Tag: Assumed Contratins - Mark 5-6

Mark 6:3-6

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching.

Tag:  Assumed Constraints

An Assumed Constraint is a learned helplessness that you have acquired over the years that you honestly believe will hinder you from accomplishing your goal, task or desired outcome.   They usually begin with the phrase, “We don’t have enough ....”.  We can’t accomplish something because we don’t have enough time, talent, money, skills, etc.    An assumed constraint holds us back from getting here we need to get.  In the above passage we see that the friends and family of Jesus had an assumed constraint.   They didn’t believe He could be the Son of God and teaching the synagogue like He was doing, because He was ONLY a carpenter’s son.   They had limited His ability to do any miracles or great hints for God because of this assumed constraint.   The people, in essence, were saying, “He doesn’t have enough talent because He is just a son off a common carpenter.”  We limit God’s work all the time because of  our own assumed constraints.   We do not believe God can work a miracle because of these learned helplessness.   We often say, “If I only had _______, I could accomplish _______.”    We have to allow the power of God to fill in the blanks for us.   He can provide the power.   Think of Moses.  He didn’t have the ability to speak and God provided Aaron, his brother.   God can and does overcome our assumed constraint(s).   It is by faith we believe in the power of God and His ability to help us unlearn these beliefs.  

Tag: Reject God’s Word, God Rejects You - Jeremiah 1-6

Jeremiah 6:16-19

Thus says the Lord:

“Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

I set watchmen over you, saying,

‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’

But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’

Therefore hear, O nations,

and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.

Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,

the fruit of their devices,

because they have not paid attention to my words;

and as for my law, they have rejected it.

Tag:  Reject God’s Word, God Rejects You

Perhaps, before diving into the above text we need to read Paul’s words to the Romans.  He was speaking about man in general, when he wrote:

Romans 1:21-23

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

As a result of the Gentiles rejected God’s divine truth, Paul goes on to state three times that “God gave man over to their own lusts, passions and to a reprobate mind.   When we reject God’s Truth, God gives us over to our own desires ... which produces more and more harm to us.  This is what Jeremiah is saying in this prophecy, above.   Israel, like mankind in general, rejected God’s divine truth and all His Words.  As a result, God gave them over to their own lusts.  God rejected Israel because Israel rejected God and worshipped “worthless” idols.   God pursued them and they, instead of turning in love, sought after wicked and things of their own imagination.   When we reject truth there is nothing left but to follow our own devices.  

Tag: The Suffering Need a Correct Picture of God - Job 25-26

Job 26:12-14

By his power he stilled the sea;

by his understanding he shattered Rahab.

By his wind the heavens were made fair;

his hand pierced the fleeing serpent.

Tag:  Those Who Suffer Need to Know God’s Power

In chapter 26, Job is responding to another one of his friends, who have come to “comfort” him.   Bildad, in chapter 25, has stated that Job is nothing before God and should not try to justify himself.  Note Bildad’s few, but condemning words:

 Job 25:5-6

Behold, even the moon is not bright,

and the stars are not pure in his eyes;

how much less man, who is a maggot,

and the son of man, who is a worm!”

Job, already suffering beyond comfort, is now referred to as a “maggot” and a “worm.”   These are not the words of a “comforter,” as these three “friends” have claimed to be.  Job, in his response to Bildad, remarkable, agrees with Bildad, in one respect:  God is awesome.   Although Bildad attempted to “put Job in his place,” by exalting the glory of God (seldom a bad thing), Job is in agreement about the character of God.  Job does not share Bildad’s characterization of Job’s condition, however.  In the response of Job we see that he highlights the power of God:

1. God’s power stills the sea:  Job’s tumultuous life is pictured in the torrents of the sea.  God, and God alone, can calm Job’s life. 

2. God’s understanding (wisdom) shatters Rahab.  Rahab, in this instance is the ancient mythological creature Leviathan (we will read more about him in later chapters of Job).  Job’s suffering is compared to a giant monster destroying his life, that only the wisdom and understanding of God can explain. 

3.  God’s breath stills the storm is a reference of God bringing a calm after a storm.   We could think of Jesus in the back of the boat and He but speaks and the sea is stopped and calmness fills the air.  God is the only one who can do this in Job’s stormy life. 

4.  God’s hand pierced the serpent.  The serpent, in Scripture, is always Satan.   Perhaps Job is realizing, at this point, that the “Rahab” (Leviathan) is really satanic oppression in his life.  God’s hand can and does remove it. 

I all these references, Job is simply stating, God has and does intervene in the lives of those who suffer.  Unlike Bildad’s characterization of God (that He sees man as maggots), Job sees God’s power and wonder as a source of strength and calmness in His life.  This is how suffering people should see God - and be presented with during their suffering.  

Tag: What’s In the Well Comes Up In the Bucket - Psalm 36-38

Psalms 37:30-31

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,

and his tongue speaks justice.

The law of his God is in his heart;

his steps do not slip.

Tag:  What’s in the Well Comes Up In the Bucket

In Psalm 37 we have a great praise psalm about the impact trusting and following God and obeying His Word can bring.   Throughout the song we see references to the changed life, the peaceful life, the saved life to the one who leans into God.  The man of God, who digests God’s Word (makes it his path and sole source of guidance) will have a future of peace (v. 37) and strength in times of trouble (vs. 39-40).   In the above passage we see that the one who takes God’s word into his heart will see the impact on his “mouth,” his “tongue,” and his “feet.”   When we put something like God’s Word into our well, we can expect it to come up in the bucket of our lives.   Wisdom begins by fearing God and digesting His Word.   As we consume the “law” of God (a metaphor for God’s Word and Ways), we can be assured that our mind and our actions will be impacted by the Law.   But, it has to be in our heart!  It can be some intellectual ascent for knowledge.   We don’t study God’s Word - God’s Word is to study us and to revel in us the things we need to change the condition of the heart, soul and mind.  Note what the writer of Hebrews says to us:

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

As I internalize God’s Word, He uses it to express His wisdom and His justice.   Notice that the counsel of the one who absorbs God’s Word comes out as wisdom and justice ... two things very much lacking in this world today.   What is in the well comes up in the bucket.   Digest God’s Word and our speech and our walk will reflect the God who wrote the Word.  

Tag: Failing to Pray is Sin - 1 Samuel 11-15

1 Samuel 12:23

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

Tag: Failing to Pray is Sin

When we sin we think of doing things aggress against God.  We think of the “missing the mark.”   We think of acts of “commission” vs acts of “omission.”   In the above passage, the prophet Samuel is speaking and he has just delivered a harsh criticism to the nation of Israel.  They had, in rebellion, asked God for a “king” to lead them.  God was their King and this request was characterized by Samuel (God’s voice) as rejection of the King of Kings over their lives.   In helping them process this rebellious act, Samuel lets them know that God is still God whether they recognize it, or not.   The nation is, as always, full of repentance, and Samuel, in response makes the above statement.  Samuel does not want to sin and offend a holy and righteous God so Samuel wants them to know that he will pray for them.  God will give them their king, but Samuel is going to make sure he, too, does not sin by failing to pray for them.  Prayer is an act we are commanded to do.  Failure to pray is an act of sin.   Sin separates us from God and His blessings.  So, failure to pray (communion with God) causes us to sin (be separate from God).   Prayer is a command.   Samuel was not going to fail to pray for the nation even though the nation was failing to recognize God as the authority in their life.   Prayer recognizes God as the authority in our lives and that we submit to God for our care and every need.   Failing to pray is sin. 

Tag: Peaceful Death and Dying - Genesis 48-50

Genesis 49:33

When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Tag:  Peaceful Death

When I die, I want it to be like this.  Jacob (Israel) was surrounded by family, had a chance to pray over those who would be left behind and grieving at his passing, but in a state of peace that left him “gathered to his people.”    Think about this thought ... “gathered to his people.”     Was not “his people” those he was leaving behind?   But, no, the remark of “his people” refers to Abraham, Isaac and those in faith, who have gone before him.   We are all going to die.  We can only hope that our death is like Jacob’s death and we can be brought to those who have gone before us.   In 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 5 we have reference to our death and future resurrection.    We are going to be gathered “together” with the redeemed.   To die in such peace to be able to bless those who will be left behind and then to, in peace, be gathered with those who have gone before, is the ultimate blessing.   Gathering to “my people” is the end result of all believers.   We ought to look at death in this manner.   This is not our home.  We are not here to live our life.  We are here to live for God and find our glory in His glory.      

Tag: Christian Life in Bad Situations - 1 Corinthians 7-8

1 Corinthians 7:24

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Tag:  Stay Where You Are Called

In chapter seven of this letter to the church at Corinth, Paul is outlining how to behave in regard to marriage, servanthood and difficult circumstances - in light of your new salvation.   The Corinthian believes had, apparently, sent communication to Paul about what to do if you come to Christ and you are married to an unsaved spouse.  They also wanted to know what to do if you were a bondservant and came to Christ; were you obligated to stay a slave, now that you were “set free” in Christ.   Notice what John MacArthur states in his commentary on this passage:

“However it is that we have been saved (called), and in whatever condition we now are in, we should be willing to remain. God allows us to be where we are and to stay where we are for a purpose. Conversion is not the signal for a person to leave his social condition, his marriage or his singleness, his human master, or his other circumstances. We are to leave sin and anything that encourages sin; but otherwise we are to stay where we are until God moves us.”

When God saves us, He sets us free from the penalty of sin and gives us power over the presence of sin.  But, He does not set us free from sin in our lives, or those who might want to live in sin.  We are to rejoice in the fact we are a new creation in Christ.  But, that newness in Christ does not set us free from our “station” in life.  Paul makes this point three times in this passage.   In our living out life as a believer, we are to have Christ supreme in our lives.  We are not to attempt to change our station to meet our Christian lives.  We are to live out our Christian lives within our station.  

Tag: Family Matters - Mark 3-4

Mark 3:31-35 (Jesus' Mother and Brothers)

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

Tag:  Family Matters - But, What Family?

Before we can grasp the above few verses, we have to recount what was stated by Mark, earlier in this chapter:

Mark 3:20-21

Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

Christ’s family did not support Him.  They thought He was crazy.   They actually rejected both his mission and his person.    It would be later that they would come to a realization of the truth that He was the Son of God.  But, to them He was someone to reject.   Jesus, in turn, does not reject them (remember, at His death He made sure His mom, Mary, was cared for by John).  Jesus simply redefined “family” for those who were speaking to Him.   He defined family as those who are locked together in faith in Christ.   Those who do the will of God and obey the Gospel message, are family.  Jesus knows what rejection at the most personal level is all about.   It should be noted that throughout the entire Gospels we hear only the above about Jesus family.  On the cross Jesus would be rejected by EVERYONE.   He would be rejected by all His disciples.   Jesus knows rejection and hurt and sorrow from broken relationships.   Jesus moved past those and shows us here how to handle the rejection of family:  Family are those locked together in the Body of Christ via faith.  We (believers) have a huge family.   

Tag: God Changes Things - Isiah 62-66

Isaiah 62:3-4

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,

but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,

and your land Married;

for the Lord delights in you,

and your land shall be married.

Tag:  God Changes Things

In the above passage Isaiah is finishing his prophetic work by telling the nation of Israel of God’s ultimate plan and final outcome.  God wants to change our lives from being referred to as “forsaken” and “desolate” to “My Delight Is in Her.”   The nation is at the center of God’s eyes.   God wants to change us.  His eternal plan is to change His people from being Forsaken and Desolate and becoming “My Delight Is in Her.”   The Lord “delights” in those who lean into him by faith.   God is not hurting those who loves Him and His plan is to change their lives for the purpose of showing his power and grace in our lives.   

Tag: God Does as He Pleases - Job 23-24

Job 23:13

But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?

What he desires, that he does.

Tag:  God does as He Pleases

Job’s three friends have been trying to convince Job that the reason for his suffering is his sin.   Their main argument is that, when observing life, good things happen to people when they are good and bad things happen to people when they are bad.  Job, in chapters 23-24, is giving them examples of where he sees that NOT true.  He is pointing out to is accusers (they thought since Job had bad things happen, he must be bad) that there are plenty of people, by his observations, that do bad things, yet go on to live prosperous.   So, we can see that these four are at an impasse.   Job’s point is bolstered, in his mind, by what he knows about the character of God.   The three friends seem to indicated that God is subject to the behaviors of men:  If man does bad, God is obligated to punish him; If man does good, God is obligated to reward him.   Yet, Job is maintaining (correctly) that God is not subject to man’s behavior in regard to His nature and His plans.   We can, like the friends, reduce God to our cosmic puppet; believing we control the strings that makes God act or not act.   Yet, as the above verse states, God is “unchangeable” because of our behaviors.  We can’t persuade Him or entice Him with our arguments, or our living one way or another.   What God does is based entirely on His Word and promises.  He has a plan and He can’t change from that plan or go against His character. If God did, He would no longer be God.   God is not subject to our behaviors.  He DOES observe our behavior and He DOES bless us for obedience.  He does chasten ever son He receives.   But, those actions are based upon what He pleases and has already planned and promised.  The fact that we think we can alter the plans of God is not a true thought.  Our prayers should be “... Thy will be done ...”, not “my will be done.”    We ought not to pray for God to change things, but rather to empower us to live through things.   Job is right, He does not change and who can change His mind?  

Tag: Faith Defeats Fear and Changes Faces - Psalm 33-35

Psalms 34:4-7

I sought the Lord, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Tag:  Faith Defeats Fear and Changes Faces

Psalms 33-35 are great songs of trust and hope in God, despite the circumstances one faces in life.  Granted, we have to trust the words of these psalms (and others like them), in order to experience what they promise.   However, there is no doubt they promise something special for those who put their trust in the power and care of God.   Perhaps a theme is found in the previous chapter:

Psalms 33:19

that he may deliver their soul from death

and keep them alive in famine.

God will not keep our body from death or our stomachs from hunger.  However, He will rescue our souls from death and keep us alive “in” the famine.   The above verses from chapter 34 state that those who seek the Lord will be heard, delivered and saved.   God will deliver us from all our fears.   When we have this type of faith ... to trust in His Word, it will reflect on our face.  The above text states that when we trust in God’s promises and keep our eyes on Him, we will have radiant face.   Our faces tend to reflect what we are looking at and considering and putting as worth in our lives.   When we worry about life our wrinkles come out on our faces.   You can beat the connection between thought and face.   The face is the mirror of the mindset and what the heart is dwelling upon.   When we consider the promises of God and really believe them they will impact our heart and change the radiance of our expressions.   It doens’t take long to see who is trusting in the promises of God and who is living in light of their circumstances.  The above passage tells us that those who put their gaze on Him and believe His promises will be rescued from all their fears and will have a change in facial muscles.  That is an amazing thought.   We can rejoice in His promises and realize He is going to impact what we think of our circumstances.  He will not change them.  He will only carry us through them.  Our prayers should not be a change in circumstances, but to simply relax, have faith and lean on His promises.  

Tag: Intercessory Prayer - 1 Samuel 6-10

1 Samuel 7:8

And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Tag:  Intercessory Prayer

God’s word gives us examples and commands that we pray for one another.   

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

We are to hold each other up in prayer as God has used prayer as a major factor in accomplishing His work.   God uses prayer to make sure we are submitting ourselves to Him and recognizing our inability to accomplish His will without His divine strength and power and intercession on our behalf.  Prayer is the tool God gives us to act as a catalyst for God’s working in our lives.  When we neglect to pray for others we are, in essence, turning off the power of God to our lives and the lives we are interceding over.   In the above passage we see that Samuel was ask, by the people of God, to intercede for them in regard to their on-going war with the Philistines.   God has and does want to act on our behalf.  Prayer is HIS chosen instrument to get His power active in our lives and the lives of those we are praying for.   Later the nation of Israel will reject Samuel and ask for a king to lead them (like the other nations).   It is at that time they begin to lose the power of God in their lives.  Not because they have a king, but because they cease to pray and think that, with this king, they don’t need God.  Prayer is the committed act of saying, “I have no help but thee, oh God, I have no help but thee!!”   

Perserverance in Faith - Genesis 44-47

Genesis 47:27

Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.

Tag:  Perseverance in Faith

Israel had brought his family to Egypt.   God had told him to not fear to do so.   In his obedience to God, he and his family were blessed.   God brought them to Egypt and blessed them.  He will soon redeem them from slavery in Egypt and bless them, as well.  But why did God bring them here to bless them?  Note what God had told Abraham, years earlier:

Genesis 15:13-16

Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

God brought them here in order to bless them.  But, God ultimately wanted to give them the promise land.  However, the “iniquity of the Amorites” was not yet complete.   God was patiently waiting for these living in the promise land to repent.  Notice the character and forbearance of God:

Romans 2:4

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

While God was preparing the Amorites for destruction, He was preparing the Israelites for blessing.   God has a plan and that plan includes dealing with the righteous and the wicked.  God is working in the lives of His people and those who are not. One He is moving into place so He can bless them, the other He is moving into place so He can judge them.   Those who preserve to the end, in faith, will be blessed.  Israel obeyed God and went to Egypt.   It was there God would bless them, while He prepared the Amorites for destruction in the promise land.  God said He would take them to Egypt for 400 years.  This is God completing that promise.  

Tag: Sexual Sins - 1 Corinthians 5-6

1 Corinthians 6:13-18

“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

Tag:  Sexual Sins 

In chapters five and six of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing sexual sins in the church.   He has already (chapter 5) confronted a young man who is living with his step-mom.   He has chided and instructed the church to deal with it.   He has talk to them about the matter of having issues with each other (6:1-11).  Here, above, he returns to the subject of sexual sins in the church, with no apparent example.   He is simply wanting the church to understand that the character of sexual promiscuity, is especially wicked in the church and life of the believer.   Notice what one commentator/preacher says about this passage:

John MacArthur:  Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. Our bodies are designed not only to serve in this life but in the life to come. They will be changed bodies, resurrected bodies, glorified bodies, heavenly bodies—but they will still be our own bodies.

The stomach and food have only a horizontal, temporal relationship. At death the relationship ceases. But our bodies are far more than biological. For believers they also have a spiritual, vertical relationship. They belong to God and they will forever endure with God. That is why Paul says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phil. 3:20-21). We need to take serious care of this body because it will rise in glory to be the instrument that carries our eternally glorious and pure spirit throughout eternity.

We are to understand that sexual sins are of a unique nature.  We ought to understand that we are united with Christ.  Therefore, sexual sins, done within the body, are wounding to the Spirit of God who lives within us.  Hence Paul ends this chapter:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Tag: Jesus Taught Authoritativiely - Mark 1-2

Mark 1:21-22

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Tag:  Jesus is Authoritative

When John the Baptist came unto the scene, earlier in Mark, he is stated as looking different and sounding different and carrying a unique message; something different than the religious teachers of the day:

Mark 1:6-8

Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John was the not concerned about “fitting in.”   When Jesus begins to speak, the people could readily perceive a sense of “authority” about Jesus’ teaching.   Jesus spoke as though he had “authority.”   In the next few verses Jesus authority is demonstrated as he casts a demon out of a man and the demons recognize and submit the authority of the Creator of the Universe.   Yet, the people were not saying Jesus had authority based upon that act (although that act would confirm their perceptions).   The people were contrasting Jesus to the Scribes and Pharisees.   Legalism NEVER can have the authority that divine truth can provide.   Speaking of God’s grace, mercy and judgment will always trump rules and laws.  The Pharisees are later said to have put burdens on the people via their teaching and ruling:

Matthew 23:2-4

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

True teaching should sound and be authoritative when it is based upon the character and teaching of Christ.   It ought not to sound cumbersome.   We can rely on the subjective ears of the sinner to determine truth, but we should know that when truth speaks, people should notice a difference.   

Tag: God Provides Light in Darkness - Isaiah 56-61

Isaiah 60:19-20

The sun shall be no more

your light by day,

nor for brightness shall the moon

give you light;

but the Lord will be your everlasting light,

and your God will be your glory.

Your sun shall no more go down,

nor your moon withdraw itself;

for the Lord will be your everlasting light,

and your days of mourning shall be ended.

Tag:  God Provides Light in Darkness

The above passage comes on he heals of Isaiah’s pronouncement of judgment on those who fail to put their faith in God.   Isaiah breaks through with this pronouncement of light, even at the prophecy of judgment.   The prophet states that even though the sun may be wiped out via destructive work of God’s judgement and the brightness of the moon shall be cut off, God will be the light for those who resist the evil of the day.  Those who, by faith, endure in the midst of the evil around them will have their mourning end!!   Isaiah’s prophecy sounds much like Habakkuk’s words as well:

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength;

he makes my feet like the deer's;

he makes me tread on my high places.

God’s Word is very clear:  Those who trust Him, obey Him and follow Him in Faith, will “eventually” have the blessing of God. It MAY NOT BE on this side of death.  But, there is blessing for those who trust in God.   Those who lack faith, follow evil and disobey God will end, AT SOME POINT, in judgement and death.   God is clear.  He is the right choice and this passage, like many others, give us the promises we need to hold on to the end.  

Tag: A Tit for Tat God - Job 22

Job 22:27-28

You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you,

and you will pay your vows.

You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you,

and light will shine on your ways.

Tag:  A Tit for Tat God

The world’s philosophy is very close to the above verses.  Eliphaz, Job’s most critical friend, is giving his third and final speech to Job.  Job is suffering and we know why.  God told us in the first chapter that Job’s suffering was a result of God allowing Satan to touch Job’s body and personhood.   Satan claimed Job would fold like a dead plant, IF God removed His protection from Job.  God saw Job as righteous and said, “No, Job won’t.”   This is the backstory that Eliphaz does not have.   As a result Eliphaz, and his two other friends, attempt to give Job counsel as to “why” this was happening to him.  Apparently, like today, in Job’s day, suffers wanted to know “why” they were suffering.  Like most, however, there was a cause and effect rationale for suffering.    Eliphaz starts this chapter with a series of questions to confront Job as to why he was in this state.  Eliphaz’s conclusions for Job is simple:  IF you do good, God will do good to you.  If you do bad, God will do bad to you.   The irony, however, is that in the beginning of the chapter Eliphaz’s argument is that God is unaffected by the conduct of man ... whether good or bad.  He maintains that God is aloof and Job’s charm or character cannot impact God.  Yet, like most human reasoning, he falls apart with this approach, in the end.   In the above passage is clearly telling Job that he envisions a time (after Job repents ... as he suggests) that God will not only begin to “hear” Job’s prayers, but respond to them and give Job what he request.  The “tit for tat” concept of God is at the core of Eliphaz’s belief structure ... as it is in most today.   The issue here, is this is not how God operates.    Walking in faith with God does NOT remove suffering.  We read this clearly taught in the New Testament, if not demonstrated and explained in the Old.   Suffering is not something God reserves for this who disobey Him.  Those who disobey will suffer, however.   But, those who obey are also confronted with suffering.  But, the suffering has a differing purpose for those who walk with God.  James gives us some insight into this thought:

James 1:2-4 (Testing of Your Faith)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Paul, John and Peter teach the same things. We ought not turn God into a tit for tat being.   Rather, God is working in our midst to conform us more and more to the image of His Son.  At times, often, He uses suffering as a tool to complete that conforming.   It is not punishment but an avenue for us to learn the character and the beauty of Christ.  

Tag: God Draws us Out - Psalm 30-32

Psalms 30:1 (ESV)

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up

and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

Psalms 30:1 (NIV)

I will exalt you, O Lord,

for you lifted me out of the depths

and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

Psalm 30 is a song of encouragement.  It is intended to take our eyes off our problems and onto the ONE who solves our problems.  The theme of this short chapter is:

Psalms 30:4-5

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment,

and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

Weeping might be a song of the night, but with God, joy comes in the morning.  This is a song written by David, as an act of faith.  His circumstances don’t change, but his heart does.   The very first verse the song states, “... for you have drawn me up ...”.    The NIV records the same statement as follows: “... for you lifted me out of the depths ...”.   The Hebrew word used here has to do with a bucket on a well being lifted up by a rope.   You and I, as fallen individuals, are deep down a dark well.  We have been let there to die.   The fact that we need grace is apparent.   God reaches down into this well and “draws us out.”   We are simply the bucket on the end of the rope.  Yet, God is pulling that bucket up our of the well of despair.   As we walk in faith God recuses us and delivers us from our enemies.   We can rejoice because, although we are in despair, God has the rope and will deliver us.   He will draw us out!!   

Tag: Leadershp’s Ultimate Role - 1 Samuel 1-5

1 Samuel 3:10-14

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

Tag:  Leadership’s Ultimate Role

Eli was the priest and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, we the religious leaders of the day.   The two boys, however, were very wicked.   Eli knew about this wickedness and failed to correct them and hold them accountable.  He did speak to them:

1 Samuel 2:23-25

And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.

But, mere words don’t correct sin.  Eli refused to correct the sin of his sons and the wicked example they gave to the nation.   Samuel, the. young boy given to Eli, by a faithful mom, was given the message about what would happen to these boys and their lazy, overweight, father.   God does not allow sin to run rampant in His service.   Eli had profaned the priesthood by his lack of correcting his boys.   God does not tolerate unconfessed and unhealthy with sin in His servants.   God knows His servants are sinful (i.e. David, Peter, Paul, etc.).  Yet, unconfessed sin and failing to address sin in our lives is something God will address.  In the next chapter Hophni and Phinehas have their lives taken and Eli falls over and breaks his neck.  God does what He says He will do.  The seed we sow will reap what it does.  God does not tolerate sin in our lives.  We ought to remember what God said through Paul to the Philippians:

Philippians 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling ... 

God knows our sin - We are to honor Him at all times ... especially if we are in His service.   

Tag: Faith or Fate? Genesis 40-43

Genesis 43:11-14

Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”

Tag:  Faith in God’s Sovereignty or Fate of Life?

Israel (Jacob) gives us an example of how to handle a cruise in life.  Because of the famine in the land, Israel had sent ten of his boys to Egypt to purchase grain.  The first time they went to Egypt, their brother Joseph recognized them and decided to test their honesty.  He took one of the bothers, Simon, and put him in jail.  Jospeh wanted to know if they had changed, or if they would live their brother in jail, like they left him in the pit.  He also wanted to see if Benjamin was still alive, or, did they do the same thing to Benjamin, his true brother, as they did him.   When Israel is confronted with all this, instead of acting as a man of faith (Israel), he acted in the flesh (Jacob).  Even though we haves been saved (our own name change to Israel) we all still have Jacob dwelling within us.   Up to this point, instead of setting an example for his boys, flesh Jacob demonstrates an “it is what it is” mentality, vs a “God is in control” mentality.   When the original grain runs out, Israel now is ready to trust God and pray that God will grant them all mercy.   We all have this spirit within us.   It took Israel some time to process and finally realize he had to trust in God’s mercy for his children.   He was worshiping Benjamin (and still worshiped Jospeh).   Now he was willing, because God put him in this situation, to allow God to do what God would do.   We all have to come to the point that we quit living in fate and start living in faith.   

Tag: Praise of Man vs Power of Christ - 1 Corinthians 3-4

1 Corinthians 4:8-13

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

Tag:  Humility of Christ’s Servants vs Man’s Pride

The Corinthians were very proud people.  They believed they were “king” in relationship to their faith and walk with God. The didn’t mind boasting of their Christian strength.    They thought of themselves as “reigning” as believers.   In the beginning of this passage Paul is being sarcastic about how they thought of themselves.   They were so full of pride.  They thought that, in Christ, they were at the top of the heap (even though Paul just told them they were acting like mere “humans” ... 3:1-4).    To make his point, Paul stresses his own life  and uses some strong terms. Paul says of himself (and the other Apostles):

1.  Last of all ... a sentence of death hanging over them. 

2. A spectacle in front of the world ... both to angels and to men. 

3. Fools in the eyes of the world. 

4.  Weak in the eyes of the world. 

5.  Homeless.

6. Held in disrepute.

7.  Like the scum and refuse of the earth. 

In contrast to the Corinthians, Paul knew his position and knew that, for Christ, he was nothing in front of the world, yet, IN CHRIST, powerful and bold.   The Corinthians had it backwards.  They were trying to be wise and proud and powerful in the world, but were really acting like the non-believers.   God was empowering Paul, though he looked weak.  As believers our desire is to be weak in flesh and powerful in Christ ... in the spirit.  

Tag: Jesus Has ALL Authority - Matthew 26-28

Matthew 28:16-18

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Tag: We Worship the One Full of Authority 

While on the earth, Jesus demonstrated power and command of all around Him.  In His temptation experience at the beginning of Matthew’s book, Jesus was challenged to worship His tempter, Satan.   Notice Jesus’ response:

Matthew 4:8-10

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God

and him only shall you serve.’”

In this last chapter of Matthew we are told that, after the resurrection, Jesus came to His disciples.   He speaks to them a truth that will enable them to set the world on fire for Christ.   Jesus states:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Today, leaders of large countries like to spout the power they have.   Leaders of large political groups believe they have power to move the world around them.   Leaders of companies think they have power to change the course of the lives of those who serve them and fill their coffers.  People love power and authority.   Even those who have small dominions practice power and authority:  Family heads; gang heads; clique heads; home-owner associations, etc.  It matters not the size of the group, someone will try to exercise power.  Even our churches are run by power hungry individuals who want to direct and manage those around them with the authority they have inherited, purchased, earned, captured, etc.   The religious leaders of the day thought they had authority to crucify Jesus.  Pilate even thought he had power as to whether Jesus would live or die.   Yet, God is the only One who has power ... and He gave it to the Son.   Armed with that one truth, Jesus sends out His disciples to change the world by preaching the Gospel and making disciples.  The disciples “worshipped” Jesus - the One with All Authority.  We can move forward in giving the Gospel to a lost word because the One we worship has ALL authority.   We need not shy away from the Gospel.  Paul stated (Romans 1:16-17) the Gospel was the “power” of God.   That is because Jesus has been given ALL power.  Nothing and no one has more power in this world, or in heaven, than Jesus ... no matter how they try to convince themselves that they do. 

  

Tag: God’s Plan Equals God’s Peace - Isaiah 51-55

Isaiah 55:8-13

Tag:  God’s Plan Equals Peace

In the above passage there are four “for” thoughts:

#1 = Isaiah 55:8

“For” my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

God has a plan and that plan will be different than our plan.  God’s plan is always better and, if we want what God offers, we will have to change our minds to His mind (Romans 12:1-2)

#2 = Isaiah 55:9

“For” as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God has a plan that exceeds our thoughts and beyond our scope.  We think so little.  We imagine so small.  God is so much bigger than our ability to image.  The disciples thought Jesus would replace Roman oppression.  Jesus came to replace the oppression of sin.  They wanted a new leader for their nation; Jesús started (and will end) a new Kingdom. 

#3 - Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

God has a plan based upon His Word and His Word WILL NOT become void.  God speaks and it is done!!   His Word is final.  He cannot break His Word.  No one can break His Word.   

#4-Isaiah 55:12-13

“For you shall go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

shall break forth into singing,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;

instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;

and it shall make a name for the Lord,

an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

When God works His plan, based upon His higher thinking, peace and prosperity come.  Mountains that we think will stop us, before God, turn into a chorus not a challenge.  Thorns and thistles that we thought would cut and hurt will become a source of shade and strength.  

God has a plan.  If we allow that plan to work out, we will have the peace and prosperity that we desire.  But, only through God’s plan.