"Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility--young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace."
Daniel 1:3&4
Daniel and many other Israelites were carried off into exile by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king. They were forced from their home land and forced to learn the ways of the Babylonians, a people who were idolaters and ungodly in every way. Babylon is an Old Testament type of the world today. Their values have in many ways become the values of the world in which we live.
Notice the characteristics that the Babylonians were looking for in the men who were chosen to serve in the king's palace. First, they were to be young. Then they were to be without defect. They were to be handsome, intelligent and well-informed about the things of the world around them. These were the things that made them "qualified" in the eyes of the king. Surely it is apparent that these are the same things that our world is looking for in people today. It isn't just men, but women as well. All are given a standard of appearance that they are required to live up to.We are inundated each day with health and beauty ads that depict the most beautiful of women and the most muscular and good looking of men. Our world, like the Babylonians, looks at the outside of people first. Judgments are formed about individuals based on what is seen. If people are intelligent and aware of current events, they are seen to be those who will excel in life.
How vain we have become in judging people. Young girls are damaged emotionally by trying to live up to an image created for them that is impossible to attain. Young men must dress correctly, and look a certain way to be accepted by their peers. Older people are forgotten by this world mentality. They are past their prime and therefore less valuable in the current culture. It is a sad and dangerous place in which we have become imprisoned by the values of the world.
Thanks be to God that he does not judge people based on these things. The Bible tells us that God looks on the hearts of people, not the exterior. He judges us by our spirits within, not the external appearance. The wisdom of the world is foolishness to him. He does not honor those who are phenoms by the world's standards. We must never fall into the trap that has been set by the depravity of the world. Our image of God is skewed when we measure ourselves by these standards. Today, more than ever before in the history of mankind, it is imperative for us to live by the words that Jesus spoke. We must take his words deep into our spirits and meditate on them. He does not love us because of how we look. He loves us because we are his. We belong to him and we are valuable in his sight. So the next time the world attempts to entangle you in the web of its expectations, remember this: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32). These words were spoken by the One who is still; The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Be free from the false expectations. You are created in God's image!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Pop Quiz Answers
I posted the quiz on Friday, October 28th. Hopefully you were challenged a little bit. Here are the answers to the questions.
1. Methusela lived to be 969 years old.
2. Saul's commander was Abner.
3. Samuel anointed David to be king.
4. Uriah was Bathsheba's husband.
5. Paul shipwrecked on the island of Malta
6. The church at Ephesus
7. Noah's sons were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
8. The tribes who settled outside of Canaan were Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
9. Timothy's mother was Eunice.
10.Elisha made the axhead float.
Bonus Question: Bildad the Shuhite was the shortest man in the Bible (trick question).
I hope you had fun answering the questions.
1. Methusela lived to be 969 years old.
2. Saul's commander was Abner.
3. Samuel anointed David to be king.
4. Uriah was Bathsheba's husband.
5. Paul shipwrecked on the island of Malta
6. The church at Ephesus
7. Noah's sons were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
8. The tribes who settled outside of Canaan were Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
9. Timothy's mother was Eunice.
10.Elisha made the axhead float.
Bonus Question: Bildad the Shuhite was the shortest man in the Bible (trick question).
I hope you had fun answering the questions.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Pop Quiz
I write things each day that God is speaking to me. I had an idea the other night, so I am going to take the day off and give you an opportunity to interact. I thought I would throw out a pop quiz. I will post the answers sometime over the weekend. Be sure to check in and grade yourself. Feel free to comment on the blog site if you would like.
Here we go!
1. What man lived to be the oldest recorded age in the Bible?
2. What is the name of King Saul's army commander?
3. Who anointed David to be king of Israel?
4. What was the name of Bathsheba's husband whom David had killed?
5. What island did the apostle Paul shipwreck on?
6. What church did Jesus say: "You have forsaken your first love?"
7. What were Noah's sons names?
8. Which two and a half of the twelve tribes did not settle in the promised land of Canaan?
9. What was Timothy's mother's name?
10.What Old Testament prophet performed the miracle of the floating ax head?
BONUS QUESTION (Worth 2 points): Who was the shortest man in the Bible?
Okay. All of the answers are found in the Bible. I will post the answers later. If you would like to post your answers via a comment, feel free to do so.
Here we go!
1. What man lived to be the oldest recorded age in the Bible?
2. What is the name of King Saul's army commander?
3. Who anointed David to be king of Israel?
4. What was the name of Bathsheba's husband whom David had killed?
5. What island did the apostle Paul shipwreck on?
6. What church did Jesus say: "You have forsaken your first love?"
7. What were Noah's sons names?
8. Which two and a half of the twelve tribes did not settle in the promised land of Canaan?
9. What was Timothy's mother's name?
10.What Old Testament prophet performed the miracle of the floating ax head?
BONUS QUESTION (Worth 2 points): Who was the shortest man in the Bible?
Okay. All of the answers are found in the Bible. I will post the answers later. If you would like to post your answers via a comment, feel free to do so.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Equal Concern
"God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other."
1 Corinthians 12:24b&25
It sounds a little strange to talk about "the body." OF course this references the church. We are all part of the body of Christ. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of. There are two ways to look at this: If you attend a local church, you are part of that church and therefore part of that body of believers. In the broader sense, all Christians are members of the body of Christ or the church. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul describes in detail exactly how we are to dwell together in the church.
"God has combined the members of the body." This means that no matter what church you attend, we are called to live together in unity. He has called us all together from every walk of life, every ethnicity, every age, both men and women. No one is excluded or treated differently than someone else. We should have equal concern, equal honor for everyone. If we don't, we are guilty of the ugly sin of prejudice. I know beyond any doubt that every one of us are viewed as equal in the sight of God. He doesn't love some more than others, or treat some better than others. We are equal.
My concern is that we have developed a class system within the church. We may view some as less gifted than others. We elevate those who have public ministries and place them on a pedestal. Those who are eloquent speakers, those who really seem to have their lives together, we treat with utmost respect, but the "lesser" ones, we treat with less respect and honor. We need to learn that we are all equal in the sight of God and are called to live together with the same honor and respect for all.
There should be no divisions in the body of Christ. If we practiced the call to honor each other, we would have little reason to be divided. I must admit that I tire of the divisions caused by denominations. I understand the desire for like-minded people to be together, but when it brings division between members of the overall church, there must be some corrections made. I have noticed that many of the things that separate us are small theological viewpoints. It is true that we all look at things differently. Different people may look at a diamond from different angles and see different things, but it is still the same diamond. In the church, Christ is the diamond. If we share the commonality around this central truth, we should not argue over peripheral things. I have seen churches split over insignificant matters. As much as we may sugar coat it, this is really a divorce of sorts. But in the church, there can be no irreconcilable differences.
It's possible for us to come together. It's possible to lay down the petty differences and begin to live for Christ with passion. We can all taste and see that the Lord is good. But we must make choices. These are the last days and the church must come together to really be Jesus in the world. There is no time to waste. So let's make decisions today within our own minds and actions. Let's resolve to love one another and treat each other with honor and respect, no matter who the person is, or what they look like. Let's put away petty differences and live in the fullness of Christ. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1 KJV) Amen!
1 Corinthians 12:24b&25
It sounds a little strange to talk about "the body." OF course this references the church. We are all part of the body of Christ. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of. There are two ways to look at this: If you attend a local church, you are part of that church and therefore part of that body of believers. In the broader sense, all Christians are members of the body of Christ or the church. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul describes in detail exactly how we are to dwell together in the church.
"God has combined the members of the body." This means that no matter what church you attend, we are called to live together in unity. He has called us all together from every walk of life, every ethnicity, every age, both men and women. No one is excluded or treated differently than someone else. We should have equal concern, equal honor for everyone. If we don't, we are guilty of the ugly sin of prejudice. I know beyond any doubt that every one of us are viewed as equal in the sight of God. He doesn't love some more than others, or treat some better than others. We are equal.
My concern is that we have developed a class system within the church. We may view some as less gifted than others. We elevate those who have public ministries and place them on a pedestal. Those who are eloquent speakers, those who really seem to have their lives together, we treat with utmost respect, but the "lesser" ones, we treat with less respect and honor. We need to learn that we are all equal in the sight of God and are called to live together with the same honor and respect for all.
There should be no divisions in the body of Christ. If we practiced the call to honor each other, we would have little reason to be divided. I must admit that I tire of the divisions caused by denominations. I understand the desire for like-minded people to be together, but when it brings division between members of the overall church, there must be some corrections made. I have noticed that many of the things that separate us are small theological viewpoints. It is true that we all look at things differently. Different people may look at a diamond from different angles and see different things, but it is still the same diamond. In the church, Christ is the diamond. If we share the commonality around this central truth, we should not argue over peripheral things. I have seen churches split over insignificant matters. As much as we may sugar coat it, this is really a divorce of sorts. But in the church, there can be no irreconcilable differences.
It's possible for us to come together. It's possible to lay down the petty differences and begin to live for Christ with passion. We can all taste and see that the Lord is good. But we must make choices. These are the last days and the church must come together to really be Jesus in the world. There is no time to waste. So let's make decisions today within our own minds and actions. Let's resolve to love one another and treat each other with honor and respect, no matter who the person is, or what they look like. Let's put away petty differences and live in the fullness of Christ. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1 KJV) Amen!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Mighty Men
"David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader."
1 Samuel 22:1&2
I have often thought about this scripture. For some reason it has always been precious to me. It was at a time in David's life when things were not going so well. He was fleeing from Saul and was just beginning to gather his army. Of course all the best fighting men were already employed in king Saul's army. Those who were left seemed to be the least in the kingdom. But somehow, they were drawn to David.
I think this story is a lot like many of ours. We are people who are distressed or in debt or discontented. We look for answers within ourselves. We turn to man's ideas for rescue, but in the end, they do not work. The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. So we must turn to Jesus. It's ironic that sometimes he is our last resort. We should have run to him from the beginning. But in his eyes, it doesn't really matter. He is ready to receive us, no matter what our condition is. We may be broken or at our lowest point in life, but he will still receive us. In fact, he wants us. He willingly takes us as his own. God's army may look like a rag-tag group of weak people, but there is a strength that is found nowhere else, not in any other army.
David is an Old Testament type of Christ. Many of the Psalms and prophecies were written with him in mind, but they were all foreshadowing the Messiah, Jesus himself. Later in David's life, he gathered around himself a group of soldiers often called "David's Mighty Men." They were men of renown, legends in their own time. Although the Bible does not tell us the names of the first men to gather to David, I have little doubt that some of these men became David's mighty men. They may have started as hurting, angry, discontent men, but they became strong and mighty warriors for David. Again, we are like these men. God takes us just the way we are. Like David, he never turns one person away. After we come to him, he works in our lives and we begin to become like him. We see the things he does and we emulate them. God takes a rag-tag bunch of people and makes them a mighty army for his glory.
Stop thinking of yourself as a broken, in debt, discontent person. Start thinking of yourself the way God sees you; a mighty man in his kingdom. You used to live that way, but now you have moved on to greater things. You have joined an army and you are being shaped into a mighty person for God. When you joined, you were immediately given a position of authority. You ride with an army that follows the One riding the horse with "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" written on his thigh. The army is powerful with the most powerful One in history as its leader. We are confident, not fearful; brave, not cowardly. You and I are mighty men in the army of God!
1 Samuel 22:1&2
I have often thought about this scripture. For some reason it has always been precious to me. It was at a time in David's life when things were not going so well. He was fleeing from Saul and was just beginning to gather his army. Of course all the best fighting men were already employed in king Saul's army. Those who were left seemed to be the least in the kingdom. But somehow, they were drawn to David.
I think this story is a lot like many of ours. We are people who are distressed or in debt or discontented. We look for answers within ourselves. We turn to man's ideas for rescue, but in the end, they do not work. The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. So we must turn to Jesus. It's ironic that sometimes he is our last resort. We should have run to him from the beginning. But in his eyes, it doesn't really matter. He is ready to receive us, no matter what our condition is. We may be broken or at our lowest point in life, but he will still receive us. In fact, he wants us. He willingly takes us as his own. God's army may look like a rag-tag group of weak people, but there is a strength that is found nowhere else, not in any other army.
David is an Old Testament type of Christ. Many of the Psalms and prophecies were written with him in mind, but they were all foreshadowing the Messiah, Jesus himself. Later in David's life, he gathered around himself a group of soldiers often called "David's Mighty Men." They were men of renown, legends in their own time. Although the Bible does not tell us the names of the first men to gather to David, I have little doubt that some of these men became David's mighty men. They may have started as hurting, angry, discontent men, but they became strong and mighty warriors for David. Again, we are like these men. God takes us just the way we are. Like David, he never turns one person away. After we come to him, he works in our lives and we begin to become like him. We see the things he does and we emulate them. God takes a rag-tag bunch of people and makes them a mighty army for his glory.
Stop thinking of yourself as a broken, in debt, discontent person. Start thinking of yourself the way God sees you; a mighty man in his kingdom. You used to live that way, but now you have moved on to greater things. You have joined an army and you are being shaped into a mighty person for God. When you joined, you were immediately given a position of authority. You ride with an army that follows the One riding the horse with "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" written on his thigh. The army is powerful with the most powerful One in history as its leader. We are confident, not fearful; brave, not cowardly. You and I are mighty men in the army of God!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Childish Ways
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults."
1 Corinthians 13:10 & 14:20
There is a distinct difference between being childlike and being childish. Jesus calls us to be childlike in our faith. Children have little to inhibit their faith. No adult worries and anxieties have entered their minds. They are free to believe God. We are to be like little children in regard to faith. But children are childish. They do not understand deep things and they are often caught up in selfishness. They live in a world that revolves around themselves. They have little ability to reason. They often have no point of reference to make wise and informed decisions. They are not expected to because they are children.
But there comes a time when we must put childish ways behind us. The self-centered world of children must give way to a selfless life that more closely resembles Christ's. Think about the things that are mentioned in the above scripture. When we were children, we talked like children. Usually, children have little understanding of important things that will later govern their lives. They talk about things kids talk about. They aren't necessarily bad things, just small things, things at their level of understanding. But we are called to grow up into maturity in Christ. We are to leave the elementary things of Christianity and build on them with deeper things. When we were children, we thought like children. Children think about things that affect them. Often the thoughts are imaginative, but lack understanding. There is little mature substance to their thoughts. But we are destined to entire into a new way of thinking. This is the way of the Spirit. We think the thoughts of the kingdom of God, not immature selfish things. We are to reason as adults reason, not as children do. We are to think things through. We are to weigh things on the balance of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. This is how we grow in the faith.
The apostle Paul tells us to stop thinking like children. I think this is a challenge to all of us. We may find ourselves continuing to live in childish Christianity. We only want the things that make us feel better. If it is palatable, we will take it. If it is too difficult, too challenging, we refuse. This puts us in the revolving door of spiritual immaturity. We have walked around the mountain and found ourselves right back where we started. "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity." (Hebrews 6:1a). When we move into maturity in Christ, we will leave the places of sin in where we have lived. We will stop being concerned about things that matter little and begin concentrating on eternity that God has placed within us. We will desire what pleases God, not what pleases us.
Sometimes the things that mark maturity seem so simple. Paul wrote the scriptures referenced here in the context of love. True maturity is living a life of love. It is living with an eternal hope and a childlike faith. The things we thought were elementary are really the greatest marks of the spiritually mature. I think the phrase that best summarizes what Paul was saying is this: Grow up! It is not condemning or demeaning. It is God's call to us. It is his greatest desire for us. For when we grow up, we will act like eternal beings. We will live like we are Christ in the world. We will think like spiritual adults. We will talk like people who are full of the Spirit of God. There is a time to be childlike. There is never a time to be childish.
1 Corinthians 13:10 & 14:20
There is a distinct difference between being childlike and being childish. Jesus calls us to be childlike in our faith. Children have little to inhibit their faith. No adult worries and anxieties have entered their minds. They are free to believe God. We are to be like little children in regard to faith. But children are childish. They do not understand deep things and they are often caught up in selfishness. They live in a world that revolves around themselves. They have little ability to reason. They often have no point of reference to make wise and informed decisions. They are not expected to because they are children.
But there comes a time when we must put childish ways behind us. The self-centered world of children must give way to a selfless life that more closely resembles Christ's. Think about the things that are mentioned in the above scripture. When we were children, we talked like children. Usually, children have little understanding of important things that will later govern their lives. They talk about things kids talk about. They aren't necessarily bad things, just small things, things at their level of understanding. But we are called to grow up into maturity in Christ. We are to leave the elementary things of Christianity and build on them with deeper things. When we were children, we thought like children. Children think about things that affect them. Often the thoughts are imaginative, but lack understanding. There is little mature substance to their thoughts. But we are destined to entire into a new way of thinking. This is the way of the Spirit. We think the thoughts of the kingdom of God, not immature selfish things. We are to reason as adults reason, not as children do. We are to think things through. We are to weigh things on the balance of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. This is how we grow in the faith.
The apostle Paul tells us to stop thinking like children. I think this is a challenge to all of us. We may find ourselves continuing to live in childish Christianity. We only want the things that make us feel better. If it is palatable, we will take it. If it is too difficult, too challenging, we refuse. This puts us in the revolving door of spiritual immaturity. We have walked around the mountain and found ourselves right back where we started. "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity." (Hebrews 6:1a). When we move into maturity in Christ, we will leave the places of sin in where we have lived. We will stop being concerned about things that matter little and begin concentrating on eternity that God has placed within us. We will desire what pleases God, not what pleases us.
Sometimes the things that mark maturity seem so simple. Paul wrote the scriptures referenced here in the context of love. True maturity is living a life of love. It is living with an eternal hope and a childlike faith. The things we thought were elementary are really the greatest marks of the spiritually mature. I think the phrase that best summarizes what Paul was saying is this: Grow up! It is not condemning or demeaning. It is God's call to us. It is his greatest desire for us. For when we grow up, we will act like eternal beings. We will live like we are Christ in the world. We will think like spiritual adults. We will talk like people who are full of the Spirit of God. There is a time to be childlike. There is never a time to be childish.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Let Us Pray
"Give ear to my words. O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray."
Psalm 5:1&2
One of the basic realities of the Christian faith is prayer. It seems to me that many of us need to be reminded about this. We get busy in our lives and forget to spend time in prayer. I know that we can be in communication with God all the time. We can and should be in an attitude of prayer during the course of our days. But when David wrote these words, he was talking about setting aside time to be with the Lord. This is a time when we don't do anything else. We simply connect with God with no distractions.
All of us have issues that are important. When David prayed, he had needs that were so pressing that all he could do was sigh before the Lord. He knew that even though there were no eloquent words, God would understand what his need was. We should take this freedom with God as well. I am learning that prayer is much more about communication with God than it is about the proper words I may put together. Prayer is about engaging our minds and focusing our attention on God. Although we should be speaking, it is okay if all that comes out is a sigh. We know that the Holy Spirit is praying for us at all times, and even if we don't have the words, he does. He knows exactly how to pray. God always knows our needs because the Spirit intercedes for us.
David cried for help when he prayed. Some of the most effective prayers I have ever prayed, were not perfectly woven words, but rather just a simple, emotional cry to God for him to help me. In fact, I think one of the most powerful prayers is simply to say, "help." God understands our weakness and he knows that we are not able to handle all situations on our own. He doesn't expect us to. He wants to be the one who helps us and leads us through difficulties. He certainly does not want us to sidestep him and attempt to handle it on our own. He is intimately involved in our lives. When we pray, let's recognize our weakness and cry out for his help.
Today, you and I should make a resolution to spend time in prayer. Not just time when we think about God, but a time when we sit, quiet ourselves before him, pour out our requests, cry for help, and listen to his voice. These times are precious. If we will make a practice of spending quality time with God, answers, benefits, and spiritual growth will come in abundance. Think about it. If you have not been in the habit of practicing prayer, start doing it. It will be the most productive time of your day. You will meet with God and great things are sure to follow.
Psalm 5:1&2
One of the basic realities of the Christian faith is prayer. It seems to me that many of us need to be reminded about this. We get busy in our lives and forget to spend time in prayer. I know that we can be in communication with God all the time. We can and should be in an attitude of prayer during the course of our days. But when David wrote these words, he was talking about setting aside time to be with the Lord. This is a time when we don't do anything else. We simply connect with God with no distractions.
All of us have issues that are important. When David prayed, he had needs that were so pressing that all he could do was sigh before the Lord. He knew that even though there were no eloquent words, God would understand what his need was. We should take this freedom with God as well. I am learning that prayer is much more about communication with God than it is about the proper words I may put together. Prayer is about engaging our minds and focusing our attention on God. Although we should be speaking, it is okay if all that comes out is a sigh. We know that the Holy Spirit is praying for us at all times, and even if we don't have the words, he does. He knows exactly how to pray. God always knows our needs because the Spirit intercedes for us.
David cried for help when he prayed. Some of the most effective prayers I have ever prayed, were not perfectly woven words, but rather just a simple, emotional cry to God for him to help me. In fact, I think one of the most powerful prayers is simply to say, "help." God understands our weakness and he knows that we are not able to handle all situations on our own. He doesn't expect us to. He wants to be the one who helps us and leads us through difficulties. He certainly does not want us to sidestep him and attempt to handle it on our own. He is intimately involved in our lives. When we pray, let's recognize our weakness and cry out for his help.
Today, you and I should make a resolution to spend time in prayer. Not just time when we think about God, but a time when we sit, quiet ourselves before him, pour out our requests, cry for help, and listen to his voice. These times are precious. If we will make a practice of spending quality time with God, answers, benefits, and spiritual growth will come in abundance. Think about it. If you have not been in the habit of practicing prayer, start doing it. It will be the most productive time of your day. You will meet with God and great things are sure to follow.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Struggling with Patience
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Colossians 3:12
I have to admit that I am speaking to myself today. It seems lately, that I have been struggling with patience. In fact, as I read this scripture, I am convicted about nearly all of the things, because they all are connected with patience. When I am impatient, I lack kindness, compassion, and gentleness. It is difficult to be humble when I am overly concerned with the time schedule. Impatience impacts every area of my life; my relationships with family, loved ones, strangers, and friends. So, what must I do to overcome this issue?
I am certain that all of us struggle at times with patience. I know that it is an issue that touches many people. As I think about the problem, I realize that the first way to overcome it is to apply the Word. We need to take the impatient thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. This means that we must be alert. When the thoughts come, when we find ourselves on edge, we must stop, think about the problem and the thoughts we are having, and give them to Jesus. I know the Holy Spirit will lead us, for the Bible tells us that he helps us in our weakness. Patience can be a point of struggle and he will guide us through.
We must conquer impatience before we can really enter into true patience. I find it interesting that patience is both short-term and long-term. We may get impatient at the driver who is going too slow, or the check-out line at the store that is too long. These are momentary and can be overcome by applying the Word and taking thoughts captive. But there is a greater value in patience that is life altering. The Bible associates patience with endurance. This means that we face times of struggle that test our spiritual endurance. In order to gain victory through them, we must have patience. This only comes from God. If we attempt to tell ourselves to be patient in these difficult times, we will fail, because our strength is not sufficient. But the strength that God gives is more than sufficient. We will grow spiritually through these times if we have the patience that helps us endure.
Let's start working on the problem of impatience. Let's apply the Word, pay attention when it hits us, and overcome the problem. Then we can begin to enter into true patience, the kind that is enduring. The next time you are stuck at the traffic signal, or in the long line at the grocery store, declare this: "I am clothing myself with patience!" When we overcome the impatience, we will be kind, compassionate, humble and gentle. This is the way to live. It's fulfilling, it's relaxing, it's rewarding! God, help me to be a patient man!
Colossians 3:12
I have to admit that I am speaking to myself today. It seems lately, that I have been struggling with patience. In fact, as I read this scripture, I am convicted about nearly all of the things, because they all are connected with patience. When I am impatient, I lack kindness, compassion, and gentleness. It is difficult to be humble when I am overly concerned with the time schedule. Impatience impacts every area of my life; my relationships with family, loved ones, strangers, and friends. So, what must I do to overcome this issue?
I am certain that all of us struggle at times with patience. I know that it is an issue that touches many people. As I think about the problem, I realize that the first way to overcome it is to apply the Word. We need to take the impatient thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. This means that we must be alert. When the thoughts come, when we find ourselves on edge, we must stop, think about the problem and the thoughts we are having, and give them to Jesus. I know the Holy Spirit will lead us, for the Bible tells us that he helps us in our weakness. Patience can be a point of struggle and he will guide us through.
We must conquer impatience before we can really enter into true patience. I find it interesting that patience is both short-term and long-term. We may get impatient at the driver who is going too slow, or the check-out line at the store that is too long. These are momentary and can be overcome by applying the Word and taking thoughts captive. But there is a greater value in patience that is life altering. The Bible associates patience with endurance. This means that we face times of struggle that test our spiritual endurance. In order to gain victory through them, we must have patience. This only comes from God. If we attempt to tell ourselves to be patient in these difficult times, we will fail, because our strength is not sufficient. But the strength that God gives is more than sufficient. We will grow spiritually through these times if we have the patience that helps us endure.
Let's start working on the problem of impatience. Let's apply the Word, pay attention when it hits us, and overcome the problem. Then we can begin to enter into true patience, the kind that is enduring. The next time you are stuck at the traffic signal, or in the long line at the grocery store, declare this: "I am clothing myself with patience!" When we overcome the impatience, we will be kind, compassionate, humble and gentle. This is the way to live. It's fulfilling, it's relaxing, it's rewarding! God, help me to be a patient man!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Here Am I!
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
Isaiah 6:8
I believe it is time that we begin to enter into the calls that God has placed in our lives. Many believe they know what God has for them to do in life, but never enter into it. Isaiah had already begun to prophesy before he had an incredible experience with God. He was taken before God's throne and saw great, even unspeakable things. When God asked who would go to deliver the message he had, Isaiah was quick to respond. You see, he already had the call of a prophet. He was speaking what God told him to say. But a moment came when the responsibility was elevated. God wanted to do even greater things, and he wanted to use Isaiah to deliver his word. But Isaiah had to agree to take it on.
At first, there were some excuses. Isaiah told the Lord that he was a man of unclean lips and he lived among people who had the same problem. In other words, he was telling God that he did not feel worthy to speak his words. Keep in mind that he had already been speaking prophetically. This, however was a whole new level. He wasn't sure he was up to the task. But God took some coal, touched his lips and cleansed him. God made Isaiah the perfectly equipped person to do what was required. Isaiah went on to prophesy amazing things. He spoke of the coming of Christ hundreds of years before it happened. He spoke with clarity and all of his prophesies were fulfilled with amazing precision.
We should learn from Isaiah's life. You may already be doing great things in the kingdom of God. But God may have a specific task for you. My guess is that he has already been preparing you and speaking to you about what he desires for you to accomplish for him. You may be in a place where moving into God's call looks impossible. You may feel completely unworthy to be used for the great purposes of God. I encourage you this way: If God is calling, answer. Remember God calls many people, but many never respond. There is no greater thing in life than to do what God calls you to do. Listen for his call and answer with excitement. God will do the rest!
Isaiah 6:8
I believe it is time that we begin to enter into the calls that God has placed in our lives. Many believe they know what God has for them to do in life, but never enter into it. Isaiah had already begun to prophesy before he had an incredible experience with God. He was taken before God's throne and saw great, even unspeakable things. When God asked who would go to deliver the message he had, Isaiah was quick to respond. You see, he already had the call of a prophet. He was speaking what God told him to say. But a moment came when the responsibility was elevated. God wanted to do even greater things, and he wanted to use Isaiah to deliver his word. But Isaiah had to agree to take it on.
At first, there were some excuses. Isaiah told the Lord that he was a man of unclean lips and he lived among people who had the same problem. In other words, he was telling God that he did not feel worthy to speak his words. Keep in mind that he had already been speaking prophetically. This, however was a whole new level. He wasn't sure he was up to the task. But God took some coal, touched his lips and cleansed him. God made Isaiah the perfectly equipped person to do what was required. Isaiah went on to prophesy amazing things. He spoke of the coming of Christ hundreds of years before it happened. He spoke with clarity and all of his prophesies were fulfilled with amazing precision.
We should learn from Isaiah's life. You may already be doing great things in the kingdom of God. But God may have a specific task for you. My guess is that he has already been preparing you and speaking to you about what he desires for you to accomplish for him. You may be in a place where moving into God's call looks impossible. You may feel completely unworthy to be used for the great purposes of God. I encourage you this way: If God is calling, answer. Remember God calls many people, but many never respond. There is no greater thing in life than to do what God calls you to do. Listen for his call and answer with excitement. God will do the rest!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
What Do You See?
"The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.' The word of the Lord came to me: 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' 'I see the branch of an almond tree,' I replied. The Lord said to me, 'You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.'"
Jeremiah 1:4,5,11,12
There are so many important reminders in this little portion of scripture, that is difficult to focus on one. So allow me to refresh this truth first: Like Jeremiah, you and I were known by God before we were even knit in our mothers' wombs. I find comfort in this. In fact, he not only knew me, he had already set me apart. I am unique. I have a unique personality, purpose and calling...and so do you. Every person is uniquely created and called. What we choose to do with our lives dictates whether we will fulfill the calling of God or not. We cannot move on, if we don't first believe that God made us perfectly, the way he intended. We must realize the truth and relax within it.
Notice that God did not stop speaking to Jeremiah after he told him that he had been chosen. He told him that he was to be his prophet to the nations. God went on to touch Jeremiah's mouth and literally put his own words within him. But when that had been done, Jeremiah was given a test. God showed him something, and then asked him to say what he saw. God actually did this twice, although I only referenced one of those occasions here. Each time Jeremiah answered correctly, and each time God told him that he was watching to make sure that his own word was being fulfilled.
Jeremiah was not the only one who went through this testing time. Anyone whom God has called will go through times of testing. God is watching us to make sure that we representing him adequately within the calling that he has placed on us. Those who are prophets will be challenged to make sure they are carefully speaking God's word. Those who are servers will be tested to make sure they are serving others with the same heart that Jesus served us. No matter what your gifting and call are, God will assure that we are representing him correctly.
This is not a negative process. In fact, it should offer us great hope. In the times of testing, we know that we are not on our own, God is there leading us through it. Testing times have a purpose that is eternal. So I will ask you two questions: Do you believe that God knew you and set you apart before you were born? Do you believe that God has called you and gifted you to represent him in a specific way? If you answered yes to these, then expect God to test you. It is for our good and for the fulfillment of his word. Don't miss the opportunity to seize the destiny God has prepared for you. The testing is a process. Sometimes it hurts a little, but it is always for God's purpose. If you are being tested, look at it from a new perspective and answer God's questions with the same honesty Jeremiah did. The reward is eternal.
Jeremiah 1:4,5,11,12
There are so many important reminders in this little portion of scripture, that is difficult to focus on one. So allow me to refresh this truth first: Like Jeremiah, you and I were known by God before we were even knit in our mothers' wombs. I find comfort in this. In fact, he not only knew me, he had already set me apart. I am unique. I have a unique personality, purpose and calling...and so do you. Every person is uniquely created and called. What we choose to do with our lives dictates whether we will fulfill the calling of God or not. We cannot move on, if we don't first believe that God made us perfectly, the way he intended. We must realize the truth and relax within it.
Notice that God did not stop speaking to Jeremiah after he told him that he had been chosen. He told him that he was to be his prophet to the nations. God went on to touch Jeremiah's mouth and literally put his own words within him. But when that had been done, Jeremiah was given a test. God showed him something, and then asked him to say what he saw. God actually did this twice, although I only referenced one of those occasions here. Each time Jeremiah answered correctly, and each time God told him that he was watching to make sure that his own word was being fulfilled.
Jeremiah was not the only one who went through this testing time. Anyone whom God has called will go through times of testing. God is watching us to make sure that we representing him adequately within the calling that he has placed on us. Those who are prophets will be challenged to make sure they are carefully speaking God's word. Those who are servers will be tested to make sure they are serving others with the same heart that Jesus served us. No matter what your gifting and call are, God will assure that we are representing him correctly.
This is not a negative process. In fact, it should offer us great hope. In the times of testing, we know that we are not on our own, God is there leading us through it. Testing times have a purpose that is eternal. So I will ask you two questions: Do you believe that God knew you and set you apart before you were born? Do you believe that God has called you and gifted you to represent him in a specific way? If you answered yes to these, then expect God to test you. It is for our good and for the fulfillment of his word. Don't miss the opportunity to seize the destiny God has prepared for you. The testing is a process. Sometimes it hurts a little, but it is always for God's purpose. If you are being tested, look at it from a new perspective and answer God's questions with the same honesty Jeremiah did. The reward is eternal.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Blessed through the Years
"The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; He saw his children and their children to the fourth generation."
Job 42:12a&16
Although I don't consider myself an old man, I have already lived the majority of my life. During my life, I have seen ups and downs, blessings and trials, victory and defeat, wealth and poverty. But in all my life, I have never seen God forsake me or anyone else.
If anyone had the the right to say that God had forsaken him, it would have to be Job. He had been wealthy and in good health. He had a beautiful wife and family. But God allowed the enemy to take all of that away. God had confidence in Job. He knew that he would never renounce him. Job had a difficult life, perhaps more tragedy struck than any of us will see. But Job discovered that God was still with him. He would still bless him and return to him what had been taken away and more.
I feel that some of us need this kind of encouragement. Many are struggling because of the economic downturn. Others are battling disease and sickness in their bodies. When in the midst of these kinds of difficulties, the question of God's involvement in our lives rises to the surface. I understand the struggle, I have lived through them. In fact, I am still living within a trial. But I can assure you of this: God has not forsaken you. He will not forsake you. You are living for a greater purpose than you can now imagine. If you are in the midst of a crisis, struggle, or trial, be encouraged and know that God has not forgotten you.
Trials do not last forever, even though it may seem that way. God will always move us into new seasons in our lives. We have a great hope, not only for this life, but for the one to come. Job was given a much more than he had previously. But perhaps the greatest blessing was not the material possessions he had, but his family. He had children, and grandchildren. This is an earthly blessing that God cherishes and so should we. I am blessed to have grandchildren and God continues to bless me spiritually in greater ways than I have ever experienced before. He is doing, and will do the same things for you. All is not lost, God is blessing us more now than ever before!
Job 42:12a&16
Although I don't consider myself an old man, I have already lived the majority of my life. During my life, I have seen ups and downs, blessings and trials, victory and defeat, wealth and poverty. But in all my life, I have never seen God forsake me or anyone else.
If anyone had the the right to say that God had forsaken him, it would have to be Job. He had been wealthy and in good health. He had a beautiful wife and family. But God allowed the enemy to take all of that away. God had confidence in Job. He knew that he would never renounce him. Job had a difficult life, perhaps more tragedy struck than any of us will see. But Job discovered that God was still with him. He would still bless him and return to him what had been taken away and more.
I feel that some of us need this kind of encouragement. Many are struggling because of the economic downturn. Others are battling disease and sickness in their bodies. When in the midst of these kinds of difficulties, the question of God's involvement in our lives rises to the surface. I understand the struggle, I have lived through them. In fact, I am still living within a trial. But I can assure you of this: God has not forsaken you. He will not forsake you. You are living for a greater purpose than you can now imagine. If you are in the midst of a crisis, struggle, or trial, be encouraged and know that God has not forgotten you.
Trials do not last forever, even though it may seem that way. God will always move us into new seasons in our lives. We have a great hope, not only for this life, but for the one to come. Job was given a much more than he had previously. But perhaps the greatest blessing was not the material possessions he had, but his family. He had children, and grandchildren. This is an earthly blessing that God cherishes and so should we. I am blessed to have grandchildren and God continues to bless me spiritually in greater ways than I have ever experienced before. He is doing, and will do the same things for you. All is not lost, God is blessing us more now than ever before!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Naked Before God
"Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He answered, 'I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.'"
Genesis 3:8-10
When Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun," he surely could have been thinking about things like this. People have been hiding from God since the beginning of time. Adam and Eve were the first. They enjoyed a relationship with God that has not been possible since. God actually came into the garden regularly and spent time with his creations. They were the last to have this kind of open relationship with the creator. Although there were times later when men saw God, it was much different, and much less frequent.
Sin got in the way of this perfect relationship. Although Adam and Eve had never even heard the word, 'naked' before, they became aware because the enemy told them. This same process still happens today. The devil loves to take things that God created and pervert them. There was no need for clothing, because God had made Adam and Eve perfectly. Only after the enemy successfully introduced sin, did they see their nakedness. To further complicate the matter, they hid themselves from God.
Now, we live in a world that is inundated with sin. We are no strangers to sin ourselves. Since the days of Adam and Eve, every person has had to deal with it. We have been given grace in such full measure that we have regained righteous relationship with God. If you have given your life to Christ, you have experienced that grace. So the only thing left to conquer is the propensity to hide from God. When we sin, somehow we think that we must hide from him. We are under the delusion that God won't notice. We think that the sin will go away if we just hide it and forget about it. But sin will not go away, and we cannot hide it from God.
If we believe in God and his amazing grace, we must know that rather than hide our sin, we must lay it at the foot of the cross of Christ. God loves us and he knows that we struggle with sin. So let's be honest about it with God. He already knows about it anyway, so why hide it? I think the first act of recorded grace happened as a result of Adam and Eve's sin. They tried to cover themselves, but it did not work. So God made clothes for them. The damage of sin had been done, but God, in his grace clothed them. Today, we can be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. All we have to do is be honest with God, give him our sin, and receive his grace and forgiveness. If we try to cover it up ourselves we will fail. This is the time to be naked before God.
Genesis 3:8-10
When Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun," he surely could have been thinking about things like this. People have been hiding from God since the beginning of time. Adam and Eve were the first. They enjoyed a relationship with God that has not been possible since. God actually came into the garden regularly and spent time with his creations. They were the last to have this kind of open relationship with the creator. Although there were times later when men saw God, it was much different, and much less frequent.
Sin got in the way of this perfect relationship. Although Adam and Eve had never even heard the word, 'naked' before, they became aware because the enemy told them. This same process still happens today. The devil loves to take things that God created and pervert them. There was no need for clothing, because God had made Adam and Eve perfectly. Only after the enemy successfully introduced sin, did they see their nakedness. To further complicate the matter, they hid themselves from God.
Now, we live in a world that is inundated with sin. We are no strangers to sin ourselves. Since the days of Adam and Eve, every person has had to deal with it. We have been given grace in such full measure that we have regained righteous relationship with God. If you have given your life to Christ, you have experienced that grace. So the only thing left to conquer is the propensity to hide from God. When we sin, somehow we think that we must hide from him. We are under the delusion that God won't notice. We think that the sin will go away if we just hide it and forget about it. But sin will not go away, and we cannot hide it from God.
If we believe in God and his amazing grace, we must know that rather than hide our sin, we must lay it at the foot of the cross of Christ. God loves us and he knows that we struggle with sin. So let's be honest about it with God. He already knows about it anyway, so why hide it? I think the first act of recorded grace happened as a result of Adam and Eve's sin. They tried to cover themselves, but it did not work. So God made clothes for them. The damage of sin had been done, but God, in his grace clothed them. Today, we can be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. All we have to do is be honest with God, give him our sin, and receive his grace and forgiveness. If we try to cover it up ourselves we will fail. This is the time to be naked before God.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Victory and Defeat
"Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.' Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep."
1 Kings 19:3-5a
Does this sound familiar? Have you ever found yourself feeling this way? Elijah was a great man of God. In fact, he was THE man of God in his day. God had done impressive miracles through him. He had just challenged all the prophets who worshiped the idol, Baal. He stood toe to toe with them and issued a challenge. He told them to build an altar for their god and he would build one for his. Whichever altar was consumed by fire from heaven would prove which god was really God. Of course, God showed up. He did send fire from heaven which not only burned up the offering on Elijah's altar, but all the sacrifices that were on the altar to Baal as well. It was a huge victory. Elijah went on to kill all the ungodly prophets to clean the land of the reproach. Then the power of the Lord came on him again and he ran possibly the first marathon, all the way to a place called Jezreel.Then, trouble hit...hard.
It is amazing that after such a great victory, literally in less than a day, Elijah was saying to God, "Just kill me now!" How is that possible? I believe the answer is found in the very first phrase of the scripture: "Elijah was afraid..." I have come to understand this truth: Fear cripples us. Fear took the man of God, and turned him into a depressed, defeated human, all in the course of one day.
I know that all of us have experienced times of great spiritual victory. Those times seem to play like Leonardo DiCaprio's exclamation in the movie, Titanic, "I'm on top of the world!" Then, before we know what happened, we are gripped with fear and the victory melts into a deep defeat.
The devil has few weapons that work against us. In fact, I will boldly say that he only has one...fear. He loves to rob us of the joy that is ours through Christ. He wants to minimize our victories and make us focus on the defeats. So, I speak this great Biblical truth into your lives: "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). Don't give in. Don't succumb to fear. Fear is an empty threat. We are secure in our positions as princes and princesses in the kingdom of God. Elijah did not die, he went on to do even greater things for God. We will not die either. We are not called to live in defeat, we are being anointed with the victor's crown. Let's take up our positions and raise a victory shout. We are no longer slaves to fear!
1 Kings 19:3-5a
Does this sound familiar? Have you ever found yourself feeling this way? Elijah was a great man of God. In fact, he was THE man of God in his day. God had done impressive miracles through him. He had just challenged all the prophets who worshiped the idol, Baal. He stood toe to toe with them and issued a challenge. He told them to build an altar for their god and he would build one for his. Whichever altar was consumed by fire from heaven would prove which god was really God. Of course, God showed up. He did send fire from heaven which not only burned up the offering on Elijah's altar, but all the sacrifices that were on the altar to Baal as well. It was a huge victory. Elijah went on to kill all the ungodly prophets to clean the land of the reproach. Then the power of the Lord came on him again and he ran possibly the first marathon, all the way to a place called Jezreel.Then, trouble hit...hard.
It is amazing that after such a great victory, literally in less than a day, Elijah was saying to God, "Just kill me now!" How is that possible? I believe the answer is found in the very first phrase of the scripture: "Elijah was afraid..." I have come to understand this truth: Fear cripples us. Fear took the man of God, and turned him into a depressed, defeated human, all in the course of one day.
I know that all of us have experienced times of great spiritual victory. Those times seem to play like Leonardo DiCaprio's exclamation in the movie, Titanic, "I'm on top of the world!" Then, before we know what happened, we are gripped with fear and the victory melts into a deep defeat.
The devil has few weapons that work against us. In fact, I will boldly say that he only has one...fear. He loves to rob us of the joy that is ours through Christ. He wants to minimize our victories and make us focus on the defeats. So, I speak this great Biblical truth into your lives: "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). Don't give in. Don't succumb to fear. Fear is an empty threat. We are secure in our positions as princes and princesses in the kingdom of God. Elijah did not die, he went on to do even greater things for God. We will not die either. We are not called to live in defeat, we are being anointed with the victor's crown. Let's take up our positions and raise a victory shout. We are no longer slaves to fear!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Potter and Clay
"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; We are all the work of your hand."
Isaiah 64:8
There really is no getting around the truth that is shared in this scripture. I have attempted to be the potter of my own life, and I have failed miserably. This is a familiar verse, but we often think of it in light of creation. Virtually everyone who believes in a god, believes that they were created by that god. But the truth spoken here goes much further than just the knitting together of our bodies, it is a complete life-encompassing statement. The same Potter who created us, is also the potter of our lives.
If God is the potter or our lives, then we must yield control to him. God has a perfect plan for each one of us. If we submit to his will, that plan will be worked to perfection. But God will not subject us to his will, we must choose to submit. If we choose to author our own lives, he will allow it and we will settle for less than God's best. As I mentioned, I have tried to be the potter of my own life. I have made decisions abut my life and future completely apart from God. Each time I did not submit to God's best, I ended up in trouble. I believe in asking God about everything. When I purchase a car, I ask him to show me the one I should have. Every time I have done it on my own, I ended up in difficulty. When I submit to him, I end up with the best possible conclusion.
The clay cannot tell the potter how to form it. It is the potter's prerogative to create and form the clay in any way he chooses. Paul the apostle wrote that God, like the potter, makes some vessels for noble purposes, and some for ignoble purposes. But it is his decision, not ours. I believe that if we will submit to God, he will direct our lives in a way that not only furthers his kingdom, but guarantees the best life we can have.
If you have been in the habit of making all the decisions in your life, I encourage you to take a test of faith. Consult God about every decision. This is exactly why he has sent the Holy Spirit. He is our Counselor. When we don't know what to do, or which path to take, he will guide us in the right direction. The more times you do this, the more you will see the hand of God in your life. Soon, you will ask God about all the decisions to be made. This is truly keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. When we allow God to truly be the potter of our lives, we will live life to the fullest. Try it. After all, you are only clay.
Isaiah 64:8
There really is no getting around the truth that is shared in this scripture. I have attempted to be the potter of my own life, and I have failed miserably. This is a familiar verse, but we often think of it in light of creation. Virtually everyone who believes in a god, believes that they were created by that god. But the truth spoken here goes much further than just the knitting together of our bodies, it is a complete life-encompassing statement. The same Potter who created us, is also the potter of our lives.
If God is the potter or our lives, then we must yield control to him. God has a perfect plan for each one of us. If we submit to his will, that plan will be worked to perfection. But God will not subject us to his will, we must choose to submit. If we choose to author our own lives, he will allow it and we will settle for less than God's best. As I mentioned, I have tried to be the potter of my own life. I have made decisions abut my life and future completely apart from God. Each time I did not submit to God's best, I ended up in trouble. I believe in asking God about everything. When I purchase a car, I ask him to show me the one I should have. Every time I have done it on my own, I ended up in difficulty. When I submit to him, I end up with the best possible conclusion.
The clay cannot tell the potter how to form it. It is the potter's prerogative to create and form the clay in any way he chooses. Paul the apostle wrote that God, like the potter, makes some vessels for noble purposes, and some for ignoble purposes. But it is his decision, not ours. I believe that if we will submit to God, he will direct our lives in a way that not only furthers his kingdom, but guarantees the best life we can have.
If you have been in the habit of making all the decisions in your life, I encourage you to take a test of faith. Consult God about every decision. This is exactly why he has sent the Holy Spirit. He is our Counselor. When we don't know what to do, or which path to take, he will guide us in the right direction. The more times you do this, the more you will see the hand of God in your life. Soon, you will ask God about all the decisions to be made. This is truly keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. When we allow God to truly be the potter of our lives, we will live life to the fullest. Try it. After all, you are only clay.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Godly Peace
"Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; The Lord will hear when I call to him. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:3&8
King David knew something about God. I believe David's relationship with God became special long before he was anointed to be king of Israel. I think that while he sat on the hillsides, watching the flocks by night, he experienced God in a way that few of his time did. He knew the God of peace, not just the God of war. He understood the tenderness of God and the protection that was his through him. He understood the importance of being in a right relationship with the God of Israel. When he wrote his songs, they reflected that intimate relationship that he had with God.
David understood that God loved him and had claimed him as his own. When he prayed, there was a connection with God because he was a godly man. His life was built on one overriding mission; to honor, love, and fellowship with his God. He knew that he was set apart for God's pleasure. When he sang, played, or prayed, God heard him. David was content within that knowledge.
David knew war. His call was to lead the Israelites into battle. They were to conquer nations, and he was the king whom God had chosen to lead them. His life was not always easy. He lived in caves, spent years on the run from his enemies, and suffered the failure of his own sin. Even in those difficult places, he still cried out to God with passion and sincerity. He understood that God's hand was always on him. Even if things looked difficult, if enemies surrounded him, or if the circumstance seemed hopeless, God was his security, his safe place, his strong tower.
We should learn some lessons from David. We need to know that no matter how difficult things become, we belong to God. When we have this understanding, it will not matter what the day brings, we will rest in the safety of God when our heads hit the pillows. This is a peace that is not offered anywhere else. You can't get it from a rising stock market or a financial nest egg. This deep peace only comes from our relationship with God. He has set us apart for himself, he hears us when we call, and he provides such safety that we can lie down and sleep in his peace. Life may be full of trials, but the peace of God is ours, every minute of every day. Rest in his safety.
Psalm 4:3&8
King David knew something about God. I believe David's relationship with God became special long before he was anointed to be king of Israel. I think that while he sat on the hillsides, watching the flocks by night, he experienced God in a way that few of his time did. He knew the God of peace, not just the God of war. He understood the tenderness of God and the protection that was his through him. He understood the importance of being in a right relationship with the God of Israel. When he wrote his songs, they reflected that intimate relationship that he had with God.
David understood that God loved him and had claimed him as his own. When he prayed, there was a connection with God because he was a godly man. His life was built on one overriding mission; to honor, love, and fellowship with his God. He knew that he was set apart for God's pleasure. When he sang, played, or prayed, God heard him. David was content within that knowledge.
David knew war. His call was to lead the Israelites into battle. They were to conquer nations, and he was the king whom God had chosen to lead them. His life was not always easy. He lived in caves, spent years on the run from his enemies, and suffered the failure of his own sin. Even in those difficult places, he still cried out to God with passion and sincerity. He understood that God's hand was always on him. Even if things looked difficult, if enemies surrounded him, or if the circumstance seemed hopeless, God was his security, his safe place, his strong tower.
We should learn some lessons from David. We need to know that no matter how difficult things become, we belong to God. When we have this understanding, it will not matter what the day brings, we will rest in the safety of God when our heads hit the pillows. This is a peace that is not offered anywhere else. You can't get it from a rising stock market or a financial nest egg. This deep peace only comes from our relationship with God. He has set us apart for himself, he hears us when we call, and he provides such safety that we can lie down and sleep in his peace. Life may be full of trials, but the peace of God is ours, every minute of every day. Rest in his safety.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Rend the Heavens
"Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!"
Isaiah 64:1
The prophet Isaiah, wrote these words hundreds of years before the coming of Christ. His cry was representative of a minority of his people. Most were in rebellion against God. But some shared Isaiah's passion to really experience God. They knew that their fathers experienced God when they were led through the desert but somewhere along the line, the connection was lost. The prophets seemed to be the only connection they had with God. His miraculous signs didn't seem to happen anymore. So the prophet penned the passionate cry, "Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down."
The word 'rend' means: to violently tear open. So Isaiah was crying out to God, asking him to tear open the heavens and come down to earth. He wanted the nation of Israel to experience the presence and power of God in a real and tangible way. He wanted them to not just hear the words of the Lord that he spoke, he wanted them to see the confirmation of those words, God himself. Isaiah could not have comprehended what he was saying. Hundreds of years later, in the waist deep water of the Jordan river, God did just what the prophet cried for. He tore open the heavens and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove to indwell God's own son, Jesus. God had come to earth, the mountains trembled, and the most powerful ministry in history began.
What impresses me about Isaiah's cry is the passion I feel in his words. It wasn't just words, it was a passionate plea. He longed for God to come down. He longed for the heavens to open. I can hear the Psalmists words echoing through Isaiah, "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you." The need was so desperate that nothing else would do. The world needed God to come in power.
So I wonder: Do we long for God to tear heaven open? Do we desire, more than anything, the presence of the Lord? We need the same passion that Isaiah had. God sent Jesus to answer the plea of the prophet. He still desires to rend the heavens and come down. He is doing it through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus prepared the way for the heavens to be opened and the Holy Spirit allows us to experience it today. It isn't just so we can see heaven, it is to bring the impact of heaven to earth. In my spirit, I can see heaven torn open and the Holy Spirit descending through the opening. He is God, and he bears the presence of the Father as he opens eternity for us to behold. It's peaceful, yet violent; gentle, yet powerful. Once we experience it, we will never be the same. "Lord, rend the heavens and let us see your glory!"
Isaiah 64:1
The prophet Isaiah, wrote these words hundreds of years before the coming of Christ. His cry was representative of a minority of his people. Most were in rebellion against God. But some shared Isaiah's passion to really experience God. They knew that their fathers experienced God when they were led through the desert but somewhere along the line, the connection was lost. The prophets seemed to be the only connection they had with God. His miraculous signs didn't seem to happen anymore. So the prophet penned the passionate cry, "Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down."
The word 'rend' means: to violently tear open. So Isaiah was crying out to God, asking him to tear open the heavens and come down to earth. He wanted the nation of Israel to experience the presence and power of God in a real and tangible way. He wanted them to not just hear the words of the Lord that he spoke, he wanted them to see the confirmation of those words, God himself. Isaiah could not have comprehended what he was saying. Hundreds of years later, in the waist deep water of the Jordan river, God did just what the prophet cried for. He tore open the heavens and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove to indwell God's own son, Jesus. God had come to earth, the mountains trembled, and the most powerful ministry in history began.
What impresses me about Isaiah's cry is the passion I feel in his words. It wasn't just words, it was a passionate plea. He longed for God to come down. He longed for the heavens to open. I can hear the Psalmists words echoing through Isaiah, "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you." The need was so desperate that nothing else would do. The world needed God to come in power.
So I wonder: Do we long for God to tear heaven open? Do we desire, more than anything, the presence of the Lord? We need the same passion that Isaiah had. God sent Jesus to answer the plea of the prophet. He still desires to rend the heavens and come down. He is doing it through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus prepared the way for the heavens to be opened and the Holy Spirit allows us to experience it today. It isn't just so we can see heaven, it is to bring the impact of heaven to earth. In my spirit, I can see heaven torn open and the Holy Spirit descending through the opening. He is God, and he bears the presence of the Father as he opens eternity for us to behold. It's peaceful, yet violent; gentle, yet powerful. Once we experience it, we will never be the same. "Lord, rend the heavens and let us see your glory!"
Monday, October 10, 2011
Eager Desire
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."
1 Corinthians 14:1
There is a great need in the church today, to understand and function in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I am absolutely convinced that these are necessary and valuable gifts that God has given to his church. They are administered by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the church. In the past several years, these manifestations of the Holy Spirit have been largely ignored. Instead, churches have followed church growth strategies that have fostered many different 'models' of churches. While I don't disagree with strategies to minister to the world and reach the lost, these things cannot and should not replace the spiritual gifts that have been given to the church. Ministries should flow out of churches that actively embrace the gifts.
I find it interesting that the apostle Paul told the Corinthian church to "Eagerly desire spiritual gifts." There are few times in the Bible where we are encouraged to eagerly desire anything other than God the Father, Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven. This speaks to the paramount importance of these spiritual gifts. It also assures us that we are not off base when we do desire them. Spiritual gifts are a primary way that God speaks to his church. He comforts, encourages, and even rebukes through them. He confirms his own Word through the use of the manifestation gifts. It is good to desire them, and we should renew our emphasis on them.
Paul's apostolic call and missionary trips were initiated because of the use of spiritual gifts in the church. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2). In this case, the Antioch church embraced the spiritual gifts and created an arena in which there was freedom for them to move. They fasted and prayed, and the Holy Spirit spoke.
There is something special that takes place when the spiritual gifts are embraced in the church. Prophecy breaks forth, people with gifts of healing, miracles, and faith are raised up. Words from God, spoken by the Holy Spirit encourage and direct the church. Spiritual life is injected into the church. The manifestations of the Holy Spirit know no denominational lines. There is only one criteria; There must be people present who eagerly desire spiritual gifts. Yes, churches need to embrace the gifts, but it is up to you and me to desire them and participate. Then there will be freedom for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself to us.
1 Corinthians 14:1
There is a great need in the church today, to understand and function in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I am absolutely convinced that these are necessary and valuable gifts that God has given to his church. They are administered by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the church. In the past several years, these manifestations of the Holy Spirit have been largely ignored. Instead, churches have followed church growth strategies that have fostered many different 'models' of churches. While I don't disagree with strategies to minister to the world and reach the lost, these things cannot and should not replace the spiritual gifts that have been given to the church. Ministries should flow out of churches that actively embrace the gifts.
I find it interesting that the apostle Paul told the Corinthian church to "Eagerly desire spiritual gifts." There are few times in the Bible where we are encouraged to eagerly desire anything other than God the Father, Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven. This speaks to the paramount importance of these spiritual gifts. It also assures us that we are not off base when we do desire them. Spiritual gifts are a primary way that God speaks to his church. He comforts, encourages, and even rebukes through them. He confirms his own Word through the use of the manifestation gifts. It is good to desire them, and we should renew our emphasis on them.
Paul's apostolic call and missionary trips were initiated because of the use of spiritual gifts in the church. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2). In this case, the Antioch church embraced the spiritual gifts and created an arena in which there was freedom for them to move. They fasted and prayed, and the Holy Spirit spoke.
There is something special that takes place when the spiritual gifts are embraced in the church. Prophecy breaks forth, people with gifts of healing, miracles, and faith are raised up. Words from God, spoken by the Holy Spirit encourage and direct the church. Spiritual life is injected into the church. The manifestations of the Holy Spirit know no denominational lines. There is only one criteria; There must be people present who eagerly desire spiritual gifts. Yes, churches need to embrace the gifts, but it is up to you and me to desire them and participate. Then there will be freedom for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself to us.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Introduction to Revelation
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
Revelation 1:3
The book of Revelation has been studied, torn apart, and looked at backward and forward. It has been written about, many interpretations have been publicized. Men have floated their own ideas about what they think will happen and what all the imagery means. This has been happening for hundreds of years, yet no one knows the fullness of the prophecy. It is greater than man's imagination or intellect. So John made sure that we understand we need to take a simple approach when reading the book.
The scripture above tells us that we are blessed by reading the words of the Revelation. It does not offer us blessing if we attempt to figure it out. It does not suggest that those who decipher it and publish their thoughts are any more blessed than the rest of us. We are blessed as we read it. We do not have to be a Bible scholar to receive the blessing. We simply need to read and allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth into our own spirits.
It is certain that we must take the words of Revelation to heart. We know that we are living in the last days. We see the times, we discern the season. But all is not doom and gloom for us. The encouragement that comes from the Revelation prophecy is this: We win! At the end of all things, we will rule and reign with the King of kings. This is not something to be feared, it is something to long for and look forward to. We are God's people. We are his children and he will not leave us.
There are some who choose to study the book of Revelation and attempt to answer all of the questions. Others don't read it at all, because fear overtakes them. But I encourage all of us to do just what the scripture tells us to do: Read it. Allow God to speak into your heart as you read the inspired words of the Revelation. There is no fear for us, but great hope instead. We may not understand it all and it is certain there is much we cannot fathom. But we do know this: We will be blessed when we read the words and take them to heart. The Holy Spirit will do the rest. He will teach us what we need to know. Let's relax and read the last chapters of the Bible together. The time is near.
Revelation 1:3
The book of Revelation has been studied, torn apart, and looked at backward and forward. It has been written about, many interpretations have been publicized. Men have floated their own ideas about what they think will happen and what all the imagery means. This has been happening for hundreds of years, yet no one knows the fullness of the prophecy. It is greater than man's imagination or intellect. So John made sure that we understand we need to take a simple approach when reading the book.
The scripture above tells us that we are blessed by reading the words of the Revelation. It does not offer us blessing if we attempt to figure it out. It does not suggest that those who decipher it and publish their thoughts are any more blessed than the rest of us. We are blessed as we read it. We do not have to be a Bible scholar to receive the blessing. We simply need to read and allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth into our own spirits.
It is certain that we must take the words of Revelation to heart. We know that we are living in the last days. We see the times, we discern the season. But all is not doom and gloom for us. The encouragement that comes from the Revelation prophecy is this: We win! At the end of all things, we will rule and reign with the King of kings. This is not something to be feared, it is something to long for and look forward to. We are God's people. We are his children and he will not leave us.
There are some who choose to study the book of Revelation and attempt to answer all of the questions. Others don't read it at all, because fear overtakes them. But I encourage all of us to do just what the scripture tells us to do: Read it. Allow God to speak into your heart as you read the inspired words of the Revelation. There is no fear for us, but great hope instead. We may not understand it all and it is certain there is much we cannot fathom. But we do know this: We will be blessed when we read the words and take them to heart. The Holy Spirit will do the rest. He will teach us what we need to know. Let's relax and read the last chapters of the Bible together. The time is near.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Bring Forth the Royal Diadem
"The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God."
Isaiah 62:2&3
Let me establish the truth regarding Old Testament prophecy. The prophets spoke and wrote words that God gave them. They were anointed by the Holy Spirit to speak. Often, the words were directed toward nations. Even more often, they were directed toward the nation of Israel. Some suggest that these words are not applicable to our lives today. But I believe they are. "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, the words the prophets wrote apply to us as much as they did to the nations of the day.
I simply want to encourage us today. A diadem is a royal crown. This verse tells us that we are becoming a royal crown in the hand of God. For all the negative things we think about ourselves, all the lies the enemy speaks to us and about us, this should brighten our days and excite us for the days to come. Our lives are so special to God that he considers us royalty. Indeed we are royalty because we are the bride of Christ himself, a queen of sorts, in the kingdom of God.
The word of encouragement from God is personal. He does not just call us a royal diadem. He says that we are a royal diadem in his own hand. We are held by him. We are so precious that he will not let us go. Even more than a crown adorned with priceless jewels is valued by its keeper, we are valued by God. We are so valuable that God will call us by new names. Ones that he created for us. We have names that identify us in this world, for this life, but the names he is giving us are eternal, powerful, honored ones that display the glory of God's splendor.
The old hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, says this: "All hail the power of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all." Now, how valuable are we, that we are that royal diadem. The angels bow in honor of this truth. Jesus is Lord of all, and we are his royal diadem. We are honored and all the nations of the earth, all the kings of those nations, will one day bow before Jesus and honor him, wearing the crown royalty made of the saints. How precious is this amazing truth.
So be encouraged. Your life counts for something. In fact, it counts for something awesome, eternal, and powerful. You have a name that was given by God himself. You are a priceless crown, a royal diadem in the hand of our God. This gives us new respect for our brothers and sisters. They must not be treated shamefully. They are part of the royal diadem as well. Let us live our lives as royalty, held in the palm of God's hand. No more waiting. Bring forth the royal diadem!
Isaiah 62:2&3
Let me establish the truth regarding Old Testament prophecy. The prophets spoke and wrote words that God gave them. They were anointed by the Holy Spirit to speak. Often, the words were directed toward nations. Even more often, they were directed toward the nation of Israel. Some suggest that these words are not applicable to our lives today. But I believe they are. "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, the words the prophets wrote apply to us as much as they did to the nations of the day.
I simply want to encourage us today. A diadem is a royal crown. This verse tells us that we are becoming a royal crown in the hand of God. For all the negative things we think about ourselves, all the lies the enemy speaks to us and about us, this should brighten our days and excite us for the days to come. Our lives are so special to God that he considers us royalty. Indeed we are royalty because we are the bride of Christ himself, a queen of sorts, in the kingdom of God.
The word of encouragement from God is personal. He does not just call us a royal diadem. He says that we are a royal diadem in his own hand. We are held by him. We are so precious that he will not let us go. Even more than a crown adorned with priceless jewels is valued by its keeper, we are valued by God. We are so valuable that God will call us by new names. Ones that he created for us. We have names that identify us in this world, for this life, but the names he is giving us are eternal, powerful, honored ones that display the glory of God's splendor.
The old hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, says this: "All hail the power of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all." Now, how valuable are we, that we are that royal diadem. The angels bow in honor of this truth. Jesus is Lord of all, and we are his royal diadem. We are honored and all the nations of the earth, all the kings of those nations, will one day bow before Jesus and honor him, wearing the crown royalty made of the saints. How precious is this amazing truth.
So be encouraged. Your life counts for something. In fact, it counts for something awesome, eternal, and powerful. You have a name that was given by God himself. You are a priceless crown, a royal diadem in the hand of our God. This gives us new respect for our brothers and sisters. They must not be treated shamefully. They are part of the royal diadem as well. Let us live our lives as royalty, held in the palm of God's hand. No more waiting. Bring forth the royal diadem!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Much More to Say
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come."
John 16:12&13
When Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples and return to heaven, he spoke these words. The disciples were having difficulty understanding what Jesus was saying. Obviously, they were full of the teaching he had already brought to them. They simply could not comprehend what he was saying when he spoke of the Holy Spirit's coming and his own departure. So he told them that he had "much more to say." It was obvious to him that they could not bear to receive any more then. The teaching had to be done by the Holy Spirit who would come a short time later.
This process is still happening today. The Holy Spirit is guiding us into all truth each moment of every day. I happened to read a commentary on John 16 the other day. I rarely do this, but I thought some additional input would be helpful to my study. One commentary said that the "many things" Jesus was referring to, was spoken by the Holy Spirit, but that it ended after the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. It went on to say that the Holy Spirit does still speak to us today, but it is very limited compared to the days of the first apostles. Let me respond to this as succinctly as possible: Hogwash! The same Holy Spirit who would indwell the apostles now lives in us. He is still speaking to us as surely as he spoke to the early church. If we believe this narrow view, what adventure is there in being a Christian? This theology funnels our Christianity into an arena in which we simply live, die, and then go to heaven. I hear from the Holy Spirit every day, and so do you. He speaks to us, guides us, leads us, teaches us, and calls us to do what the Father asks. He brings eternal value to our earthly lives. He keeps it intensely interesting.
I refuse to live my life in a mundane form of Christianity. My Christian life is active every moment. I am in a continual relationship with God and it is facilitated by the Holy Spirit who lives in me, and makes known the will of the Father to me. Jesus has much, much more to speak to me and he is speaking through the One who dwells in me.
I love the truth that God will not give us more than we can bear. When he speaks, he directs us to be who we were created to be within the limits of our humanity. He will never ask us to do more than we can do, given our level of understanding. He will challenge us, but he is patient. When we are ready to move on, he guides us into new, greater things. Live as one who is sitting at the feet of Jesus, taking in all that he is saying. In reality, that is happening right now if you are paying attention. Get used to the process and focus on the eternal things you are being taught. Jesus didn't stop speaking when he went back to heaven. He didn't stop when the first apostles died. No, he has "much more to say," and he is talking to you.
John 16:12&13
When Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples and return to heaven, he spoke these words. The disciples were having difficulty understanding what Jesus was saying. Obviously, they were full of the teaching he had already brought to them. They simply could not comprehend what he was saying when he spoke of the Holy Spirit's coming and his own departure. So he told them that he had "much more to say." It was obvious to him that they could not bear to receive any more then. The teaching had to be done by the Holy Spirit who would come a short time later.
This process is still happening today. The Holy Spirit is guiding us into all truth each moment of every day. I happened to read a commentary on John 16 the other day. I rarely do this, but I thought some additional input would be helpful to my study. One commentary said that the "many things" Jesus was referring to, was spoken by the Holy Spirit, but that it ended after the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. It went on to say that the Holy Spirit does still speak to us today, but it is very limited compared to the days of the first apostles. Let me respond to this as succinctly as possible: Hogwash! The same Holy Spirit who would indwell the apostles now lives in us. He is still speaking to us as surely as he spoke to the early church. If we believe this narrow view, what adventure is there in being a Christian? This theology funnels our Christianity into an arena in which we simply live, die, and then go to heaven. I hear from the Holy Spirit every day, and so do you. He speaks to us, guides us, leads us, teaches us, and calls us to do what the Father asks. He brings eternal value to our earthly lives. He keeps it intensely interesting.
I refuse to live my life in a mundane form of Christianity. My Christian life is active every moment. I am in a continual relationship with God and it is facilitated by the Holy Spirit who lives in me, and makes known the will of the Father to me. Jesus has much, much more to speak to me and he is speaking through the One who dwells in me.
I love the truth that God will not give us more than we can bear. When he speaks, he directs us to be who we were created to be within the limits of our humanity. He will never ask us to do more than we can do, given our level of understanding. He will challenge us, but he is patient. When we are ready to move on, he guides us into new, greater things. Live as one who is sitting at the feet of Jesus, taking in all that he is saying. In reality, that is happening right now if you are paying attention. Get used to the process and focus on the eternal things you are being taught. Jesus didn't stop speaking when he went back to heaven. He didn't stop when the first apostles died. No, he has "much more to say," and he is talking to you.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Chosen
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
John 15:16
This could be a challenge to our theology. We talk about making the choice to follow Jesus. Although it is true that we must make a decision to receive him, he has already chosen us. This happened long before we took our first breath. It was established before our fathers and grandfathers even existed. I am not preaching a Calvinistic message, instead I offer an opportunity to check our own hearts in light of the call we have received from our God.
I remember many years ago, a campaign of sorts took place. Thousands of bumper stickers were created and displayed. It became a catch phrase that was both popular and controversial. The bumper stickers declared, "I Found It." Of course, Christians knew that they were talking about Jesus. It was designed to provoke questions, and it did. However, at the heart of the matter is this one indisputable truth: God chose us, we did not choose him. God found us, we did not find him. He found us in the throws of sin. He reached down to us while were still in rebellion against him. And one more thing; God certainly is not an "it."
It is self-centered of us really. We think that we control our own lives, dictate our own futures, and design our own destinies. But none of these things are of our own doing. Honestly, all we, as Christians, have really done is accept what God has already established for us. It is not our strength, creativity, or talents that have brought us to him. It was all him. He loved us first, before we even thought about it.
However, we should consider ourselves honored. The God who created everything, chose us. He chose me, and he chose you. We aren't herded around like cattle. He gave serious thought to each of us when he created, called and chose us. And he is still thinking of us. So let's get it straight. God chose us. He has appointed us to do great things. It seems to me that when we take hold of this truth, we will bear much spiritual fruit. When that happens, we can ask the Father anything and he will give it to us. These are the benefits that the chosen possess. So be bold, be strong, and receive the call. After all, you are a 'Chosen One.'
John 15:16
This could be a challenge to our theology. We talk about making the choice to follow Jesus. Although it is true that we must make a decision to receive him, he has already chosen us. This happened long before we took our first breath. It was established before our fathers and grandfathers even existed. I am not preaching a Calvinistic message, instead I offer an opportunity to check our own hearts in light of the call we have received from our God.
I remember many years ago, a campaign of sorts took place. Thousands of bumper stickers were created and displayed. It became a catch phrase that was both popular and controversial. The bumper stickers declared, "I Found It." Of course, Christians knew that they were talking about Jesus. It was designed to provoke questions, and it did. However, at the heart of the matter is this one indisputable truth: God chose us, we did not choose him. God found us, we did not find him. He found us in the throws of sin. He reached down to us while were still in rebellion against him. And one more thing; God certainly is not an "it."
It is self-centered of us really. We think that we control our own lives, dictate our own futures, and design our own destinies. But none of these things are of our own doing. Honestly, all we, as Christians, have really done is accept what God has already established for us. It is not our strength, creativity, or talents that have brought us to him. It was all him. He loved us first, before we even thought about it.
However, we should consider ourselves honored. The God who created everything, chose us. He chose me, and he chose you. We aren't herded around like cattle. He gave serious thought to each of us when he created, called and chose us. And he is still thinking of us. So let's get it straight. God chose us. He has appointed us to do great things. It seems to me that when we take hold of this truth, we will bear much spiritual fruit. When that happens, we can ask the Father anything and he will give it to us. These are the benefits that the chosen possess. So be bold, be strong, and receive the call. After all, you are a 'Chosen One.'
Monday, October 3, 2011
Shaken Confidence
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him."
1 John 5:14&15
I wonder what has happened to shake our confidence. We know that we are children of God. In the New Testament, God tells us that our relationship with him is not like a slave and master relationship, for the slave does not know what the master's plans are. No, we have a new place with God. We are his children, his bride, his brothers and sisters. All of these are identified as pictures of the relationship we have with God. So if we have this kind of family relationship with him, why do we lack confidence to approach him?
Confidence is critical to a successful Christian life. If we don't have it, we will never even ask God for things, because we don't think he will listen. If we have this lack of confidence, we will never exercise faith.You see, faith is all about confidence. If we have faith, we are confident in God to do what we ask. Yet some of us cannot even bring ourselves to ask him due to our lack of confidence. If we muster the courage to ask, we have little faith to believe that he is going to hear and answer.
What we need is a change of mind. We need to realize that because of our relationship with God, we have full rights to approach him boldly. It is more than a right. In fact, God wants us to approach him with boldness. He wants us to have confidence in him. When we do, things happen. When we are confident, he responds with joy to our requests. We have to stop thinking of ourselves as inferior people with little right to approach God. We need to begin to think of ourselves the way God does. We are his family. We are his relatives. In fact, we are his friends. It is for these reasons that we have absolute right and authority to go to him. Once we believe this, we will begin to expect answers.
I believe it is time to begin praying prophetically. This means, instead of only begging God for answers, we begin to proclaim that we already have the answers. If we need to be rescued from a certain situation that is a struggle, we say, "God, thank you for delivering me from this struggle." This is what I call, 'praying on the other side of the issue.' We have so much confidence that we believe we already have what we have asked for. Jesus taught us to pray with this kind of faith. We need to always be people who fear God. It is with the utmost respect and trembling that we go before him. But he has already told us to believe this way. We are not to have shaken confidence. We are to have full confidence in him, in his ability to answer us, and in his willingness to do just that. When we have it, instead of begging, we will be thanking him for what has already been accomplished. So regain your confidence and take up your positions. God has given us a new place, a new relationship with him. Let's go to him with confidence.
1 John 5:14&15
I wonder what has happened to shake our confidence. We know that we are children of God. In the New Testament, God tells us that our relationship with him is not like a slave and master relationship, for the slave does not know what the master's plans are. No, we have a new place with God. We are his children, his bride, his brothers and sisters. All of these are identified as pictures of the relationship we have with God. So if we have this kind of family relationship with him, why do we lack confidence to approach him?
Confidence is critical to a successful Christian life. If we don't have it, we will never even ask God for things, because we don't think he will listen. If we have this lack of confidence, we will never exercise faith.You see, faith is all about confidence. If we have faith, we are confident in God to do what we ask. Yet some of us cannot even bring ourselves to ask him due to our lack of confidence. If we muster the courage to ask, we have little faith to believe that he is going to hear and answer.
What we need is a change of mind. We need to realize that because of our relationship with God, we have full rights to approach him boldly. It is more than a right. In fact, God wants us to approach him with boldness. He wants us to have confidence in him. When we do, things happen. When we are confident, he responds with joy to our requests. We have to stop thinking of ourselves as inferior people with little right to approach God. We need to begin to think of ourselves the way God does. We are his family. We are his relatives. In fact, we are his friends. It is for these reasons that we have absolute right and authority to go to him. Once we believe this, we will begin to expect answers.
I believe it is time to begin praying prophetically. This means, instead of only begging God for answers, we begin to proclaim that we already have the answers. If we need to be rescued from a certain situation that is a struggle, we say, "God, thank you for delivering me from this struggle." This is what I call, 'praying on the other side of the issue.' We have so much confidence that we believe we already have what we have asked for. Jesus taught us to pray with this kind of faith. We need to always be people who fear God. It is with the utmost respect and trembling that we go before him. But he has already told us to believe this way. We are not to have shaken confidence. We are to have full confidence in him, in his ability to answer us, and in his willingness to do just that. When we have it, instead of begging, we will be thanking him for what has already been accomplished. So regain your confidence and take up your positions. God has given us a new place, a new relationship with him. Let's go to him with confidence.
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