An old farmer and his wife were headed into town in their pickup. She asked, "You remember how we used to sit right next to each other when we were in the old truck just after we were married?"
Without taking his eyes off the road, his simple reply came, "I haven't moved."
God hasn't moved either.
"For I the LORD do not change, therefore you, O children of Israel are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:6-7).
God made a covenant with Abraham. He confirmed it with Isaac and Jacob. He clarified the covenant with Moses. He made another covenant with David. In each of these covenants, God promised something to Israel: His presence and protection. He would bless them. He would not abandon them. Even through all the prophets who called for repentance and prophesied judgment, God was keeping His promise of presence and protection.
God did not wipe the seed of Abraham off the face of the earth. They are still around. And it wasn't because of the goodness of Abraham or his descendants. It was because God doesn't change.
Even in His call to repentance, He says, "Return to me and I will return to you." He hasn't moved. He hasn't changed His mind.
God's promises to me do not change either, because He does not change. He has promised to forgive me, to keep me, to glorify me, to provide for my needs, to lead me and many others. And His keeping of those promises is not dependent on my righteousness.
But just like Israel was called to repent, I am called to repent. God hasn't moved. He wants me to stay in fellowship with Him, but my sins separate me from my loving Father.
He has done everything to remove that separation. He has provided the perfect sacrifice through His Son. His promises are there for the taking. I have to repent, to change my mind about who I am and who He is. I need to be fighting temptations to keep those sins out of my life.
God hasn't moved. He's waiting for me to move toward Him.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Lock the doors!
The church is full of hypocrites.
Usually, that's a statement made by some disgruntled former church-goer. Usually, it's because someone in the church made them upset. Or they weren't getting the attention they wanted. Or some other selfish reason.
But God actually said the same thing about the temple.
"Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!" (Malachi 1:10).
The priests were allowing the people to bring sacrifices that were lame, blind and blemished. The priests knew better. The people knew better. But they were taking the easy way out.
"It's all going to be burned up anyway, so what difference does it make?" they might have reasoned.
What difference does it make?
It was a sign of disrespect to God. God had commanded that the animals brought for sacrifice were to be without defect. No blind sheep. No lambs with broken legs. No deformed rams. Perfect. Spotless. Without blemish.
To bring anything else was disobedience and that is a sign of disrespect.
So today when you go to church, what does your sacrifice look like?
Are you wearing the right clothes? Singing the right music? Listening attentively? Putting money in the offering plate?
But what does God say about it? Is He asking you to be bold enough to just stay at home, because your worship is disrespectful?
God doesn't want the outward appearances. He wants your heart. And He doesn't want it just on Sunday mornings. He wants it every day.
So don't stay home. By God's grace and with God's help, clean up your worship.
Usually, that's a statement made by some disgruntled former church-goer. Usually, it's because someone in the church made them upset. Or they weren't getting the attention they wanted. Or some other selfish reason.
But God actually said the same thing about the temple.
"Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!" (Malachi 1:10).
The priests were allowing the people to bring sacrifices that were lame, blind and blemished. The priests knew better. The people knew better. But they were taking the easy way out.
"It's all going to be burned up anyway, so what difference does it make?" they might have reasoned.
What difference does it make?
It was a sign of disrespect to God. God had commanded that the animals brought for sacrifice were to be without defect. No blind sheep. No lambs with broken legs. No deformed rams. Perfect. Spotless. Without blemish.
To bring anything else was disobedience and that is a sign of disrespect.
So today when you go to church, what does your sacrifice look like?
Are you wearing the right clothes? Singing the right music? Listening attentively? Putting money in the offering plate?
But what does God say about it? Is He asking you to be bold enough to just stay at home, because your worship is disrespectful?
God doesn't want the outward appearances. He wants your heart. And He doesn't want it just on Sunday mornings. He wants it every day.
So don't stay home. By God's grace and with God's help, clean up your worship.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Live for Jesus
"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." (1 Cor 4:2)
A steward has the task of administrating the goods of another person. To be a good steward requires using those resources the way that the owner desires. That describes a trustworthy or faithful steward.
That is why Paul could say in the following verses that he would wait for his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, to judge him. He didn't think the judgments of the Corinthians were important. He didn't even consider his own judgments of himself to be of much worth.
The Lord will come and bring the intents of the heart to light. Only God knows the motivations of the heart. We can deceive others. Or they may choose not to understand our motivation. We can even deceive ourselves. But God knows the truth. He knows what we do and why we do it.
And because of that He will give proper commendation. He will give honor where honor is due. His reward for our work will be genuine. He will know what we have done and what we deserve.
So our task is to be a faithful steward. Find out what God wants me to do and do it. Regardless of what others say or think - or what we may think they will say or think.
We don't need to live to impress others.
We need to live for Jesus. That's what matters.
A steward has the task of administrating the goods of another person. To be a good steward requires using those resources the way that the owner desires. That describes a trustworthy or faithful steward.
That is why Paul could say in the following verses that he would wait for his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, to judge him. He didn't think the judgments of the Corinthians were important. He didn't even consider his own judgments of himself to be of much worth.
The Lord will come and bring the intents of the heart to light. Only God knows the motivations of the heart. We can deceive others. Or they may choose not to understand our motivation. We can even deceive ourselves. But God knows the truth. He knows what we do and why we do it.
And because of that He will give proper commendation. He will give honor where honor is due. His reward for our work will be genuine. He will know what we have done and what we deserve.
So our task is to be a faithful steward. Find out what God wants me to do and do it. Regardless of what others say or think - or what we may think they will say or think.
We don't need to live to impress others.
We need to live for Jesus. That's what matters.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Servants and Stewards
Servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1). that's how Paul wanted to be known.
A servant of Christ would be obedient to Christ. He would do what God wanted him to do regardless of the consequences. To do this, the servant would need to know God's will. and to do that, he'd have to know God's Word.
God's Word would need to permeate his mind so much that he could make decisions in every day life. His desire is to please his Master, so he wants to know exactly what God wants him to do. The faithful servant will direct his entire life according to what God's Word says.
closely related to this is the steward of the mysteries of God. This requires not only knowing god's Word, but communicating it to others. As a steward, he is not to come up with his own teachings, but to teach what the Master desires. He would have to be a student of God's Word. Not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of others.
Obeying God's Word in his own life. Teaching God's Word to others. Those were Paul's goals and should be our goals.
Help us, Lord, to study Your Word. Not just to know the Bible better. But that Your Word would permeate our thoughts so that our actions and thoughts would be directed by You.
A servant of Christ would be obedient to Christ. He would do what God wanted him to do regardless of the consequences. To do this, the servant would need to know God's will. and to do that, he'd have to know God's Word.
God's Word would need to permeate his mind so much that he could make decisions in every day life. His desire is to please his Master, so he wants to know exactly what God wants him to do. The faithful servant will direct his entire life according to what God's Word says.
closely related to this is the steward of the mysteries of God. This requires not only knowing god's Word, but communicating it to others. As a steward, he is not to come up with his own teachings, but to teach what the Master desires. He would have to be a student of God's Word. Not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of others.
Obeying God's Word in his own life. Teaching God's Word to others. Those were Paul's goals and should be our goals.
Help us, Lord, to study Your Word. Not just to know the Bible better. But that Your Word would permeate our thoughts so that our actions and thoughts would be directed by You.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Extreme Destinies
Two extreme destinies are described in Revelation 21.
The new Jerusalem comes from heaven. Prepared as a bride for her husband. God's dwelling place with man. He will comfort them. No more death. No mourning. No crying. No pain. All things are new. The thirst will be satisfied. The victor will inherit.
The new Jerusalem radiates like crystal. 12 gates. 12 angels. Names of 12 tribes. 12 foundations with the names of 12 Apostles. Jasper walls. City of pure gold. Foundations of the wall adorned with jewels. 12 gates each made of one pearl. Streets of pure gold, transparent like glass. No temple, because God and the Lamb are there. No sun or moon, because God's glory illuminates it. No night. The kings of the nations bring their glory into it. Nothing unclean.
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and liars, their portion shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death" (v 8).
What a contrast!
And the deciding factor is found at the end of the chapter. "Only those written in the Lamb's book of life" are allowed into the new Jerusalem (v 27).
The life goal of every person should be to figure out how to get written in that book. It has eternal consequences. Either eternity in the new Jerusalem with all its glory in the presence of God. Or all eternity in the lake of fire.
Every person should make it their goal to find out how to be written in the Lamb's book of life.
Every one who knows that answer should make it their goal to tell others.
The new Jerusalem comes from heaven. Prepared as a bride for her husband. God's dwelling place with man. He will comfort them. No more death. No mourning. No crying. No pain. All things are new. The thirst will be satisfied. The victor will inherit.
The new Jerusalem radiates like crystal. 12 gates. 12 angels. Names of 12 tribes. 12 foundations with the names of 12 Apostles. Jasper walls. City of pure gold. Foundations of the wall adorned with jewels. 12 gates each made of one pearl. Streets of pure gold, transparent like glass. No temple, because God and the Lamb are there. No sun or moon, because God's glory illuminates it. No night. The kings of the nations bring their glory into it. Nothing unclean.
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and liars, their portion shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death" (v 8).
What a contrast!
And the deciding factor is found at the end of the chapter. "Only those written in the Lamb's book of life" are allowed into the new Jerusalem (v 27).
The life goal of every person should be to figure out how to get written in that book. It has eternal consequences. Either eternity in the new Jerusalem with all its glory in the presence of God. Or all eternity in the lake of fire.
Every person should make it their goal to find out how to be written in the Lamb's book of life.
Every one who knows that answer should make it their goal to tell others.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
No reason not to
Through the prophet Haggai, God commanded the returned captives to complete the construction of the temple. They had finished their homes, but had not finished the house of worship.
The people's response was obedience. They feared God and obeyed Him. As they were working, Jehovah sent a simple message through Haggai, "I am with you" (Hag 1:13).
When the temple was completed, those who remembered the glory of the previous temple, realized that this restoration was nothing in comparison.
What was the message from the LORD?
"Be strong...Work, for I am with you...according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not" (2:4-5).
The temple was a sign of God's presence with His people. But it was also a sign of their obedience. God commanded them to finish it and they did. He reminded them of His presence while they were building and again when it was completed.
God promises to provide and to protect His people. He encourages them to stand firm and to work.
How often we want the provision and protection without the work!
Yet, God doesn't make the provision and protection dependent on the work. He doesn't say, "If you work hard enough, I'll protect you from enemy attack. If you stand firm, I'll make sure there is plenty of food on your table." He's not like people who expect us to do something to get a benefit.
God works differently than that. He makes His promises. Because He is God we know that He is able and will keep His promises.
Standing firm and working are the responses to the God who makes promises. Because God has said that He will provide for all my needs, I can do what He wants me to do. I don't have to worry about going hungry, so I can share with others. I can give generously.
Remembering God's promises of protection and provision, I can stand firm and work. I don't do those things to earn God's protection and provision. But because God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do, I can be what He wants me to be and do what He wants me to do.
There's no reason not to trust and obey.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Voluntary Worship
In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar builds an idol and commands his followers to bow down to worship. When the music sounds, you bow down. Or you get thrown into the fiery furnace.
In Revelation 13, the false prophet makes the inhabitants of the earth worship the Antichrist. Any who refuse to worship the Antichrist will be slain by the false prophet.
Isn't that interesting that the false gods have to force people to worship them? Threaten them with their lives even?
They are not worthy of worship, so they have to force people to bow down to them.
The God of heavens is worthy of worship. People have not been and never will be forced to worship Him. They just do.
As a person learns who God is, the only response is to fall in worship. Not by force, but by choice.
I'd rather serve a God who is worthy to be worshiped than a god who has to make his subjects worship him.
Wouldn't you?
In Revelation 13, the false prophet makes the inhabitants of the earth worship the Antichrist. Any who refuse to worship the Antichrist will be slain by the false prophet.
Isn't that interesting that the false gods have to force people to worship them? Threaten them with their lives even?
They are not worthy of worship, so they have to force people to bow down to them.
The God of heavens is worthy of worship. People have not been and never will be forced to worship Him. They just do.
As a person learns who God is, the only response is to fall in worship. Not by force, but by choice.
I'd rather serve a God who is worthy to be worshiped than a god who has to make his subjects worship him.
Wouldn't you?
Spiritual Immaturity
In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul describes the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer, helping him to understand the mind of God. The believer, a spiritual person, has the indwelling Holy Spirit, giving him the ability to discern spiritual truths.
but in the first verses of chapter 3, Paul tells the believers in Corinth that he has to address them as fleshly people, not as spiritual. They aren't able to handle solid foods. Milk was to be their diet, like babies.
The evidence of their immaturity was jealousy and strife among them. They were boasting about their spiritual heritage, which Paul points out in chapters one and three is foolishness. The laborers are not the ones who should get the glory, but God who brings the harvest. To argue about such things proved that they were carnal, immature believers.
So even though they had the Spirit in them to guide them in spiritual truth, they weren't maturing. They were competing with one another. They weren't able to move on to other spiritual truths, because they were filled with jealousy and strife.
Contemporary Christians can be guilty of the same things. Maybe not coveting a new car or better clothes, but being jealous about spiritual abilities. Wishing you could preach like him. Wishing you could serve on that committee instead of the one you're on. Wishing you could be a counselor. Wishing you had your family all together. Wishing you had a better education. Wishing people would notice your ministry.
While God does give us a desire to improve ourselves, if our motivation for improvement is to be as good as or better than someone else, we're in the same boat as the Corinthians.
And as long as we're in that boat, we'll be immature, carnal Christians. Like the Corinthians.
but in the first verses of chapter 3, Paul tells the believers in Corinth that he has to address them as fleshly people, not as spiritual. They aren't able to handle solid foods. Milk was to be their diet, like babies.
The evidence of their immaturity was jealousy and strife among them. They were boasting about their spiritual heritage, which Paul points out in chapters one and three is foolishness. The laborers are not the ones who should get the glory, but God who brings the harvest. To argue about such things proved that they were carnal, immature believers.
So even though they had the Spirit in them to guide them in spiritual truth, they weren't maturing. They were competing with one another. They weren't able to move on to other spiritual truths, because they were filled with jealousy and strife.
Contemporary Christians can be guilty of the same things. Maybe not coveting a new car or better clothes, but being jealous about spiritual abilities. Wishing you could preach like him. Wishing you could serve on that committee instead of the one you're on. Wishing you could be a counselor. Wishing you had your family all together. Wishing you had a better education. Wishing people would notice your ministry.
While God does give us a desire to improve ourselves, if our motivation for improvement is to be as good as or better than someone else, we're in the same boat as the Corinthians.
And as long as we're in that boat, we'll be immature, carnal Christians. Like the Corinthians.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Christ came for our glory
"But we impart a secret and a hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory" (1 Cor 2:7).
God did something, proclaimed a message, decreed an event, for our glory. that seems backwards to me. We are commanded to do things to the glory of God and here we read that God did something for our glory.
What did God do to bring us glory?
It's not the ability to impart the secret and hidden wisdom, as some might think. Rather that secret and hidden wisdom is what God decreed for our glory. We can impart that wisdom, but we have to know what it is.
So what did God impart? What secret and hidden wisdom had been a part of God's plan to bring us glory?
The incarnation of Christ.
Verse 8 says that if the rulers would have understood this secret and hidden wisdom, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. If they had know that Jesus was God, they would not have crucified Him.
The incarnation of the eternal God is truly beyond our comprehension. That a holy God would take on the form of a human and remain God really can't be understood. Those two concepts are at such extremes, that we can't really get our head around it. The union of perfect God and perfect man in one person can only be understood in the wisdom of God.
And how is this for our glory?
The incarnation was necessary for the crucifixion to take place. If Christ had not come as a man, He could not have died.
The crucifixion led to our redemption. Our redemption leads to our glorification.
Christ came to glorify us.
That is also too amazing to understand!
God did something, proclaimed a message, decreed an event, for our glory. that seems backwards to me. We are commanded to do things to the glory of God and here we read that God did something for our glory.
What did God do to bring us glory?
It's not the ability to impart the secret and hidden wisdom, as some might think. Rather that secret and hidden wisdom is what God decreed for our glory. We can impart that wisdom, but we have to know what it is.
So what did God impart? What secret and hidden wisdom had been a part of God's plan to bring us glory?
The incarnation of Christ.
Verse 8 says that if the rulers would have understood this secret and hidden wisdom, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. If they had know that Jesus was God, they would not have crucified Him.
The incarnation of the eternal God is truly beyond our comprehension. That a holy God would take on the form of a human and remain God really can't be understood. Those two concepts are at such extremes, that we can't really get our head around it. The union of perfect God and perfect man in one person can only be understood in the wisdom of God.
And how is this for our glory?
The incarnation was necessary for the crucifixion to take place. If Christ had not come as a man, He could not have died.
The crucifixion led to our redemption. Our redemption leads to our glorification.
Christ came to glorify us.
That is also too amazing to understand!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Speak up - but not about yourself
When talking to others about what god is doing in your life, the example of Paul in Corinth is important to follow. (1 Cor 2:1-5).
- Not with lofty speech or wisdom. Not using big words to impress. Not pontificating about what you know. Not showing off.
- Knowing nothing but Christ and Him crucified. Talk about Christ. Talk about what He has taught you, not what you learned. Put the emphasis on Him, not yourself. Even if you relate experiences that He used to teach you, talk about Him, not yourself. Emphasize the crucifixion, the work of Christ on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins.
- In weakness, in fear and in much trembling. Not bragging about it, but in humility. Not boasting about what God is teaching you. Not in fear of what others will think (or not think) about you. In fear of God. In fear of making yourself look great and not God. In fear of lying, exaggerating, blame shifting, or any other number of sins. In fear of leading others astray.
- Not in plausible words of wisdom. Not building your argument like a lawyer in a court room to persuade. Not in great debates.
- But in demonstration of the Spirit and power. Led by His Spirit. Not when you want to, but when He wants you to. Not talking about yourself, but about Christ. Not in your own strength, but in His.
Paul's reason for this type of communication was "that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." The hearers shouldn't be wowed with your communication skills, but wowed with power of God. You don't want them to put their trust in you. "Pastor said..." or "I have always been taught..." are words that show they have put their trust in someone other than God. Make sure that your conversation is pointing to Christ as revealed in the Word of God. Help them to understand that what you are teaching or sharing is not because of yourself, but because of what God says in His Word.
All this causes me to fear saying anything at all. I'd rather keep my mouth shut than open it and say something wrong. May God give me boldness and wisdom to speak when I should and to be quiet when I should.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Repent under judgment or under grace?
"The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands..." (Rev 9:20a).
Seven seal and six trumpet judgments have taken place. Catastrophe, death and chaos seem to be an every day occurrence. Yet the people still choose not to repent. The survivors continue on in their idolatry, witchcraft and immorality.
They obviously don't get it. They don't understand God's message. His warnings are not being heeded. How foolish!
How foolish we are when we don't repent. How foolish we are not to take the message of God's grace and turn from sins constantly. God's mercy gives us opportunities to repent. We need to repent of the idolatry of worshiping self. We need to turn from the witchcraft of using God as a lucky charm. We need to turn from the immorality that is in our minds and actions.
We don't need God's wrath to be poured out on us to repent. We need to repent in God's grace and mercy which He showers on us.
Seven seal and six trumpet judgments have taken place. Catastrophe, death and chaos seem to be an every day occurrence. Yet the people still choose not to repent. The survivors continue on in their idolatry, witchcraft and immorality.
They obviously don't get it. They don't understand God's message. His warnings are not being heeded. How foolish!
How foolish we are when we don't repent. How foolish we are not to take the message of God's grace and turn from sins constantly. God's mercy gives us opportunities to repent. We need to repent of the idolatry of worshiping self. We need to turn from the witchcraft of using God as a lucky charm. We need to turn from the immorality that is in our minds and actions.
We don't need God's wrath to be poured out on us to repent. We need to repent in God's grace and mercy which He showers on us.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Turned Upside-Down
When God created Adam, He created Eve to be his helpmate. Adam was incomplete and needed help, so God gave him a helper. Whatever task Adam had to accomplish, Eve was to come beside him and help him. It wasn't a master-slave relationship, but a unity for solving problems.
However, when Adam and Eve sinned, their marriage became cursed. It was turned upside-down. Rather than being a helper, Eve's desire would be for her husband's position of leadership. She and every woman after her would want to have control of the marriage and all the details. Adam's struggle would be in leading. Adam and and every husband after him would struggle to fulfill God's role for him to be the leader in the home.
Isn't that a great combination?
Adam was created to lead and now he would struggle leading.
Eve was created to be a helper and now she would struggle to be a helper and not the leader.
And we know what happens. The more the wife leads, the less the husband feels he needs to. So she leads more and he leads less.
Rather than the wife coming alongside to help her husband, tensions are so high in this struggle for dominance, that the husband doesn't let his wife know where he needs help. So she can't fulfill her role as a helpmate.
Unless the husband and wife are both spiritually led and fighting their battles against sin, the marriage is doomed. A point will come where the wife is the leader and the husband is the follower. They'll both get what they want, but it won't be what God wants. The marriage will fall apart.
Flowers and romantic getaways won't solve this problem.
It's a work of grace. God's grace can solve it.
It's a work of humility. Husband and wife have to humble themselves before God and each other and cry out for help.
It's work. It's not a one-time event. It will last as long as the marriage lasts. Because if neither husband nor wife continually work at fighting these upside-down roles, the marriage won't last.
However, when Adam and Eve sinned, their marriage became cursed. It was turned upside-down. Rather than being a helper, Eve's desire would be for her husband's position of leadership. She and every woman after her would want to have control of the marriage and all the details. Adam's struggle would be in leading. Adam and and every husband after him would struggle to fulfill God's role for him to be the leader in the home.
Isn't that a great combination?
Adam was created to lead and now he would struggle leading.
Eve was created to be a helper and now she would struggle to be a helper and not the leader.
And we know what happens. The more the wife leads, the less the husband feels he needs to. So she leads more and he leads less.
Rather than the wife coming alongside to help her husband, tensions are so high in this struggle for dominance, that the husband doesn't let his wife know where he needs help. So she can't fulfill her role as a helpmate.
Unless the husband and wife are both spiritually led and fighting their battles against sin, the marriage is doomed. A point will come where the wife is the leader and the husband is the follower. They'll both get what they want, but it won't be what God wants. The marriage will fall apart.
Flowers and romantic getaways won't solve this problem.
It's a work of grace. God's grace can solve it.
It's a work of humility. Husband and wife have to humble themselves before God and each other and cry out for help.
It's work. It's not a one-time event. It will last as long as the marriage lasts. Because if neither husband nor wife continually work at fighting these upside-down roles, the marriage won't last.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Not so close!
Amos begins his prophecy by pronouncing judgment on Israel's neighbors. Jehovah roars from Jerusalem about the wickedness of Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab and even Judah.
I can imagine the response of the crowd as they heard the condemnation of their enemies. These were bad people who had done bad things. They deserved God's judgment.
"That's right God! Sick it to 'em! Wipe them off the face of the earth!"
But from verse six of chapter two until the end of the book it's all about Israel. Talk about a crowd turning!
Here they were ready for God to obliterate these people who had done such wicked things to them. Maybe some were even thinking that God should wipe them out and start over with the righteous remnant - Israel, of course.
And then God zooms in on them.
How easy it is for us to fall into the same trap. We talk about the evils of society. We gripe about the perversions in the entertainment world. We pray for God's judgment on the wicked people around us.
We'd rather talk about the culture war than the war in our own heart.
All that to avoid dealing with the evil in our own hearts. All that to avoid dealing with the perversions in our own thought life. All that to avoid the wicked actions that we have done.
God knows all those things about you. And He's more concerned about you, than the evils of society.
Lord, help me today as I go to church to let your Word expose the evil of my heart. Let your Spirit work in my life to change me.
I can imagine the response of the crowd as they heard the condemnation of their enemies. These were bad people who had done bad things. They deserved God's judgment.
"That's right God! Sick it to 'em! Wipe them off the face of the earth!"
But from verse six of chapter two until the end of the book it's all about Israel. Talk about a crowd turning!
Here they were ready for God to obliterate these people who had done such wicked things to them. Maybe some were even thinking that God should wipe them out and start over with the righteous remnant - Israel, of course.
And then God zooms in on them.
How easy it is for us to fall into the same trap. We talk about the evils of society. We gripe about the perversions in the entertainment world. We pray for God's judgment on the wicked people around us.
We'd rather talk about the culture war than the war in our own heart.
All that to avoid dealing with the evil in our own hearts. All that to avoid dealing with the perversions in our own thought life. All that to avoid the wicked actions that we have done.
God knows all those things about you. And He's more concerned about you, than the evils of society.
Lord, help me today as I go to church to let your Word expose the evil of my heart. Let your Spirit work in my life to change me.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
It doesn't make sense
- That the Creator of the universe would take on the form of one of His creations, doesn't make sense.
- That the Creator of the universe would die a miserable death, doesn't make sense.
- That the Creator of the universe would be punished, not for His sins, but for mine, doesn't make sense.
- That the Creator of the universe would choose to be punished for my sins, when I was His enemy, doesn't make sense.
- That the price that He paid, His own blood, would be sufficient to pay for all my sins, doesn't make sense.
- That His blood would continue to cleanse me, doesn't make sense.
- That He would choose to do that because He loves me, regardless of what I have done against Him, doesn't make sense.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" ( 1 Cor 1:18).
Friday, December 7, 2012
Boast in Christ
Division in the local church comes from boasting in something, or someone other than Christ. When we start boasting in the good ol' days with Pastor Soandso, or rallying behind one person, then the result is bound to be division. If we begin to brag about our connections and experiences, we're headed toward division (1 Cor 1:10-13).
Degrees and pedigrees make no difference in the church. There's nothing to brag about except what Christ has done (1 Cor 1:30). The connections and relationships within the church will not satisfy, so what's the point in bragging about them? Those relationships should be pointing me to Christ, not to other people. It's not because of the others that I am in church, but because of Christ. Others will not satisfy like Jesus, so my connections to others should not be my point of boasting.
To boast because I'm friends with this guy, or having Bible study with this group, or involved in this accountability group, or that I'm there every service, or that I've been teaching for 20 years - or anything else is pointless.
So my aim must be to boast in Christ. What does that look like?
- Rather than talking about what I did with someone, talk about what Christ has done for me.
- Rather than talk about having a Bible study, talk about what Jesus taught me in that Bible study.
- Rather than talk about an accountability partner, talk about how the accountability is helping me learn about Christ.
- Rather than talk about my connections and my friends, talk about who Christ is.
- Rather than talk about what happened in church on Sunday, talk about what I learned about Christ on Sunday.
I need to learn to take control of my thoughts, so that I'm thinking about Christ. Only then will I be talking about Him.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Who needs friends?
In 1 Cor 1:1-9, Paul gives an encouraging description of the Corinthian believers.
Belong to the church of God.
Sanctified in Christ Jesus.
Called to be saints with others.
Recipients of the grace of God in Christ.
Enriched in Him in every way in all speech and knowledge.
Not lacking any spiritual gift.
Waiting for the revealing of Christ.
Sustained by Christ to the end.
Guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Called by God into the fellowship of His Son.
In Christ I have
Rather than seeking to find these things in other people, I need to remember that I already have them in Christ. People will always disappoint. Friends won't be there when I need them. Children will move away. Spouses will leave.
If I'm looking to fulfill my needs through other people, I will always be disappointed.
So why do I keep trying to find someone to meet my needs? Why do I keep trying to find friends who will help me? I already have all the help I need from Jesus who knows what I really need and can meet those needs.
What I need to be working on is helping others find that they can only be satisfied in Christ, as I am learning, as well.
Belong to the church of God.
Sanctified in Christ Jesus.
Called to be saints with others.
Recipients of the grace of God in Christ.
Enriched in Him in every way in all speech and knowledge.
Not lacking any spiritual gift.
Waiting for the revealing of Christ.
Sustained by Christ to the end.
Guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Called by God into the fellowship of His Son.
In Christ I have
- Perfection: I'm sanctified in Christ. I lack no spiritual gift. I am enriched in every way. I am guiltless before God.
- Purpose: I've been called to be a saint with others. I am waiting for the revealing of Christ.
- Support: I am a recipient of the grace of God. I will be sustained by Christ to the end.
- Fellowship: I belong to the universal church. I have fellowship with Christ.
Rather than seeking to find these things in other people, I need to remember that I already have them in Christ. People will always disappoint. Friends won't be there when I need them. Children will move away. Spouses will leave.
If I'm looking to fulfill my needs through other people, I will always be disappointed.
So why do I keep trying to find someone to meet my needs? Why do I keep trying to find friends who will help me? I already have all the help I need from Jesus who knows what I really need and can meet those needs.
What I need to be working on is helping others find that they can only be satisfied in Christ, as I am learning, as well.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Sorrow turned to Worship
As John is in heaven, he sees God on the throne. In His hand is a scroll with seven seals. An angel cries out, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"
No reply. No one in heaven. No one on earth. No one was worthy.
John began to cry loudly.
One of the elders said, "Weep no more, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals."
A Lion was announced. A Lamb appeared. "A Lamb standing, as though it had been slain."
As soon as the Lamb took the scroll from the hand of God, all of heaven and earth broke out in worship.
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for your were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Then myriads of myriads of angels said, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
Then every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them said, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"
The four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5).
John's sorrow was turned to universal worship. Why?
Because Jesus died.
His death redeemed people. His death made Him worthy to receive everything.
His death redeemed me.
Some day I'll be standing there with the myriads of myriads of angels, the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders and all of creation worshiping the Lamb who was slain for my sins!
Today would be a great day to start practicing.
No reply. No one in heaven. No one on earth. No one was worthy.
John began to cry loudly.
One of the elders said, "Weep no more, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals."
A Lion was announced. A Lamb appeared. "A Lamb standing, as though it had been slain."
As soon as the Lamb took the scroll from the hand of God, all of heaven and earth broke out in worship.
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sang, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for your were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Then myriads of myriads of angels said, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
Then every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them said, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"
The four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5).
John's sorrow was turned to universal worship. Why?
Because Jesus died.
His death redeemed people. His death made Him worthy to receive everything.
His death redeemed me.
Some day I'll be standing there with the myriads of myriads of angels, the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders and all of creation worshiping the Lamb who was slain for my sins!
Today would be a great day to start practicing.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Same Old Song
Sometimes we hear the complaint about singing the same old songs in church. Or we buy new CD's and MP3's because we want to hear something new.
There's one song that is sung continually and never gets old.
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was an dis and is to come!" (Rev 4:8)
The four living creatures say this continually before God's throne. They never tire of saying it and they never change it. God never tires of hearing it. It is the constant praise before God.
He is holy - separated from sin. Perfect in all He says, does and thinks.
He is Lord - sovereign ruler over all creation.
He is God - creator, covenant-keeper, worthy of worship, supreme
He is almighty - all-powerful. Nothing is beyond His power and control.
Who was - He has always existed. As far back as I can think, and then even further.
Who is - He exists now. He is present and active in every second, every breath.
Who is to come - He will be there tomorrow and the next day and the next day. Even when there are no more tomorrows, He'll still be there.
He is worthy of the same praise from me. He is worthy of my obedience.
There's one song that is sung continually and never gets old.
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was an dis and is to come!" (Rev 4:8)
The four living creatures say this continually before God's throne. They never tire of saying it and they never change it. God never tires of hearing it. It is the constant praise before God.
He is holy - separated from sin. Perfect in all He says, does and thinks.
He is Lord - sovereign ruler over all creation.
He is God - creator, covenant-keeper, worthy of worship, supreme
He is almighty - all-powerful. Nothing is beyond His power and control.
Who was - He has always existed. As far back as I can think, and then even further.
Who is - He exists now. He is present and active in every second, every breath.
Who is to come - He will be there tomorrow and the next day and the next day. Even when there are no more tomorrows, He'll still be there.
He is worthy of the same praise from me. He is worthy of my obedience.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Remember and Repent
"I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it and repent" (Revelation 3:2-3a).
It's so easy to put on a show. Especially at church. Tell half-truths. Avoid issues. Change the subject. Talk about the world out there. Talk about how bad Israel was. Talk about how blind the disciples were. Speak in generalities about problems.
Others will think that you are alive, but it's so easy to fool them. The one you can't fool is Jesus. He knows your works. He knows what you're doing. He knows what you're thinking. He knows your motives. He knows everything about you all the time.
His command here to the church in Sardis is also for you. Remember and repent. It's not that you don't know what you should do. You've heard it and maybe even taught it. But you need to remember and keep it.
Do what you know you should do, not what you want to do.
Remember what God says about bitterness. Repent and get rid of it.
Remember what God says about gossiping. Repent and stop doing it.
Remember what God says about jealousy. Repent and control your thoughts.
You can fool others, but you can't fool Jesus.
It's so easy to put on a show. Especially at church. Tell half-truths. Avoid issues. Change the subject. Talk about the world out there. Talk about how bad Israel was. Talk about how blind the disciples were. Speak in generalities about problems.
Others will think that you are alive, but it's so easy to fool them. The one you can't fool is Jesus. He knows your works. He knows what you're doing. He knows what you're thinking. He knows your motives. He knows everything about you all the time.
His command here to the church in Sardis is also for you. Remember and repent. It's not that you don't know what you should do. You've heard it and maybe even taught it. But you need to remember and keep it.
Do what you know you should do, not what you want to do.
Remember what God says about bitterness. Repent and get rid of it.
Remember what God says about gossiping. Repent and stop doing it.
Remember what God says about jealousy. Repent and control your thoughts.
You can fool others, but you can't fool Jesus.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Are you a hooker or a lover?
God commanded Hosea to "love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress" (Hosea 3:1). Hosea goes to the market and buys her for less than the price of a slave.
Nobody wanted her. She had been abused and rejected. She didn't even bring the price of a cleaning lady.
Though there is some debate as to whether this was Hosea's wife, or another woman, it seems that it fits the picture better to say that it was Hosea's wife. Following God's command, Hosea had married a prostitute. He had provided for her, even when she continued her prostitution.
It's a picture of God's relationship with Israel. God redeemed Israel making her His bride. He chose her. He clothed her. He provided for her needs. Even when she continued to worship other gods.
Can you imagine what Hosea's wife thought when her eyes met the eyes of her new owner, her husband?
The Bible doesn't tell us how this relationship developed, other than Hosea's continued provision and protection.
But think about your relationship to God. If you are His child, He has redeemed you. He paid the price with the blood of His Son, Jesus. Yet every time you worship something or someone other than God, you are committing adultery against Him. Every time you sin, you choose to go your way rather than His.
And every time, He continues to provide and to protect. The blood of His Son is still there to pay the price and to cleanse you (1 John 1:9).
So rather than acting like a hooker, we should act like a lover. Rather than chasing after all the other gods, we should be chasing after God, who truly loves us.
Get to know your beloved by studying His Word. Follow your beloved by doing what He expects you to do. Communicate with Him by praying to Him.
Stop chasing the others, looking for satisfaction.
Chase God. He alone will satisfy.
Nobody wanted her. She had been abused and rejected. She didn't even bring the price of a cleaning lady.
Though there is some debate as to whether this was Hosea's wife, or another woman, it seems that it fits the picture better to say that it was Hosea's wife. Following God's command, Hosea had married a prostitute. He had provided for her, even when she continued her prostitution.
It's a picture of God's relationship with Israel. God redeemed Israel making her His bride. He chose her. He clothed her. He provided for her needs. Even when she continued to worship other gods.
Can you imagine what Hosea's wife thought when her eyes met the eyes of her new owner, her husband?
The Bible doesn't tell us how this relationship developed, other than Hosea's continued provision and protection.
But think about your relationship to God. If you are His child, He has redeemed you. He paid the price with the blood of His Son, Jesus. Yet every time you worship something or someone other than God, you are committing adultery against Him. Every time you sin, you choose to go your way rather than His.
And every time, He continues to provide and to protect. The blood of His Son is still there to pay the price and to cleanse you (1 John 1:9).
So rather than acting like a hooker, we should act like a lover. Rather than chasing after all the other gods, we should be chasing after God, who truly loves us.
Get to know your beloved by studying His Word. Follow your beloved by doing what He expects you to do. Communicate with Him by praying to Him.
Stop chasing the others, looking for satisfaction.
Chase God. He alone will satisfy.
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