As we have read through the Scriptures we have been confronted with a common human emotion: fear. In fact, it is not only common to historical characters, it is common to us as well. Is it not?
In Genesis 32 we see that Jacob is overcome with fear. After years of being separated from his brother, from whom he stole the birthright and blessing, about whom he had heard had intent to kill him, he was now going to be rejoined. I am sure at this moment many questions filled Jacob's mind.
What would his brother do? Would he still be angry? Was there a way to assuage his anger? What would happen to his family and all that he owned? Jacob was confronted with a situation that was "unknown" and "out of his control" thus leading to his fear.
That is the usual recipe for fear. Circumstances come our way leaving us out of control and wrestling with the uncertainties of the future. And we must admit, we don't like that! Have you ever wondered why?
I think part of the answer is that ever since the Fall we try to be our own God. We show this by our tendency to want to know all (thus removing the uncertainty) and to control all. We live our lives trying to get everything to go the way we want it to go. But inevitably we fail. Life becomes too much for us, and the fears come rushing in.
That was Jacob's experience at this moment, but I love the way he recovered from it. Did you notice what he did? He lifted his eyes toward God. He looked to the One reality that is grander than any circumstance that can come our way (I think that is what it means to fear the Lord), and he prayed. And his prayed is instructive, for in it he named his fear, he admitted his unworthiness, and he clung to the promises of God. You might say that he took his rightful place in the universe (under His God) and in doing so, his fears began to subside.
On this earth we all will be subject to fear. When confronted with circumstances that are too big for us, too hard for us to control, where there are too many unknowns, we may begin to fear. But if we train ourselves to respond as Jacob did, looking to the Lord, seeing His grandeur, admitting our weakness, laying down our lives to His control, we will find our fears melting away in trust.
Someone has said that fear is like a warning light on the dashboard of our lives. When it goes off it tells us that something is wrong. That something often is in our thinking, but when we readjust our thoughts moving them off ourselves and the circumstance, and placing them back on our God, we can know the peace that passes all understanding.
May God use our fears to teach us today that in the fear of God there is an uncommon peace even in the midst of the storm.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Problem with Reading the Bible
Could there really be a problem with reading the Bible? Let me try this out on you. See what you think.
When we read the Bible we learn God's ways. We learn His laws and His truth. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but where the trouble comes in is what we do with what we learn.
From Romans 2 we see two tendencies we have when we know the truth. The first is to apply it others, often in judgment. (Have you ever been listening to a sermon and thought how great it would be if "so-and-so" could hear this?") But the issue of judging others in this way is that we bring condemnation on ourselves. When we judge others, even rightly, we demonstrate that we know the truth. Now there is no excuse if we practice the same things (which Romans says we tend to do.) The religious rulers that Jesus encountered in His ministry were often guilty of that.
The second tendency is to teach others. Now we are supposed to teach others, but the issue here is that we tend to teach others without teaching ourselves first. In fact, we would probably be better teachers if we first taught ourselves, for when we teach ourselves we begin to see the true nature of our own hearts more clearly. This was something the religious rulers of Jesus's day did not see, but which Jesus saw ever so clearly. We saw that in Mark 2 today.
The Puritan writer John Owen speaks well to these tendencies when he said, "The person who understands the evil in his own heart is the only person who is useful, fruitful, and solid in his beliefs and obedience. Others only delude themselves and thus upset families, churches, and all other relationships. In their self-pride and judgment of others, they show great inconsistency."
So, as we seek to read through the Bible and learn its wonderful truths, it will be important for us all to avoid the "problems" associated it. How do we avoid the problems? First, let's judge our own behavior by the Word. Let's not be somebody who judges others, but does the very things we condemn in others. Second, let's teach ourselves the truth before we teach others. When we are our first student we will be a better teacher of others.
When we treat the Word in this way we will grow to be more like Christ which is certainly the aim of our Bible reading. May God help us to be daily transformed by the truths of His Word!
When we read the Bible we learn God's ways. We learn His laws and His truth. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but where the trouble comes in is what we do with what we learn.
From Romans 2 we see two tendencies we have when we know the truth. The first is to apply it others, often in judgment. (Have you ever been listening to a sermon and thought how great it would be if "so-and-so" could hear this?") But the issue of judging others in this way is that we bring condemnation on ourselves. When we judge others, even rightly, we demonstrate that we know the truth. Now there is no excuse if we practice the same things (which Romans says we tend to do.) The religious rulers that Jesus encountered in His ministry were often guilty of that.
The second tendency is to teach others. Now we are supposed to teach others, but the issue here is that we tend to teach others without teaching ourselves first. In fact, we would probably be better teachers if we first taught ourselves, for when we teach ourselves we begin to see the true nature of our own hearts more clearly. This was something the religious rulers of Jesus's day did not see, but which Jesus saw ever so clearly. We saw that in Mark 2 today.
The Puritan writer John Owen speaks well to these tendencies when he said, "The person who understands the evil in his own heart is the only person who is useful, fruitful, and solid in his beliefs and obedience. Others only delude themselves and thus upset families, churches, and all other relationships. In their self-pride and judgment of others, they show great inconsistency."
So, as we seek to read through the Bible and learn its wonderful truths, it will be important for us all to avoid the "problems" associated it. How do we avoid the problems? First, let's judge our own behavior by the Word. Let's not be somebody who judges others, but does the very things we condemn in others. Second, let's teach ourselves the truth before we teach others. When we are our first student we will be a better teacher of others.
When we treat the Word in this way we will grow to be more like Christ which is certainly the aim of our Bible reading. May God help us to be daily transformed by the truths of His Word!
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Family on a Mission
In Genesis 29 we see the beginnings of the formation of a nation, really the family of God. Through Jacob 12 sons would come who would form the 12 tribes of Israel. As we will see as we read on, this family had a very special mission. That mission was to be a light to the nations; to reflect in their interactions as a people the character of their God.
As we will see when we read on this family did not do a very good job of reflecting their God. So blessed by God yet they still neglected God and fell into deep idolatry. But God's plan was not thwarted.
In the fulllness of time, God sent His Son to do what Israel did not do. Jesus fully reflected His Father. He followed His Father's will, spoke His words, did His deeds. Those who saw the Son saw the Father. There is a sense that we could say that Jesus took the place of Israel in fulfilling the mission God had for His family.
But at the end of His days on earth, Jesus passed the baton to His disciples. That's what we see in Matthew 28. Jesus is now constituting a new family and sending them out with a mission. That mission is so well capsulized in verses 19-20: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Now it is through the church, God's new family, which is indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, that God's mission is to be fufilled throughout the earth. That is what we find the Apostle Paul doing in his day. At the end of Acts 28, in verse 31 it says the Paul was "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."
That is our calling today as well. When we came to Christ in repentance and faith we became part of God's family whose mission remains the same. We are to bring the light of Christ to the nations. We are to display the uncommon love of our God in our family interactions as well as with the world around us. That's our identity in this world and it gives ultimate meaning and purpose to our lives.
May the Lord use us all today to shine His light in our world everywhere we go!
As we will see when we read on this family did not do a very good job of reflecting their God. So blessed by God yet they still neglected God and fell into deep idolatry. But God's plan was not thwarted.
In the fulllness of time, God sent His Son to do what Israel did not do. Jesus fully reflected His Father. He followed His Father's will, spoke His words, did His deeds. Those who saw the Son saw the Father. There is a sense that we could say that Jesus took the place of Israel in fulfilling the mission God had for His family.
But at the end of His days on earth, Jesus passed the baton to His disciples. That's what we see in Matthew 28. Jesus is now constituting a new family and sending them out with a mission. That mission is so well capsulized in verses 19-20: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Now it is through the church, God's new family, which is indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, that God's mission is to be fufilled throughout the earth. That is what we find the Apostle Paul doing in his day. At the end of Acts 28, in verse 31 it says the Paul was "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."
That is our calling today as well. When we came to Christ in repentance and faith we became part of God's family whose mission remains the same. We are to bring the light of Christ to the nations. We are to display the uncommon love of our God in our family interactions as well as with the world around us. That's our identity in this world and it gives ultimate meaning and purpose to our lives.
May the Lord use us all today to shine His light in our world everywhere we go!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Cost of Saving Myself
Whenever I read the account of Jesus' crucifixion I am always grabbed by the words of the onlookers -"Save Yourself!" I wonder what life would be like if Jesus had saved Himself.
Surely the temptation was great to do so. Did you see the physical torture that He had to go through? He was scourged - that is, whipped with a cat-of-nine-tails so that his back would have been ripped up into ribbons of flesh. He was beaten with rods, had thorns pierce His skull, nails penetrate his hands and feet. Beyond the physical was the humilation, the ridicule and contempt of his enemies, but even the desertion of those who were His friends. But if we understand the cross these were not the things that troubled Jesus most.
What troubled Jesus most was being forsaken by God. The fact is while on the cross Jesus bore our sins, and having bore our sins, the punishment, literally the hell those sins deserved was placed on Christ. That hell, that being forsaken or separated from God is what made Jesus cry out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" That was the worst part of the cross which would have made it very tempting for Jesus to try to save Himself.
But thanks be to God He did not do that, for if He had saved Himself, we all would have been lost.
There is an interesting parallel to this in the book of Esther. Esther is confronted with a similar dilemna. She could save herself which would result in the Jewish people being annihilated, or she could risk all to save them. Her choice prefigures the choice our Savior made.
I think the application to our lives is obvious. We can try to save our lives - to make them comfortable - to seek our own pleasure and safety. But in doing this there is great cost to others around us and it seems to always include some manifestation of death. But if we are willing to lay down our life, risking all to serve God and others, God will use this to bring His life to others, and by the way, we will experience life in its fullness.
May we be reminded today... there is great cost in saving ourselves, but there is great reward in laying down our lives for others as we follow the example of Jesus and are led on by His life that fills us.
Surely the temptation was great to do so. Did you see the physical torture that He had to go through? He was scourged - that is, whipped with a cat-of-nine-tails so that his back would have been ripped up into ribbons of flesh. He was beaten with rods, had thorns pierce His skull, nails penetrate his hands and feet. Beyond the physical was the humilation, the ridicule and contempt of his enemies, but even the desertion of those who were His friends. But if we understand the cross these were not the things that troubled Jesus most.
What troubled Jesus most was being forsaken by God. The fact is while on the cross Jesus bore our sins, and having bore our sins, the punishment, literally the hell those sins deserved was placed on Christ. That hell, that being forsaken or separated from God is what made Jesus cry out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" That was the worst part of the cross which would have made it very tempting for Jesus to try to save Himself.
But thanks be to God He did not do that, for if He had saved Himself, we all would have been lost.
There is an interesting parallel to this in the book of Esther. Esther is confronted with a similar dilemna. She could save herself which would result in the Jewish people being annihilated, or she could risk all to save them. Her choice prefigures the choice our Savior made.
I think the application to our lives is obvious. We can try to save our lives - to make them comfortable - to seek our own pleasure and safety. But in doing this there is great cost to others around us and it seems to always include some manifestation of death. But if we are willing to lay down our life, risking all to serve God and others, God will use this to bring His life to others, and by the way, we will experience life in its fullness.
May we be reminded today... there is great cost in saving ourselves, but there is great reward in laying down our lives for others as we follow the example of Jesus and are led on by His life that fills us.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
On Killing Christ
There seems to be a strand in our reading today, and it is on "killing Christ".
Esau wants to kill Jacob through whom the line of Christ was to come.
Hamann wants to kill all the Jews through whom the Christ will come.
The Jews obviously want to do away with Jesus and crucify Him.
The religious rulers of Paul's day want to put to death the messenger of Christ.
There is such resistance to Christ in our world in all time. Why?
I think because an encounter with Christ causes us to be confronted with our own heart, our own sin. An encounter with Christ will bring us to see that our hearts are full of deceit (Jacob, Rebekah, Isaac, Abraham), pride (Hamann), hatred (The Jews of Jesus' and Paul's day), and selfishness (Judas - betraying the Lord for silver...). And we don't like that revelation, though it be true.
But if we would accept the truth about our hearts. If we would not run away from that important, albeit painful insight, we would be at the doorstep of transformation, for when we acknowledge the true condition of our heart we may be ready then to look to Christ who alone can bring us healing.
That's what Paul's testimony declares in Acts 26:18. He said that the message of Christ was designed to "open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Christ)."
And when we have come to Christ, having acknowledged our sin and our inability to do anything about it, and when Christ has poured out His love and forgiveness into the deepest recesses of our soul, we will want to worship Christ, perhaps like the woman who poured out her very costly perfume. We will want to show our love for Christ's amazing grace in the most lavish ways we know how.
Have you had an encounter with Christ? Has He shone His light upon your needy heart, and have you experienced the transforming grace of His abundant forgiveness? Don't run away from this revelation. Run toward Christ. You will find in Him the greatest treasure that you will never lose.
Esau wants to kill Jacob through whom the line of Christ was to come.
Hamann wants to kill all the Jews through whom the Christ will come.
The Jews obviously want to do away with Jesus and crucify Him.
The religious rulers of Paul's day want to put to death the messenger of Christ.
There is such resistance to Christ in our world in all time. Why?
I think because an encounter with Christ causes us to be confronted with our own heart, our own sin. An encounter with Christ will bring us to see that our hearts are full of deceit (Jacob, Rebekah, Isaac, Abraham), pride (Hamann), hatred (The Jews of Jesus' and Paul's day), and selfishness (Judas - betraying the Lord for silver...). And we don't like that revelation, though it be true.
But if we would accept the truth about our hearts. If we would not run away from that important, albeit painful insight, we would be at the doorstep of transformation, for when we acknowledge the true condition of our heart we may be ready then to look to Christ who alone can bring us healing.
That's what Paul's testimony declares in Acts 26:18. He said that the message of Christ was designed to "open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Christ)."
And when we have come to Christ, having acknowledged our sin and our inability to do anything about it, and when Christ has poured out His love and forgiveness into the deepest recesses of our soul, we will want to worship Christ, perhaps like the woman who poured out her very costly perfume. We will want to show our love for Christ's amazing grace in the most lavish ways we know how.
Have you had an encounter with Christ? Has He shone His light upon your needy heart, and have you experienced the transforming grace of His abundant forgiveness? Don't run away from this revelation. Run toward Christ. You will find in Him the greatest treasure that you will never lose.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Why am I blessed?
Are you blessed of the Lord in any way? Has the Lord given you a good intellect, great looks, a first class education, great parents,...? Have you ever thought about your blessings and why you have been given them? I think the Biblical answer to that is that we are "blessed to be a blessing".
We see in our first passage today (Gen 26) that God transfers the covenant promises and blessings to Isaac. From the passage we see that Isaac is indeed blessed. In fact, others around him noticed that God's hand of favor was truly upon him. But why was he blessed in this and other ways? God makes it clear by declaring that "in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed". God was blessing Isaac in order to ultimately bless the nations.
In Matthew 25 we see the same pattern. God blesses several of his servants with talents, each according to their ability. But why are they blessed? Are they to take the talents and bury them or horde them for themselves? No - they are to invest these talents; to make them profitable for the Lord. And how might they do that? Well, the next parable of the sheep and goats might indicate that good stewardship results in meeting the needs of those around us.
Esther's case is similar. She had a number of hardships in her life. She lost her parents and was exiled from her home. But God had still blessed her. Besides having an uncle who cared for her, God had blessed her with good looks. But were her good looks to be used for her own purposes? No - as the story unfolds we see that God used her good looks to be in the end a blessing to her people.
Even Paul has a similar story. God had blessed him with a great intellect. He also received the best training available in his day. But was this all given to him so that he could advance himself and make a name for himself? No - he was so blessed so that he could stand before magistrates and Kings and give a defense of the blessed gospel of Christ.
It would be good today for all of us to look at our lives and acknowledge the many ways God has blessed us. Then, we must think about how these blessings might be used to bless others around us. Ultimately, the best way to bless others is to point them to Christ, and as we use our blessings, not for self-promotion or self-indulgence, but to better the lives of those around us we will be putting Jesus on display who Himself "emptied Himself" in order to bless us with salvation.
So, our assignment today is to live out what the saying means, "Blessed to be a blessing". May the power of Christ within us enable us to do so.
We see in our first passage today (Gen 26) that God transfers the covenant promises and blessings to Isaac. From the passage we see that Isaac is indeed blessed. In fact, others around him noticed that God's hand of favor was truly upon him. But why was he blessed in this and other ways? God makes it clear by declaring that "in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed". God was blessing Isaac in order to ultimately bless the nations.
In Matthew 25 we see the same pattern. God blesses several of his servants with talents, each according to their ability. But why are they blessed? Are they to take the talents and bury them or horde them for themselves? No - they are to invest these talents; to make them profitable for the Lord. And how might they do that? Well, the next parable of the sheep and goats might indicate that good stewardship results in meeting the needs of those around us.
Esther's case is similar. She had a number of hardships in her life. She lost her parents and was exiled from her home. But God had still blessed her. Besides having an uncle who cared for her, God had blessed her with good looks. But were her good looks to be used for her own purposes? No - as the story unfolds we see that God used her good looks to be in the end a blessing to her people.
Even Paul has a similar story. God had blessed him with a great intellect. He also received the best training available in his day. But was this all given to him so that he could advance himself and make a name for himself? No - he was so blessed so that he could stand before magistrates and Kings and give a defense of the blessed gospel of Christ.
It would be good today for all of us to look at our lives and acknowledge the many ways God has blessed us. Then, we must think about how these blessings might be used to bless others around us. Ultimately, the best way to bless others is to point them to Christ, and as we use our blessings, not for self-promotion or self-indulgence, but to better the lives of those around us we will be putting Jesus on display who Himself "emptied Himself" in order to bless us with salvation.
So, our assignment today is to live out what the saying means, "Blessed to be a blessing". May the power of Christ within us enable us to do so.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Living in light of the future
In our readings today we are introduced to Esau, perhaps the quintessential example of the person who lives in the present with no regard for the future. Because of his being the firstborn he had the special blessing of the birthright. That birthright provided him with physical and spiritual blessings both for the present and future. Esau could have had a very secure future. But Esau "despised" his birthright. To satisfy his short-term desire (he was hungry) he traded his birthright to his brother. For something only physical which only satisfied him momentarily, he gave up something far grander. Esau lived only for the desire of the present moment and came to lose much because of it.
In Matthew 24 Jesus encourages his auditors to live in the present in light of the future. He lays out the coming events: wars, earthquakes, tribulation,.....the coming of Christ. Then he urges his listeneres to be found ready, aware, doing the work of their master until He returns. He warns them not to be like the people of Noah's days who were eating and drinking (perhaps only satisfying their present desires) and completely oblivious to the coming judgment.
The Apostle Paul seemed to live this way. Even as we met him in our reading (Acts 24) we saw that he lived in light of the resurrection, and when he spoke to Felix he spoke to him about coming judgment. Paul lived in light of these future realities and sought to awaken others to them.
The application is clear. It is so easy to live in the present, seeking to satify the desires of the moment. And if that was all there is to life, that would be fine. Even Paul said that if there is no resurrection of the dead it is best to "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die". But we do not believe that fulfilling present desires is all there is to life. We believe, as Christians, that we have a future. There is life after death. There is heaven. Christ is coming again and will reward those that loved His return. There is a coming judgment when Christ will make all right and fully restore all that was lost when mankind chose to go "their own way". May God help us, through the presence of Christ who lives in us, to live today (and every day) informed by the coming glories that Christ has prepared for us.
In Matthew 24 Jesus encourages his auditors to live in the present in light of the future. He lays out the coming events: wars, earthquakes, tribulation,.....the coming of Christ. Then he urges his listeneres to be found ready, aware, doing the work of their master until He returns. He warns them not to be like the people of Noah's days who were eating and drinking (perhaps only satisfying their present desires) and completely oblivious to the coming judgment.
The Apostle Paul seemed to live this way. Even as we met him in our reading (Acts 24) we saw that he lived in light of the resurrection, and when he spoke to Felix he spoke to him about coming judgment. Paul lived in light of these future realities and sought to awaken others to them.
The application is clear. It is so easy to live in the present, seeking to satify the desires of the moment. And if that was all there is to life, that would be fine. Even Paul said that if there is no resurrection of the dead it is best to "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die". But we do not believe that fulfilling present desires is all there is to life. We believe, as Christians, that we have a future. There is life after death. There is heaven. Christ is coming again and will reward those that loved His return. There is a coming judgment when Christ will make all right and fully restore all that was lost when mankind chose to go "their own way". May God help us, through the presence of Christ who lives in us, to live today (and every day) informed by the coming glories that Christ has prepared for us.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Responses to God's Word
In our readings today we saw many responses to God's Word. Some were good, some not so good.
In Nehemiah we saw neglect of God's Word. Nehemiah had been gone for awhile, and upon his return he found that the people had drifted from the Word of God. The temple was being defiled, the Levites were being neglected, the Sabbath ignored, and marriage law was being violated. Upon seeing this Nehemiah set out to right these wrongs knowing that such neglect had led to their exile in the first place.
In Matthew we see those who were teaching the Law but not living it themselves. The Pharisees were well schooled in the Law of the Lord. They went around telling others what to do. They even offered their application of the Law, but when it came for them living it out themselves, Jesus said they wouldn't as much as lift a finger in doing so. Theirs was an external religion. It was for show. It was to impress men and gain their approval. But that is not what God desires. He wants a religion of the heart, where the Word penetrates deeply into the heart and changes the person's very way of life.
That kind of response was found with Abraham in Genesis 24. God had made some very specific promises to Abraham which he took to heart. Now when it was time for him to find a wife for his son he was careful to order his search according to the Word. He sent his servant on a mission to find a wife from his father's house. He also did not send his son away because God had directed him to the land in which he sojourned. Abraham was careful to order his life by the Word of God.
And what was the result? God prospered the search of Abraham's servant. He ordered circumstances to fulfill the promises He had made to Abraham and his descendants.
Every day we are confronted with the Word of God (especially as we are faithful to read and study it daily). The question is what will we do with it? Will we neglect it, slowly drifting from God's intentions for our life? Will we teach it to others (like our own children) but not really let it affect our hearts and order our lives? Or will we, by Christ's strength which abides in us, receive the Word and let it settle in our heart, and then day by day let it order the way we live? To chose anything but the last option is to chose less of the life that God intends for us. Take God at His Word. Abraham did! You will not regret it!
Father, help us all to receive the Word implanted which is able to save our souls! James 1:21 And help us order our lives by its wonderful truths.
In Nehemiah we saw neglect of God's Word. Nehemiah had been gone for awhile, and upon his return he found that the people had drifted from the Word of God. The temple was being defiled, the Levites were being neglected, the Sabbath ignored, and marriage law was being violated. Upon seeing this Nehemiah set out to right these wrongs knowing that such neglect had led to their exile in the first place.
In Matthew we see those who were teaching the Law but not living it themselves. The Pharisees were well schooled in the Law of the Lord. They went around telling others what to do. They even offered their application of the Law, but when it came for them living it out themselves, Jesus said they wouldn't as much as lift a finger in doing so. Theirs was an external religion. It was for show. It was to impress men and gain their approval. But that is not what God desires. He wants a religion of the heart, where the Word penetrates deeply into the heart and changes the person's very way of life.
That kind of response was found with Abraham in Genesis 24. God had made some very specific promises to Abraham which he took to heart. Now when it was time for him to find a wife for his son he was careful to order his search according to the Word. He sent his servant on a mission to find a wife from his father's house. He also did not send his son away because God had directed him to the land in which he sojourned. Abraham was careful to order his life by the Word of God.
And what was the result? God prospered the search of Abraham's servant. He ordered circumstances to fulfill the promises He had made to Abraham and his descendants.
Every day we are confronted with the Word of God (especially as we are faithful to read and study it daily). The question is what will we do with it? Will we neglect it, slowly drifting from God's intentions for our life? Will we teach it to others (like our own children) but not really let it affect our hearts and order our lives? Or will we, by Christ's strength which abides in us, receive the Word and let it settle in our heart, and then day by day let it order the way we live? To chose anything but the last option is to chose less of the life that God intends for us. Take God at His Word. Abraham did! You will not regret it!
Father, help us all to receive the Word implanted which is able to save our souls! James 1:21 And help us order our lives by its wonderful truths.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Giving all to Obtain all to Bless all
Genesis 22 has to be one of my favorite passages in the Bible, but the opening verses do strike me as odd. God tells Abraham in verse 2 to go and sacrifice his son, and without a "blip", in the next verse Abraham prepares to do it.
Was it really that easy to receive that command and then just go out and do it? I think not. I even think the text gives us clues that it was not. In verse 2 God calls Isaac "your only son..., whom you love." In verse 12 he reiterates "your only son". No, I am sure when Abraham received this command it set him reeling. This was the son for whom he waited so long. This was the son of promise. It was through him that a great nation would be formed. What was God doing asking him to sacrifice his son?
Well, God knew exactly what He was doing. Verse 1 says that he was testing Abraham. He wanted to know (or maybe he wanted Abraham to know) if Abraham held anything more dear in his life than God. He wanted to reveal the functional ruler of his heart. Would Abraham cling to his son, his only son, whom he loved, or would God have first place. Would he let go and give all to the Lord?
We know that Abraham chose well, and because he chose well, he not only got his son back, but he got more. God said he would greatly bless him and multiply his seed, and make him a blessing to all the nations of the earth (vs. 17-18). So, in giving all to the Lord, Abraham received somethng greater through which he was able to bless many. By not clinging to what was very dear, he came to possess what was most dear. He became more full and was able to share that fullness with the nations.
In Matthew 21 we see the opposite heart. We see the religious rulers clinging. They are privileged to see Jesus, and hear Him, and see His miracles, but to no effect. Instead of believing like the tax collectors and prostitutes, they rejected Christ and sought to do away with him. Why the difference?
I think the religious rulers where clinging fast to something other than God. They were clinging hard to their reputation; to the good standing they had among the people. But in clinging to this, and rejecting the One in whom all fullness dwells, they were really impoverishing themselves, and really, those around them. The tax collectors and prostitutes, on the other hand, had seen the emptiness of clinging to other things, and were ready to lay their lives before this Jesus.
In Acts 21 we see one more character. It is Paul. He is surrounded by people who are encouraging him to cling to his life. But Paul wasn't there. His words in verse 13 tell it all. He says, "For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." He wasn't even clinging to his life. Why? Because he had already given it all to the Lord, and in exchange He had received the fullness of the Lord Jesus. He gave all to obtain all in Christ. Now his life was devoted to blessing others by proclaiming that there is real life in Christ.
That's a good message for us to ponder today. Is there anything in our life that we are clinging to, that we are not letting go? Is it financial security? a relationship? a job? a reputation? Know that to cling to these things above the Lord is to lose the blessing the Lord wants to pour into us and through us to others. The choice is clear! May God help us to be wholly His today, and tomorrow, and into eternity.
Was it really that easy to receive that command and then just go out and do it? I think not. I even think the text gives us clues that it was not. In verse 2 God calls Isaac "your only son..., whom you love." In verse 12 he reiterates "your only son". No, I am sure when Abraham received this command it set him reeling. This was the son for whom he waited so long. This was the son of promise. It was through him that a great nation would be formed. What was God doing asking him to sacrifice his son?
Well, God knew exactly what He was doing. Verse 1 says that he was testing Abraham. He wanted to know (or maybe he wanted Abraham to know) if Abraham held anything more dear in his life than God. He wanted to reveal the functional ruler of his heart. Would Abraham cling to his son, his only son, whom he loved, or would God have first place. Would he let go and give all to the Lord?
We know that Abraham chose well, and because he chose well, he not only got his son back, but he got more. God said he would greatly bless him and multiply his seed, and make him a blessing to all the nations of the earth (vs. 17-18). So, in giving all to the Lord, Abraham received somethng greater through which he was able to bless many. By not clinging to what was very dear, he came to possess what was most dear. He became more full and was able to share that fullness with the nations.
In Matthew 21 we see the opposite heart. We see the religious rulers clinging. They are privileged to see Jesus, and hear Him, and see His miracles, but to no effect. Instead of believing like the tax collectors and prostitutes, they rejected Christ and sought to do away with him. Why the difference?
I think the religious rulers where clinging fast to something other than God. They were clinging hard to their reputation; to the good standing they had among the people. But in clinging to this, and rejecting the One in whom all fullness dwells, they were really impoverishing themselves, and really, those around them. The tax collectors and prostitutes, on the other hand, had seen the emptiness of clinging to other things, and were ready to lay their lives before this Jesus.
In Acts 21 we see one more character. It is Paul. He is surrounded by people who are encouraging him to cling to his life. But Paul wasn't there. His words in verse 13 tell it all. He says, "For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." He wasn't even clinging to his life. Why? Because he had already given it all to the Lord, and in exchange He had received the fullness of the Lord Jesus. He gave all to obtain all in Christ. Now his life was devoted to blessing others by proclaiming that there is real life in Christ.
That's a good message for us to ponder today. Is there anything in our life that we are clinging to, that we are not letting go? Is it financial security? a relationship? a job? a reputation? Know that to cling to these things above the Lord is to lose the blessing the Lord wants to pour into us and through us to others. The choice is clear! May God help us to be wholly His today, and tomorrow, and into eternity.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Way Up is Down
I always marvel at the disciples (though I am susceptible to the same thing) that right after Jesus declares that He is going up to Jerusalem to be delivered over to the priests, condemned to death, mocked, flogged and crucified, that their very next conversation has to do with who is going to be the greatest in the Kingdom - who is going to sit in the seats of honor.
But as Jesus always does, He takes advantage of the situation and makes it a teachable moment. He reveals to the disciples what true greatness is all about. He declares that the way up is down; that the way to glory is through the cross (suffering). He Himself would be showing them the way. As He said, "...even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many". You see the ways of the Kingdom are so opposite the ways of this world. I am sure the disciples were wrestling to understand what He meant for they were only schooled in the ways of the world.
Perhaps a better thing to be asking the Lord (instead of who will sit in the place of honor) is what the two blind men asked. They cried out for mercy from the Lord. They asked the Lord that their eyes be opened. I think such humility is the beginning of God's kind of greatness.
In Acts 20 we have one of the most wonderful illustrations of true greatness. The Apostle Paul describes his ministry to the Ephesian elders, and in this description we see the heart and actions of a servant. Paul "served the Lord with humility and with tears and trials". He always declared to them what they needed to hear. He did not "account his life of any value nor as precious to himself" but only wanted to faithfully fulfill the work of service to which His Lord had called him. He worked night and day in order to meet his own needs so that he would not be a burden to others. Paul laid down his life to serve his Lord and the church. Truly this laying down was his exaltation.
Let us all walk in the way of Christ, understanding that the greatest of all is the one who serves!
But as Jesus always does, He takes advantage of the situation and makes it a teachable moment. He reveals to the disciples what true greatness is all about. He declares that the way up is down; that the way to glory is through the cross (suffering). He Himself would be showing them the way. As He said, "...even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many". You see the ways of the Kingdom are so opposite the ways of this world. I am sure the disciples were wrestling to understand what He meant for they were only schooled in the ways of the world.
Perhaps a better thing to be asking the Lord (instead of who will sit in the place of honor) is what the two blind men asked. They cried out for mercy from the Lord. They asked the Lord that their eyes be opened. I think such humility is the beginning of God's kind of greatness.
In Acts 20 we have one of the most wonderful illustrations of true greatness. The Apostle Paul describes his ministry to the Ephesian elders, and in this description we see the heart and actions of a servant. Paul "served the Lord with humility and with tears and trials". He always declared to them what they needed to hear. He did not "account his life of any value nor as precious to himself" but only wanted to faithfully fulfill the work of service to which His Lord had called him. He worked night and day in order to meet his own needs so that he would not be a burden to others. Paul laid down his life to serve his Lord and the church. Truly this laying down was his exaltation.
Let us all walk in the way of Christ, understanding that the greatest of all is the one who serves!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Don't settle for less!
It is a fact that what we trust in, what we worship, what we hold most dear defines who we are! For the rich young ruler of Matthew 19 the thing that defined him was his money. He had a lot of it and this abundance was his security - his trust - really his functional god. Jesus tried to point this out to him, to show him the folly of being defined by something that is so fleeting, that is inanimate, that really has no ability to save him and give him the fullness of life that his soul craved. But the rich young ruler walked away, under the delusion, that his money would give him what he needed most. He didn't realize what he was giving up because he was grasping his money.
And what was he giving up? He was giving up the God so wonderfully portrayed in the prayer of Nehemiah 9. He was giving up the God who made the heavens and the earth and the seas and all that is in them. He was giving up the One who preserves all that He has made. He was giving up the One who is a faithful guide, true to His promises, almighty to save from life's most challenging circumstances. He was giving up on the One who showed Himself over and over to be "ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love". Can any of that be said of money or any other earthly thing?
That may be why when the people portrayed in Acts 19 came to understand the person of Jesus Christ, they were ready to let other things go. They came confessing their sin - the folly of letting other things define them, and they, perhaps in a symbolic act, burned the books which amounted to a great price, showing by this they had found something of greater, enduring value.
I think it is good for all of us to ask the question, "In what am I trusting? In what am I finding my value? What brings definition to my life?" And if upon reflection I find anything other than Christ to be the answer, it is time to confess that folly, and to lay those things I have been secretly treasuring in my heart at the altar to be burned. There is only one good that can fill our lives, giving them meaning and purpose and definition, and that good is Christ. Don't trade Him in for lesser things? Embrace the One who is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Guide. May God grant us grace to do so today!
And what was he giving up? He was giving up the God so wonderfully portrayed in the prayer of Nehemiah 9. He was giving up the God who made the heavens and the earth and the seas and all that is in them. He was giving up the One who preserves all that He has made. He was giving up the One who is a faithful guide, true to His promises, almighty to save from life's most challenging circumstances. He was giving up on the One who showed Himself over and over to be "ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love". Can any of that be said of money or any other earthly thing?
That may be why when the people portrayed in Acts 19 came to understand the person of Jesus Christ, they were ready to let other things go. They came confessing their sin - the folly of letting other things define them, and they, perhaps in a symbolic act, burned the books which amounted to a great price, showing by this they had found something of greater, enduring value.
I think it is good for all of us to ask the question, "In what am I trusting? In what am I finding my value? What brings definition to my life?" And if upon reflection I find anything other than Christ to be the answer, it is time to confess that folly, and to lay those things I have been secretly treasuring in my heart at the altar to be burned. There is only one good that can fill our lives, giving them meaning and purpose and definition, and that good is Christ. Don't trade Him in for lesser things? Embrace the One who is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Guide. May God grant us grace to do so today!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Dealing firmly with sin
One is taken back at the portrayal of life in Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. All the men of the city gather at Lot's house because they want to have relations with the two visitors to whom Lot is extending hospitality. This is most likely only a taste of what life was like in Sodom and Gomorrah and establishes for us the reason God was going to put an end to this society. He had been patient long enough and now He could no longer allow His creatures to display such evil. The land was crying out against them, and the Lord would now act.
Equally sad in this account is how this evil society infected Lot and his daughters. Lot and his wife had a hard time leaving this filth. Lot offers his daughters in exchange for the lives of his two visitors. (What's that about?) Lot's daughters have relations with their father. How easy it is when dwelling near such a place to be affected, even drawn into such darkness.
In light of this, what should we do? Jesus, in Matthew 18, offers wonderful counsel. First He says that we ought to do violence with our own sin. The whole notion of poking out eyes and cutting off hands sounds strange, but Jesus' message is clear. So hideous is sin, that it would be better to do somethng drastic to rid oneself of it, than to go through life experiencing its darkness and eventually end up in hell. Sin is not something to be toyed with, for its consequences are significant.
And if we ought to do violence with our own sin, what about our neighbor's sins? Do we just ignore it? Do we let our neighbor head toward hell without any effort to stop him? Jesus says, "No". He tells us to lovingly confront our brother privately. If that doesn't work bring others along to establish the facts of the sin and to urge the brother to repent. If that doesn't work do the same with the church. If that doesn't work consider him not as a brother, but rather as a sinner. Whatever that means we do know that we continually seek His repentance and deliverance from the bondage of sin.
Ultimately, a great way to fight sin is to wash yourself daily with the Word. Ezra, in Nehemiah 8, read the Word to his people, and being attentive to it caused them great joy, and also led them to an obedient lifestyle. Hearing the Word reminds us of God's good pleasure for our lives - it reminds us of His loving commands, and being reminded, by the grace of Christ who lives within us, we can walk in His ways and avoid the ways of death.
If anyone reading this today is being "light" with sin, how I appeal to you to turn and run to Christ. Seek His amazing forgiveness (Matt 18) and draw on His power to live in holiness with great joy!
Equally sad in this account is how this evil society infected Lot and his daughters. Lot and his wife had a hard time leaving this filth. Lot offers his daughters in exchange for the lives of his two visitors. (What's that about?) Lot's daughters have relations with their father. How easy it is when dwelling near such a place to be affected, even drawn into such darkness.
In light of this, what should we do? Jesus, in Matthew 18, offers wonderful counsel. First He says that we ought to do violence with our own sin. The whole notion of poking out eyes and cutting off hands sounds strange, but Jesus' message is clear. So hideous is sin, that it would be better to do somethng drastic to rid oneself of it, than to go through life experiencing its darkness and eventually end up in hell. Sin is not something to be toyed with, for its consequences are significant.
And if we ought to do violence with our own sin, what about our neighbor's sins? Do we just ignore it? Do we let our neighbor head toward hell without any effort to stop him? Jesus says, "No". He tells us to lovingly confront our brother privately. If that doesn't work bring others along to establish the facts of the sin and to urge the brother to repent. If that doesn't work do the same with the church. If that doesn't work consider him not as a brother, but rather as a sinner. Whatever that means we do know that we continually seek His repentance and deliverance from the bondage of sin.
Ultimately, a great way to fight sin is to wash yourself daily with the Word. Ezra, in Nehemiah 8, read the Word to his people, and being attentive to it caused them great joy, and also led them to an obedient lifestyle. Hearing the Word reminds us of God's good pleasure for our lives - it reminds us of His loving commands, and being reminded, by the grace of Christ who lives within us, we can walk in His ways and avoid the ways of death.
If anyone reading this today is being "light" with sin, how I appeal to you to turn and run to Christ. Seek His amazing forgiveness (Matt 18) and draw on His power to live in holiness with great joy!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Mission Impossible
Who would have ever thought that a woman of 90, who was past her child bearing years, married to a guy who wasn't exactly young (approaching 100) would bear a son? Who would have thought that a group of exiles would be sent by the king to go rebuild the walls of Jerusalem; that they would be provided with all they needed to do the job; that they would have persevered and overcome the intimidations of those who wanted to bring them down? Who would have thought that a man called Saul, the arch enemy of Christians, would become one that the Lord used to bring many to Christ; who left us much of our New Testament?
Probablly all of us, had we lived in those days, would have thought such things impossible. And that's what makes the words of the Lord to Abraham so special. In Genesis 18:14 the Lord says, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" That's a perspective we all need to be reminded daily.
But before that perspective can inform our living we have to be convinced of who the Lord is. Abraham seemed to have a great sense of who God was. In Genesis 18 he calls the Lord, "the Judge of all the earth", and in light of this Judge Abraham sees himself as mere "dust and ashes". Paul's description in Acts 17 is even fuller. He says in 17:24 and following, "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
Now when you contemplate a God like that...when you place your focus on the Creator and Sustainer of all things, you begin to see that with God there may not be any impossible missions.
Even in Jesus' rebuke in Matthew 17:20 we see that with just a little faith in this God we might begin to do the impossible.
You know I have to be honest. Too often I live in the possible. Too often I expect the usual. Too often I look at my own resources and think about how I can't do something. But when I consider the God in whose hands I have deposited my life. When I think about who He is, and what He has done and is doing, I begin to see a glimpse of the impossible.
This morning I have to ask myself the question, "Am I trusting God for anything impossible?" Am I venturing to do anything I know is beyond my capabilities but not His? Am I expressing even a mustard seed of faith in my living? God help me and all of us to trust God to complete the "Mission Impossible" to which He has called us.
Probablly all of us, had we lived in those days, would have thought such things impossible. And that's what makes the words of the Lord to Abraham so special. In Genesis 18:14 the Lord says, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" That's a perspective we all need to be reminded daily.
But before that perspective can inform our living we have to be convinced of who the Lord is. Abraham seemed to have a great sense of who God was. In Genesis 18 he calls the Lord, "the Judge of all the earth", and in light of this Judge Abraham sees himself as mere "dust and ashes". Paul's description in Acts 17 is even fuller. He says in 17:24 and following, "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
Now when you contemplate a God like that...when you place your focus on the Creator and Sustainer of all things, you begin to see that with God there may not be any impossible missions.
Even in Jesus' rebuke in Matthew 17:20 we see that with just a little faith in this God we might begin to do the impossible.
You know I have to be honest. Too often I live in the possible. Too often I expect the usual. Too often I look at my own resources and think about how I can't do something. But when I consider the God in whose hands I have deposited my life. When I think about who He is, and what He has done and is doing, I begin to see a glimpse of the impossible.
This morning I have to ask myself the question, "Am I trusting God for anything impossible?" Am I venturing to do anything I know is beyond my capabilities but not His? Am I expressing even a mustard seed of faith in my living? God help me and all of us to trust God to complete the "Mission Impossible" to which He has called us.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Difficulties Expected
When we dedicate ourselves to God and His purposes (shown by circumcision in Gen 17, baptism in Acts 16) we are entering a great adventure. Now it must be said God doesn't promise that the adventure will be without struggle. In fact, it is more likely that we will have to endure many trials and difficulties along the way.
Abraham and Sarah endured years of childlessness. They had a promise from God but year followed year and still no baby. Anyone who has been barren knows how painful that waiting can be. Nehemiah was confronted with major challenges as well. Sanballat and Tobiah wanted to hinder his work. They tried ridicule, intrigue, threats, blackmail - they even infiltrated the ranks of the prophets. They did not want to see the prosperity of Jerusalem, but Nehemiah pushed through seeking to accomplish the work to which he was called.
Paul and Company had a similar experience. They were clearly directed to Macedonia, but when they went there very quickly they were opposed. They were falsely accused and thrown in jail. But they kept moving ahead pursuing the work God gave to them.
So if trials are to be expected for the workers of the Lord, how do we carry on despite them? Part of the answer is to cling to the promises of God. God told Abraham that he would be a father of many nations and that he would have a child through Sarah. Abraham believed God and that seemed to direct his actions.
So what promise can we cling to today? Jesus perhaps gave the greatest promise in Matthew 16. He said He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. That seemed to sustain men like Paul to endure enormous trials. It is certainly sufficient enough to sustain us today as well.
The beautiful thing is that when we continue to trust God and cling to His promise even amidst severe trial, great things happen. Abraham and Sarah birthed a miracle child. Nehemiah completed the wall to the glory of God. Paul and Company experienced a miraculous delivery from jail, but more importantly they saw many souls delivered from the bondage of sin.
Have you committed your way to the Lord? Have you signed up for the adventure that will be yours as you pursue His purposes? Then know that the way may be challenging, but as you cling to the Lord and His promises, you will get to see God work in wonderful ways. May God help us all to stay the course and believe that He "will build His church".
Abraham and Sarah endured years of childlessness. They had a promise from God but year followed year and still no baby. Anyone who has been barren knows how painful that waiting can be. Nehemiah was confronted with major challenges as well. Sanballat and Tobiah wanted to hinder his work. They tried ridicule, intrigue, threats, blackmail - they even infiltrated the ranks of the prophets. They did not want to see the prosperity of Jerusalem, but Nehemiah pushed through seeking to accomplish the work to which he was called.
Paul and Company had a similar experience. They were clearly directed to Macedonia, but when they went there very quickly they were opposed. They were falsely accused and thrown in jail. But they kept moving ahead pursuing the work God gave to them.
So if trials are to be expected for the workers of the Lord, how do we carry on despite them? Part of the answer is to cling to the promises of God. God told Abraham that he would be a father of many nations and that he would have a child through Sarah. Abraham believed God and that seemed to direct his actions.
So what promise can we cling to today? Jesus perhaps gave the greatest promise in Matthew 16. He said He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. That seemed to sustain men like Paul to endure enormous trials. It is certainly sufficient enough to sustain us today as well.
The beautiful thing is that when we continue to trust God and cling to His promise even amidst severe trial, great things happen. Abraham and Sarah birthed a miracle child. Nehemiah completed the wall to the glory of God. Paul and Company experienced a miraculous delivery from jail, but more importantly they saw many souls delivered from the bondage of sin.
Have you committed your way to the Lord? Have you signed up for the adventure that will be yours as you pursue His purposes? Then know that the way may be challenging, but as you cling to the Lord and His promises, you will get to see God work in wonderful ways. May God help us all to stay the course and believe that He "will build His church".
Friday, January 14, 2011
Is He able?
I remember singing a song when I was young (perhaps this will date me). It was entitled, "He is able". We would sing, "He is able, He is able, I know He is able, I know my Lord is able to carry me through....". That's great theology to be teaching children - adults, too!
In our Bible reading today we encountered several characters who prospered because of their firm confidence in the Lord's ability to carry them through. There were moments of wavering or doubt but when they recovered they went forward victoriously.
Abram was the first. As he looked at the passage of time and the aging of his wife's and his own body, he was tempted to wonder how God would fufill the promise of a son. But when the Lord took him outside to view the stars and to reaffirm His promise, Abram believed and it was "counted for him as righteouseness". As long as he kept his eyes off himself and his circumstances and kept them on His God, the Maker of heaven and earth, he would walk forward with confidence, and that is what he did according to Romans 4:20-21.
Peter is another great example. He had the audacity to ask the Lord to allow him to walk on water. Imagine how he felt when he was told to come. And as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to do the impossible. But when he looked at the storms around him, and began thinking about his own weakness, he began to sink. Fortunately, the Lord grabbed his hand and rescued him. I think he learned alot about the ability of Jesus that day.
Then there were the people in Nehemiah's day. Faced with opposition, intimidation, tired bodies and the like, the people were tempted to fear and perhaps abandon the work to which God called them. But Nehemiah led them well. He urged them to "remember the Lord, who is great and mighty". In saying this he helped the people remove their eyes from the circumstances, and even from their own abilities, and he focused them on the Lord who is able.
What challenges are you confronted with today? Are you weighed down with fears? The antidote is to take your eyes off yourself - take your eyes off the circumstances which loom large in light of your weakness - and place them squarely on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is able, He is able, I know my Lord is able to carry YOU through. Trust Him today.
PS: I saw a little extra tidbit from Nehemiah. He not only urged the people to look to the Lord, but he also urged them to love their brother. That is another great antidote for fear, as John tells us "perfect love casts our fear". So....trust in the greatness of your God, and in that light, love your brother, and you will find fear dissipating and confidence to meet the challenges of the day growing.
In our Bible reading today we encountered several characters who prospered because of their firm confidence in the Lord's ability to carry them through. There were moments of wavering or doubt but when they recovered they went forward victoriously.
Abram was the first. As he looked at the passage of time and the aging of his wife's and his own body, he was tempted to wonder how God would fufill the promise of a son. But when the Lord took him outside to view the stars and to reaffirm His promise, Abram believed and it was "counted for him as righteouseness". As long as he kept his eyes off himself and his circumstances and kept them on His God, the Maker of heaven and earth, he would walk forward with confidence, and that is what he did according to Romans 4:20-21.
Peter is another great example. He had the audacity to ask the Lord to allow him to walk on water. Imagine how he felt when he was told to come. And as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to do the impossible. But when he looked at the storms around him, and began thinking about his own weakness, he began to sink. Fortunately, the Lord grabbed his hand and rescued him. I think he learned alot about the ability of Jesus that day.
Then there were the people in Nehemiah's day. Faced with opposition, intimidation, tired bodies and the like, the people were tempted to fear and perhaps abandon the work to which God called them. But Nehemiah led them well. He urged them to "remember the Lord, who is great and mighty". In saying this he helped the people remove their eyes from the circumstances, and even from their own abilities, and he focused them on the Lord who is able.
What challenges are you confronted with today? Are you weighed down with fears? The antidote is to take your eyes off yourself - take your eyes off the circumstances which loom large in light of your weakness - and place them squarely on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is able, He is able, I know my Lord is able to carry YOU through. Trust Him today.
PS: I saw a little extra tidbit from Nehemiah. He not only urged the people to look to the Lord, but he also urged them to love their brother. That is another great antidote for fear, as John tells us "perfect love casts our fear". So....trust in the greatness of your God, and in that light, love your brother, and you will find fear dissipating and confidence to meet the challenges of the day growing.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Is God Enough?
I love the heart of Abram (Gen 14). Even after his nephew took the best of the land, he still loved him. When Lot was dragged off by the enemy and his possessions taken away, Abram organized a force and fought for his nephew and won everything back. That's love in action!
But what is more amazing to me is when the King of Sodom offered him all the possessions he had won back, Abram said, "No thanks". He had made a pact with the Lord that he would take nothing from the king lest by this another man would say they made Abram rich. Why did he do this?
I believe Abram only wanted to be known as a man made rich by the Lord. I find a clue in the passage when Abram calls the Lord, "possessor of heaven and earth". To Abram, God was the possessor of all things. Thus, Abram did not need to go to man to be rich. He knew that if he possessed the Lord (the possessor of all things), he would have all he really needed.
In Jesus' parables of Matthew 13 we have a related thought. Jesus speaks of the person who finds a buried treasure and sells all to possess it. He speaks of a pearl of great price which a man found and sold everything to own it. And what is it that is so worthy? Jesus says it is the Kingdom of heaven, which is really having the King (Jesus) living and reigning in our heart.
And how is it that we can have this King, Possessor of heaven and earth, in our hearts? That was the message of the disciples in Acts 13. They proclaimed the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.
The fact is....before we can possess this great treasure in our hearts, our hearts must be cleansed of sin. Our hearts have to be made a suitable habitation for the King. And the only way our hearts can be made suitable is to have them cleansed by the King - that is the forgiveness of sins. We need the forgiveness of sins which Jesus offers, not just so that we can have heaven in the future, but so that we can have the fullness God desire for us in the present. And when the King has taken residence in our hearts and we begin to know his fullness, we begin to eschew the riches of this world. They begin to mean less and less to us, because, like Abram, we find that God is enough.
May this truth become more of each our reality in 2011!
But what is more amazing to me is when the King of Sodom offered him all the possessions he had won back, Abram said, "No thanks". He had made a pact with the Lord that he would take nothing from the king lest by this another man would say they made Abram rich. Why did he do this?
I believe Abram only wanted to be known as a man made rich by the Lord. I find a clue in the passage when Abram calls the Lord, "possessor of heaven and earth". To Abram, God was the possessor of all things. Thus, Abram did not need to go to man to be rich. He knew that if he possessed the Lord (the possessor of all things), he would have all he really needed.
In Jesus' parables of Matthew 13 we have a related thought. Jesus speaks of the person who finds a buried treasure and sells all to possess it. He speaks of a pearl of great price which a man found and sold everything to own it. And what is it that is so worthy? Jesus says it is the Kingdom of heaven, which is really having the King (Jesus) living and reigning in our heart.
And how is it that we can have this King, Possessor of heaven and earth, in our hearts? That was the message of the disciples in Acts 13. They proclaimed the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.
The fact is....before we can possess this great treasure in our hearts, our hearts must be cleansed of sin. Our hearts have to be made a suitable habitation for the King. And the only way our hearts can be made suitable is to have them cleansed by the King - that is the forgiveness of sins. We need the forgiveness of sins which Jesus offers, not just so that we can have heaven in the future, but so that we can have the fullness God desire for us in the present. And when the King has taken residence in our hearts and we begin to know his fullness, we begin to eschew the riches of this world. They begin to mean less and less to us, because, like Abram, we find that God is enough.
May this truth become more of each our reality in 2011!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Our Lips Reveal the Heart
The words that we speak reveal alot about us. In fact, they reveal what fills our heart. That's what Jesus said to the Pharisees. He said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."
Abraham spoke words to Lot that revealed what filled his heart. He told Lot that it is not good for brothers to have strife, and told him to choose what parcel of land he wanted. It was unusual for the older man, Abraham, to defer to the younger man, Lot, but Abraham's words reveal a heart that trusted in the promise of God and desired his testimony to be right before the nations who surrounded them and were looking in.
The Pharisees clearly revealed what filled their hearts. They attributed the miracles of Christ to the devil. Their hearts were filled with jealousy and their clever sounding arguments only resulted in putting their evil hearts on display.
Nehemiah's words (and even lack of words) showed much about his heart. First he remained silent when he was inspecting the walls. There is a certain wisdom that fills the heart of the person who knows when NOT to speak. Then, when he spoke, his words were filled with acknowledgement of God's hand in his life. Nehemiah was a man of prayer whose heart was filled with desire to see God's kingdom prosper and his words revealed it very clearly.
So the question for all of us today is: What do our words reveal about us - about our hearts? Do they reveal an abundance of good - really that Christ is reigning in our hearts - or do they show something unhealthy has taken root (bitterness, hurt, jealousy, greed,....). May Christ so fill us today that our words flow out and demonstrate His gracious presence in our life.
Abraham spoke words to Lot that revealed what filled his heart. He told Lot that it is not good for brothers to have strife, and told him to choose what parcel of land he wanted. It was unusual for the older man, Abraham, to defer to the younger man, Lot, but Abraham's words reveal a heart that trusted in the promise of God and desired his testimony to be right before the nations who surrounded them and were looking in.
The Pharisees clearly revealed what filled their hearts. They attributed the miracles of Christ to the devil. Their hearts were filled with jealousy and their clever sounding arguments only resulted in putting their evil hearts on display.
Nehemiah's words (and even lack of words) showed much about his heart. First he remained silent when he was inspecting the walls. There is a certain wisdom that fills the heart of the person who knows when NOT to speak. Then, when he spoke, his words were filled with acknowledgement of God's hand in his life. Nehemiah was a man of prayer whose heart was filled with desire to see God's kingdom prosper and his words revealed it very clearly.
So the question for all of us today is: What do our words reveal about us - about our hearts? Do they reveal an abundance of good - really that Christ is reigning in our hearts - or do they show something unhealthy has taken root (bitterness, hurt, jealousy, greed,....). May Christ so fill us today that our words flow out and demonstrate His gracious presence in our life.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
All the Nations Blessed
A common theme in the Scriptures is the theme of covenant. We saw a covenant with Noah in Genesis 9 and now we see a crucial covenant with Abraham. (As you read look for this covenant idea. It will help you tie the story of the Bible together.)
God tells Abraham that he will make his name great and that from him will come a great nation. But the blessing to Abraham is not one to be horded, for God affirms that He will bless Abraham so that he will be a blessing to all the families of the earth. Thus, Abraham is blessed to be a blessing!
And how would that blessing come to the nations? Ultimately, it is through the lineage of Abraham that the Christ - Jesus, the Lord, arrives. And it is through this Christ that one of the greatest promises known to man is given. He says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Armed with that message, the disciples of Jesus penetrated their world. At first they thought it was a Jewish thing, but God quickly showed them that He really meant what He promised Abraham - that through Him "all the nations of the earth shall be blessed." As the apostles and the early disciples went out proclaiming Christ they saw Jew, Samaritan, and now Gentile brought into the fold of God. God is true to His promises.
Has His promise come to you? Have you come to Jesus, acknowledging that you are heavy laden with sin, and have you cast yourself on Jesus, finding rest for your soul? To find that rest in Jesus is to begin experiencing the blessing that He wants to bring to your life. Have you come to Christ and found that rest?
Father, thank you for being true to your promises. What you promised to Abraham is still being fulfilled in Your wonderful Son, Jesus Christ.
God tells Abraham that he will make his name great and that from him will come a great nation. But the blessing to Abraham is not one to be horded, for God affirms that He will bless Abraham so that he will be a blessing to all the families of the earth. Thus, Abraham is blessed to be a blessing!
And how would that blessing come to the nations? Ultimately, it is through the lineage of Abraham that the Christ - Jesus, the Lord, arrives. And it is through this Christ that one of the greatest promises known to man is given. He says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Armed with that message, the disciples of Jesus penetrated their world. At first they thought it was a Jewish thing, but God quickly showed them that He really meant what He promised Abraham - that through Him "all the nations of the earth shall be blessed." As the apostles and the early disciples went out proclaiming Christ they saw Jew, Samaritan, and now Gentile brought into the fold of God. God is true to His promises.
Has His promise come to you? Have you come to Jesus, acknowledging that you are heavy laden with sin, and have you cast yourself on Jesus, finding rest for your soul? To find that rest in Jesus is to begin experiencing the blessing that He wants to bring to your life. Have you come to Christ and found that rest?
Father, thank you for being true to your promises. What you promised to Abraham is still being fulfilled in Your wonderful Son, Jesus Christ.
Monday, January 10, 2011
God's Glory to the four corners
I was impressed in our reading today that our God is a God who desires to see His glory reach the four corners of the earth. In Genesis we have seen God command His creatures to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth". Why fill the earth? Because as God's image bearers fill the earth, so God's glory potentially can fill the earth.
When the people in Genesis 10 decide to build a tower "to make a name for themselves" and decide not to spread throughout the earth, they were acting contrary to God's desire. So, in judgment He confused their languages so that that potentially they would fill the earth, and hopefully not make a name for themselves, but lift up the name of their Creator.
In Matthew 10 and Acts 10 we see the gospel growing and expanding. In Matthew Jesus is preparing his disciples to go. He equips them with a message and an authority. He also warns them that the task would not be easy. Men would persecute them, not wanting this message to prosper. But those who endure and proclaim Christ to their world would be greatly rewarded.
In Acts 10 Peter is privileged to open the gospel to the Gentiles. Previously it had been presented to the Jews, then later to the Samaritan (half Jews), and now with Cornelius the gospel is opened to the Gentiles. In ever widening circles the good news of Christ is meant to go out to the glory of God.
Now we who are followers of Christ have the same mission. We should never be happy with our "holy huddle" but must always be open to reach out to more and more. To be God glorifying in our approach to life is to be outward in our thrust with the gospel. Though that road may have many a peril, in the end we who, by the grace of Christ, endure will receive a rich reward. May God help us to bring the message of hope and life in Christ to our world!
When the people in Genesis 10 decide to build a tower "to make a name for themselves" and decide not to spread throughout the earth, they were acting contrary to God's desire. So, in judgment He confused their languages so that that potentially they would fill the earth, and hopefully not make a name for themselves, but lift up the name of their Creator.
In Matthew 10 and Acts 10 we see the gospel growing and expanding. In Matthew Jesus is preparing his disciples to go. He equips them with a message and an authority. He also warns them that the task would not be easy. Men would persecute them, not wanting this message to prosper. But those who endure and proclaim Christ to their world would be greatly rewarded.
In Acts 10 Peter is privileged to open the gospel to the Gentiles. Previously it had been presented to the Jews, then later to the Samaritan (half Jews), and now with Cornelius the gospel is opened to the Gentiles. In ever widening circles the good news of Christ is meant to go out to the glory of God.
Now we who are followers of Christ have the same mission. We should never be happy with our "holy huddle" but must always be open to reach out to more and more. To be God glorifying in our approach to life is to be outward in our thrust with the gospel. Though that road may have many a peril, in the end we who, by the grace of Christ, endure will receive a rich reward. May God help us to bring the message of hope and life in Christ to our world!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Marvelous Mercies
Going to church is important, in fact, we were told last week why it is so important. If you missed that sermon I encourage you to go back to it and listen in. (It's on our website cbcaz.com. You'll find it on our resources tab, audio sermons, Why go to Church.) But if church is all that defines our "religion" we may be missing much of what Jesus intends for us.
Confronted with the disdain of the "religious rulers" over His reaching out to tax collectors and sinners, Jesus made this penetrating statement. He said, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous but sinners."
The Pharisees of Jesus' day were really good at the sacrifice part. They had the whole "worship" routine down pat, and they were fastididous about doing it right. But there was something glaring missing from their religion. They lacked love and compassion. They were satisfied with their religious ritual oblivious to the people around them who were dying in their sins.
Jesus offered a different scenario. He said He desired mercy over sacrifice. In other words if one's worship never leads you to compassion, it is not making the grade, because God always desires it to make us more compassionate and merciful in our world.
We see that compassion all over the life of Jesus. In just this chapter beyond this statement we have just referenced, we see His mercies to the blind men who asked for mercy, and we see His compassion for the "sheep without the shepherd". We see those mercies all over the Bible as well. Ezra's contemporaries knew great mercies from God though they did not always respond to them appropriately. The conversion of Saul is a great mercy as are the healings that came to many through Peter and the Apostles.
The bottom line is this: our religion must get us face to face with people in need extending to them the mercies and compassion of Christ. Just as Peter and the Apostles continued Christ's mission of mercy, so we are called to do the same. If our worship of God does not get us there, we must say we are missing out. May God grant us, even today, opportunities to put on display the marvelous mercies of God. This is our spiritual service of worship!
What struck you today in the reading! Wasn't it rich!
Confronted with the disdain of the "religious rulers" over His reaching out to tax collectors and sinners, Jesus made this penetrating statement. He said, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous but sinners."
The Pharisees of Jesus' day were really good at the sacrifice part. They had the whole "worship" routine down pat, and they were fastididous about doing it right. But there was something glaring missing from their religion. They lacked love and compassion. They were satisfied with their religious ritual oblivious to the people around them who were dying in their sins.
Jesus offered a different scenario. He said He desired mercy over sacrifice. In other words if one's worship never leads you to compassion, it is not making the grade, because God always desires it to make us more compassionate and merciful in our world.
We see that compassion all over the life of Jesus. In just this chapter beyond this statement we have just referenced, we see His mercies to the blind men who asked for mercy, and we see His compassion for the "sheep without the shepherd". We see those mercies all over the Bible as well. Ezra's contemporaries knew great mercies from God though they did not always respond to them appropriately. The conversion of Saul is a great mercy as are the healings that came to many through Peter and the Apostles.
The bottom line is this: our religion must get us face to face with people in need extending to them the mercies and compassion of Christ. Just as Peter and the Apostles continued Christ's mission of mercy, so we are called to do the same. If our worship of God does not get us there, we must say we are missing out. May God grant us, even today, opportunities to put on display the marvelous mercies of God. This is our spiritual service of worship!
What struck you today in the reading! Wasn't it rich!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Where is Jesus?
As we read through the Old Testament portions of the Scriptures it is important to be asking ourselves the question, "Where is Jesus?" His presence is very obvious in the gospels and epistles, but may be less apparent in the Old Testament. And yet it is said of Jesus in Luke 24:27 that "beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." He is there, but we may see Him more through symbols and types and shadows.
Take for instance the chapters we have just read about Noah and the ark. There is a beautiful picture of Christ there. He is the ark, and just as those who were in the ark passed through the waters of judgment unto newness of life, so those who are "in Christ" (and only those in Christ) are those who will pass through God's judgment unto newness of life and eventually heaven. It is one of many pictures or shadows in our Old Testament which point to the reality in Jesus Christ, and we miss alot if we don't make that connection.
So as you read on, be sure to be looking for Jesus. And as you find Him worship Him, and then share with us what you found.
Have you seen Jesus elsewhere so far in our reading. There was a major revelation on Day 3.
Take for instance the chapters we have just read about Noah and the ark. There is a beautiful picture of Christ there. He is the ark, and just as those who were in the ark passed through the waters of judgment unto newness of life, so those who are "in Christ" (and only those in Christ) are those who will pass through God's judgment unto newness of life and eventually heaven. It is one of many pictures or shadows in our Old Testament which point to the reality in Jesus Christ, and we miss alot if we don't make that connection.
So as you read on, be sure to be looking for Jesus. And as you find Him worship Him, and then share with us what you found.
Have you seen Jesus elsewhere so far in our reading. There was a major revelation on Day 3.
Friday, January 7, 2011
A Timely Reminder
As we complete our first week of Bible Reading, our passages for today offer us an important and timely reminder.
In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Jesus went on to talk about those who will come to Him declaring all the things they did "in His name", but He will tell them that He never knew them. I conclude from this it is possible to be doing all sorts of "Christian activities" but never really doing the will of the Father.
Jesus then tells the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock. This man is the one who hears the words of Jesus AND DOES THEM. The man who hears, but fails to do them, that is, fails to do the will of the Father, is like the foolish man who built his house on the sand,but when the storms came found himself homeless.
I love the positive example of this from Ezra 7:10. It said that he studied the law (great start), and practiced it (here's where Jesus wants us to go), and then taught it to others. And if you look at Ezra's life you see great evidence of God's hand. Is there a correlation between "doing the will of the Father" and having His hand of blessing upon us?
Noah, too, was a positive example. Though it may have been strange to build a boat on dry land, nowhere near water, Noah did exactly as the Lord commanded. His hearing the Word and then doing resulted in a great salvation for him and his family.
Sadly, the religious rulers of Stephen's day (Acts 7) didn't get it. Stephen's indictment of them in verse 53 is telling. "You who have received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it!" Wow - to have such a treasure, such a resource but to neglect it - and these were the religious people of the day.
So, as we all read our Bible may we all be encouraged to remember that we read not to become more intellectual with our faith (though that will be a benefit), but to become more obedient to our Lord. Even Jesus said to His disciples before His ascension that we should make disciples by "teaching them to DO according to all that I (Jesus) commanded."
So may God help us all to live out the truth that we are taking in!
Has the Word been forming you lately? Why don't you share how it has?
In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Jesus went on to talk about those who will come to Him declaring all the things they did "in His name", but He will tell them that He never knew them. I conclude from this it is possible to be doing all sorts of "Christian activities" but never really doing the will of the Father.
Jesus then tells the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock. This man is the one who hears the words of Jesus AND DOES THEM. The man who hears, but fails to do them, that is, fails to do the will of the Father, is like the foolish man who built his house on the sand,but when the storms came found himself homeless.
I love the positive example of this from Ezra 7:10. It said that he studied the law (great start), and practiced it (here's where Jesus wants us to go), and then taught it to others. And if you look at Ezra's life you see great evidence of God's hand. Is there a correlation between "doing the will of the Father" and having His hand of blessing upon us?
Noah, too, was a positive example. Though it may have been strange to build a boat on dry land, nowhere near water, Noah did exactly as the Lord commanded. His hearing the Word and then doing resulted in a great salvation for him and his family.
Sadly, the religious rulers of Stephen's day (Acts 7) didn't get it. Stephen's indictment of them in verse 53 is telling. "You who have received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it!" Wow - to have such a treasure, such a resource but to neglect it - and these were the religious people of the day.
So, as we all read our Bible may we all be encouraged to remember that we read not to become more intellectual with our faith (though that will be a benefit), but to become more obedient to our Lord. Even Jesus said to His disciples before His ascension that we should make disciples by "teaching them to DO according to all that I (Jesus) commanded."
So may God help us all to live out the truth that we are taking in!
Has the Word been forming you lately? Why don't you share how it has?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Purpose of Affliction
It is amazing that we get just six chapters into the Bible only to see God ready to destroy mankind and start over. One has to wonder why God created a world with the possibility of sin and corruption. And then as we travel through our Bible we see difficulty and affliction covering its pages. The people in Ezra's day experienced persecution from those who did not want to see the prosperity of Jerusalem. Jesus, in Matthew 6, refers to the affliction we feel as we worry about our food, and drink and clothing. In Acts 6 there was the problem of the distribution of food and the persecution of Stephen. What's going on here? God didn't make a mistake here, did He? Is He in heaven wringing His hands wondering where things went wrong? Or....is all this part of His plan to bring glory to Himself?
For the Christian I hope the answer is obvious. In His unsearchable wisdom God created such a world because it would bring greatest glory to Himself. We learn so much about God in the midst of affliction and difficulty. There are things about God we would never learn unless we had gone through the trial. Think about what Noah and his family learned about God as they were delivered from His judgment through the ark. Think about what the people in Ezra's day learned as they saw God influence the hearts of kings. There was great rejoicing in those days when the last stone was laid to finish the temple.
Personally I'd have to say that I have learned, I mean really learned, most about God's goodness in the midst of my most difficult times. I can remember during one especially trying time, being so surprised that in the midst of it, God became more real to me. His character shoned so much more brightly, that it brought me to praise and worship like never before.
No, God didn't make any mistakes. He has loving purposes for the affliction He allows in our lives. Ultimately, He reveals more of Himself to us through those afflictions and as He does that He teaches us more and more that we can trust Him. Beyond that our afflictions do serve to transform our character, making it more like Christ, and does enable us to relate better to fellow suffers, dispensing to them the grace that God gave to us in our affliction.
Are you afflicted today? You might be at the cusp of learning some amazing things about God, if you will turn your gaze toward Him and not be overcome by the situation around you. There are no mistakes with God. He will not waste your pain!
So tell me...what did God reveal to you today through His Word?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Love Takes Us Further
In Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
From this statement we learn that the human tendency is to do less than what the law requires. The human proclivity is to minimize the law and make it easier to fulfill. But Jesus says the one who does this will be considered least in the kingdom.
Then Jesus goes on and illustrates what he means, and His first illustration is stunning. In verse 23 he says (in light of the command not to murder), "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
Now why, if my brother has something against me, do I have to stop my worship and go and be reconciled with him? Isn't it "he" who has the problem? Shouldn't he come to me if he has a problem?
But if you look at verse 22 you will see why Jesus says to go seek reconciliation. Jesus said, "...and whoever says, 'You fool' will be liable to the hell of fire." Thus, if there is a chance that your offended brother might, in his anger over something you did, be calling you a fool in his heart, and thus be making himself "liable to the hell of fire", you must go and seek his good. You must work toward reconciliation and so rescue his soul from hell. Now who would have thought that was an application of the "Do not murder" commandment. But that's what love does - it takes us further. It not only keeps us from doing what we are commanded "not" to do, but it asks "how would love fulfill this command". In each example that follows Jesus shows how this works.
When you look at this calling, not just to keep away from things we are commanded to avoid, but to consider how love fulfills the commands - taking us further, we realize in our own strength we do not go there. That's why we need the Lord Jesus, living in us, and working through us an uncommon love. And when we fulfill the commands in this way, that is, when we love in this way, we will truly be a "city on a hill - a light to the world". May God help us all be such a light!
Well, what is God teaching you through your reading?
From this statement we learn that the human tendency is to do less than what the law requires. The human proclivity is to minimize the law and make it easier to fulfill. But Jesus says the one who does this will be considered least in the kingdom.
Then Jesus goes on and illustrates what he means, and His first illustration is stunning. In verse 23 he says (in light of the command not to murder), "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
Now why, if my brother has something against me, do I have to stop my worship and go and be reconciled with him? Isn't it "he" who has the problem? Shouldn't he come to me if he has a problem?
But if you look at verse 22 you will see why Jesus says to go seek reconciliation. Jesus said, "...and whoever says, 'You fool' will be liable to the hell of fire." Thus, if there is a chance that your offended brother might, in his anger over something you did, be calling you a fool in his heart, and thus be making himself "liable to the hell of fire", you must go and seek his good. You must work toward reconciliation and so rescue his soul from hell. Now who would have thought that was an application of the "Do not murder" commandment. But that's what love does - it takes us further. It not only keeps us from doing what we are commanded "not" to do, but it asks "how would love fulfill this command". In each example that follows Jesus shows how this works.
When you look at this calling, not just to keep away from things we are commanded to avoid, but to consider how love fulfills the commands - taking us further, we realize in our own strength we do not go there. That's why we need the Lord Jesus, living in us, and working through us an uncommon love. And when we fulfill the commands in this way, that is, when we love in this way, we will truly be a "city on a hill - a light to the world". May God help us all be such a light!
Well, what is God teaching you through your reading?
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Saddest Verse in the Bible
Genesis 4:16 has to be among the saddest verses in the Bible: "Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord..." Let that settle in for a moment. We were made to live "in" the presence of the Lord. That's the place of blessing. That's the place of life. When Jesus walked the earth His presence brought restoration and renewal everywhere He went. The blind could see, the lame walk, sins were forgiven. That's what happens when Christ is present - when He reigns or "gains mastery" in our lives. But Cain was going away from that presence. Sin had been crouching at the door, wanting to gain mastery over him, and he gave in. What a tragedy! That same tragedy is seen in the lives of so many around us. In fact, if we are all honest, we have known it in our own lives. We have given in to sin and given it mastery. It promised life, but only brought us death. But thanks be to God, that in Christ, in His presence, in His reign there is life and restoration. That's why I am encouraged today to pray like those in Acts 4 that the Lord would give me boldness to proclaim the blessed reign of Christ, so that I might see others saved from living life "away from the presence of the Lord".
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Mercy of Judgment
In Genesis 3 we encounter a cosmic tragedy. Man chooses to reject His Creator. By his actions he says that he does not need God or that God is not enough. And the consequences could not be any more tragic. Fear and pain and strife and fruitless toil enter into the world. Relationships at every level are disrupted: the battle of the sexes begins, God is sending man out or away instead of drawing Him into His presence. What a mess!
And yet, amidst this troublesome scene, there is mercy, for every part of the judgment on sin has the potential to teach man that they need the Lord; that He, and He alone is sufficient for life. When we encounter a fearful situation, or pain, or strife in relationships, or when our work is a daily struggle....each of these has the potential to show us our weakness, even our sinfulness, and to direct our attention to the One who is sufficient, Jesus Christ. It is His presence in our life that is foundational. Through repentance (turning from living life on our own and neglecting God) and faith (placing our trust in Christ and His righteousness) we can be reconnected to the life-giving presence of Christ through His Spirit, and taste the fullness of life that God designed for His creatures. Father, thank you, that even in the midst of judgment you have merciful purposes. Sanctify each challenge of this day so that it causes us to look to the One who is our sufficiency in all things - Your Son, Jesus Christ.
And yet, amidst this troublesome scene, there is mercy, for every part of the judgment on sin has the potential to teach man that they need the Lord; that He, and He alone is sufficient for life. When we encounter a fearful situation, or pain, or strife in relationships, or when our work is a daily struggle....each of these has the potential to show us our weakness, even our sinfulness, and to direct our attention to the One who is sufficient, Jesus Christ. It is His presence in our life that is foundational. Through repentance (turning from living life on our own and neglecting God) and faith (placing our trust in Christ and His righteousness) we can be reconnected to the life-giving presence of Christ through His Spirit, and taste the fullness of life that God designed for His creatures. Father, thank you, that even in the midst of judgment you have merciful purposes. Sanctify each challenge of this day so that it causes us to look to the One who is our sufficiency in all things - Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
God in community
From the beginning of our Bible we see that our God is a "God in community". We refer to this as our belief in a triune God. Odd as it may seem and difficult to comprehend God reveals Himself to us in the pages of Scripture as "one God in three persons".
That's why when we encounter Adam all alone, God declares that this is not good. How can man, made in the image of God, display God, who Himself is in community, if he (man) is alone? That, I am sure, is one reason why God quickly acted to bring a "complement" to Adam, so that he and Eve might better be able to reflect the self-giving exchange that has happened in the Trinity throughout eternity.
As we move into our New Testament, Acts 2 (today's reading), we see that the concept of community is still very strong. God is now forming a new community whose mission it is to display the glory of God. God fills this people with His Spirit and, as a result, this community begins to pour out love to one another in an amazing way - selling possessions to meet the needs of others. There must have been such a sense of oneness.
I know for me, the concept of "imaging" God by pouring out my life and love in the context of community is compelling. I (and you) were made for such as this! But I know I do this so imperfectly. There is a force in this world, yes, even in my own heart, that wants to be self-grasping and not self-giving. How I need to rely on the Spirit to transform me and hopefully through me, the community in which I have been placed!
How did God instruct you this day from the reading?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Beginnings and New Beginnings
Some observations about the first day of readings:
1. I see creation and re-creation. Original creation is found in Genesis 1; re-creation or restoration in Ezra (after being exiled), ultimately in Christ (Matt 1), in a new people being formed (Acts 1).
2. I see our God as Creator and Provider. He not only creates, but He provides for His creation. In Genesis He provides a caretaker for creation; He provides food for man and beast. In Ezra he provides those who will give to the building project. In Matthew we have the ultimate provision for mankind in Jesus. In Acts God is providing for His church all they need to carry out their mission. Isn't it great to know that our God is a providing God.
3. I see the Holy Spirit present in each chapter: hovering over the waters, stirring men's hearts to give, producing life in Mary's womb, equipping the church to be missionaries.
4. I see God commanding and where His commands are followed good things come: creation is birthed, a people mobilized to return home, the Savior birthed and cared for, a witness proclaimed.
As I think about the New Year ahead with all its challenges, I take heart in knowing that I have a God who not only creates and commands, but who provides, and if I follow His lead I know I will see His plan unfold and experience the wonderful good He intends. He is trustworthy; my faith is well placed in Him.
In a devotional I read this morning I encountered a similar theme. George Morrison notes: The wonders of tomorrow depend on the sanctification of today—a new surrender here and now is the prelude to a wonderful experience, which ought to be borne in mind by those who are growing weary of their work and dreading the prospect of another year. The enthusiasm of youth may have departed, the strength we once enjoyed may have been weakened, the freshness may have been rubbed off things through the ceaseless handling of the years. But if, here and now, facing the unknown in our Lord’s fashion we sanctify ourselves, tomorrow will be more wonderful than yesterday....With a fresh surrender of ourselves, with spirits receptive and responsive, with a conviction that God is ahead, ordering everything in perfect love, let us go forward with the banners flying, to the high adventure of another year, for we have not come this way before.
May God fill you with the confidence that He is able to meet every challenge before you in 2011! What did God show you in your reading?
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