Tag: God is Sovereign: Even Over Man's Evil - Acts 1-2

Acts 2:22-24

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Tag:  God is Sovereign: Even Over Man's Evil

Notice the contrast in the above verses.  I one verse (v. 23) Peter (the speaker) states that God had a "definite plan" and had complete "foreknowledge" as to what would happen to Jesus.  Yet, Peter states to the Jews he is speaking to, "you crucified and killed" by the hands of "lawless men."   On the one had you have God's divine plan. On the other hand you have the evil deeds of evil and lawless men.  This is a great example of the "sovereignty of God" conflicting with the "free-will of man."    Man's freewill is marred, in that if man has a choice he will ALWAYS choose evil (Romans 8:5-8).   They can never, on their own, please God.   Yet, we see that God had a "definite plan" to see His Son, Jesus, crucified.   God sovereigning planned for Jesus to be crucified and used the evilness that is in men's hearts to accomplish His plan.  He did not cause them or create them to do evil.  But they have evil in their hearts and God allowed their evil to go unchecked to crucify His Son and, through that evil act, provide salivation for the very men and woman who, on that day, yelled, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"   God is sovereign, even over the evil of mankind.  God does not stop the evil of man or simply wipe it out.   God does, however, allow man's evil to accomplish His end and His glory.   

Tag: God is Sovereign - He Sets Up and Takes Down - Obadiah

Obadiah 1:2

Behold, I will make you small among the nations;

you shall be utterly despised.

Tag:  God is Sovereign - He sets up one and takes down another. 

Before considering the above statement from the prophet Obadiah, consider the following statement from this Psalm:

Psalms 75:6-7

For not from the east or from the west

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.

The Prophet Obadiah was sent by God for a very specific reason.  As the people of Israel were beginning to be taken captive by the Babylonians the neighboring country of the Edomites were adding to their injury and harm.  Not only were they not assisting their brothers (Edom is from the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob ... later named Israel), they were even taking up residents in some of their homes as Israel was taken captive.  God despises this action.  God wants us to love our bothers and wants us to assist our brothers.   Edom was to be judged.   God states HE will make them lower and smaller.   It is fascinating how mankind wants to "build" itself into something.  We so want to be something significant.  We constantly want to build our teams, organizations, businesses, countries.  We never stop building for more.   Yet, it is God who builds.  God puts up on and takes down another.   We have to realize that even though man thinks he is in control, He is not.  We need to trust Him for promotions, contracts, growth, expansion.   We, ourselves, don't climb higher.  It is God who allows us to grow higher ... or, like Edom, lower.  

Tag: Open Rebuke IS Love - Proverbs 26-27

Proverbs 27:5

Better is open rebuke

Than love that is concealed.

This is not a proverb that flows readily off our tongues, much less our lives.    Most people would believe that "open rebuke" is not "better than love."  What Solomon is telling us is that true love, if true and observant to all, will need to practice open rebuke.  God gives us the truth in our lives.  He loves us but He allows truth to be played out for us.   If we love others but we know they are walking down a path that they should not go, we would expect love to speak up and warn them to avoid the path.   Being open about rebuke is not based upon lack of love.  In fact, failure to warn others ... openly rebuke them ... is a sure sign of NO love.    If we care we will eventually have to rebuke.    Parents who care about their kids openly rebuke them.  They do so to warn them about the dangers of life.   Spouses who love their spouse often openly rebukes the other to correct behavior.   Open rebuke does not have to be harsh or hurting or harmful.   It should be spoken in love and carry the expression of love.   But, rebuke is still rebuke.   Love concealed is worthless.   Love that is not expressed is powerless.   You can't go through life and tell others that you love them if you never work in the correction process.  Those who hate conflict need to understand the power of this proverb.   God is saying to us that conflict is okay if it flows from love and is done in love.   Refusing to have conflict is not a way toward harmony.  That is false harmony.  True harmony allows our open rebuke because it is willing to express love in a meaningful way.  Paul did this to Peter:

Galatians 2:11-14

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Paul, later in the same letter, gives us an outline on how to do this work:

Galatians 6:1-2

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We are to "rebuke" by carrying our brother's burden (the wrong you see in them that needs correcting) to fulfill the "law of Christ" (which is to love).  Rebuke is to be done in complete love and for the purpose of restoration.   

Tag: God's Glroy - Our Praise - Psalm 114-116

Psalms 115:1-3

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,

for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Our God is in the heavens;

he does all that he pleases.

Tag:  God's Glory - Our Petition

We do a lot of praying.  Even non-believers pray.  Their prayers, as non-believers, are heard by God simple because God is omniscient and knows all things.    But, God is not obligated to respond to their prayers.  The believer's prayers, however, are different.   God has sworn in His character, based upon Christ's atonement for us, to answer our prayers.  That is what makes Psalm 115 so special.  This Psalm is a song-prayer praising Yahweh for His greatness and goodness.   It begins with a declaration about what all prayers, songs, sermons, service and behavior should be about:  That His name might be praised and have glory.  Note what Vine states in regard to this word, "glory" found in the opening verse:

kabod (כָּבוֹד, 3519), “honor; glory; great quantity; multitude; wealth; reputation [majesty]; splendor.” Cognates of this word appear in Ugaritic, Phoenician, Arabic, Ethiopic, and Akkadian. It appears about 200 times in biblical Hebrew and in all periods.

Kabod refers to the great physical weight or “quantity” of a thing. In Nah. 2:9one should read: “For there is no limit to the treasure—a great quantity of every kind of desirable object.” Isa. 22:24likens Eliakim to a peg firmly anchored in a wall upon which is hung “all the [weighty things] of his father’s house.” This meaning is required in Hos. 9:11, where kabod represents a great crowd of people or “multitude”: “As for Ephraim, their [multitude] shall fly away....” The word does not mean simply “heavy,” but a heavy or imposing quantity of things.

Kabod often refers to both “wealth” and significant and positive “reputation” (in a concrete sense). Laban’s sons complained that “Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this [wealth]” (Gen. 31:1—the first biblical occurrence). The second emphasis appears in Gen. 45:13, where Joseph told his brothers to report to his “father... all my [majesty] in Egypt.” Here this word includes a report of his position and the assurance that if the family came to Egypt, Joseph would be able to provide for them. Trees, forests, and wooded hills have an imposing quality, a richness or “splendor.” God will punish the king of Assyria by destroying most of the trees in his forests, “and shall consume the glory of his forest,... and the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them” (Isa. 10:18-19). In Ps. 85:9the idea of richness or abundance predominates: “Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory [or abundance] may dwell in our land.” This idea is repeated in Ps. 85:12: “Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.”

When we pray to God we are asking that the "weight" of His character be fully measured and that we ascribe all the "weight" possible to Him for what He has done for us and in the world.  We are showing Him, through our praise and prayers, the greatest value.  Nothing else has value to us if we want His name to have the glory.   

Tag: God's Glory. 2 Chronicles 6-10

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord's house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Tag: God's Glory

God has manifested His glory in many ways.  In fact, creation itself is evidence of His divine glory (Romans 1:19-20).   Psalms 19 tells us that creation is shouting His glory.  When the nation of Israel came out of Egypt God lead them with a "cloud" by day and a "fire" by night.  These were evidences of His guidances and manifestations of His glory.   When Solomon built the temple and dedicated, the above verses show how God, once again, demonstrated His glory.  The result was that people fell on their faces.  This is the typical response of people when they "behold" the glory of God.  Moises, Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Stephen, Paul and many others all fell on their faces when God chose to manifest His glory to them.   We must realize that God is not manifesting His glory in His Son, Jesus Christ.   When we behold His Glory it ought to solicit a response of awe and reverence.    

Tag: God Demands Worship and Cares for the Worship - Numbers 25-28

Numbers 28:1-2

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my food offerings, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time.’

Tag:  God Demands Worship

In the Old Testament the worship was centered around God but expressed in a different manner than today.  In the OT the sacrifices were expect, by God, on a daily basis.  In fact, in this chapter you can see the many types of sacrifices that were to be made through the course of a year.  If you added them all up the sacrifices would be:

1.  Bulls - 113

2.  Lambs - 1, 086

3.  Flour - Over one ton

4.  Oil & Wine - 1,000 bottles

Today, we offer through one sacrifice, the final and complete sacrifice:  Jesus Christ.   He meet all the requirements of the above first and became the final lamb offered on the alter for us.  We can therefore, enter the Holy of Holies in complete confidence.  Christ was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  He completely satisfied the demand of God listed in the above verse.  Note:

Hebrews 10:1

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

That is the writer of Hebrews commentary on this passage in Numbers.  Note what he goes on to say:

Hebrews 10:11-14

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Our confidence, therefore, is not in the performance we do in a sacrificial system, but in the final sacrifice He gave for us and our sins.  

Tag: Brotherly Love Defined - Philemon

Philemon 1:17

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

Tag:  Brotherly Love Defined

The story of this book called Philemon is easy to understand and, yet, impossible, at times, to practice.   Paul is in prison and a run-away slave is caught and imprisoned with him.  His name is Onesimus.   After being chained up with Paul, Onesimus comes to know Christ.   That is when Paul finds out the Onesimus was a run-away slave of one of Paul's brothers in Christ - Philemon.   Philemon was a great man in the faith.   We see how he has a church in his house, has shared much with the saints and was a personal encouragement to Paul, himself.    Now Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon.  Under the law Philemon could do ANYTHING he wanted to with Onesimus.  Yet, Paul appeals to Philemon's Christian position and his reputation and asks him to receive Onesimus.   But, he doesn't ask him to receive him back as a disobedient slave.  He doesn't ask him to receive him back as just a slave - afforded Onesimus his original position in Philemon's household.  Paul ask Philemon to receive him back AS Philemon would receive Paul, himself.   Onesimus, by the power of Christ, was translated from a rebellious slave to a Christian brother.  If Paul showed up at Philemons house there is no doubt that their would be rejoicing and the fatted calf would be killed for a feast.  Paul wants the same for Onesimus.  Like the prodigal son, Onesimus was returning home and Paul wants Philemon to practice the greatest of Christian love.  "Receive him as you would receive me," is Paul's mantra.  In the Christian world this is how brotherly love is defined.   We receive all as we receive each!   However, we receive a "Paul" we receive an "Onisimus."   That is brotherly love.   In God's Kingdom there is NO distinction between a Paul and an Onesimus.   

Tag: Christ Suffered - We Suffer - John 19-21

John 19:1-3

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.

Tag:   Christ Suffered - We Suffer

Suffering, in all societies, is a circumstance to be avoided.   No one enjoys suffering.  In fact, causing yourself to suffer (i.e. cutting) is the definition of mental health issues.   Those who take drugs, drink alcohol, practice other destructive behaviors are said to have an "illness" because of the suffering they cause to themselves and others.   That is why what we read in the above passages and the following, are out of sorts with our societal normative.   Christ suffered!!  In the above text we see the beginning of His suffer.  It would end on the cross, a cruel, cruel manner to inflict suffering to lead to death on any human being.   Yet, Christ stated He would suffer just a few chapters earlier (John 12:27-33).   Christ not only suffered for us in His death, He stated we would suffer, for Him, as well (Matthew 24:9).   In fact, many of them did suffer (Hebrews 12:6).   We tend to want to stay away from any type of suffering.  It is in our nature to do so.  We tend to want our children to be free of suffering.   Yet, Peter, who suffered unbearable for Christ, told us to embrace and rejoice in suffering, when writing both of his epistles (1 Peter and 2 Peter).   James, who also would suffer for Christ, told us to rejoice in suffering and trials (James 1).   The normative in society for those who have a world view other than God's view, is to avoid all suffering for yourself and those you love.  Do what you can to keep suffering out of your way.  Yet, Christ's avenue to please the Father and His ultimate glory was through suffering.   Christ has called us to such, as well.  

Tag: God Desires and Honors Godliness - Amos 5-9

Amos 5:14-15

Seek good, and not evil,

that you may live;

and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,

as you have said.

Hate evil, and love good,

and establish justice in the gate;

it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,

will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Tag:  God desires and honors Godliness

In this prophecy of Amos, the prophet is speaking to the northern kingdom of Israel.  They had fallen into false worship and into oppression of the poor and needy.  They were trusting in their wealth and the things they had built or accumulated.   God, however, has seen all of their evil.  God has seen their oppression of the poor and the needy.   God had seen their evil desires and their evil pursuits.   In the above message, Amos tells them what God requires and what God honors.   The prophet Micah stated something similar to the above message in his book:

Micah 6:8

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 wants us to first and foremost to treat others with respect and with love and act toward them in a just manner.   God does not want us to oppress and hurt one another. The "good and evil" in the above passage are pathways in life.  If we pursue what is "good" (God's character lived out in our lives) we will have blessing.  If we purse "evil" (the opposite of God's character lived out in our lives) we will have the ills God is speaking via the prophet, Amos (and all the prophets).  We can't live in holiness, however.  This is why God must provide a Savior and the Savior will establish justice in our lives.   God want us to pursue justice and mercy with others through His Son, the Messiah of Israel.   Only through Christ can we do "good" and not "evil" and pursue God.  

Tag: Self-Glory - Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:6-7

Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence

or stand in the place of the great,

for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

Proverbs 25:27

It is not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

Proverbs 27:2

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;

a stranger, and not your own lips.

Tag: Self-Glory

Solomon was sought after by kings and rulers and the people he lead.   They all wanted his wisdom and understanding.  They wanted to hear his thoughts.   Rather than allow himself to get into self praise and self promotion, he allowed God to direct him to where he needed to be and to be honored the way God wanted to honor him.   Solomon, because of his wisdom, knew the pitfalls of seeking one's own glory.   Balaam is a great example of a man of God who attempted to seek his own glory, especially for the riches that might be involved.   Elijah's servant, Gehazi, also is a great example of "seeking" one's glory for greed (2 Kings 5:15ff).   God knows our skills and our ability.  He will honor us the way He wishes to honor us.  He will use us the way He wishes to use us.  Self-promotion is a world system.  They tweet, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to promote their names and skills.  God simply says, let others do that and simply use the skills I give you to accomplish my plan.   God says I will promote you in due time.  Daniel and Joseph are perfect examples of this way of living.   Allow God to uses us and promote us in His way and His timing and His plan.  That is Solomon's life, as well.   It should be ours.  

Tag: God is Prasied for His WORKS!! - Psalm 111-113

Psalms 111:2-7

Great are the WORK of the Lord,

studied by all who delight in them.

Full of splendor and majesty is his WORK,

and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wondrous WORKS to be remembered;

the Lord is gracious and merciful.

He provides food for those who fear him;

he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his WORKS,

in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

The WORKS of his hands are faithful and just;

all his precepts are trustworthy;

Tag:  God is Praised for His WORKS!!

The capitalization of the word WORK in the above passages is done to highlight the subject of these verses.  (All but two of them are the same Hebrew word.)  The writer of the Psalm is telling us that the proper response to Gods works is to burst out in praise.  When we see something that God has done we burst out in praise.   That is not a hard concept to understand.   If we are watching a sport and we see something that an athlete does that adds to the score of the game or match or event, we burst out in applause.   That is what the writer is telling us.  God's work is "full of splendor and majesty".    God has done the work and "caused His wondrous works to be remembered."   God has shown us the "power of his works."   His works are "faithful and just."   The beginning of this Psalm begins with the phrase: Praise the Lord.  That is actually, "hallelujah" in the Hebrew.   It means we are to boast in the Lord.   We don't, however, break out in hallelujah unless we study and notice the works of the Lord.  We can get so wrapped up in our own lives and this world that we fail to see the sovereign acts of God all around us.   This Psalm is the proverbial "stop and smell the roses" type of song.  The writer wants us to make sure we don't get so caught up on the hustle and bustle of our own lives that we forget to study (learn and rehearse) the works of God and then break out in praise over them.   God's works are not like man's works.  We seem to praise man's works and miss and forget the powerful and awesome works of God.   

Tag: God gives wisdom - 2 Chronicles 1-4

2 Chronicles 1:7-12

In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”

Tag:  God gives wisdom

Imagine asking a normal young man, today, who is in his early 20s the above question:  "Ask. What I shall give you."   What would most of them say?  That is the approximate age of Solomon when God asked him that question.   Solomon does not ask for riches or prestige or popularity or possessions.  Solomon asked for wisdom.   Most youth would have never thought to ask for wisdom.  Most would be focused on the immediate and the comfort of now.   Few would focus on others.  Solomon was focused on doing a great job of leading God's people.   He knew, to do that, he would need something he simply did not have and could not get on the street.   God gives us wisdom and He is the only one who can give it.   Note James' words on this subject:

James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

It might be assumed that James had this story in mind when he wrote his passage in his little book.  Other kings and other leaders in the world had money and prestige and popularity.   Solomon wanted a connection with God and wanted to be able to do the job gave him to do.  That would take extraordinary wisdom and understanding.   God granted his request.   

Tag:: Destruction follows Devotion - Numbers 22-24

Numbers 21:1-3

When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. And Israel vowed a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.” And the Lord heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.

Tag:  Destruction follows Devotion

Believers have sin that fights against them every day.   We struggle with it to overcome it, but it seems to hang on to our lives and grips our very being. It takes us captive each day of our lives.  In the above text we see Israel had a foe that would fight against them and take them captive. Note the vow Israel made to God in regard to their foe:  "If you will indeed give this people into my hand, they I will devote their cities to destruction."   Israel made a vow to God that they very enemy that tormented them each day would be completely destroyed if God would give them power over them.   To fully understand this we have to put ourselves into their shoes.   The nation was traveling from camp site to camp site.  These were cities that, once conquered, could be used for shelter and relaxation.   If they "devoted" them to "destruction" they would never be able to receive the benefits of defeating them.   In those days you would not destroy a city once you defeated the people who lived in the city, you would take it captive and it would become your city.  But, this city was NOT In the promise land. This was NOT a city Israel was to possess.  Like Israel of old we have sin that we would prefer to live in and not completely destroy.  We would rather have remnants of it hang around for our enjoyment and our ease.   Technology might be that "city" that we want to both destroy (it is supplying hurt to our lives) but we also don't want to fully remove it from our lives.  We want to live in parts of it.   God has for us the power to overcome the enemies in our lives, but we must be willing to see them destroyed.  We must be willing to call them Hormah ... destruction.   If we still have a twinge of destine to hold them, we really didn't destroy them.  

Tag: Set the Curven in Public Speaking - Titus

Titus 2:7-8

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Tag:  Set the Curve

The kid who set the curve in high school was not popular.    They set the standard in the classroom for everyone else.   In essence, that is what Paul is telling Titus in the above passage.  He wants him to set the curve as the teacher of God's Word.  Paul wants Titus to teach with three criteria:  Integrity, dignity and sound speech.   These speak as to the three areas every speaker has to address.  Integrity speaks to the content of what we speak into.   The material (Titus' material was God's Word) has to have a sustainability to it.  The Greek word is "undecaying" in nature.   When we speak, the material we present needs to be truth, because truth will last.  The second area Paul stresses is that Titus should speak with "dignity."  This is the same Greek word that Paul used earlier in the chapter when speaking about "old men."  Old men, and speakers for God's Word are to be "venerable" (in means with a sense of gravity).   When we speak truth for God we are not to be frivolous with it.  The Antonym for venerable is "common, unimpressive, unrespected."  This speaks to the attitude we take in regard to our speaking truth to others.  We are to take the work of speaking truth with a sense of seriousness and gravity.   The third area Paul speaks to young Titus about is to be sound speech.   The Greek word for "sound" is:  hugies - (cf. Eng., “hygiene”).   When the man of God speaks the words he/she uses should bring health and healing to the hearers. This it the results the speaker is looking for.   When we use undecaying content (integrity) in our speech and mix it with a dignified delivery, it should produce "sound speech," speech that produces healthy results in the lives of the hearers.   They will not be able to condemn us if we do so.   The above passage may be the best definition of what a healthy public speaking approach looks like.   Paul wanted Titus to be a great speaker of God's truth.   This was his three-fold truth.   

Tag: Kingdom World View - John 16-18

John 18:36

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Tag:  Kingdom World View

When Jesus was brought before Pilate He was accused of evil things by the Jews.  Note their response when Pilate asks them what the were accusing Jesus of doing:

John 18:30

They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.”

He was said to be doing "evil" things.   Not only was this wrong, but it sealed their dome of judgment for rejecting their Messiah.   With that said, God used that evil to bring much good; this was the avenue God would use to glorify the Son through the crucifixion.   When Pilate asks Jesus about His authority and if He was a "King," Jesus replies that His kingdom is not of this world.    That is kingdom is the Kingdom of God.   Jesus was in this world, but never of this world.  That is what His prayer for us was.  That is what a "Kingdom World View" is about.   God wants us to live with a Kingdom World View.  He doesn't want us to live in this world or for this world or by this world.  He wants us to live in light of God's Kingdom.   The decisions we make would be different if we had a Kingdom World view.   God doesn't want us fixed or attracted to this world. It is so easy to attempt to get our gratification out of this world.  In reality, nothing in this world should satisfy us.   Nothing in this world should cause us to find contentment.   Whatever we pursue we should be pursuing for the Kingdom.     

Tag: God is Sovereign over His Creation - Amos 1-4

Amos 3:6

Is a trumpet blown in a city,

and the people are not afraid?

Does disaster come to a city,

unless the Lord has done it?

Tag:  God is Sovereign over His Creations

As this is being written a second hurricane is bearing down on the country.  There are warnings being sounded, even now.   Yet, any talk that God may be in the storm and there is reaction from both sides of the argument (God's Judgment on mankind and God's revealing Himself through disasters).   God wants our attention.   In Israel's day we see that God was sending disaster after disaster to get their attention, yet they would not listen. Note what God will say later in this prophecy:

Amos 4:6-10

“I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities,

and lack of bread in all your places,

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

“I also withheld the rain from you

when there were yet three months to the harvest;

I would send rain on one city,

and send no rain on another city;

one field would have rain,

and the field on which it did not rain would wither;

so two or three cities would wander to another city

to drink water, and would not be satisfied;

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

“I struck you with blight and mildew;

your many gardens and your vineyards,

your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured;

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

“I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt;

I killed your young men with the sword,

and carried away your horses,

and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils;

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

Note that despite the disaster God brings to them, He states, "yet you did not return to me."   God often creates disaster so that we will have His attention.  Note what the Prophet Isaiah said:

Isaiah 45:7

I form light and create darkness,

I make well-being and create calamity,

I am the Lord, who does all these things.

God is in the business of revealing Himself to us.  That is the point of creation: God's Revelation (Psalm 19; Romans 1:19-20).    We need to recognize God in the disaster so that we can hear His Voice and believe His message: He loves us and wants us to serve Him.  Israel failed in their worship and service to Him because they made this life their muse.   God took away everything they had and they still did not see the power, the sovereign, the love of God.  

Tag: Hope - Proverbs 23-24

Proverbs 23:18

Surely there is a future,

And your hope will not be cut off.

Tag:  Hope

This proverb comes on the heels of the previous which tells us not to envy sinners.   Solomon wants us to be careful that we don't cast our gaze onto those without Christ and faith in God, thinking that what see in our sight is actually what is in our vision.   In our sight we see the wicked playing; loving life and spending time in frolic and fun.   But, in our vision ... our long-term vision ... the future, what we see takes on a different look.   In the future, we have hope.  We have something that is coming that others don't see.   In the future we have "hope."  That is something the unbeliever can't say.   We have a blessedness coming that can't be compared to anything we see the world doing.   When we look with the eyes of faith we, like Moses, see a city in the distance, Who's maker and builder is God (Hebrews 11).  Faith asks us to ... demands us ... to look not with fleshly eyes but with eyes of hope.  We see, through faith, what God will do, not what is being done.   Look in faith today.  Your hope will not be cut off.  When we are in suffering we typically see with our earthily eyes.  We see the look in the mirror and see that cancer has ravished our hair.   We get up to work and discover time as stolen our step.   But God gives us hope.  He has a future for us.  We might see one thing with our eyes of flesh, but we see something completely different with our eyes of faith.  We see hope.   

Tag: God's Deliverance - Psalm 108-110

Psalms 109:26-27

Help me, O Lord my God!

Save me according to your steadfast love!

Let them know that this is your hand;

you, O Lord, have done it!

Tag:  God's Deliverance

The writer of this Psalm, King David, is lamenting how he is being stalked and hunted and ridiculed by his oppressor.   He wants and needs deliverance.   The words of the Psalm speak about someone who has spurned David's kindness and has returned his blessing with cursing. There is much written in regard to the "imprecatory" nature of this psalm.   David seems to be praying down hell fire and brimstone on his enemy.   Whatever the nature of the psalm, the above couple of verses show David's real mindset.  He knows he is helpless against this foe, so he turns to the God who loves him and the God who can save him.  He not only knows to turn to God for salvation, he turns to God wanting all to know that it is ONLY God who saves him.  He attempts to take no glory away from God.   He gives all the praise to God for being able to save him and for saving him.  That is what praise for our salvation is all about.  We must come to realize that there was nothing in us to warrant being saved.   ONLY God can redeem us.   Praise Him, alone. 

Tag: Thanksfulness When God Says, "No!" - 2 Chronicles 25-29

1 Chronicles 28:3-4

But God said to me, You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my father's house to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father's house, and among my father's sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.

Tag: Thankfulness when God says, "no!"

What do we do when God says no and re-directs our plans?  In the above passage we have David's answer to that question.  God often has different plans for our lives.  When He redirects us and says "no" to our plans, we can often become bitter.   Balaam is an example of what can happen when we are told "no" but we keep persisting with God.  Balaam became a picture of the wicked prophet (Numbers 22).   Elisha's servant, Gehazi, also, was told "no," and instead he used deception to get what he wanted (2 Kings 5:15-27).   When God told David "no" in regard to building the Temple for God, David did not force the issue and find a way around God's Word.  Instead, David thanks God and remembers how God DID bless him.   He goes on to prepare everything Solomon, his son, would need to build the Temple.  When God tells us "no" in one area, it doesn't mean we are to stop and do nothing.  It means we are to stop doing what He tell us to stop doing, but not to stop working for Him and serving Him.   We are to be thankful for how God does use us.   God may not grant us OUR plan, but that does not mean He has NO plan.   We are to work the plan God gives us and to embrace it as a blessing.   We are privileged to work for God and serve Him, no matter the plans He has for us.  

Tag: Every Role is Important to God - Numbers 18-20

Numbers 18:3-5

They shall keep guard over you and over the whole tent, but shall not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary or to the altar lest they, and you, die. They shall join you and keep guard over the tent of meeting for all the service of the tent, and no outsider shall come near you. And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel.

Tag:  Every role is important to God

The tribe of Levi was to "keep guard" over all things "sanctuary."   It was their role to make sure no one entered a place that was reserved for only the priest and/or high priest.  Some had high exposure roles and some had less notable responsibilities.   But, each had a role to play.  Man is impressed with roles, God is not.   Note what David says in the Psalms:

Psalms 84:10

For a day in your courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

David knew there were lessor roles that some played.   God simply wants obedience and faithfulness in our roles.   We might think the role we play should be bigger or more important, but God puts us where He wants us.   That is how God puts the Body of Christ together: 

1 Corinthians 12:18-25

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

Tag: Finding Your Value in the Gospel - 2 Timothy 3-4

2 Timothy 4:11

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

Tag:  Knowing your are valuable!!! 

The above passage is written toward the end of the letter Paul writes to Pastor Timothy, who was the Elder at Ephesus.   The letter would be read, after Timothy's private reading, to the entire church.  That was the custom.  Imagine you are young Mark, sitting in the congregation, listening to the letter being read by Timothy.   Years earlier Paul wanted nothing to do with John-Mark.  Note his words to Mark's cousin, Barnabas:

Acts 15:36-41

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

There "arose a sharp disagreement" between them and John-Mark was the reason.  Now Paul, years later, writes to Timothy, send him to me, he is "very useful to me."  The Gospel, in the hands of men who know the truth, can make anyone "profitable" (the Greek word means "useful").   It is used of Onesimus in the book of Philemon.   Paul tells Philemon the same thing, that Onesimus is "profitable."  The name "Onesimus" actually means, "useful."   When men are submissive to the Gospel they become value to the Kingdom.   Those without the Gospel have value in this world, but not in the Kingdom work.  Barnabas worked with John-Mark and helped him to become useful to Paul.  Paul worked with Onesimus and helped him to become useful to Philemon.   This IS the work of the Gospel for the Kingdom. 

Tag: Joy Flows for those IN Christ - John 13-15

John 15:11

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Tag: Joy Flows for Those In Christ

Note John's further thoughts on joy:

John 16:24

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

(Joy comes as a gift from God)

John 17:13

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

(Joy comes from hearing and obeying God's Word)

1 John 1:4

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

(Joy comes from hearing and obeying God's Word)

2 John 1:12

Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

(Joy comes when believers live in harmony with each other centered around Christ)

 Jesus died to give us joy!!  We have joy when we bear fruit in Christ and love one another.   Complete and fulfilling joy is not an "individual" quality based upon "personal" circumstances.    In the context of the verse in chapter 15 we see that joy is a result of bearing fruit while united with Christ.  The fruit we bear is love for others ... sacrificial love ... like Christ's love for us.  Therefore, joy is not something to strive for but a fruit, given to us by God, as we "abide" in Him and think like He thinks.   It is obvious from the above verses that God wants us to have Joy.   God wants the joy to be overflowing and complete and abundant in our lives.   The way we do that is to abide in Christ and to obey His word by loving others.   Right after this verse Jesus explains what it means to love others:

John 15:12-13

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

So, joy and love are not separated.  You can't have joy unless you love and if you love you will have joy.  

Tag: The Blessings in the Midst of Discipline - Joel

Joel 2:26-27

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the Lord your God,

who has dealt wondrously with you.

And my people shall never again be put to shame.

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,

and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.

And my people shall never again be put to shame.

Tag:  Blessings Despite Discipline

In the above passage, Joel has stated God's blessings for the nation of Israel.   However, in the verses prior to these in chapter one and most of chapter two, Joel has spoken about the servers discipline of God on the nation for their constant disobedience.   Israel had rejected God's commands and gone after the gods of the nations around them.   God is a jealous God!!  He will not allow us to pursue other gods.   However, in His discipline, the purpose is to drive us back to Him so that He can bless us.  Note how the writer of Hebrews frames discipline from God:

Hebrews 12:5-11

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

nor be weary when reproved by him.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

God brings discipline because He wants to produce holiness.   Embrace the discipline and enjoy the fruit of it.  

Tag: Knowledge and Truth are God's - Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

Proverbs 22:17-19

Words of the Wise

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my knowledge,

for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,

if all of them are ready on your lips.

That your trust may be in the Lord,

I have made them known to you today, even to you.

Proverbs 22:20-21

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

of counsel and knowledge,

to make you know what is right and true,

that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

Tag:  Knowledge and Truth are God's 

We live in a society that celebrates and rewards those who seek knowledge and claim to have it.   Going to "college" after high school is "almost" (for some) a natural thought process.  Those who don't consider or don't extend for further education are, in our society, looked upon as less valuable.   The problem is that knowledge does not belong to man.  As you can see in the above verses, knowledge belongs to God.   God is the keeper off all things "truth."   God disperses it as He will and He lets some know it and, to others, He hides its beauty.   When we seek knowledge from God we can be assured He will deliver it to us ... but, it begins by fearing Him.  Those who do not fear Him might "know" things, but they don't "know" what they could if they only feared and reverenced God.   Notice what Solomon wrote earlier in this book of his many proverbs:

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

You can have knowledge of things without God, but you can't have insight.   God gives both knowledge and insight to those who fear Him.  He gives it through His Word.   

Tag: God's Faithfulness - Psalms 105-107

Psalms 106:44-46

Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress,

when he heard their cry.

For their sake he remembered his covenant,

and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

He caused them to be pitied

by all those who held them captive.

Tag:  God's Faithfulness

To understand the above three verses you have to read the first 43.   In the first 43 we read everything the nation of Israel did wrong and how they doubted God's promises, spurned His grace and lived in sin.   Each of the previous verses gives numerous reasons why God should stop loving them.   However, the above verses do not read, "... and as a result God stopped loving the nation."    Instead it reads that God did love them and will never stop loving them.  This is the amazing covenant of God.   He is abundant in mercy and grace.   He is never ending in love.  He provides protection for them.   God is an amazing God.   He hears our cries.  He looks at us with pity and with mercy and with grace.   

Tag: Limited Leadership - 1 Chronicles 20-24

1 Chronicles 22:6-8

Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.

Tag: Limited Leadership

In the business world we talk about Volitional Capacity False Imprisonment.   This is what happens when employees and management limit themselves by perceived beliefs that are false assumptions about themselves.   The typical line in this mindset would say something like, "I can't do that because I have this in my background."   The world would want you to believe you "can be all you want to be."    Some might say this is what David is doing in the above passage.  He is "willfully limiting himself" due to past behaviors and circumstances.    Whereas this Volitional Capacity False Imprisonment can happen and people can and do believe they are limited in their leadership due to certain circumstances of their past, in the above text this is not the case.  David plainly tells his son, Solomon, that the limit he has come to accept (he can't build the Temple HIMSELF) is because God has deemed him unworthy to do so.  The Temple is such a holy endeavor, God has limited David due to the circumstances of the past.  This doesn't stop David, however, from doing what he can.  He is about to prepare all the materials for Solomon to build the temple.  Great leaders need to realize when God says no ... but still do what God will allow them to do.  David was such a leader.   David could have simply sat on the sideline and rested out his "retirement years" (think King Hezekiah).   Instead, David accepts the limits of God's service and moves forward with what he COULD do.   God limits those who would serve in the ministry in 1 Timothy 3, because the ministry is a holy thing.   However, that doesn't mean there are not other areas for someone to serve God.  Godly leaders should not be limited by Volitional Capacity False Imprisonment.   However, they SHOUD recognize the limits God puts on them and yield to that.