We use the word "hope" an awful lot in every day conversations.
We hope it will be warmer tomorrow. Or cooler if it's July.
We hope that we'll get over the flu.
We hope that we'll get that new job.
We hope that we can take a vacation this summer.
We hope that...
Hope is an anticipation that something is going to change for the better. And there's nothing wrong with having hope.
But I wonder if sometimes our hope in these things makes God out to be a vending machine. If I hope enough, He'll give me what I want.
If I hope enough, I'll be praying more. And therefore God will give me more. If I truly believe with all my heart that God wants me to ... - then He'll do it.
Well, when you put it that way, it does sound a bit ridiculous, doesn't it?
Even if you start applying the "hope-prayer principle" to bigger, more spiritual things, does it make it right?
I hope that my children will follow the Lord.
I hope that my marriage won't fall apart.
I hope that I'll have victory over temptation again.
The problem with hoping turning to wishing turning to praying turning to demanding is that we put ourselves in the place of God.
And if God doesn't carry through, we're not so sure we want to follow Him.
"He didn't give me what I wanted last time. Why should I trust Him again?"
In reality, if that's your attitude, you didn't trust Him the last time. You trusted yourself.
And you failed miserably.
The best guarantee is to hope for the things which God promises to us. And there are a lot of them.
Two big ones:
Eternal life (1 John 5:12-13)
Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
If we put our hope in those things, the other things for which we hope, don't seem to matter quite as much.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Reading Acts
Through a series of e-mails and links, I came across this Bible reading plan:
The author suggested starting with the smaller books and working up to the larger ones.
I decided that since my pastor is going to preach through Acts, I would start with Acts. BTW: Acts is NOT one of the smaller ones!
My goal was to read seven chapters a day, which would allow me to finish the book every 4 days.
A holiday with little to do and an audio Bible at the treadmill later...and I've gone through the book twice already.
Eighteen more to go!
Some observations:
1. There are a lot of courtroom scenes in Acts. I've noticed this because I had a discussion this week with our associate pastor about 1 Cor 6. The courtroom scenes in Acts are believers being taken to court for preaching the Gospel, which is not the case in 1 Cor 6. But when the believers went to court in Acts, the Gospel was presented, Christ was magnified and the believers were pleased to suffer for the Gospel.
2. The spread of the Gospel will not be hindered. The believers suffered persecution, ridicule and death. But God's plan of spreading the message of salvation through the cross of Christ was not hindered.
3. The believers took a variety of opportunities to share the Gospel. They were 1st century humans, so I suppose they missed many opportunities like 21st century humans. But it is interesting and encouraging to see the various places where the believers evangelized, as well as the variety of people who listened.
Looking forward to learning more from Acts in the next weeks.
Do you want to join me?
The Change Your Mind Plan - This plan is very simple: “1. Choose a book of the Bible. 2. Read it in its entirety. 3. Repeat step #2 twenty times. 4. Repeat this process for all books of the Bible.”
The author suggested starting with the smaller books and working up to the larger ones.
I decided that since my pastor is going to preach through Acts, I would start with Acts. BTW: Acts is NOT one of the smaller ones!
My goal was to read seven chapters a day, which would allow me to finish the book every 4 days.
A holiday with little to do and an audio Bible at the treadmill later...and I've gone through the book twice already.
Eighteen more to go!
Some observations:
1. There are a lot of courtroom scenes in Acts. I've noticed this because I had a discussion this week with our associate pastor about 1 Cor 6. The courtroom scenes in Acts are believers being taken to court for preaching the Gospel, which is not the case in 1 Cor 6. But when the believers went to court in Acts, the Gospel was presented, Christ was magnified and the believers were pleased to suffer for the Gospel.
2. The spread of the Gospel will not be hindered. The believers suffered persecution, ridicule and death. But God's plan of spreading the message of salvation through the cross of Christ was not hindered.
3. The believers took a variety of opportunities to share the Gospel. They were 1st century humans, so I suppose they missed many opportunities like 21st century humans. But it is interesting and encouraging to see the various places where the believers evangelized, as well as the variety of people who listened.
Looking forward to learning more from Acts in the next weeks.
Do you want to join me?
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Are You Ready for Change?
Someone posted on Facebook a cute saying about next year being the beginning of a new book.
"Go out there and write a bestseller!"
My response was a bit cynical: "I think I'd rather have a boring year that doesn't make the bestseller list for drama, suspense, scandal and plot twists. That probably ain't gonna happen either!"
It is the end of a year and the beginning of a new year.
Or the beginning of a new day. Or a new hour. Or a new minute.
And one thing that is consistent is change.
Health. Wealth. Security. Death. Job. Children. Church. Home. Weather. Friends.
Everything and everyone around us is going to change.
Life will be different at the end of 2015. Or the end of this week. Or the end of this day.
Sometimes the amount of change that we go through in a certain period is overwhelming. And when we can't deal with change, then we have problems.
In the midst of all the change, there is a constant.
"For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed" (Malachi 3:6).
God does not change.
What a blessing that is!
In the context of Malachi, God is reminding Israel that His immutability, the fact that He doesn't change, is to give them comfort.
He made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs of Israel. And He isn't going to change His mind.
Israel had been continually rebellious to God and His plan. But God didn't change.
His standards remain the same.
His promises remain the same.
His character remains the same.
We will face change. We will change.
Our entire world could be turned upside down very easily.
But God will never change.
"Go out there and write a bestseller!"
My response was a bit cynical: "I think I'd rather have a boring year that doesn't make the bestseller list for drama, suspense, scandal and plot twists. That probably ain't gonna happen either!"
It is the end of a year and the beginning of a new year.
Or the beginning of a new day. Or a new hour. Or a new minute.
And one thing that is consistent is change.
Health. Wealth. Security. Death. Job. Children. Church. Home. Weather. Friends.
Everything and everyone around us is going to change.
Life will be different at the end of 2015. Or the end of this week. Or the end of this day.
Sometimes the amount of change that we go through in a certain period is overwhelming. And when we can't deal with change, then we have problems.
In the midst of all the change, there is a constant.
"For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed" (Malachi 3:6).
God does not change.
What a blessing that is!
In the context of Malachi, God is reminding Israel that His immutability, the fact that He doesn't change, is to give them comfort.
He made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs of Israel. And He isn't going to change His mind.
Israel had been continually rebellious to God and His plan. But God didn't change.
His standards remain the same.
His promises remain the same.
His character remains the same.
We will face change. We will change.
Our entire world could be turned upside down very easily.
But God will never change.
Monday, December 29, 2014
All I Have to Be
I've been cleaning and baking this evening listening to the Ball Brothers on Spotify. About every song I hear is my new favorite.
This one: All I Have to Be by the Ball Brothers, is a great reminder of setting priorities. Whether we're trying to decide what to do on a particular day, or trying to decide a major for college studies, we need to be reminded that those tasks and goals are simply side issues.
They are not irrelevant.
There are biblical commands and principles to guide us in our decisions - the big ones and the little ones.
But all we have to do is wrapped up in Christ.
"All I have to be is Yours."
The demands on us each day are great. We have appointments to keep. We have bills to pay - so we go to work.
The kids need us. The church needs us. The parents need us. The boss needs us. The customer needs us.
And these are not bad things.
But all those things can crowd out all that we need to be: "All I have to be is Yours."
What does that mean?
First, it speaks of a relationship. We are His. He has purchased us with the blood of His Son (1 Peter 1:18-19). He is our Father; we are His children.
Second, it speaks of activity. As we go about the tasks each day, we need to remember that we are ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). Our words and actions should be drawing attention to Him, not to ourselves.
So, as you look at the list of tasks to accomplish in the next days, remember, "All you have to be is His."
His child.
His instrument.
Everything else on your to-do list is a reflection of your position and your responsibility in Christ.
This one: All I Have to Be by the Ball Brothers, is a great reminder of setting priorities. Whether we're trying to decide what to do on a particular day, or trying to decide a major for college studies, we need to be reminded that those tasks and goals are simply side issues.
They are not irrelevant.
There are biblical commands and principles to guide us in our decisions - the big ones and the little ones.
But all we have to do is wrapped up in Christ.
"All I have to be is Yours."
The demands on us each day are great. We have appointments to keep. We have bills to pay - so we go to work.
The kids need us. The church needs us. The parents need us. The boss needs us. The customer needs us.
And these are not bad things.
But all those things can crowd out all that we need to be: "All I have to be is Yours."
What does that mean?
First, it speaks of a relationship. We are His. He has purchased us with the blood of His Son (1 Peter 1:18-19). He is our Father; we are His children.
Second, it speaks of activity. As we go about the tasks each day, we need to remember that we are ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). Our words and actions should be drawing attention to Him, not to ourselves.
So, as you look at the list of tasks to accomplish in the next days, remember, "All you have to be is His."
His child.
His instrument.
Everything else on your to-do list is a reflection of your position and your responsibility in Christ.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
For God's Sake!
It seems like this is a line from a British drama.
And if a lot of us had said this as children, our mom's would have washed our mouths out with soap.
But, it's actually quite a biblical phrase. One that is used often. Often in the Psalms. Often in prayers.
It's a phrase that should be in our vocabulary and in our thoughts.
The prophet Daniel read the book of Jeremiah and discovered that the Babylonian captivity would last seventy years. Daniel's response was to break out in a prayer of national confession.
His prayer ended with a request.
It was not, "Lord, we have suffered enough. Please restore us to Jerusalem."
Or, "Lord, we can't take this anymore. Please show us your mercy and relieve the pressure."
Or, "Lord, we have humbled ourselves. Now reward us with prosperity."
Listen to this:
"Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name" (v 17-19).
Daniel's plea was for restoration. But not to make his life better.
His plea was for restoration for God's sake.
The purpose of his prayer was that God's name would be made glorious.
That God's promises would be fulfilled.
That God's city would be rebuilt.
That God's temple would be restored.
That God's people would be returned.
What does your prayer life look like?
Are you praying for your sake?
Or maybe for the sake of someone else?
Or are you praying for God's sake?
Thursday, October 30, 2014
This Should Be Normal
Hebrews 12 is a familiar passage. At least bits and pieces of it are familiar. Put it all together and you will be encouraged.
The chapter is about battling sin, but we often emphasize God's acts of discipline.
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives" (v 5-6).
The following verses compare and contrast the discipline that we receive from our heavenly Father with that which we received from our earthly fathers (v 7-10).
Usually it's taught that the discipline is a result of sinful actions.
You do something bad, God will punish you.
But if you go to the beginning of the chapter it appears that the topic is not punishment for sin, but victory over sin.
That fits with Romans 8:1 and a host of other passages about the penalty having been paid through the death of Christ.
Look at the commands at the beginning of the chapter:
"Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." (v 1-2a).
Laying aside, enduring, looking to Jesus don't sound like instructions for someone who is living in rebellion, but someone who is struggling with victory over sin.
They want victory, but it's hard and they are discouraged.
They want to live like the great saints in chapter eleven, but it's so hard.
to that person comes the chastening of the Lord. or maybe those acts of enduring, laying aside, and looking are aspects of that chastening, the discipline.
The writer is not sending a warning, but encouragement.
If God weren't correcting you, it would mean He doesn't love you. You are not His child (v 7-8). Take heart that you are being disciplined. It's an evidence that you are loved by God.
God disciplines us for our benefit. His goal is our righteousness. He is in control and has a plan (v 9-11). Even though this phase of discipline looks out of control, it's not.
The writer continues his encouragement by giving instruction to those who are battling sin in the next verses (v 12-15).
"What sins are you battling?" should be a part of our conversations to encourage one another in spiritual growth.
All believers are battling sin.
And we may need to go to Hebrews 12 to encourage one another in the battle.
The chapter is about battling sin, but we often emphasize God's acts of discipline.
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives" (v 5-6).
The following verses compare and contrast the discipline that we receive from our heavenly Father with that which we received from our earthly fathers (v 7-10).
Usually it's taught that the discipline is a result of sinful actions.
You do something bad, God will punish you.
But if you go to the beginning of the chapter it appears that the topic is not punishment for sin, but victory over sin.
That fits with Romans 8:1 and a host of other passages about the penalty having been paid through the death of Christ.
Look at the commands at the beginning of the chapter:
"Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." (v 1-2a).
Laying aside, enduring, looking to Jesus don't sound like instructions for someone who is living in rebellion, but someone who is struggling with victory over sin.
They want victory, but it's hard and they are discouraged.
They want to live like the great saints in chapter eleven, but it's so hard.
to that person comes the chastening of the Lord. or maybe those acts of enduring, laying aside, and looking are aspects of that chastening, the discipline.
The writer is not sending a warning, but encouragement.
If God weren't correcting you, it would mean He doesn't love you. You are not His child (v 7-8). Take heart that you are being disciplined. It's an evidence that you are loved by God.
God disciplines us for our benefit. His goal is our righteousness. He is in control and has a plan (v 9-11). Even though this phase of discipline looks out of control, it's not.
The writer continues his encouragement by giving instruction to those who are battling sin in the next verses (v 12-15).
- Don't get discouraged (v 12-13).
- Don't stir up trouble (v 14a).
- Don't miss God's goal (v 14b).
- Don't hinder other's spiritual growth (v 15a).
- Don't get bitter (v 15b).
"What sins are you battling?" should be a part of our conversations to encourage one another in spiritual growth.
All believers are battling sin.
And we may need to go to Hebrews 12 to encourage one another in the battle.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Nobody Wants to be like Him
In his book, Accidental Pharisees, Larry Osborne brings up some interesting ideas about Joseph of Arimathea.
Anyone who knows the Easter events knows that name. Joseph was the one who asked Pilate for the body of Christ. Joseph was the one who placed the body of Christ in his own tomb.
That's the only time he's mentioned in the Bible. But the Bible writers give us enough detail in the descriptive phrases to put together a picture of Joseph of Arimathea.
He was rich (Mt 27:57).
He was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council (Mk 15:43).
He was a good and righteous man who had not consented to the crucifixion of Jesus (Lk 23:50).
He was afraid of what other's thought of him (Jn 19:38). He kept the fact that he was a disciple of Jesus quiet because he was afraid of the repercussions to his career and social standing.
Osborne titled this chapter, The Disciple that No One Wants to Be.
When we talk about discipleship, we talk about sacrifice. We talk about living out our faith no matter the cost. We talk about fearing God rather than fearing man. We talk about standing up for what is right. We talk about separating from ungodly influences.
Joseph of Arimathea was just the opposite.
He was a wealthy, prominent political-religious leader who kept his devotion to Christ secret.
Until he was needed.
Normally, the bodies of the criminals who were crucified were not given the decency of a burial. Their corpses were thrown on to the city dump to be scavenged by dogs and birds.
But Joseph of Arimathea wanted to show respect to Jesus.
He had the means. He had the position. He had the courage.
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of his Savior.
He placed Jesus in his own tomb. His devotion to the Messiah would no longer be secret.
And this act of honor plays a big part in the resurrection.
No Joseph of Arimathea, no tomb.
No tomb, no guards in front of the tomb.
No tomb, no visible proof that Jesus had risen from the dead.
There are people who go to your church who are probably a lot like Joseph. And you wonder how they can claim to be a disciple.
They never go on a missions trip. They never give a testimony. They never help with VBS. They have got more resources than you do.
And yet they claim to be a disciple.
And we judge them because they aren't as on fire as we think they should be.
That's not our job. Paul wrote that it's not our job to judge another person's servant (Rom 15:1-4). The disciple who looks more like Joseph than we think he should, is not our disciple. It's not our role to judge him.
So stop it.
Anyone who knows the Easter events knows that name. Joseph was the one who asked Pilate for the body of Christ. Joseph was the one who placed the body of Christ in his own tomb.
That's the only time he's mentioned in the Bible. But the Bible writers give us enough detail in the descriptive phrases to put together a picture of Joseph of Arimathea.
He was rich (Mt 27:57).
He was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council (Mk 15:43).
He was a good and righteous man who had not consented to the crucifixion of Jesus (Lk 23:50).
He was afraid of what other's thought of him (Jn 19:38). He kept the fact that he was a disciple of Jesus quiet because he was afraid of the repercussions to his career and social standing.
Osborne titled this chapter, The Disciple that No One Wants to Be.
When we talk about discipleship, we talk about sacrifice. We talk about living out our faith no matter the cost. We talk about fearing God rather than fearing man. We talk about standing up for what is right. We talk about separating from ungodly influences.
Joseph of Arimathea was just the opposite.
He was a wealthy, prominent political-religious leader who kept his devotion to Christ secret.
Until he was needed.
Normally, the bodies of the criminals who were crucified were not given the decency of a burial. Their corpses were thrown on to the city dump to be scavenged by dogs and birds.
But Joseph of Arimathea wanted to show respect to Jesus.
He had the means. He had the position. He had the courage.
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of his Savior.
He placed Jesus in his own tomb. His devotion to the Messiah would no longer be secret.
And this act of honor plays a big part in the resurrection.
No Joseph of Arimathea, no tomb.
No tomb, no guards in front of the tomb.
No tomb, no visible proof that Jesus had risen from the dead.
There are people who go to your church who are probably a lot like Joseph. And you wonder how they can claim to be a disciple.
They never go on a missions trip. They never give a testimony. They never help with VBS. They have got more resources than you do.
And yet they claim to be a disciple.
And we judge them because they aren't as on fire as we think they should be.
That's not our job. Paul wrote that it's not our job to judge another person's servant (Rom 15:1-4). The disciple who looks more like Joseph than we think he should, is not our disciple. It's not our role to judge him.
So stop it.
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