There is nothing new under the sun. Everything we experience has been experienced by other people; the same struggles, victories and insights. The solutions are often obvious. We know what we need to do but we don't do it. It could be fear, laziness, or simply a lack of discipline that prevents us from getting there but it really just boils down to whether we want it bad enough. I am going to state something obvious now.
When the women went to the tomb to take care of Jesus' body they were confused when they found the tomb empty:
When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord[a] Jesus, and they did not know what to think. (Luke 24:2-4a)
Who could blame them? Was the body stolen? Did the officials move him? What was up with this? Except we can blame them because they had already been told what had happened before it had happened. The angels reminded them:
“Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus isn’t here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you, ’The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross. But three days later he will rise to life.’ “ (Luke 24:5-7)
The women were confused because they did not remember what Jesus had said. Now I am about to state that obvious thing that I said I would state by stretching this scripture a bit to cover us. Followers of Jesus today get confused because we don't remember what Jesus said. I told you it was obvious.
I don't know why we do it but it seems we are caught up in what everyone else has to say Jesus said instead of knowing what he said for ourselves. But it is more than just knowing. It is also trusting that what he said is the truth and doing it. The words of Jesus are useless statements unless we are going to live them.
Trying to follow Jesus without doing what he told us to do is just going to lead to a lot of confusion. Forgetting what Jesus said is going to leave us with a bunch of dead ends. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" There is more to those words than what you might realize. Reflect on them a bit and let the Spirit take you deeper.
Showing posts with label living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Friday, January 2, 2015
Be So Much More In 2015 And Beyond
As we look back at the year 2014 would you say that it was a year of spiritual growth for you? What would be the three top highlights in your relationship with Jesus? Would you say that you are further along in your journey, having grown and changed over the previous year? Or would you say that you managed to stumble through, you maintained, you did mediocre?
Most of us would like to see ourselves as giants of faith, trusting the Lord and pushing through the barriers to our living for Jesus. Unfortunately most of us can be seen as a foolish person who makes it through rough patches by the grace of God rather than by any act of faith on our part. Much of this past year would have to fall under the category of "by the grace of God", as we panicked from crisis to crisis with the Lord always plucking us out because of his grace not our faith. But we have been called to greater things than "stumbling through".
A life of faith is not a "close your eyes and hope you make it" situation. Faith is not blind. Faith is how we live based upon us trusting the promises of Jesus Christ. It is knowing those promises and living according to them. A faith life is a purposeful life, understanding that the promises are to see us through our mission. It is knowing those promises so we can apply them to our situation. It is going from "glory to glory", growing, maturing, learning deeper things about the Promise Keeper, and becoming more through him.
If you have had it with "getting by" or "squeezing through" it is time for you to step into a true life of faith, a walking by the Spirit and not by what you see. Those who walk by faith are never overcome or discouraged by what they see because what they know in the promises give them greater vision and power.
Christians are neither weak nor discouraged by what we see around us. We are more than these things because the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. Whatever challenges are ahead of us have purpose in our mission so we trust that we will be equipped to face them and overcome them because Jesus has already overcome the world. This year is a year of victory because yesterday was a day of victory, as is today, as will be tomorrow because of Jesus in us.
Today, be determined to know the promises by which we live and the one who made those promises. You are so much more than you could possibly think or imagine because of the one who is living in you.
Most of us would like to see ourselves as giants of faith, trusting the Lord and pushing through the barriers to our living for Jesus. Unfortunately most of us can be seen as a foolish person who makes it through rough patches by the grace of God rather than by any act of faith on our part. Much of this past year would have to fall under the category of "by the grace of God", as we panicked from crisis to crisis with the Lord always plucking us out because of his grace not our faith. But we have been called to greater things than "stumbling through".
A life of faith is not a "close your eyes and hope you make it" situation. Faith is not blind. Faith is how we live based upon us trusting the promises of Jesus Christ. It is knowing those promises and living according to them. A faith life is a purposeful life, understanding that the promises are to see us through our mission. It is knowing those promises so we can apply them to our situation. It is going from "glory to glory", growing, maturing, learning deeper things about the Promise Keeper, and becoming more through him.
If you have had it with "getting by" or "squeezing through" it is time for you to step into a true life of faith, a walking by the Spirit and not by what you see. Those who walk by faith are never overcome or discouraged by what they see because what they know in the promises give them greater vision and power.
Christians are neither weak nor discouraged by what we see around us. We are more than these things because the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. Whatever challenges are ahead of us have purpose in our mission so we trust that we will be equipped to face them and overcome them because Jesus has already overcome the world. This year is a year of victory because yesterday was a day of victory, as is today, as will be tomorrow because of Jesus in us.
Today, be determined to know the promises by which we live and the one who made those promises. You are so much more than you could possibly think or imagine because of the one who is living in you.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
A Practical Guide To Living The Word
My wife has finally decided to get her driver's license. Just because we don't have a car doesn't mean a license is not important. In our province in Canada the government requires all drivers to take a year long course which includes theory and practical. My wife must attend classes where they discuss driving techniques along with highway laws, then she gets two hours with a driving instructor where she must put what she learned into practice. It is not unlike the Church.
Imagine how useless it would be if my wife attended class but never had the opportunity to put the theory into practice. Her theory classes would be a waste of time and money. Yet this is exactly what we find in the Church. We have tons of sermons, great teaching and incredible training opportunities in small groups and other avenues but it is all useless unless we put what we are taught into practice.
This is a tricky subject for Christians because we know it is not our actions that save us but the single act of Jesus on the cross that has made salvation available to us. It is not what we do but what he did. Yet there is more to it than just salvation. Consider our Father's heart:
For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified. (Romans 2:13)
We also know that the Spirit spoke the Father's heart through James when he wrote that we are not to be mere listeners of the Word but doers. It is great to hear that we are suppose to love each other but when we fail to do it the knowledge is useless to us. When we know we are suppose to be compassionate and merciful to sinners and yet condemn them instead, the knowledge is lost on us.
Jesus has saved us but we must work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit for the transformation process. We are a new creation but we are growing out of what we were into our new heart. We do not have the ability to love as Jesus loved, even though he commanded us to do so. However, when we desire to love in this way we open the door to the Holy Spirit to change us so we can love in this way. The only manner in which the transformation will take hold is as we desire it, letting go of what no longer belongs to our nature and taking hold of the character of Jesus. It is a wonderful work of the Holy Spirit.
As we sit through the sermons, Bible studies, and discipline classes, we need to hear what inspires but we have to say to the Spirit, "That's my desire". He will bring the conviction about the things we need to let go of and he will provoke us to the greater things; the things of love, mercy and grace. The Word is intended for us to live, not simply study, so go live it and see the world change around you.
Imagine how useless it would be if my wife attended class but never had the opportunity to put the theory into practice. Her theory classes would be a waste of time and money. Yet this is exactly what we find in the Church. We have tons of sermons, great teaching and incredible training opportunities in small groups and other avenues but it is all useless unless we put what we are taught into practice.
This is a tricky subject for Christians because we know it is not our actions that save us but the single act of Jesus on the cross that has made salvation available to us. It is not what we do but what he did. Yet there is more to it than just salvation. Consider our Father's heart:
For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified. (Romans 2:13)
We also know that the Spirit spoke the Father's heart through James when he wrote that we are not to be mere listeners of the Word but doers. It is great to hear that we are suppose to love each other but when we fail to do it the knowledge is useless to us. When we know we are suppose to be compassionate and merciful to sinners and yet condemn them instead, the knowledge is lost on us.
Jesus has saved us but we must work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit for the transformation process. We are a new creation but we are growing out of what we were into our new heart. We do not have the ability to love as Jesus loved, even though he commanded us to do so. However, when we desire to love in this way we open the door to the Holy Spirit to change us so we can love in this way. The only manner in which the transformation will take hold is as we desire it, letting go of what no longer belongs to our nature and taking hold of the character of Jesus. It is a wonderful work of the Holy Spirit.
As we sit through the sermons, Bible studies, and discipline classes, we need to hear what inspires but we have to say to the Spirit, "That's my desire". He will bring the conviction about the things we need to let go of and he will provoke us to the greater things; the things of love, mercy and grace. The Word is intended for us to live, not simply study, so go live it and see the world change around you.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Stop Watching The Video and Start Living The Life
I'm no different than you. I can get just as distracted by life. The long To Do list, the bills, the children, work, tasks; so many tasks. Just living creates a huge To Do list and it is an easy thing to allow that To Do list to move us from one thing to the next in our day, from one day to the next. We can get to the end of our week and ask ourselves "Is this really what my life is about?" Is it?
As a Christian I am compelled to respond with an emphatic "NO!" Jesus warned us against chasing after the priorities of this world and to set the Kingdom priorities before us all the time. These priorities help shape our world view and the purpose for living. Perhaps it is time that we remember a few facts and I would like to use a few verses from Romans 2 to do that.
Now before I am misquoted here, let me say, it is well understood that good works will not save us; only Jesus saves. However, good works is the fruit of that salvation and ongoing relationship with Jesus. The Word of God is clear that the "tree" is known by its "fruit". So understanding this we listen to Paul's warning about the facts of life:
(Yahweh) “will render to each one according to his deeds”. (Romans 2:6)
This is a fact about life that the vast majority of this world population does not understand. The "deed" is only a fruit or manifestation of the heart condition. What we do, what we say, matters. It is important that Christians maintain a tender heart to Jesus so the Spirit can produce in us the things that prompt us to good works:
Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality (v. 7)
Doing good is the fruit that is produced in the life of someone possessed by Jesus Christ, who live for his glory. Doing good is not the catalyst of salvation but the fruit that shows the rightness of the heart. The opposite is also true:
But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek. (v. 8-9)
These actions are only a window to a heart that is chained by its sin nature. It cannot help but do these things because it is without the transformation of Jesus Christ. This knowledge should shape our day. We should understand the purpose is not the task but the people included in that task. Our life is not what we accomplish but the people we impact.
The Christian life is not how much time we spend in the Bible, prayer, meditation, worship but instead how these activities change us to live our purpose. If these activities are producing nothing in us then we need to examine the condition of our heart and relationship with Jesus. What matters at the end of the day is how our faith is impacting the lives of the people Jesus gave us to love. We need to take our example from him and not just speak the words but put them into action.
Is the purpose of your life to serve yourself or to humbly love others through service to them? We need to spend some more time meditating on and then responding to the teaching and direction of Jesus. Stop watching the video and start living the life.
As a Christian I am compelled to respond with an emphatic "NO!" Jesus warned us against chasing after the priorities of this world and to set the Kingdom priorities before us all the time. These priorities help shape our world view and the purpose for living. Perhaps it is time that we remember a few facts and I would like to use a few verses from Romans 2 to do that.
Now before I am misquoted here, let me say, it is well understood that good works will not save us; only Jesus saves. However, good works is the fruit of that salvation and ongoing relationship with Jesus. The Word of God is clear that the "tree" is known by its "fruit". So understanding this we listen to Paul's warning about the facts of life:
(Yahweh) “will render to each one according to his deeds”. (Romans 2:6)
This is a fact about life that the vast majority of this world population does not understand. The "deed" is only a fruit or manifestation of the heart condition. What we do, what we say, matters. It is important that Christians maintain a tender heart to Jesus so the Spirit can produce in us the things that prompt us to good works:
Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality (v. 7)
Doing good is the fruit that is produced in the life of someone possessed by Jesus Christ, who live for his glory. Doing good is not the catalyst of salvation but the fruit that shows the rightness of the heart. The opposite is also true:
But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek. (v. 8-9)
These actions are only a window to a heart that is chained by its sin nature. It cannot help but do these things because it is without the transformation of Jesus Christ. This knowledge should shape our day. We should understand the purpose is not the task but the people included in that task. Our life is not what we accomplish but the people we impact.
The Christian life is not how much time we spend in the Bible, prayer, meditation, worship but instead how these activities change us to live our purpose. If these activities are producing nothing in us then we need to examine the condition of our heart and relationship with Jesus. What matters at the end of the day is how our faith is impacting the lives of the people Jesus gave us to love. We need to take our example from him and not just speak the words but put them into action.
Is the purpose of your life to serve yourself or to humbly love others through service to them? We need to spend some more time meditating on and then responding to the teaching and direction of Jesus. Stop watching the video and start living the life.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Seeing Is Believing
Seeing is believing, or so the saying goes. It is the philosophy that guides most people these days. If they can't see it they won't believe it. Yet people are fascinated by the supernatural. They will read horoscopes, believe in ghosts and demons, become fascinated with vampires, werewolves and zombies. Yet if you talk about Jesus and the Kingdom of God these same people will scoff and ask you to prove it. They would rather believe in the fanciful tales of Bigfoot than in the Creator who loves them.
People's insistence on proof makes it a bit harder to explain Jesus and the Kingdom of God. If the Kingdom was tangible, had borders with a great big castle, people might begin to believe but even then I have my doubts. Jesus stood right in front of people and raised the dead but they still did not believe. The Kingdom is not a physical thing although there are physical manifestations. But the fact that people don't believe might be our fault because we don't even understand the Kingdom:
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
In this sense the Kingdom of God is here now because it is in you and will physically manifest through you. As citizens of this Kingdom it is extremely important that we read the citizen manual so we will know if we are living by the rules. I don't mean the "do's" and "don'ts" but the deeper rules; the ones that provoke you to love your enemy and to do good to those who hate you.
This is not natural to those who live by the flesh, but for those who have been crucified with Christ, who no longer live, who have Christ living in them and who live by faith in the Son of God, it is a wondrous mystery living out through us. This is why Jesus said that there had to be a new wine skin because the Kingdom of God was being poured into us and if we were still the old wine skin we would be destroyed.
This is why we no longer play by the rules of this world. This is why we walk and talk different. This is why our actions look strange compared to others. We don't worry and we are not afraid. We are not upset at the lose of material things. We don't operate by hatred and vengeance, nor are we motivated by jealousy and envy. Ours is a spirit of love and sacrifice. We live for others. We live to bless. We live to demonstrate the love of Jesus and to tell everyone what he has done for us. We have peace at all times because we live by the Kingdom rules.
You are the only part of the Kingdom many people will see. You are the only Jesus they will know. If you are not operating by the Spirit, if you are at odds and trying to live the Kingdom in your flesh, then the fruit of the Spirit will not be present as it should. You will still carry the title of Christian but you will not be demonstrating the Christ, which will not be to his glory. Who you live for will determine if people get to see the Kingdom that is inside of you. Please, live for Jesus so others will be saved before the end arrives. It is our purpose as citizens of the Kingdom. Live by the rules. Seeing is believing so they need to see Jesus in you.
People's insistence on proof makes it a bit harder to explain Jesus and the Kingdom of God. If the Kingdom was tangible, had borders with a great big castle, people might begin to believe but even then I have my doubts. Jesus stood right in front of people and raised the dead but they still did not believe. The Kingdom is not a physical thing although there are physical manifestations. But the fact that people don't believe might be our fault because we don't even understand the Kingdom:
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
In this sense the Kingdom of God is here now because it is in you and will physically manifest through you. As citizens of this Kingdom it is extremely important that we read the citizen manual so we will know if we are living by the rules. I don't mean the "do's" and "don'ts" but the deeper rules; the ones that provoke you to love your enemy and to do good to those who hate you.
This is not natural to those who live by the flesh, but for those who have been crucified with Christ, who no longer live, who have Christ living in them and who live by faith in the Son of God, it is a wondrous mystery living out through us. This is why Jesus said that there had to be a new wine skin because the Kingdom of God was being poured into us and if we were still the old wine skin we would be destroyed.
This is why we no longer play by the rules of this world. This is why we walk and talk different. This is why our actions look strange compared to others. We don't worry and we are not afraid. We are not upset at the lose of material things. We don't operate by hatred and vengeance, nor are we motivated by jealousy and envy. Ours is a spirit of love and sacrifice. We live for others. We live to bless. We live to demonstrate the love of Jesus and to tell everyone what he has done for us. We have peace at all times because we live by the Kingdom rules.
You are the only part of the Kingdom many people will see. You are the only Jesus they will know. If you are not operating by the Spirit, if you are at odds and trying to live the Kingdom in your flesh, then the fruit of the Spirit will not be present as it should. You will still carry the title of Christian but you will not be demonstrating the Christ, which will not be to his glory. Who you live for will determine if people get to see the Kingdom that is inside of you. Please, live for Jesus so others will be saved before the end arrives. It is our purpose as citizens of the Kingdom. Live by the rules. Seeing is believing so they need to see Jesus in you.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Holy Spirit Smack Down
We think we are living an authentic Christianity. We think we are okay. We think we are getting by on the faith that we have. We think it's good enough.
We are lying to ourselves.
It's not good enough.
Grace is seen as a free ticket, but for those who are pursuing Jesus as they should, it is a great power propelling us forward, giving us a desire to go higher, deeper and wider with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
I dare you to read that with your eyes open,
not half asleep,
not skimming through but
with eyes wide open.
... who do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit.
Who is in control of your day? How much thought do you give to Jesus? Who are you living for? What desires are propelling you forward?
Who do not walk according to the flesh.
We don't even know enough to ask ourselves the right questions. We actually think we are okay; that what we are doing (which isn't much) is somehow pleasing and honouring to Jesus.
As if the God who gave us his everything is pleased to accept our nothing.
Are you ready for this?
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5)
"What? I don't understand. What you are saying? Are you saying I am carnally minded?"
You tell me.
"What about grace?"
Grace is not a free ticket to let you do whatever you want because whatever you want is always going to come from the flesh and if you live by the flesh then you have nothing to do with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is more.
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
"Well I think I am okay. I don't think I am carnally minded."
That's because most of us don't give it a thought. We do what we think is best, which is a pretty good definition of what it is to live by the flesh. We think that a half-effort is good enough.
Jesus said it isn't. He said all or nothing. Yes, that is right. To live by the Spirit means that we have held nothing back and our only longing is the will of the Father.
Does that describe your day?
No? Mine neither but the Spirit smacked me across the head with this scripture and I for one am paying attention.
This is not fun and games boys and girls. This is life and death for eternity. This is serious relational stuff. Jesus has called us to something higher and greater than what we have been willing to live.
What will you do with this? Whatever you do, don't go back to getting by.
We are lying to ourselves.
It's not good enough.
Grace is seen as a free ticket, but for those who are pursuing Jesus as they should, it is a great power propelling us forward, giving us a desire to go higher, deeper and wider with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
I dare you to read that with your eyes open,
not half asleep,
not skimming through but
with eyes wide open.
... who do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit.
Who is in control of your day? How much thought do you give to Jesus? Who are you living for? What desires are propelling you forward?
Who do not walk according to the flesh.
We don't even know enough to ask ourselves the right questions. We actually think we are okay; that what we are doing (which isn't much) is somehow pleasing and honouring to Jesus.
As if the God who gave us his everything is pleased to accept our nothing.
Are you ready for this?
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5)
"What? I don't understand. What you are saying? Are you saying I am carnally minded?"
You tell me.
"What about grace?"
Grace is not a free ticket to let you do whatever you want because whatever you want is always going to come from the flesh and if you live by the flesh then you have nothing to do with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is more.
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
"Well I think I am okay. I don't think I am carnally minded."
That's because most of us don't give it a thought. We do what we think is best, which is a pretty good definition of what it is to live by the flesh. We think that a half-effort is good enough.
Jesus said it isn't. He said all or nothing. Yes, that is right. To live by the Spirit means that we have held nothing back and our only longing is the will of the Father.
Does that describe your day?
No? Mine neither but the Spirit smacked me across the head with this scripture and I for one am paying attention.
This is not fun and games boys and girls. This is life and death for eternity. This is serious relational stuff. Jesus has called us to something higher and greater than what we have been willing to live.
What will you do with this? Whatever you do, don't go back to getting by.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Strangers In Our Own Home
We are not bold enough. Often we try to be too polite with God. We act like visitors in a stranger's home, not wanting to offend or get anything dirty. There is a difference between how children react as a guest in someone's home and as a family member in their own. Why would we act like guests in the presence of our Father? Why would we treat him like a stranger? Why are we so afraid to act like family and why would we ever ask for something he has already promised to us?
Could you imagine this conversation:
"Mom, can I have some clothes? Can you give me some clothes please?"
"What are you talking about? Your closet is full of clothes?"
"Yes, but can I have them? Can you give them to me?"
"I already gave them to you. They are yours. Go ahead and wear them."
"Are you sure I can wear them? It won't offend you? I will clean the whole house if you let me wear them."
"What? Are you feeling okay?"
But we do it all the time. We treat our relationship with our Father like we are strangers in his house. We are afraid to touch what he freely gave to us. We don't act on his promises. It's like he has to give them to us again and again. They are ours.
There is nothing wrong with reminding God of his promises in boldness. It is not so much that we are reminding God as we are reminding ourselves. The psalmist stated it rather frankly:
Listen, Lord, as I pray!
Pay attention when I groan.
2 You are my King and my God. (Psalm 5:1-2)
The psalmist comes with boldness, demanding the attention of God, not because he deserved it but because of the relationship: You are my King and my God. There is a lot he says in that declaration. God has made promises that have obligated himself to us. Because he is our Father he has bound himself to certain things.
You may think, "God, is Sovereign, he can do what he wants". True but our Father will never go against his character and his promises come out of that character. He is our Father. He has adopted us as his children through Jesus Christ. In doing this he has obligated himself to fulfill all the promises given to us, as we remain his children. Look at how the psalmist understood it even at that time, before Jesus:
You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
because I pray to you. (v. 2)
"You are my King and my God and as such you are obligated to answer my cries for help because I am asking my King." Jesus communicated with us the promises of the Father. He told us to go to the Father with whatever we needed. He told us to stop worrying about what we need here and concentrate on the Kingdom because our Father would look after what we need here. We don't need to come with hat in hand to our Father. We come in with the boldness of children who trust their Father to be who he says he is, one who loves us and pours out all his goodness on us. But remember that it is the parents who establish the rules in the house. The kids do not get to do whatever they want. There is correction:
You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
Sinners can’t stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, Lord,
and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
and deceit. (vv.4-6)
Our God is not a "genie in the bottle" who grants wishes. He is our Holy and Righteous Father who expects relationship. He loves us and wants us to love him in return. He wants us to consider what is important to him to be important to us. He wants us to walk in his footsteps, to reject evil and to cling to what is good. It is in this relationship of obedience that we have the boldness of any child to come into our Father's presence, to love him and to expect good things.
Stop acting like a stranger in our Father's house. To be honest, it is kind of creepy. It's like we don't know who we are. Stop it and be the child that you are. Princes and princesses in the Kingdom of God is who we are and our Father keeps us constantly in his presence. Live with boldness and walk in what has already been given to you.
Could you imagine this conversation:
"Mom, can I have some clothes? Can you give me some clothes please?"
"What are you talking about? Your closet is full of clothes?"
"Yes, but can I have them? Can you give them to me?"
"I already gave them to you. They are yours. Go ahead and wear them."
"Are you sure I can wear them? It won't offend you? I will clean the whole house if you let me wear them."
"What? Are you feeling okay?"
But we do it all the time. We treat our relationship with our Father like we are strangers in his house. We are afraid to touch what he freely gave to us. We don't act on his promises. It's like he has to give them to us again and again. They are ours.
There is nothing wrong with reminding God of his promises in boldness. It is not so much that we are reminding God as we are reminding ourselves. The psalmist stated it rather frankly:
Listen, Lord, as I pray!
Pay attention when I groan.
2 You are my King and my God. (Psalm 5:1-2)
The psalmist comes with boldness, demanding the attention of God, not because he deserved it but because of the relationship: You are my King and my God. There is a lot he says in that declaration. God has made promises that have obligated himself to us. Because he is our Father he has bound himself to certain things.
You may think, "God, is Sovereign, he can do what he wants". True but our Father will never go against his character and his promises come out of that character. He is our Father. He has adopted us as his children through Jesus Christ. In doing this he has obligated himself to fulfill all the promises given to us, as we remain his children. Look at how the psalmist understood it even at that time, before Jesus:
You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
because I pray to you. (v. 2)
"You are my King and my God and as such you are obligated to answer my cries for help because I am asking my King." Jesus communicated with us the promises of the Father. He told us to go to the Father with whatever we needed. He told us to stop worrying about what we need here and concentrate on the Kingdom because our Father would look after what we need here. We don't need to come with hat in hand to our Father. We come in with the boldness of children who trust their Father to be who he says he is, one who loves us and pours out all his goodness on us. But remember that it is the parents who establish the rules in the house. The kids do not get to do whatever they want. There is correction:
You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
Sinners can’t stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, Lord,
and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
and deceit. (vv.4-6)
Our God is not a "genie in the bottle" who grants wishes. He is our Holy and Righteous Father who expects relationship. He loves us and wants us to love him in return. He wants us to consider what is important to him to be important to us. He wants us to walk in his footsteps, to reject evil and to cling to what is good. It is in this relationship of obedience that we have the boldness of any child to come into our Father's presence, to love him and to expect good things.
Stop acting like a stranger in our Father's house. To be honest, it is kind of creepy. It's like we don't know who we are. Stop it and be the child that you are. Princes and princesses in the Kingdom of God is who we are and our Father keeps us constantly in his presence. Live with boldness and walk in what has already been given to you.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Standing On The Word Of God, And Nothing Else
The Bible, God's Word is awesome. If you don't know it, you are a radiant being stumbling around in the dark. It is essential for understanding and confirming what has been written on your heart by the Holy Spirit. The sooner you start eating from it the better it will be for you. It is a benefit to consume the Word daily so that all that God intended you to be will become your reality. Without it, we are confused by the false reality of this world that is dominated by a false prince.
I realize it is difficult to balance everything in your day, especially if you do not have a grasp of the Kingdom of God. If Jesus is just something you need to try to fit into your day, you are in a lot of trouble. You will always struggle spiritually and you will never step into the full knowledge of Christ, becoming fully like him. Jesus cannot be a part of your life; he must be your life, the motivation for everything that you do. You must be fully consumed by his love and your love for him, with obedience being your great desire.
Our attitude toward God's Word must be as passionate as the writer of Psalm 119. We must be raised on it as if it is our life source and treat it as if it is the life source for our children. Paul wrote to Timothy:
Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. (2 Timothy 3:15)
Too often we are guilty of trying to fulfill the mission of Jesus using short cuts. We use emotional pleas but the only thing that makes us wise unto salvation is God's Word. We can't bring people into the Kingdom and expect them to stay based on emotions because emotions are unstable unless the Spirit is in charge. Faith is not an emotional reaction, although emotion can be included. Faith is a decision to believe what Jesus said and we only know what Jesus said according to the Word of God.
The Word is constantly under attack from outside and inside the Church. No other holy book in the world is attacked like the Christian Bible but yet the Word says of itself:
Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. (v. 16)
God's Word is his. It was written through many various servants, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The servant's were only instruments and not authors. And what God has given to us is more precious than gold because it is a spiritual instrument, useful for teaching, helping, correcting and showing us how to live. Our problem is we don't want to take the correction; we would rather explain away those parts of the Bible.
We simply forget that we are accountable to our God. We are not radical free agents set loose upon the earth to do what we feel is best. We have a play book to follow, one that confirms what the Spirit has written on our heart. Is it right to steal? The Bible says no and so does your heart. Is it right to have sex with whoever you want? The Bible says no, and so does your heart. Is it right to direct your own life? The Bible says no, and so does your heart. Do we need to be generous because of God's love? The Bible says yes, and so does your heart. If your heart is lying to you, you need to ask who it is you serve. Paul writes:
The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds. (v. 17)
Clearly stated, we need God's Word as our training manual. It needs to be studied, understood, applied and lived every day. We can't go a day without referring to it. And remember, it is not an old book, archaic in teaching. The Word does not stand on its own but is empowered in us through the Holy Spirit. It is a living testament of God's promises and our responsibilities. Yes, responsibilities. Salvation is by grace but as the children of God we have responsibilities to live out every day that we live in this place. If you don't understand at least that much then you are desperate to know, understand and live the Word of God.
I realize it is difficult to balance everything in your day, especially if you do not have a grasp of the Kingdom of God. If Jesus is just something you need to try to fit into your day, you are in a lot of trouble. You will always struggle spiritually and you will never step into the full knowledge of Christ, becoming fully like him. Jesus cannot be a part of your life; he must be your life, the motivation for everything that you do. You must be fully consumed by his love and your love for him, with obedience being your great desire.
Our attitude toward God's Word must be as passionate as the writer of Psalm 119. We must be raised on it as if it is our life source and treat it as if it is the life source for our children. Paul wrote to Timothy:
Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. (2 Timothy 3:15)
Too often we are guilty of trying to fulfill the mission of Jesus using short cuts. We use emotional pleas but the only thing that makes us wise unto salvation is God's Word. We can't bring people into the Kingdom and expect them to stay based on emotions because emotions are unstable unless the Spirit is in charge. Faith is not an emotional reaction, although emotion can be included. Faith is a decision to believe what Jesus said and we only know what Jesus said according to the Word of God.
The Word is constantly under attack from outside and inside the Church. No other holy book in the world is attacked like the Christian Bible but yet the Word says of itself:
Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. (v. 16)
God's Word is his. It was written through many various servants, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The servant's were only instruments and not authors. And what God has given to us is more precious than gold because it is a spiritual instrument, useful for teaching, helping, correcting and showing us how to live. Our problem is we don't want to take the correction; we would rather explain away those parts of the Bible.
We simply forget that we are accountable to our God. We are not radical free agents set loose upon the earth to do what we feel is best. We have a play book to follow, one that confirms what the Spirit has written on our heart. Is it right to steal? The Bible says no and so does your heart. Is it right to have sex with whoever you want? The Bible says no, and so does your heart. Is it right to direct your own life? The Bible says no, and so does your heart. Do we need to be generous because of God's love? The Bible says yes, and so does your heart. If your heart is lying to you, you need to ask who it is you serve. Paul writes:
The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds. (v. 17)
Clearly stated, we need God's Word as our training manual. It needs to be studied, understood, applied and lived every day. We can't go a day without referring to it. And remember, it is not an old book, archaic in teaching. The Word does not stand on its own but is empowered in us through the Holy Spirit. It is a living testament of God's promises and our responsibilities. Yes, responsibilities. Salvation is by grace but as the children of God we have responsibilities to live out every day that we live in this place. If you don't understand at least that much then you are desperate to know, understand and live the Word of God.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Here We Go Again
Good morning everyone,
Well, here we are back from break; kinda. You are there and I am here, at home, with another of my children who is sick. Strange, it is always our hope that we would come leaping back to school after an extended break with vigor and determination to press on to the end. Instead, I look around and it seems like a war zone, with casualties spread as far as the eye can see. Both students and staff seem to have been hit hard by the latest illness to blanket the city.
So, if we are truly the children of God fulfilling our purpose in serving him why are we so open to illness? There are several reasons for this. The first is that we serve our Lord in a fallen creation where illness is only one result of this fallen state. In the beginning there were no colds, no influenza, no cancer, no aids, nothing at all. But as sin entered into God's perfect creation, introduced by the decision of Adam, so disease and illness followed.
The second reason is because we live our lives as if we are invincible. There are certain things we can do to avoid illness and to avoid spreading it if we are sick. Washing our hands throughout the day is a simple and practical method. Eating our proper meals, getting our proper rest helps our bodies to fight off illness, as does getting proper exercise or living an active life. A couple of ways to prevent the spreading of our illness is to stay home during the contagious period and to know how to cough properly in public.
The third reason we get sick is due to our spiritual condition. Just as our bodies need to be strong to fight off disease so does our spirit. If we neglect our spiritual condition then we will not have the faith to overcome the simplest things that we face. This is not to say that we will never experience illness. We know that the Apostle Paul was afflicted with something that God permitted to exist. His response to Paul's prayers was "My grace is sufficient". There are times that God has a greater purpose for the things we face. However, do not miss the fact that Paul prayed and received an answer about his affliction. Sometimes we do not even bother to pray.
As you come in to school today and you see the number of people missing understand you also have a responsibility to fight for them. Pray for their healing. Regard the staff who look like the walking wounded and pray for supernatural strength for them. Help them; fight for them; encourage them. It is what we do as followers of Jesus Christ.
I pray you have come back healthy and full of energy. Be encouraged and encourage others today. He is our God! We are his people! And he is here with us!
Well, here we are back from break; kinda. You are there and I am here, at home, with another of my children who is sick. Strange, it is always our hope that we would come leaping back to school after an extended break with vigor and determination to press on to the end. Instead, I look around and it seems like a war zone, with casualties spread as far as the eye can see. Both students and staff seem to have been hit hard by the latest illness to blanket the city.
So, if we are truly the children of God fulfilling our purpose in serving him why are we so open to illness? There are several reasons for this. The first is that we serve our Lord in a fallen creation where illness is only one result of this fallen state. In the beginning there were no colds, no influenza, no cancer, no aids, nothing at all. But as sin entered into God's perfect creation, introduced by the decision of Adam, so disease and illness followed.
The second reason is because we live our lives as if we are invincible. There are certain things we can do to avoid illness and to avoid spreading it if we are sick. Washing our hands throughout the day is a simple and practical method. Eating our proper meals, getting our proper rest helps our bodies to fight off illness, as does getting proper exercise or living an active life. A couple of ways to prevent the spreading of our illness is to stay home during the contagious period and to know how to cough properly in public.
The third reason we get sick is due to our spiritual condition. Just as our bodies need to be strong to fight off disease so does our spirit. If we neglect our spiritual condition then we will not have the faith to overcome the simplest things that we face. This is not to say that we will never experience illness. We know that the Apostle Paul was afflicted with something that God permitted to exist. His response to Paul's prayers was "My grace is sufficient". There are times that God has a greater purpose for the things we face. However, do not miss the fact that Paul prayed and received an answer about his affliction. Sometimes we do not even bother to pray.
As you come in to school today and you see the number of people missing understand you also have a responsibility to fight for them. Pray for their healing. Regard the staff who look like the walking wounded and pray for supernatural strength for them. Help them; fight for them; encourage them. It is what we do as followers of Jesus Christ.
I pray you have come back healthy and full of energy. Be encouraged and encourage others today. He is our God! We are his people! And he is here with us!
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