be socially unacceptable. To the believer it is something that we confess and seek Christ's forgiveness (of which He freely offers to His children ... AMAZING!!!). To the non-believer, sin is something that is a character flaw overcome by self-discipline and introspection. To the believer sin is something that separates them from God and needs the reconciliation of Christ's finish work on the cross to deal with. To the non-believer sin is a simple mistake dealt with via psychological counter-strategies. To the believer sin is an act of our sin nature that separates us from God that needs to be dealt through confession (I have in in my life AND I can't deal with it myself) and forgiven by God. If we have a right relationship with God we will see sin as something we do that must be confessed and something to seek God's faithful forgiveness. If you are not bothered by sin in your life you are not a child of God. If you are a believer and IF it bothers you when you sin, you will seek God's forgiveness (even repeatedly ... God can't be described as "faithful" if He only forgave us once. He must be forgiving us multiple times). Our relationship to sin tells us about our relationship to God.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Truth: Our relationship with sin tells us a lot about our relationship with Christ.
John was writing his epistle to make sure the believers he was writing to had a deeper understanding of their fellowship with the Son and that their "joy" would be made complete (1 John 1:3-4). In the above passage he goes on to write to them that he wants them to understand that the way they look at and interact and deal with sin is a true evidentiary description of their relationship with Christ. The difference between those who "know" Christ and have a relationship with Him and those who do not is totally based upon what has been done with sin in their lives. To the non-believer, sin is a nuisance and a minor element that holds them back from success or causes them to be socially unacceptable. To the believer it is something that we confess and seek Christ's forgiveness (of which He freely offers to His children ... AMAZING!!!). To the non-believer, sin is something that is a character flaw overcome by self-discipline and introspection. To the believer sin is something that separates them from God and needs the reconciliation of Christ's finish work on the cross to deal with. To the non-believer sin is a simple mistake dealt with via psychological counter-strategies. To the believer sin is an act of our sin nature that separates us from God that needs to be dealt through confession (I have in in my life AND I can't deal with it myself) and forgiven by God. If we have a right relationship with God we will see sin as something we do that must be confessed and something to seek God's faithful forgiveness. If you are not bothered by sin in your life you are not a child of God. If you are a believer and IF it bothers you when you sin, you will seek God's forgiveness (even repeatedly ... God can't be described as "faithful" if He only forgave us once. He must be forgiving us multiple times). Our relationship to sin tells us about our relationship to God.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Truth #335 - The church will be under attack at all times. Acts 19-20
Acts 20:29-30 (ESV Strong's)
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Truth: The church will be under attack at all times.
In Acts 20 Paul is telling the believers in Ephesus that he was departing and that he would not see them again. Paul knew that his future was in God's hand, but he also knew that his future was to suffer for Christ. But, his main concern was the believers. He warns them, in the above verses, about false teachers and false teaching that will creep into the church. Later he will write the letter of Colossians to warn them about the same thing. Note the following:
Colossians 2:8 (ESV Strong's)
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Paul expected believers to be discerning about the teaching they were receiving. Paul wanted them to listen and learn, but to beware of those who wish to turn us from Christ. False teachers can make their false teaching sound so inviting. We are to be discerning and aware of their candy-coated-condemnation. Beware!!
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Truth: The church will be under attack at all times.
In Acts 20 Paul is telling the believers in Ephesus that he was departing and that he would not see them again. Paul knew that his future was in God's hand, but he also knew that his future was to suffer for Christ. But, his main concern was the believers. He warns them, in the above verses, about false teachers and false teaching that will creep into the church. Later he will write the letter of Colossians to warn them about the same thing. Note the following:
Colossians 2:8 (ESV Strong's)
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Paul expected believers to be discerning about the teaching they were receiving. Paul wanted them to listen and learn, but to beware of those who wish to turn us from Christ. False teachers can make their false teaching sound so inviting. We are to be discerning and aware of their candy-coated-condemnation. Beware!!
Friday, November 27, 2015
Truth #334 God is due and demands our best. Malachi
Malachi 1:6-8 (ESV Strong's)
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised.
When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.
Truth: God is due and demands our best.
In this life it is very easy to get by without giving our best. Most organizations that employ workers have those within their employment that barely get by. There are great organizations that don't allow that mentality, but most have a percentage that tolerate an 70-80% effort. Most students in school are happy to get a "C" or a low "B" grade. The contribution we give to God, however, is not in this category. God is a God who demands and is due our best. We ought not give him a small percentage of our time or talent or treasure. Since He is the who gives us time, talent and treasure, we should expect that He demands our best in return. In the above passage the nation of Israel had come back from captivity and fallen back into the same old issues: Giving God less than He was due. Instead, God calls them out on this in the prophet Malachi's prophetic message. The prophet, speaking for God, asks them if the offering they are bringing to God would be acceptable to the local governor? We can get all dressed up and be all in if a dignitary comes to visit. Yet, we are a cool church when we allow people to wear jeans and flip flops. There is no spirituality in dressing up for church in wing-tips vs. sandals, yet, it does say something about our awe and reverence for a man vs. God. God wants the devotion of our hearts not our wardrobe, however, as the above passage indicates, what we bring to God in these outward manifestations says something about hour inward hearts. God deserves and demands the best we can give. That begins in the hearts and flows through what we offer.
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised.
When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.
Truth: God is due and demands our best.
In this life it is very easy to get by without giving our best. Most organizations that employ workers have those within their employment that barely get by. There are great organizations that don't allow that mentality, but most have a percentage that tolerate an 70-80% effort. Most students in school are happy to get a "C" or a low "B" grade. The contribution we give to God, however, is not in this category. God is a God who demands and is due our best. We ought not give him a small percentage of our time or talent or treasure. Since He is the who gives us time, talent and treasure, we should expect that He demands our best in return. In the above passage the nation of Israel had come back from captivity and fallen back into the same old issues: Giving God less than He was due. Instead, God calls them out on this in the prophet Malachi's prophetic message. The prophet, speaking for God, asks them if the offering they are bringing to God would be acceptable to the local governor? We can get all dressed up and be all in if a dignitary comes to visit. Yet, we are a cool church when we allow people to wear jeans and flip flops. There is no spirituality in dressing up for church in wing-tips vs. sandals, yet, it does say something about our awe and reverence for a man vs. God. God wants the devotion of our hearts not our wardrobe, however, as the above passage indicates, what we bring to God in these outward manifestations says something about hour inward hearts. God deserves and demands the best we can give. That begins in the hearts and flows through what we offer.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
truth #333 - Perfect timing is an allusion- Ecclesiasties 11-12
Ecclesiastes 11:4
He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
Truth: By waiting for the perfect time we may miss our only chance.
In this book, Solomon continues to give us insight and understanding about how to live life. At the end of the book he will tell us that the summary of the whole book is to live in the fear of God. He wants us to live in reverence of God. In the above verse he is giving us insight as to how we fear God in our practical day-to-day life. The above verse is written in an agricultural setting. When a farmer goes out to sow seed they would love to have the optimal conditions for that activity to happen. The same is true when they go out and reap from their field. Sowing seed on a calm day would be the most favorable conditions. Reaping the harvest on a dry and cool day would be the most optimal. If a farmer sits around and waits for these types of conditions, he may never sow and he may never reap. We all would like to have the best conditions to perform our work, our play, our activity. But if we wait for the optimal moment, we may miss THE moment. Solomon is telling us to live in reverence for God. To live in reverence we must trust Him no matter the circumstance. In order to accomplish the task that He gives us, we might have to endure poor timing. But God's timing is never poor. If we sit back and wait for our perfect time, we may miss our only chance.
He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
Truth: By waiting for the perfect time we may miss our only chance.
In this book, Solomon continues to give us insight and understanding about how to live life. At the end of the book he will tell us that the summary of the whole book is to live in the fear of God. He wants us to live in reverence of God. In the above verse he is giving us insight as to how we fear God in our practical day-to-day life. The above verse is written in an agricultural setting. When a farmer goes out to sow seed they would love to have the optimal conditions for that activity to happen. The same is true when they go out and reap from their field. Sowing seed on a calm day would be the most favorable conditions. Reaping the harvest on a dry and cool day would be the most optimal. If a farmer sits around and waits for these types of conditions, he may never sow and he may never reap. We all would like to have the best conditions to perform our work, our play, our activity. But if we wait for the optimal moment, we may miss THE moment. Solomon is telling us to live in reverence for God. To live in reverence we must trust Him no matter the circumstance. In order to accomplish the task that He gives us, we might have to endure poor timing. But God's timing is never poor. If we sit back and wait for our perfect time, we may miss our only chance.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Truth #332 - God uses "trouble" to shape us - Psalm 137-139
Psalms 138:7-8 (ESV Strong's)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Truth: In the midst of trouble, God is fulfilling the purpose He has for us.
We often think of difficult times as unproductive times. We see "trouble" as a waste of time and as a distraction from our purpose. Yet, the above verses tell us a different story. God is using trouble to fulfill what He has planned for us. Paul says the same thing in that verse in Romans that is often quoted in troubling times:
Romans 8:28 (ESV Strong's)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The reason these verses are true is not because we can somehow turn our lemons into lemonade due to our great character. No, the reason trouble can be used to shape us into God's purpose for us, is based upon God's steadfast love for us. God will NEVER allow anything to happen to us that He doesn't want to happen and He doesn't what to use to shape us to His purpose. Because He loves us perfectly we have nothing to fear in regard to anything that happens to us:
1 John 4:18 (ESV Strong's)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Because God loves us perfectly, that love becomes the "chisel" He uses to shape us into what He wants for us and has for us. His purpose is perfect and, in the midst of trouble ... no, with the chisel and hammer of trouble ... He is forging that purpose in our lives.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Truth: In the midst of trouble, God is fulfilling the purpose He has for us.
We often think of difficult times as unproductive times. We see "trouble" as a waste of time and as a distraction from our purpose. Yet, the above verses tell us a different story. God is using trouble to fulfill what He has planned for us. Paul says the same thing in that verse in Romans that is often quoted in troubling times:
Romans 8:28 (ESV Strong's)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The reason these verses are true is not because we can somehow turn our lemons into lemonade due to our great character. No, the reason trouble can be used to shape us into God's purpose for us, is based upon God's steadfast love for us. God will NEVER allow anything to happen to us that He doesn't want to happen and He doesn't what to use to shape us to His purpose. Because He loves us perfectly we have nothing to fear in regard to anything that happens to us:
1 John 4:18 (ESV Strong's)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Because God loves us perfectly, that love becomes the "chisel" He uses to shape us into what He wants for us and has for us. His purpose is perfect and, in the midst of trouble ... no, with the chisel and hammer of trouble ... He is forging that purpose in our lives.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Truth #331 - God must remain faithful to His promises - Nehemiah 1-4
Nehemiah 1:8-9 (ESV Strong's)
Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,
but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
Truth: When we return to God He is faithful to bring us home.
The above passage is taken from the middle of a prayer from Nehemiah's lips. He had heard that the walls of Jerusalem, the famed city of his nation, had been destroyed and were completely in ruin. When he heard this he didn't sit around and complain, but immediately fell on his face to God and asked God to favor his plans to go to the king to request to rebuild the city walls. In the midst of this prayer we read the above words. Nehemiah understood that God was a faithful God. God MUST keep His promises. He must keep them because HE said He would. God had promised Moses (as recorded in the book of Deuteronomy) that if we and when the nation is taken captive, IF they repent and return to God, God would indeed hear their prayer and return them to their land. That is the promise of God. Nehemiah, in his prayer, claimed that promise. We might do the same thing when we commit sin against God we claim the promises of 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins ...! God is faithful to His promises. Not because our own merit, but because of HIs character. He must remain faithful.
Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,
but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
Truth: When we return to God He is faithful to bring us home.
The above passage is taken from the middle of a prayer from Nehemiah's lips. He had heard that the walls of Jerusalem, the famed city of his nation, had been destroyed and were completely in ruin. When he heard this he didn't sit around and complain, but immediately fell on his face to God and asked God to favor his plans to go to the king to request to rebuild the city walls. In the midst of this prayer we read the above words. Nehemiah understood that God was a faithful God. God MUST keep His promises. He must keep them because HE said He would. God had promised Moses (as recorded in the book of Deuteronomy) that if we and when the nation is taken captive, IF they repent and return to God, God would indeed hear their prayer and return them to their land. That is the promise of God. Nehemiah, in his prayer, claimed that promise. We might do the same thing when we commit sin against God we claim the promises of 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins ...! God is faithful to His promises. Not because our own merit, but because of HIs character. He must remain faithful.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Truth #330 - Parents are to be the initiators of purity - Deuteronomy 20-22
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (ESV Strong's)
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them,
then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives,
and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’
Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Truth: Parents are to be the initiators for purity.
In this section of Deuteronomy we have various laws and rules given to insure the purity of the nation. In this specific instruction, above, we see that a rebellious youth is to be corrected and condemned, if they fail to repent. The key in this section is related to the "who" is supposed to do the correcting? It is plain from the text that it is the parents job to initiate the drive for purity in the family and in the nation. Rather than make excuses for the child the parent is to correct the child. Instead of ignoring the child the parent is to confront the child. Instead of the parent expecting others to raise the child the parent is the initiator of correction and instruction. This is not true in our society today. Our children are pampered in our families today. When a child is caught in sin and rebellion they child is excused and the "system" is put under scrutiny. God wanted the nation to be kept pure. But, He put the responsibility of that purity onto the shoulders of the parents. Imagine this type of commitment to purity. Imagine this type of faith in God to push toward holiness. God wanted a holy people and was so desirous of holiness that He demands that the parents of a rebellious son bring the son out to the people and have the son stoned. If this does not show us God's character and desire to holiness and holy living nothing will. God is holy and wants us to be holy. He demands that His chosen people are holy and doesn't allow any relationship to come between Him and that holiness.
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them,
then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives,
and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’
Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Truth: Parents are to be the initiators for purity.
In this section of Deuteronomy we have various laws and rules given to insure the purity of the nation. In this specific instruction, above, we see that a rebellious youth is to be corrected and condemned, if they fail to repent. The key in this section is related to the "who" is supposed to do the correcting? It is plain from the text that it is the parents job to initiate the drive for purity in the family and in the nation. Rather than make excuses for the child the parent is to correct the child. Instead of ignoring the child the parent is to confront the child. Instead of the parent expecting others to raise the child the parent is the initiator of correction and instruction. This is not true in our society today. Our children are pampered in our families today. When a child is caught in sin and rebellion they child is excused and the "system" is put under scrutiny. God wanted the nation to be kept pure. But, He put the responsibility of that purity onto the shoulders of the parents. Imagine this type of commitment to purity. Imagine this type of faith in God to push toward holiness. God wanted a holy people and was so desirous of holiness that He demands that the parents of a rebellious son bring the son out to the people and have the son stoned. If this does not show us God's character and desire to holiness and holy living nothing will. God is holy and wants us to be holy. He demands that His chosen people are holy and doesn't allow any relationship to come between Him and that holiness.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Truth #329 - We have equal faith, in the body, but not equal roles - 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:1 (ESV Strong's)
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Truth: Everyone in the body is equal of faith, even if they are different in roles.
There are some faith-based organizations and churches that put the head of the organization of great status within their faith than others. Peter in this second letter to the church wants them to know, right off the top, that the people he is writing to are "equal" in faith. There was a different role that Peter played in the church than that of the recipients of this little letter, however. The faith we have in Christ, as believers, is equal. One is not seen "better" than the other by Christ. We are equal in standing in Christ, because our faith, as stated above, is based upon the work of Jesus Christ. Since it is not based upon our performance or our heritage, we have an equal faith. In the early church the Jewish born believers, at first, thought they were higher on the Christian "food-chain." Peter debunks that with this first verse. However, it is important to know, that in the Christian church we have equal faith and complimentary roles, but not inter-changeable roles. Paul states this thought when he writes to the Corinthian and Roman believers (1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12). He states in those passages we are different parts of the body: Complimentary but not interchangeable. So, the woman's faith in the Body of Christ is equal to the man's faith: In Christ they are equal. But, the roles of the male and female are not interchangeable. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit are equal in the Godhead. But, their roles are different, as seen in the Son's submitting to the Father and the Spirit submitting to them both. Yet, all three are equal. We have equal faith, but not equal roles. Peter demonstrates this in his letter. He declares to them equal faith and then instructs them as the Apostle. Equal faith, different roles.
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Truth: Everyone in the body is equal of faith, even if they are different in roles.
There are some faith-based organizations and churches that put the head of the organization of great status within their faith than others. Peter in this second letter to the church wants them to know, right off the top, that the people he is writing to are "equal" in faith. There was a different role that Peter played in the church than that of the recipients of this little letter, however. The faith we have in Christ, as believers, is equal. One is not seen "better" than the other by Christ. We are equal in standing in Christ, because our faith, as stated above, is based upon the work of Jesus Christ. Since it is not based upon our performance or our heritage, we have an equal faith. In the early church the Jewish born believers, at first, thought they were higher on the Christian "food-chain." Peter debunks that with this first verse. However, it is important to know, that in the Christian church we have equal faith and complimentary roles, but not inter-changeable roles. Paul states this thought when he writes to the Corinthian and Roman believers (1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12). He states in those passages we are different parts of the body: Complimentary but not interchangeable. So, the woman's faith in the Body of Christ is equal to the man's faith: In Christ they are equal. But, the roles of the male and female are not interchangeable. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit are equal in the Godhead. But, their roles are different, as seen in the Son's submitting to the Father and the Spirit submitting to them both. Yet, all three are equal. We have equal faith, but not equal roles. Peter demonstrates this in his letter. He declares to them equal faith and then instructs them as the Apostle. Equal faith, different roles.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Truth #328 - God's sovereignty makes Him worthy of worship - Acts 17-18
Acts 17:24-25 (ESV Strong's)
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
Truth: God's sovereignty is a good place to start when presenting the gospel to men who have not context for God.
Note what Paul says the Colossians about God's sovereign power:
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV Strong's)
The Preeminence of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
When Paul stated those words to the Colossee believers he was doing so because they were being tempted to be drawn away from Christ to worship angels and see other knowledge as a way to their salvation. Paul talks about God's authority to get them back into the context that Jesus is God and therefore worthy of our praise and worship. In Acts 17 Paul arrives at the Areopagus, a place designed as a worship of all things "god." Paul wants them to realize that God sent His Son, who therefore has authority, to save them. He is worthy of worship. What better way to say Jesus is worthy of worship (more worthy of worship than the gods they had set up idols to worship), than to declare Him creator of the universe. The world can't recognize Jesus as creator of the universe because than they would have to worship Him and declare His act of salvation necessary for their repentance. God made the heavens and the earth. Jesus was there at creation. That makes Him, God. That makes Him worthy of worship and ABLE to save. Only the Creator is able to save the created. Only the Creator is worthy of worship.
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
Truth: God's sovereignty is a good place to start when presenting the gospel to men who have not context for God.
Note what Paul says the Colossians about God's sovereign power:
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV Strong's)
The Preeminence of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
When Paul stated those words to the Colossee believers he was doing so because they were being tempted to be drawn away from Christ to worship angels and see other knowledge as a way to their salvation. Paul talks about God's authority to get them back into the context that Jesus is God and therefore worthy of our praise and worship. In Acts 17 Paul arrives at the Areopagus, a place designed as a worship of all things "god." Paul wants them to realize that God sent His Son, who therefore has authority, to save them. He is worthy of worship. What better way to say Jesus is worthy of worship (more worthy of worship than the gods they had set up idols to worship), than to declare Him creator of the universe. The world can't recognize Jesus as creator of the universe because than they would have to worship Him and declare His act of salvation necessary for their repentance. God made the heavens and the earth. Jesus was there at creation. That makes Him, God. That makes Him worthy of worship and ABLE to save. Only the Creator is able to save the created. Only the Creator is worthy of worship.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Truth #327 - Christ will retunr one day to reign supreme - Zechariah 8-14
Zechariah 14:4 (ESV Strong's)
On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
Truth: Christ will return one day to reign supreme.
Perhaps the greatest hope for believers is the greatest ignored truth by the non-believing world. It is the great Christian hope that Christ will return to the earth to establish His ultimate reign over men, spiritual powers and Satan, himself. The non-believer chooses to either ignore this truth or ridicule it, or both. It is so motivating for the believer to remember that Christ will return one day to establish His kingdom. This is the purpose of God and the reason for Christ's death, burial and resurrection. He defeated death, by death, and now reigns spiritually. The above verse states that He will also reign on this physical earth. That is a truth that frightens the spiritual world but is largely ignored by the physical world. Today's kings and monarchs and government officials rule as though they and their cohorts will be in charge forever. Yet, the truth for all believers is that God will reign supreme ... both in heaven and on earth. That is motivational for our lives as we realize God has won the war and conquer all foes. He simply is waiting for those who don't believe to come to that truth before He returns to establish His reign.
On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
Truth: Christ will return one day to reign supreme.
Perhaps the greatest hope for believers is the greatest ignored truth by the non-believing world. It is the great Christian hope that Christ will return to the earth to establish His ultimate reign over men, spiritual powers and Satan, himself. The non-believer chooses to either ignore this truth or ridicule it, or both. It is so motivating for the believer to remember that Christ will return one day to establish His kingdom. This is the purpose of God and the reason for Christ's death, burial and resurrection. He defeated death, by death, and now reigns spiritually. The above verse states that He will also reign on this physical earth. That is a truth that frightens the spiritual world but is largely ignored by the physical world. Today's kings and monarchs and government officials rule as though they and their cohorts will be in charge forever. Yet, the truth for all believers is that God will reign supreme ... both in heaven and on earth. That is motivational for our lives as we realize God has won the war and conquer all foes. He simply is waiting for those who don't believe to come to that truth before He returns to establish His reign.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Truth #326 - Life is unexpected - enjoy those you love while you can - Ecclesiates 9-10
Ecclesiastes 9:9 (ESV Strong's)
Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
Truth: Life is unexpected - enjoy those you love while you can.
This morning I put my wife on a plan to see our son in another state. I will be without her for five days. As I left the airport and began to pray for her safety ... especially for her comfort as flying steals that from her. As I read this passage later, I was struck by the simply and, yet, powerful meaning. The section in chapter nine is about death and the fact that it happens suddenly. One can't predict the timing or know the manner when ends our physical life. This is what Solomon is observing. With that backdrop and context, Solomon states the above verse. We are to enjoy life with our wife. The word "enjoy" is the Hebrew word used 1,200 in the O.T. It is often translated, "see, saw, appear, look, or consider." Here the interpreters are also capturing the meaning of Solomon's word by translating the word to "enjoy." What Solomon wants us to understand is that in-light of our certain appointment with death, we ought to "consider, look, or see" the one we should love the most (our wife) and fully experience that love and that life. We often get so caught up in living we forget to consider the love of our life. We fight about trivial matters and spend our time thinking about worthless pursuits. The real meaning in life is to share that life with someone we love. That opportunity won't last forever. These next few days will be a lonely walk through life as the love of my life is away. It is temporary - but it is a stark reminder of what Solomon is reminding us. God gave us others in our lives so that we could love them. Embrace the moments while you have them.
Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
Truth: Life is unexpected - enjoy those you love while you can.
This morning I put my wife on a plan to see our son in another state. I will be without her for five days. As I left the airport and began to pray for her safety ... especially for her comfort as flying steals that from her. As I read this passage later, I was struck by the simply and, yet, powerful meaning. The section in chapter nine is about death and the fact that it happens suddenly. One can't predict the timing or know the manner when ends our physical life. This is what Solomon is observing. With that backdrop and context, Solomon states the above verse. We are to enjoy life with our wife. The word "enjoy" is the Hebrew word used 1,200 in the O.T. It is often translated, "see, saw, appear, look, or consider." Here the interpreters are also capturing the meaning of Solomon's word by translating the word to "enjoy." What Solomon wants us to understand is that in-light of our certain appointment with death, we ought to "consider, look, or see" the one we should love the most (our wife) and fully experience that love and that life. We often get so caught up in living we forget to consider the love of our life. We fight about trivial matters and spend our time thinking about worthless pursuits. The real meaning in life is to share that life with someone we love. That opportunity won't last forever. These next few days will be a lonely walk through life as the love of my life is away. It is temporary - but it is a stark reminder of what Solomon is reminding us. God gave us others in our lives so that we could love them. Embrace the moments while you have them.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Truth #325 - For His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 134-136
Psalms 136:1 (ESV Strong's)
Psalm 136
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Truth: His Steadfast love endures forever.
There are 26 verses in this chapter and in each verse of these Hebrew poems first line says something great about what God has done for Israel, or something about who God is. The second line, in each verse, is all the same: "for His steadfast love endures forever." That means 26 times we read the same phrase. Over and over again we read the same phrase. I actually think, in my younger days, when reading this psalm, I would only read the first line of each verse. In my rush to get my morning reading done I would simply read the last line once and then focus on the first line of each verse. That was before I realized that the reason for God saying this so many times in a row is because how often I forget His steadfast love and how often I need His steadfast love to forgive my many sins. God is a God of great love. He is constantly showing us His steadfast love when we sin against Him day after day and moment after moment. We are born again as a result of that steadfast love. We are sanctified by that steadfast love. We will be glorified by that steadfast love. This morning I read the psalm and said the words each time: for HIs steadfast love endures forever. Today, throughout the day, I am going to remember and say, "for His steadfast love endures forever." Because this is what God has for us and wants us to know and the reason we praise Him!!!
Psalm 136
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Truth: His Steadfast love endures forever.
There are 26 verses in this chapter and in each verse of these Hebrew poems first line says something great about what God has done for Israel, or something about who God is. The second line, in each verse, is all the same: "for His steadfast love endures forever." That means 26 times we read the same phrase. Over and over again we read the same phrase. I actually think, in my younger days, when reading this psalm, I would only read the first line of each verse. In my rush to get my morning reading done I would simply read the last line once and then focus on the first line of each verse. That was before I realized that the reason for God saying this so many times in a row is because how often I forget His steadfast love and how often I need His steadfast love to forgive my many sins. God is a God of great love. He is constantly showing us His steadfast love when we sin against Him day after day and moment after moment. We are born again as a result of that steadfast love. We are sanctified by that steadfast love. We will be glorified by that steadfast love. This morning I read the psalm and said the words each time: for HIs steadfast love endures forever. Today, throughout the day, I am going to remember and say, "for His steadfast love endures forever." Because this is what God has for us and wants us to know and the reason we praise Him!!!
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Truth #324 - God can assure that His work is complete - Ezra 6-10
Ezra 6:7-9 (ESV Strong's)
Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.
Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River.
And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail,
Truth: God can not only stop those who want to stop His Work, He can incorporate their support.
At the end of chapter five of this book the foreign leaders in the land had threatened the Israelites if they kept building the temple. The work had stopped in lieu of this threat. However, in the beginning of chapter six a search was made of the King's previous decree that granted the Jews permission to rebuild the temple. As a result, the new king re-issued the old decree. What you see in the above verses is the result of the new orders from the new king. Those in the land had hoped to stop the work. Now, they work is not only NOT stopped, but those attempting to stop the work are going to be the main contributors to the work. We might often fear that when God gives us a task the enemy wishes to hinder that task and/or the resources are not available to complete the task. As a result of God's work, however, the work is continued and supported by the very men who at one time tried to stop it. God can not only protect the work, He can assure that the work is supported, if even by those who would like to prevent its completion.
Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.
Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River.
And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail,
Truth: God can not only stop those who want to stop His Work, He can incorporate their support.
At the end of chapter five of this book the foreign leaders in the land had threatened the Israelites if they kept building the temple. The work had stopped in lieu of this threat. However, in the beginning of chapter six a search was made of the King's previous decree that granted the Jews permission to rebuild the temple. As a result, the new king re-issued the old decree. What you see in the above verses is the result of the new orders from the new king. Those in the land had hoped to stop the work. Now, they work is not only NOT stopped, but those attempting to stop the work are going to be the main contributors to the work. We might often fear that when God gives us a task the enemy wishes to hinder that task and/or the resources are not available to complete the task. As a result of God's work, however, the work is continued and supported by the very men who at one time tried to stop it. God can not only protect the work, He can assure that the work is supported, if even by those who would like to prevent its completion.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Truth #323 - God is a God of Justice, as we should be! Deuteronomy 15-19
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (ESV Strong's)
“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.
Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Truth: God is a God of Justice and demands that from His leaders.
We live in a world were justice is perverted. Those in leadership have determined, based upon their own agendas, what is just and what is not just. The Supreme Court of our land has been given power, by our Constitution, to determine what is just and what is unjust. The world calls this, "The rule of Law." Those in power love to state that something was following the "rule of law." However, man's "rule of law" today is a far, far version from God's Rule of Law. In the above passage God is warning the leadership of Israel to remember that when they reach the land God is giving them they are to follow "justice" and "only justice." This is not man's rule of law, but God's justice. If a rule of law is not according to God's character and God's commands, the rule of law is a sham and lacks the protection God provides. God wants us to judge according to His character and His version of justice. The nation of Israel would have blessings, IF, when they reach the land of Israel they will follow God's form of Justice, not the form of the world of the nations they were disposing. The same is true today. The real rule of law is the justice is the law that follows God's character and God's Word.
“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.
Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Truth: God is a God of Justice and demands that from His leaders.
We live in a world were justice is perverted. Those in leadership have determined, based upon their own agendas, what is just and what is not just. The Supreme Court of our land has been given power, by our Constitution, to determine what is just and what is unjust. The world calls this, "The rule of Law." Those in power love to state that something was following the "rule of law." However, man's "rule of law" today is a far, far version from God's Rule of Law. In the above passage God is warning the leadership of Israel to remember that when they reach the land God is giving them they are to follow "justice" and "only justice." This is not man's rule of law, but God's justice. If a rule of law is not according to God's character and God's commands, the rule of law is a sham and lacks the protection God provides. God wants us to judge according to His character and His version of justice. The nation of Israel would have blessings, IF, when they reach the land of Israel they will follow God's form of Justice, not the form of the world of the nations they were disposing. The same is true today. The real rule of law is the justice is the law that follows God's character and God's Word.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Truth #322 - Give your cares to God without being careless - 1 Peter 4-5
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV Strong's)
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Truth: Giving your cares to God does not mean we are passive and careless in our walk with God and against Satan.
Peter, in the verses just prior to the one above, has just told the believers he is writing to, that they are to refrain from anxious behavior and turn their cares over to God. Why? Because He cares for them! However, that does not mean that we become passive passengers on the arms of God's grace. In the above passage we are told that Satan is like a lion, a roaring lion, who is stalking us as his prey. We are not to allow him to devour us, simply because God is taking care. We are to have a part, through faith, in our own defense. We do that by being aware of his wilily tricks and by keeping our minds upon Christ. Peter has already told the believers in this letter on the need to be "sober-minded" (1 Peter 1:17; 4:13). He repeats the command once again, here, and implores them to be also, watchful. God is at work in our lives to protect us from the Evil One. That work of God, however, is engaged for us, as we are watchful and sober-minded, in faith, to allow God to be at work. Our being careless and carefree and not realizing the avenues Satan uses in our lives is lazy. Peter is warning us that being lazy and unaware of Satan's ploys can result in our being devoured by him.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Truth: Giving your cares to God does not mean we are passive and careless in our walk with God and against Satan.
Peter, in the verses just prior to the one above, has just told the believers he is writing to, that they are to refrain from anxious behavior and turn their cares over to God. Why? Because He cares for them! However, that does not mean that we become passive passengers on the arms of God's grace. In the above passage we are told that Satan is like a lion, a roaring lion, who is stalking us as his prey. We are not to allow him to devour us, simply because God is taking care. We are to have a part, through faith, in our own defense. We do that by being aware of his wilily tricks and by keeping our minds upon Christ. Peter has already told the believers in this letter on the need to be "sober-minded" (1 Peter 1:17; 4:13). He repeats the command once again, here, and implores them to be also, watchful. God is at work in our lives to protect us from the Evil One. That work of God, however, is engaged for us, as we are watchful and sober-minded, in faith, to allow God to be at work. Our being careless and carefree and not realizing the avenues Satan uses in our lives is lazy. Peter is warning us that being lazy and unaware of Satan's ploys can result in our being devoured by him.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Truth #321 - God will direct his ministers to their ministry - Acts 15-16
Acts 16:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Truth: God directs where He wants His message made known and by whom He wants it made known.
In the above passage we have the ministry of Paul directed by the hand of God. The truth is, as stated, God directs us where and when He wants, to who He wants. Logistically and practically, there were actually several roads in front of Paul and his team. They could have gone a variety of ways, just based upon the traffic patterns. They are are the proverbial, "fork in the road," literally. At this point, however, they are not suffering from paralysis by analysis. They don't freeze and "wonder where to go," but rather start to go. They are forbidden to go to Asia. This might seem odd, but later (Acts 19:10) we are told that the citizens of Asia did, eventually, hear the gospel due to Paul's ministry. The lesson for us is that God's timing is as important as His ministry. They also were not allowed to go to Bithynia. However, since Peter will eventually write his first letter to those scatter in a number of regions, including Bithynia, we have to conclude that God provided them a messenger at some point. We get so caught up in the where of our ministry and should stop to realize that God is in control of the place and time we minister as much as the message of the ministry. These men attempted to preach the gospel wherever they were located, but were sensitive to the Holy Spirit and moved where He willed, not where they willed. Being in the right place is as important as having the right message. God is control of where and when we minister and preach the gospel. Our job is to live it out no matter if He stops us from going one place or the other.
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Truth: God directs where He wants His message made known and by whom He wants it made known.
In the above passage we have the ministry of Paul directed by the hand of God. The truth is, as stated, God directs us where and when He wants, to who He wants. Logistically and practically, there were actually several roads in front of Paul and his team. They could have gone a variety of ways, just based upon the traffic patterns. They are are the proverbial, "fork in the road," literally. At this point, however, they are not suffering from paralysis by analysis. They don't freeze and "wonder where to go," but rather start to go. They are forbidden to go to Asia. This might seem odd, but later (Acts 19:10) we are told that the citizens of Asia did, eventually, hear the gospel due to Paul's ministry. The lesson for us is that God's timing is as important as His ministry. They also were not allowed to go to Bithynia. However, since Peter will eventually write his first letter to those scatter in a number of regions, including Bithynia, we have to conclude that God provided them a messenger at some point. We get so caught up in the where of our ministry and should stop to realize that God is in control of the place and time we minister as much as the message of the ministry. These men attempted to preach the gospel wherever they were located, but were sensitive to the Holy Spirit and moved where He willed, not where they willed. Being in the right place is as important as having the right message. God is control of where and when we minister and preach the gospel. Our job is to live it out no matter if He stops us from going one place or the other.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Truth #320 - God will outfit us for our work for Him - Zechariah 1-7
Zechariah 3:3-5 (NIV 1984)
Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”
Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”
Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.
Truth: God will change your garments in life; He will make you holy!!
Joshua, in the above passage, is the priest and representative of Israel upon their return from exile. Joshua is the chief representative of the people for worship. Since they are returning from the land of exile to rebuild the Temple and to restore the worship, the representative priest (and the people) needed to be purified. Only God can purify. In the preceding verses, Satan makes an accusation to God. Although the accusation is not recored, the implication is that Satan was accusing Joshua as not fit to perform the new established worship in the newly rebuilt temple. God is the ONLY one who can take care of the heart of worship. We might be able to rebuild the place and bring in the people, but true, pure worship is in the Spirit and only God can "clothe" us with "rich garments." This is God's work. By faith we believe He will purify us. We are positionally holy. Practically we are becoming holy. It is God who does both. He removes the old garments and puts us in new garments. In the above passage Joshua gets a new turban on his head. This is the sign of authority. Not only is Joshua clothed in rich garments, he is given the authority he needs to perform his work. God makes sure we are outfitted for our work for Him.
Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”
Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”
Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.
Truth: God will change your garments in life; He will make you holy!!
Joshua, in the above passage, is the priest and representative of Israel upon their return from exile. Joshua is the chief representative of the people for worship. Since they are returning from the land of exile to rebuild the Temple and to restore the worship, the representative priest (and the people) needed to be purified. Only God can purify. In the preceding verses, Satan makes an accusation to God. Although the accusation is not recored, the implication is that Satan was accusing Joshua as not fit to perform the new established worship in the newly rebuilt temple. God is the ONLY one who can take care of the heart of worship. We might be able to rebuild the place and bring in the people, but true, pure worship is in the Spirit and only God can "clothe" us with "rich garments." This is God's work. By faith we believe He will purify us. We are positionally holy. Practically we are becoming holy. It is God who does both. He removes the old garments and puts us in new garments. In the above passage Joshua gets a new turban on his head. This is the sign of authority. Not only is Joshua clothed in rich garments, he is given the authority he needs to perform his work. God makes sure we are outfitted for our work for Him.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Truth #319 - Embrace what God gives us - Ecclesiates 7-8
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
" Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
Truth: God is in charge of everything and we must, by faith, embrace it.
Have you ever taken stock of your life to step back and view it in its whole? Think of the twisted puzzle pieces of your days and consider the pattern they make and the story behind each. As you assemble each colorful piece a pattern will start to emerge ... if you view them through the eyes of faith ... a faith that sees them through God's eyes and a faith that sees them shaped and formed by the hand of God. This is what God is telling us in the above passage. Through Solomon's writing and thoughts, God is telling us to "consider" the work of God in our lives. We often simply think of "God's work" as His creation and we are here to enjoy it and live in it. Yet, the real work of God's hand is how He moves us through this creation and uses the events of our lives to shape us and to form us. God, according to Solomon, actually takes time to "bend" parts of our lives. We would like everything straight and comfortable, but Solomon tells us that what we want straighten, God has "bent." The Hebrew word used here in the verse for "bent" is often used in the negative of making the truth, crooked, or making justice, perverted. It can also mean to bend down and bend over. What Solomon is telling us is that the puzzle pieces of our lives have been made crooked and twisted by the work of God. That work, he tells us, should be celebrated when it appears to bring prosperity. But, when it brings us adversity we ought to stop to "consider" the work. God has made the prosperity but He also uses the adversity ... we ought to consider that. God makes one as well as the other. The last line of verse 14 is to be the conclusion of the previous. If we consider the work of God in our lives and that he brings the adversity (for a purpose) along with the prosperity, if we indeed consider that by faith, then there is nothing to discover in mystery after that. We are not going to find some secret thing later that explains life other than this fact: God is in charge and nothing else matters. He will go on to write about seeing the righteous end up, in Solomon's eyes, like the wicked and the wicked, in man's eyes, will end up like the righteous. This all might seem futile, but in reality God is simply weaving a bigger pattern than we can see, at times. We are to praise God and worship Him for how He bends parts of our lives. Consider the work of God's hands in your life. It might look bent, but God did it for a purpose that fits His plan for you and others.
" Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him."
Truth: God is in charge of everything and we must, by faith, embrace it.
Have you ever taken stock of your life to step back and view it in its whole? Think of the twisted puzzle pieces of your days and consider the pattern they make and the story behind each. As you assemble each colorful piece a pattern will start to emerge ... if you view them through the eyes of faith ... a faith that sees them through God's eyes and a faith that sees them shaped and formed by the hand of God. This is what God is telling us in the above passage. Through Solomon's writing and thoughts, God is telling us to "consider" the work of God in our lives. We often simply think of "God's work" as His creation and we are here to enjoy it and live in it. Yet, the real work of God's hand is how He moves us through this creation and uses the events of our lives to shape us and to form us. God, according to Solomon, actually takes time to "bend" parts of our lives. We would like everything straight and comfortable, but Solomon tells us that what we want straighten, God has "bent." The Hebrew word used here in the verse for "bent" is often used in the negative of making the truth, crooked, or making justice, perverted. It can also mean to bend down and bend over. What Solomon is telling us is that the puzzle pieces of our lives have been made crooked and twisted by the work of God. That work, he tells us, should be celebrated when it appears to bring prosperity. But, when it brings us adversity we ought to stop to "consider" the work. God has made the prosperity but He also uses the adversity ... we ought to consider that. God makes one as well as the other. The last line of verse 14 is to be the conclusion of the previous. If we consider the work of God in our lives and that he brings the adversity (for a purpose) along with the prosperity, if we indeed consider that by faith, then there is nothing to discover in mystery after that. We are not going to find some secret thing later that explains life other than this fact: God is in charge and nothing else matters. He will go on to write about seeing the righteous end up, in Solomon's eyes, like the wicked and the wicked, in man's eyes, will end up like the righteous. This all might seem futile, but in reality God is simply weaving a bigger pattern than we can see, at times. We are to praise God and worship Him for how He bends parts of our lives. Consider the work of God's hands in your life. It might look bent, but God did it for a purpose that fits His plan for you and others.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Truth #318 - It is God who chooses to belss us! Psalm 131-133
Psalms 132:17-18 (ESV Strong's)
There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”
Truth: It is God who chooses to bless us!
King David is revered in the nation of Israel. He, Abraham and Moses are the most propionate and key figures in Israel's history. But, David stands to be alone for he is both the example of Christ and the Messiah came from His seed. In this Psalm the writer is praising God for Jerusalem. God has designated this city as the place He will dwell. In these couple of verses David is promised blessing in that place ("there") ... Jerusalem. David's "horn" is said to "sprout" there. That is, in Jerusalem, God will bless David's reign and those who come after Him. David will be anointed and his crown will shine. The enemies of David will e brought to shame. None of this was going to happen because David was a righteous man. We know he wasn't. All this was going to happen because God chose to bless David, despite his sin. This is true today. God blesses us, through His Son, Jesus. Those blessings are upon us, not because we deserve it, but because God chooses to do so. We are to praise God for blessings ... they come at His choice, not our performance.
There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”
Truth: It is God who chooses to bless us!
King David is revered in the nation of Israel. He, Abraham and Moses are the most propionate and key figures in Israel's history. But, David stands to be alone for he is both the example of Christ and the Messiah came from His seed. In this Psalm the writer is praising God for Jerusalem. God has designated this city as the place He will dwell. In these couple of verses David is promised blessing in that place ("there") ... Jerusalem. David's "horn" is said to "sprout" there. That is, in Jerusalem, God will bless David's reign and those who come after Him. David will be anointed and his crown will shine. The enemies of David will e brought to shame. None of this was going to happen because David was a righteous man. We know he wasn't. All this was going to happen because God chose to bless David, despite his sin. This is true today. God blesses us, through His Son, Jesus. Those blessings are upon us, not because we deserve it, but because God chooses to do so. We are to praise God for blessings ... they come at His choice, not our performance.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Truth #317 - When we are doing something for God, others jealousy tries to stop it - Ezra 1-5
Ezra 4:1-4 (ESV Strong's)
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel,
they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”
Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build
Truth: When we are in the midst of building a work for God, there will be opposition to that work.
The book of Ezra is about the exiled people of Israel returning to Jerusalem, after years in captivity, to rebuild the Temple. One king of Persia, Cyrus, decreed that they could go back to establish the proper worship. They actually were able to start the building and even had a celebration service of sacrifice and praise sung to God. Yet, as we read above, we see that there was resistance from those in the land. Out of jealous and a desire to control, they attempted to join the work. But, the leadership recognized their plot and stopped them from joining the effort. But, that didn't stop them. Once King Cyrus died and a new king was in place they wrote disparaging letters to the authority to have the work stopped. Their jealousy about the work caused them to stop others from doing the work. They proposed joining the work, but when they couldn't be "large and in-charge" they fought to stop the work. Nothing has changed much today. When people are envious and jealous about the glory and credit others are getting, they want to discourage the work. Writing abusive and untrue letters is a main weapon for these type of folks. We have to realize that others will do this when the work is not their work and they can't have credit or a part they want in the work.
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel,
they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”
Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build
Truth: When we are in the midst of building a work for God, there will be opposition to that work.
The book of Ezra is about the exiled people of Israel returning to Jerusalem, after years in captivity, to rebuild the Temple. One king of Persia, Cyrus, decreed that they could go back to establish the proper worship. They actually were able to start the building and even had a celebration service of sacrifice and praise sung to God. Yet, as we read above, we see that there was resistance from those in the land. Out of jealous and a desire to control, they attempted to join the work. But, the leadership recognized their plot and stopped them from joining the effort. But, that didn't stop them. Once King Cyrus died and a new king was in place they wrote disparaging letters to the authority to have the work stopped. Their jealousy about the work caused them to stop others from doing the work. They proposed joining the work, but when they couldn't be "large and in-charge" they fought to stop the work. Nothing has changed much today. When people are envious and jealous about the glory and credit others are getting, they want to discourage the work. Writing abusive and untrue letters is a main weapon for these type of folks. We have to realize that others will do this when the work is not their work and they can't have credit or a part they want in the work.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Truth #316 - God is concerned about the heart of the relationship not the terms of it - Deuteronomy 13-15
Deuteronomy 15:12-17 (ESV Strong's)
“If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.
You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.
But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you,
then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
Truth: God is concerned about the heart of our relationship with others, not the position of our relationship.
In this passage we have God's Word on slavery. We may not like it and we may not understand it, but this is what God told the nation of Israel. In the days of the Israelites, slavery was practiced as a part of almost all cultures. It was a part of the depravity of man. Man has a desire to assert their authority over others. God is not necessarily condoning the practice. This section is found in the section of this book on how to live "differently" than the world around you. The way to live differently than the world around you would be to have no slave. But, God did allow it, while at the same time telling the nation to treat the slaves like you would want to be treated ... not in a way to burden them. He reminds them that they were slaves in Egypt and that slavery was hard. God even states if your treatment of the slave is good they more than likely will want to become part of your family. God's idea of how we treat others is less about the position and more about the heart and the care of others. This is why God summed the law up into loving God and others like ourselves. God is the one who sets the standard. We are to treat others like God would.
“If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.
You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.
But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you,
then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
Truth: God is concerned about the heart of our relationship with others, not the position of our relationship.
In this passage we have God's Word on slavery. We may not like it and we may not understand it, but this is what God told the nation of Israel. In the days of the Israelites, slavery was practiced as a part of almost all cultures. It was a part of the depravity of man. Man has a desire to assert their authority over others. God is not necessarily condoning the practice. This section is found in the section of this book on how to live "differently" than the world around you. The way to live differently than the world around you would be to have no slave. But, God did allow it, while at the same time telling the nation to treat the slaves like you would want to be treated ... not in a way to burden them. He reminds them that they were slaves in Egypt and that slavery was hard. God even states if your treatment of the slave is good they more than likely will want to become part of your family. God's idea of how we treat others is less about the position and more about the heart and the care of others. This is why God summed the law up into loving God and others like ourselves. God is the one who sets the standard. We are to treat others like God would.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Truth #315 - Christ is our example when we are treated poorly - 1 Peter 1-3
1 Peter 2:23 (ESV Strong's)
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Truth: Christ is our example when we are treated poorly in life.
The immediate context of this verse is speaking to slaves in Peter's day who were subject to an unjust and wicked owner. Since we no longer (in our country) have this setting we have to see how it applies to our situation in the work-a-day world we live in. It should be noted that both this section and all the way through chapter three, is speaking about how to live your life in front of a corrupt world that may be mistreating you because of your faith ... or, simply mistreating you because the world is evil. Peter's points in this entire section is to make sure we realize that Christ also was mistreated and He didn't respond evil for evil. Christ simply committed His life to God ("Him who judges justly). We are not to revile those who mistreat us at work. We are not to speak evil of them. We are follow Christ example. The verses just prior to our verse today states:
1 Peter 2:21-22 (ESV Strong's)
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
If we "continue to entrust" ourselves to God we have the promise we are doing what God wills and that will turn out as a blessing for God and from God. In our world today vengeance and retribution rule the day at work. Men and women at work fight for position, power and prestige and property. We are not to be of those who jockey for such things, but to commit our lives to Christ and live in His example. This will allow us to be lights to the lost and have them see the glory and mystery of Christ.
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Truth: Christ is our example when we are treated poorly in life.
The immediate context of this verse is speaking to slaves in Peter's day who were subject to an unjust and wicked owner. Since we no longer (in our country) have this setting we have to see how it applies to our situation in the work-a-day world we live in. It should be noted that both this section and all the way through chapter three, is speaking about how to live your life in front of a corrupt world that may be mistreating you because of your faith ... or, simply mistreating you because the world is evil. Peter's points in this entire section is to make sure we realize that Christ also was mistreated and He didn't respond evil for evil. Christ simply committed His life to God ("Him who judges justly). We are not to revile those who mistreat us at work. We are not to speak evil of them. We are follow Christ example. The verses just prior to our verse today states:
1 Peter 2:21-22 (ESV Strong's)
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
If we "continue to entrust" ourselves to God we have the promise we are doing what God wills and that will turn out as a blessing for God and from God. In our world today vengeance and retribution rule the day at work. Men and women at work fight for position, power and prestige and property. We are not to be of those who jockey for such things, but to commit our lives to Christ and live in His example. This will allow us to be lights to the lost and have them see the glory and mystery of Christ.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Truth #314 - God honors those who love and seek Him - Acts 13-14
Acts 13:22 (ESV Strong's)
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
Truth: God seeks and honors those who love Him from the heart.
Paul, in this section, is preaching to the Jews in the Synagogue. He is doing a brief history to show that Israel needed a messiah and that King David was a picture the messiah. David was a prototype of Christ and was a person who God had place a love for God's will in His heart. David was a sinful man. Later, in the adultery with Bathsheba, he would demonstrate that sinfulness. Psalm 51 shows his sin AND his contrite heart for God. God had placed into David's heart a love and purpose for God. When Paul brings this to mind for the listeners he is not saying that David was without sin. He is simply saying that God set David up to be the picture of Christ. Like David delivered the Israelites in the time of the Kings, so Jesus would deliver them. Our having a heart for God is a gift of God. God places in the heart of men a love for Him. We are to pursue that love. Like David was a picture of Christ, before Christ, we are to be a picture of Christ, after His work for us.
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
Truth: God seeks and honors those who love Him from the heart.
Paul, in this section, is preaching to the Jews in the Synagogue. He is doing a brief history to show that Israel needed a messiah and that King David was a picture the messiah. David was a prototype of Christ and was a person who God had place a love for God's will in His heart. David was a sinful man. Later, in the adultery with Bathsheba, he would demonstrate that sinfulness. Psalm 51 shows his sin AND his contrite heart for God. God had placed into David's heart a love and purpose for God. When Paul brings this to mind for the listeners he is not saying that David was without sin. He is simply saying that God set David up to be the picture of Christ. Like David delivered the Israelites in the time of the Kings, so Jesus would deliver them. Our having a heart for God is a gift of God. God places in the heart of men a love for Him. We are to pursue that love. Like David was a picture of Christ, before Christ, we are to be a picture of Christ, after His work for us.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Truth #313 - We are to be busy buidling His Kingdom - Haggai
Haggai 1:8-9 (ESV Strong's)
Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
Truth: We are to be busy building His Kingdom - not building our kingdom.
When the nation of Israel returned from captivity they had a chance to rebuild the temple for God. However, they had become comfortable in their how homes and had relaxed in their work for God. God had given them blessing upon blessing, despite their captivity. In the prophet Haggai's message they are rebuked and told why their blessings were being cut off and yielding little fruit: Their priorities had become centered upon their lifestyle, rather than on God's work. This is probably one of the most key message in the prophets for us today: We are to, to comfortable in our life on the earth and we have forgot about the building of the Kingdom of God. We are so busy making a living and enjoying the fruits of that living that we forget what God has planned for us ... to build His kingdom.
Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
Truth: We are to be busy building His Kingdom - not building our kingdom.
When the nation of Israel returned from captivity they had a chance to rebuild the temple for God. However, they had become comfortable in their how homes and had relaxed in their work for God. God had given them blessing upon blessing, despite their captivity. In the prophet Haggai's message they are rebuked and told why their blessings were being cut off and yielding little fruit: Their priorities had become centered upon their lifestyle, rather than on God's work. This is probably one of the most key message in the prophets for us today: We are to, to comfortable in our life on the earth and we have forgot about the building of the Kingdom of God. We are so busy making a living and enjoying the fruits of that living that we forget what God has planned for us ... to build His kingdom.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Truth #312 - God holds us to our Words - Ecclesiates 5-6
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (ESV Strong's)
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.
It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.
Truth: God holds us to our words because He holds Himself to His Words.
We have heard it said, even by mankind, if a man doesn't have the words of him mouth, what does he have? We are the sum of what we say. When we profess one thing and do another others lose faith in us and trust is ultimately destroyed. In the above passage God is not concerned, however, in the words we might say to others and fail to perform. He is concerned about the words we say to Him and don't perform. This is because God's Word is solid and He always does what He says He will. It is our words that lack such fidelity. God is saying, in this passage, that He will send a messenger to account for our words. If we have promised Him something and failed to perform it, we would be better not to promise. God states in this passage that this is especially true when we dream about this or that. We make promises that "if" this happens we will do "that." Yet, when dreams come and they increase our words, that is vanity ... empty. It is God who must be feared. We are to limit our vows and keep the vows we promise. That is a true expression of the fear of the Lord. Just like promising something to another person on earth and failing to keep the promise is disrespectful, so, too, is promising something to God and failing to keep the promise: It is disrespect to God - not fearing Him.
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.
It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.
Truth: God holds us to our words because He holds Himself to His Words.
We have heard it said, even by mankind, if a man doesn't have the words of him mouth, what does he have? We are the sum of what we say. When we profess one thing and do another others lose faith in us and trust is ultimately destroyed. In the above passage God is not concerned, however, in the words we might say to others and fail to perform. He is concerned about the words we say to Him and don't perform. This is because God's Word is solid and He always does what He says He will. It is our words that lack such fidelity. God is saying, in this passage, that He will send a messenger to account for our words. If we have promised Him something and failed to perform it, we would be better not to promise. God states in this passage that this is especially true when we dream about this or that. We make promises that "if" this happens we will do "that." Yet, when dreams come and they increase our words, that is vanity ... empty. It is God who must be feared. We are to limit our vows and keep the vows we promise. That is a true expression of the fear of the Lord. Just like promising something to another person on earth and failing to keep the promise is disrespectful, so, too, is promising something to God and failing to keep the promise: It is disrespect to God - not fearing Him.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Truth #311 - When we Fear the Lord it overflows to others - Psalm 128-130
Psalms 128:3-4 (ESV Strong's)
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.
Truth: A life for God crashes over others
Psalm 128 is Hebrew poem about what it means to fear the Lord and what that fear of the Lord produces. In our own life, the fear of the Lord produces blessings only God can give. When we stand in awe of God and live in awe of God we have the God of all Comfort and the God of all Power on our side. God will, when we fear Him, pour His blessing(s) out on us. He does this via salvation. When we live in the fear of the Lord we recognize that God is to be honored in all of our life. In return God will pour out those blessings on us and those blessings overflow into the lives of those around us. When Joseph feared the Lord it overflowed into the life of the King of Egypt. When Daniel feared the Lord it poured over into the life of the King of Babylon. Others are not "saved" as a result of our life of fear of Him, but they are blessed. They are "set apart" for the overflow of those blessings. Note what Paul tells the Corinthian believers:
1 Corinthians 7:14 (ESV Strong's)
For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
The word "holy" is not they are positionally pure, but practically in a place they can experience God's blessing as a result of their believing spouse. This is what our above Psalm is telling us. When we fear the Lord we put those around us in a place of blessing and protection. Note another Psalm:
Psalms 91:9-10 (ESV Strong's)
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
When we fear of the Lord it will overflow into the lives of those around us.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.
Truth: A life for God crashes over others
Psalm 128 is Hebrew poem about what it means to fear the Lord and what that fear of the Lord produces. In our own life, the fear of the Lord produces blessings only God can give. When we stand in awe of God and live in awe of God we have the God of all Comfort and the God of all Power on our side. God will, when we fear Him, pour His blessing(s) out on us. He does this via salvation. When we live in the fear of the Lord we recognize that God is to be honored in all of our life. In return God will pour out those blessings on us and those blessings overflow into the lives of those around us. When Joseph feared the Lord it overflowed into the life of the King of Egypt. When Daniel feared the Lord it poured over into the life of the King of Babylon. Others are not "saved" as a result of our life of fear of Him, but they are blessed. They are "set apart" for the overflow of those blessings. Note what Paul tells the Corinthian believers:
1 Corinthians 7:14 (ESV Strong's)
For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
The word "holy" is not they are positionally pure, but practically in a place they can experience God's blessing as a result of their believing spouse. This is what our above Psalm is telling us. When we fear the Lord we put those around us in a place of blessing and protection. Note another Psalm:
Psalms 91:9-10 (ESV Strong's)
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
When we fear of the Lord it will overflow into the lives of those around us.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Truth #310 - God's Word convicts the soul - 2 Chronicles 32-36
2 Chronicles 34:19 (ESV Strong's)
And when the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes.
Truth: The Word of God is powerful; converting and convicting the soul.
When King Josiah was made king, he was 8 years old. That is young to lead a country. But, his youth did not stop him from obeying God and seeking God. Age is not a determining factor of spiritual growth. By the time we read the above words, King Josiah is 26 years old. He had instructed those around him to clean and repair the Temple. It was damaged by the evil acts of the kings before him. In the cleaning of the Temple, one of the priest find the Books of the Law (the Torah ... the first five books of our English Bible). When they brought the book to the King and he heard the words from the book, Josiah is torn in his heart and that is reflected by his tearing of clothes. God's Word is the tool of God's Work in our lives. Note the following:
Psalms 19:7 (ESV Strong's)
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
If we were to read Psalm 119 we would read several, similar verses stating the same message: God's Word is powerful and when read and believed it converts the soul. Josiah was pricked in his heart by God's Word and that changed a nation. The same is true today. As we read God's Word it convicts our heart and should tear the fabric of our lives, our families, our churches and our community. It all begins with the truth that God's Word convicts the soul.
And when the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes.
Truth: The Word of God is powerful; converting and convicting the soul.
When King Josiah was made king, he was 8 years old. That is young to lead a country. But, his youth did not stop him from obeying God and seeking God. Age is not a determining factor of spiritual growth. By the time we read the above words, King Josiah is 26 years old. He had instructed those around him to clean and repair the Temple. It was damaged by the evil acts of the kings before him. In the cleaning of the Temple, one of the priest find the Books of the Law (the Torah ... the first five books of our English Bible). When they brought the book to the King and he heard the words from the book, Josiah is torn in his heart and that is reflected by his tearing of clothes. God's Word is the tool of God's Work in our lives. Note the following:
Psalms 19:7 (ESV Strong's)
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
If we were to read Psalm 119 we would read several, similar verses stating the same message: God's Word is powerful and when read and believed it converts the soul. Josiah was pricked in his heart by God's Word and that changed a nation. The same is true today. As we read God's Word it convicts our heart and should tear the fabric of our lives, our families, our churches and our community. It all begins with the truth that God's Word convicts the soul.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Truth #309 - God requires hearts, not just form obedience - Deuteronomy 10-12
Deuteronomy 10:12 (ESV Strong's)
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Truth: God requires that our hearts be like His so that our walk will please Him.
What are we required to do? That is a question we may ask at work, in a game, in our community, but, perhaps, not in our spiritual walk. God is not secret with His will for us. (The phrase "God's Will" appears over 50 times in the New Testament, indicating God doesn't want us to be in the dark about His will.) In the above passage we are told what God "requires" of us. Note another writer who wrote a similar phrase:
Micah 6:8 (ESV Strong's)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
God requires that the change in our behavior begins in the heart, not our actions. If we only change actions and have no heart for God we fall short of what God is doing in us and with us. God wants a change of heart. When Christ comes in and dominates our life, God is working on our heart. We are saved from the inside out. Israel had a problem with only conforming to God on the outside. They would set up the "form" of worship, but not the "heart" of worship. We can get so caught up in the doing, we lose sight of the being. God wants us to have a heart that is in awe of Him and that loves Him with all our soul. He wants obedience, but it must be an obedience that is based upon faith in Who He is and therefore produces a heart for Him and others.
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Truth: God requires that our hearts be like His so that our walk will please Him.
What are we required to do? That is a question we may ask at work, in a game, in our community, but, perhaps, not in our spiritual walk. God is not secret with His will for us. (The phrase "God's Will" appears over 50 times in the New Testament, indicating God doesn't want us to be in the dark about His will.) In the above passage we are told what God "requires" of us. Note another writer who wrote a similar phrase:
Micah 6:8 (ESV Strong's)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
God requires that the change in our behavior begins in the heart, not our actions. If we only change actions and have no heart for God we fall short of what God is doing in us and with us. God wants a change of heart. When Christ comes in and dominates our life, God is working on our heart. We are saved from the inside out. Israel had a problem with only conforming to God on the outside. They would set up the "form" of worship, but not the "heart" of worship. We can get so caught up in the doing, we lose sight of the being. God wants us to have a heart that is in awe of Him and that loves Him with all our soul. He wants obedience, but it must be an obedience that is based upon faith in Who He is and therefore produces a heart for Him and others.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Truth #308 - Humility is the conduit for God's Grace - James 4-5
James 4:10 (ESV Strong's)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Truth: Humility is the conduit by which grace it poured out in our lives.
In a couple of verses before the above verse James writes the following:
James 4:6 (ESV Strong's)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
God is in the business of giving us His grace. God wants to pour His grace out upon us. What stops that dump-truck load of grace from happening is the pride in our hearts. When we think we are deserved something, owed something, earned something, we lose out on God's grace. God will "exalt" us when we find our place in the place of utter dependance upon Him ... that is humility. This is why we don't receive God's grace: We have to be in a place of utter dependance on Him. But, we often think we only need God in "extreme" circumstances. God becomes the "spare-tire-god" we pull out of the trunk when the tire goes completely flat. Before that we are masters of our own fate. God resists that type of thought and that approach to life and we lose out on grace. Grace is the supreme ointment from God. When we compare grace and mercy we typically say this: Mercy is God holding back what we Do deserve, and Grace is God giving us what we DON'T deserve. That is why our humility is so, so important in our lives. God only exalts those who first, in humility, rest solely on God's grace.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Truth: Humility is the conduit by which grace it poured out in our lives.
In a couple of verses before the above verse James writes the following:
James 4:6 (ESV Strong's)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
God is in the business of giving us His grace. God wants to pour His grace out upon us. What stops that dump-truck load of grace from happening is the pride in our hearts. When we think we are deserved something, owed something, earned something, we lose out on God's grace. God will "exalt" us when we find our place in the place of utter dependance upon Him ... that is humility. This is why we don't receive God's grace: We have to be in a place of utter dependance on Him. But, we often think we only need God in "extreme" circumstances. God becomes the "spare-tire-god" we pull out of the trunk when the tire goes completely flat. Before that we are masters of our own fate. God resists that type of thought and that approach to life and we lose out on grace. Grace is the supreme ointment from God. When we compare grace and mercy we typically say this: Mercy is God holding back what we Do deserve, and Grace is God giving us what we DON'T deserve. That is why our humility is so, so important in our lives. God only exalts those who first, in humility, rest solely on God's grace.
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