I can't tell you how many times I've heard people tell me "well, my God would (or wouldn't) ... [fill in the blank]." It's great how we like to create our own idea of what God should be like.
It's not that people are stupid - in fact lots of people come to conclusions about God based in part on something real.
Take Ephesus for example. There's a great little story in Acts 19. The city was known for worshipping Diana, or Artemis, the Greek goddess of fertility. The businessmen of that city made a pretty good living making silver shrines and other objects for Artimis. When Paul the Apostle started preaching the gospel all that profit was thrown into doubt because if people started to worship Jesus they wouldn't buy his Artimis shrines anymore.
This guy made lots of trouble and started a riot. In the midst of it, a town official said this:
"Is there anyone anywhere who doesn't know that our dear city Ephesus is protector of glorious Artimis and her sacred stone that fell straight out of heaven?"
Scientists now believe that this "sacred stone" was probably a meteorite. It fell somewhere near Ephesus and was all bumpy. The Ephesians took this reality and said to themselve "boy this could be the image of a many breasted woman just like Artimis - wow - it must be something she has sent us."
This made them feel that the "gods" had chosen their city to be a special protector of Artimis. Now it wasn't anything other than random space debris that got caught in earth's atmosphere. But just look at what the mind and imagination of man made of it.
When it comes to reality - we love to jump to conculsions based in part on what we know and in part on what we see.
For me - I like to base my reality on the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth, said He was from God come to save me, volunteered to die in my place, then actually rose from the grave and was witnessed by hundreds of people. I don't have to interepret that - Jesus laid it out plain and simple.
Instead of me protecting Him - Jesus protects me and isn't a dead stone or a dead god - He is alive forever!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
When Good Works Seem to End in Failure
Acts 4:1-4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. ESV
I noticed something intruiging about these verses. Peter and John are sharing the gospel in the Temple area and the big shots of Judaism come upon them. We know how the story ends - the next day Peter and John have an awesome opportunity to share with the Jewish leaders and witness to them about Jesus Christ.
But I want to focus on what happens before that. Notice in verse three they were arrested and put in custody until the next day. So you are John and Peter. You have just stepped out in ministry, takena big chance and laid out your witness for the Lord. Along come authority figures who take you up and throw you in jail - and there you sit. You have no idea what is going to happen to you, nor do you have any idea what effect your ministry had.
Without Peter and John knowing it, notice what it says in verse 4: "But many of those who had heard the word believed." So while these two men were rotting in jail and worried (perhaps) about what awaited them - the people they had spoken to were getting saved!
The reason I bring this up is that sometimes we hear God speak to our hearts to step out in ministry. We obey that prompting and it seems like it falls flat. We share the gospel and only seem to get rejection, or whatever ministry we have launched on seems to crash on the rocks!
So we go off not knowing if anything we've done has done anything good at all. My word of encouragement is to realize that "My word will not return to me void." All you do for God and in His Spirit will do exactly what He wants it to do - regardless of whether you ever see the outcome.
Don't base your measure of success in ministry by the results, only by your obedience and whether what you did brought glory to God.
I noticed something intruiging about these verses. Peter and John are sharing the gospel in the Temple area and the big shots of Judaism come upon them. We know how the story ends - the next day Peter and John have an awesome opportunity to share with the Jewish leaders and witness to them about Jesus Christ.
But I want to focus on what happens before that. Notice in verse three they were arrested and put in custody until the next day. So you are John and Peter. You have just stepped out in ministry, takena big chance and laid out your witness for the Lord. Along come authority figures who take you up and throw you in jail - and there you sit. You have no idea what is going to happen to you, nor do you have any idea what effect your ministry had.
Without Peter and John knowing it, notice what it says in verse 4: "But many of those who had heard the word believed." So while these two men were rotting in jail and worried (perhaps) about what awaited them - the people they had spoken to were getting saved!
The reason I bring this up is that sometimes we hear God speak to our hearts to step out in ministry. We obey that prompting and it seems like it falls flat. We share the gospel and only seem to get rejection, or whatever ministry we have launched on seems to crash on the rocks!
So we go off not knowing if anything we've done has done anything good at all. My word of encouragement is to realize that "My word will not return to me void." All you do for God and in His Spirit will do exactly what He wants it to do - regardless of whether you ever see the outcome.
Don't base your measure of success in ministry by the results, only by your obedience and whether what you did brought glory to God.
Monday, June 26, 2006
I Pledge allegiance ...
The trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a difficult section of Scripture to read. Usually I find myself just hanging on through it all until the joy of the empty tomb. But as I was going through the end of John's gospel a little thing stuck out at me from the trial before Pilate.
John records several encounters between Jesus and the Roman governor. At one point it says that Pilate was convinced Jesus was innocent and tried to free him. As a last ditch effort he had Jesus flogged then presented him to the crowds and said "behold, your king."
I don't know if he was trying to make them feel sorry for Jesus or what - but it seems as if his aim was to get the crowd to go along with him and release Jesus. But the chief priests said something amazing in response:
"We have no king but Caesar." It's so familiar that it doesn't sound odd to us, but you have to remember that most of the leadership in Israel at the time hated Rome with a passion and were fiercely independent. They were so difficult to deal with that Rome had a hard time keeping things under control. History tells us that Pilate was already in trouble for not keeping the peace there in Palestine.
It's just interesting to me that these men would do anything to get rid of Jesus, who was threatening their power. They would even pledge their allegiance to a hate foreign occupier rather than bend their knee and acknowledge that Jesus was indeed King of Kings.
The same holds true for many people today. They would rather give their lives and allegiance to anyone or anything other than to Jesus Christ.
It's so sad that in doing so they gave up the one chance to find real escape from their real oppressor - sin. Please don't make that same mistake.
John records several encounters between Jesus and the Roman governor. At one point it says that Pilate was convinced Jesus was innocent and tried to free him. As a last ditch effort he had Jesus flogged then presented him to the crowds and said "behold, your king."
I don't know if he was trying to make them feel sorry for Jesus or what - but it seems as if his aim was to get the crowd to go along with him and release Jesus. But the chief priests said something amazing in response:
"We have no king but Caesar." It's so familiar that it doesn't sound odd to us, but you have to remember that most of the leadership in Israel at the time hated Rome with a passion and were fiercely independent. They were so difficult to deal with that Rome had a hard time keeping things under control. History tells us that Pilate was already in trouble for not keeping the peace there in Palestine.
It's just interesting to me that these men would do anything to get rid of Jesus, who was threatening their power. They would even pledge their allegiance to a hate foreign occupier rather than bend their knee and acknowledge that Jesus was indeed King of Kings.
The same holds true for many people today. They would rather give their lives and allegiance to anyone or anything other than to Jesus Christ.
It's so sad that in doing so they gave up the one chance to find real escape from their real oppressor - sin. Please don't make that same mistake.
Friday, June 23, 2006
The Work of God
Let's settle something once and for all. Our natural human tendency is cause and effect. I do something good and it has a good effect. I do something bad and something bad happens. There is a spiritual principal here too - Galatians says "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap."
But when it comes to pleasing God - don't we all want to "do" something? Yes. Well - you can't. Plain and simple. The prophets tell us that all the good things we do are like those rags in the garage that you have meant to throw out and might catch fire at any time burning down your house.
I talked about this in a previous post as well - you simply can't do anything to please God. Your "works" are nothing.
But to satisfy those of us who really want to "do" something to please God let me tell you what Jesus said in a little verse tucked away in John 6.
"This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
See, it really is about Jesus after all. The work of God is not "obey all the rules as best you can." After you believe the important thing is to "be filled with the Spirit" - under the Spirit's power you can obey and you can do the things God calls you to do.
But when it comes to pleasing God - don't we all want to "do" something? Yes. Well - you can't. Plain and simple. The prophets tell us that all the good things we do are like those rags in the garage that you have meant to throw out and might catch fire at any time burning down your house.
I talked about this in a previous post as well - you simply can't do anything to please God. Your "works" are nothing.
But to satisfy those of us who really want to "do" something to please God let me tell you what Jesus said in a little verse tucked away in John 6.
"This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
See, it really is about Jesus after all. The work of God is not "obey all the rules as best you can." After you believe the important thing is to "be filled with the Spirit" - under the Spirit's power you can obey and you can do the things God calls you to do.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The Wrath of God
The common thinking is that we do good things and God likes us, we do bad things and God sends down His wrath to consume us. So if we do enough good things then it will balance out the bad and God will have to like us.
It's a nice sentiment - and it's wrong. I can believe it if I want but it doesn't make it true. The real truth is much more serious than that and demands our attention.
The Apostle John made a startling statement in chapter 3 of his gospel:
John 3:39 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal ife; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." NIV
Did you notice that word "remains." It suggests that something was already there and hasn't moved. The truth is that when we were born we already had the wrath of God on us. That's because sin has infected the human race since almost the beginning due to disobedience. It took only one sinful act to bring about God's wrath - and no amount of good work on our part can undo that one act of disobedience.
Without going into huge detail - my point is that we are evil and God is justified in judging us for that evil because He alone is good and pure through and through. That judgment or wrath remains on us except in one circumstance, and that is if we believe that God's Son Jesus stood in our place and received God's wrath meant for us.
I know it's a simple thought for today - but something very profound the meditate on and rejoice in.
It's a nice sentiment - and it's wrong. I can believe it if I want but it doesn't make it true. The real truth is much more serious than that and demands our attention.
The Apostle John made a startling statement in chapter 3 of his gospel:
John 3:39 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal ife; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." NIV
Did you notice that word "remains." It suggests that something was already there and hasn't moved. The truth is that when we were born we already had the wrath of God on us. That's because sin has infected the human race since almost the beginning due to disobedience. It took only one sinful act to bring about God's wrath - and no amount of good work on our part can undo that one act of disobedience.
Without going into huge detail - my point is that we are evil and God is justified in judging us for that evil because He alone is good and pure through and through. That judgment or wrath remains on us except in one circumstance, and that is if we believe that God's Son Jesus stood in our place and received God's wrath meant for us.
I know it's a simple thought for today - but something very profound the meditate on and rejoice in.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
The Needs of Jesus
In Luke 22:14 Jesus said "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."
It is the night before His arrest, trial, and crucifxion. I don't think we contemplate often enough the humanity of Jesus Christ - preparing to endure what no man has ever had to endure - betrayal, arrest, conviction, crucifixion - then the weight of all the sins of the world and the withdrawl of the Father.
But before that happened, Jesus was anxious and looking forward to one last meal with His disciples - why? I think it was part for fellowship. The road Jesus would walk would be very lonely - no man has ever been down that path and thanks to Jesus will never have to. He also did it for the significance. The Passover is God's picture of the sacrifice of Jesus and here the Lord gets a chance to give His men a concrete thing to use in understanding what Jesus did and also something to continually remind them of His sacrifice (communion).
I just think it's important for us not to lose sight of the fact that Jesus was a man, with human emotions, feelings, and needs. That last night was something Jesus the man needed - and got.
It is the night before His arrest, trial, and crucifxion. I don't think we contemplate often enough the humanity of Jesus Christ - preparing to endure what no man has ever had to endure - betrayal, arrest, conviction, crucifixion - then the weight of all the sins of the world and the withdrawl of the Father.
But before that happened, Jesus was anxious and looking forward to one last meal with His disciples - why? I think it was part for fellowship. The road Jesus would walk would be very lonely - no man has ever been down that path and thanks to Jesus will never have to. He also did it for the significance. The Passover is God's picture of the sacrifice of Jesus and here the Lord gets a chance to give His men a concrete thing to use in understanding what Jesus did and also something to continually remind them of His sacrifice (communion).
I just think it's important for us not to lose sight of the fact that Jesus was a man, with human emotions, feelings, and needs. That last night was something Jesus the man needed - and got.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Zacchaeus
Almost eveyone knows the story of Zacchaeus. In Luke 19 we get the narrative - Jesus comes walking to Jericho. There's this guy there - not just a tax collector but a chief tax collector. He's known as that - and for being rich. But there's something odd about him - being rich and infamous, he is still very curious about Jesus. We don't know why - but he is also one other thing that makes approaching Jesus difficult - he's short.
I can just picture the scene - Jesus is walking in with a crowd around him and in the background he sees this little midget of a man running on ahead, jumping up and down trying to get a view and finally climbing up in a tree for a bird's eye view.
So Jesus comes up under the tree and amazingly looks up at Zacchaeus and tells him that he's coming to lunch at this house. I don't remember anywhere else in the gospels that Jesus invites Himself over for a meal. Luke tells us that Zacchaeus hurries down and receives Him "joyfully."
Now - here's the part that I'm interested in today. Zacchaeus says to Jesus, apparently without prompting (except by the grumbles of those around him) that he has changed - that he is giving away half his goods to the poor and if he has cheated anyone (something tax collectors were known for) he would pay it back four times.
Then Jesus responds this way: "Today salvation has come to this house."
So my question is - did salvation come because Zacchaeus mended his ways? If that's the focus then Luke's gospel really is a social gospel - Jesus as the proverb giver who wants everyone to "go out there and care more." Certainly He wants that - but I got a different impression as I read the story.
I think that perhaps what Zacchaeus did was in response to his faith in Jesus. The actions followed the committment.
That's instructive for us too. When we come to Jesus we get a new nature - a changed character. First we realize how evil we really are, and how good Jesus is. When we commit our lives to Him He gives us from that good nature by making us like Him. It's that change of nature that causes a change of character and a change of action.
The idea isn't to change the world so that we change ourselves - but to let Jesus change us and we'll find ourselves changing the world!
I can just picture the scene - Jesus is walking in with a crowd around him and in the background he sees this little midget of a man running on ahead, jumping up and down trying to get a view and finally climbing up in a tree for a bird's eye view.
So Jesus comes up under the tree and amazingly looks up at Zacchaeus and tells him that he's coming to lunch at this house. I don't remember anywhere else in the gospels that Jesus invites Himself over for a meal. Luke tells us that Zacchaeus hurries down and receives Him "joyfully."
Now - here's the part that I'm interested in today. Zacchaeus says to Jesus, apparently without prompting (except by the grumbles of those around him) that he has changed - that he is giving away half his goods to the poor and if he has cheated anyone (something tax collectors were known for) he would pay it back four times.
Then Jesus responds this way: "Today salvation has come to this house."
So my question is - did salvation come because Zacchaeus mended his ways? If that's the focus then Luke's gospel really is a social gospel - Jesus as the proverb giver who wants everyone to "go out there and care more." Certainly He wants that - but I got a different impression as I read the story.
I think that perhaps what Zacchaeus did was in response to his faith in Jesus. The actions followed the committment.
That's instructive for us too. When we come to Jesus we get a new nature - a changed character. First we realize how evil we really are, and how good Jesus is. When we commit our lives to Him He gives us from that good nature by making us like Him. It's that change of nature that causes a change of character and a change of action.
The idea isn't to change the world so that we change ourselves - but to let Jesus change us and we'll find ourselves changing the world!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Ask
God is a mind reader. He knows what we think even before we think it! So that makes me wonder at verses like in Luke 11 "Ask, and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
Why, if God knows our needs and our thoughts, should we have to ask for anything. Shouldn't He just know and provide for us at the moment we need it?
I think if that were the case we would probably just take God and everything he does for us for granted. Maybe we wouldn't believe in Him at all. God does a lot of things for us without us asking - He keeps the sun coming up and our hearts beating. But for many things He wants us to be an active participant in the process.
And I think there is something about coming before the Lord - recognizing that we are weak and He is strong, we are unable to provide and He is able - that helps us sort out our own problems with flesh and self determination.
But there's something beyond that too I think. In that chapter Jesus tells the story of a man banging on the door to get bread from his neighbor. Now - I don't subscribe to the "storm the gates of heaven" mentality - as I mentioned in a previous post we should always season our prayers with "thy will be done."
However - I think God wants us to be bold in our prayers, and consistent in asking. Here's the key - is what your asking going to bring glory to God or satisfaction to you? If the former, ask away and keep asking! If the latter - keep praying, but look out for God to re-shape your prayer.
Why, if God knows our needs and our thoughts, should we have to ask for anything. Shouldn't He just know and provide for us at the moment we need it?
I think if that were the case we would probably just take God and everything he does for us for granted. Maybe we wouldn't believe in Him at all. God does a lot of things for us without us asking - He keeps the sun coming up and our hearts beating. But for many things He wants us to be an active participant in the process.
And I think there is something about coming before the Lord - recognizing that we are weak and He is strong, we are unable to provide and He is able - that helps us sort out our own problems with flesh and self determination.
But there's something beyond that too I think. In that chapter Jesus tells the story of a man banging on the door to get bread from his neighbor. Now - I don't subscribe to the "storm the gates of heaven" mentality - as I mentioned in a previous post we should always season our prayers with "thy will be done."
However - I think God wants us to be bold in our prayers, and consistent in asking. Here's the key - is what your asking going to bring glory to God or satisfaction to you? If the former, ask away and keep asking! If the latter - keep praying, but look out for God to re-shape your prayer.
Friday, June 16, 2006
What if God's Will Means Suffering?
It's natural for us to avoid pain. I remember one time I accidently grabbed a very very hot rack in an oven and seared my fingers pretty good. It made me shy of touching oven grates even though I knew the oven had been off for days!
Facing trials and stresses is the same way. We want to maximize the good feelings and minimize the troubles. This attitude also shapes our prayers. "God, please get me out of this jam, heal me, rescue me, provide what I need to pay that bill" and etc.
Praying that way is fine - in fact, King David prayed that a lot and wrote those prayers down as Psalms. But what happens if God wants us to undergo suffering? Does that change our prayers or our understanding and relationship with God?
I thought about this after reading Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane:
Mark 14:36 "And he said 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"
It was God's will that Jesus suffer. And sometimes it is his will that you not be healed, that you not get the money or that the person who is attacking you continues to get away with it. Does this mean God cannot intervene. Of course not. Does it mean God is just a bully who enjoys seeing us humans suffer for our sins. No - I don't believe that for a minute. Does it mean he simply doesn't care? No, I believe God cared deeply about what His Son was going through and He cares deeply about what you go through.
Knowing God intends to allow suffering sometimes makes us look deeper at both ourselves and our trials. "God causes all things to work together for the good." We've read that - and it is true. God is in the business of turning bad into good. In fact, He uses bad to bring about good.
How does that work? It is of course vastly more complicated than we will ever know, but one way is that suffering actually shapes our character and makes us more like God.
The Apostle Peter put it this way: "For whoever has suffered in the flesh and ceased from sin." (1 Peter :1).
Paul - who suffered a great deal by God's will said "When I am weak, then I am strong." He even went so far as to say:
2 Cor 12:9-10 "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities."
So the next time you face hardship - pray for relief, and also pray for - and accept - God's will - even if it means you still suffer.
Facing trials and stresses is the same way. We want to maximize the good feelings and minimize the troubles. This attitude also shapes our prayers. "God, please get me out of this jam, heal me, rescue me, provide what I need to pay that bill" and etc.
Praying that way is fine - in fact, King David prayed that a lot and wrote those prayers down as Psalms. But what happens if God wants us to undergo suffering? Does that change our prayers or our understanding and relationship with God?
I thought about this after reading Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane:
Mark 14:36 "And he said 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"
It was God's will that Jesus suffer. And sometimes it is his will that you not be healed, that you not get the money or that the person who is attacking you continues to get away with it. Does this mean God cannot intervene. Of course not. Does it mean God is just a bully who enjoys seeing us humans suffer for our sins. No - I don't believe that for a minute. Does it mean he simply doesn't care? No, I believe God cared deeply about what His Son was going through and He cares deeply about what you go through.
Knowing God intends to allow suffering sometimes makes us look deeper at both ourselves and our trials. "God causes all things to work together for the good." We've read that - and it is true. God is in the business of turning bad into good. In fact, He uses bad to bring about good.
How does that work? It is of course vastly more complicated than we will ever know, but one way is that suffering actually shapes our character and makes us more like God.
The Apostle Peter put it this way: "For whoever has suffered in the flesh and ceased from sin." (1 Peter :1).
Paul - who suffered a great deal by God's will said "When I am weak, then I am strong." He even went so far as to say:
2 Cor 12:9-10 "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities."
So the next time you face hardship - pray for relief, and also pray for - and accept - God's will - even if it means you still suffer.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Just Curious?
Herod was a pretty evil man. He came from a line of evil men and all his family and relatives were a sorry lot. He even married his sister-in-law which was also his neice. Today's soaps or superstars have nothing on Herod. He was known for his cruelty and craftiness in ruling over Israel during the time of Jesus of Nazareth.
Herod's marriage to Herodias didn't go un-noticed. John the Baptist - the forerunner and cousin of Jesus -had publicly lambasted Herod for this sin. So Herod put John in prison.
There's an interesting verse about Herod and John the Baptist in Mark 5.
"And Herodias had a grudge against him (John) and wanted to put him to death. But she could not for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly."
Herod later had John beheaded when Herodias' daughter pleased Herod with a dance at a big bash he had thrown. But what I find interesting is that Herod knew there was something very special about John. Herod recognized him as a holy man. Herod was apparently curious about this man and what he had to say.
I think it's probably likely that John minced no words with Herod when they spoke. I find it fascinating that this very evil and powerful man still wanted to hear words of rebuke from a nobody.
I think this is instructive of the human soul. We are all lost at creation. We inherit the "sin gene" from our parents, passed on to them down through the generations all the way from Adam and Eve. It's a fatal gene. The only way to heal it is to turn to the Great Physician - Jesus Christ - who was born of God and a woman and so didn't have the defective gene. He then gave His life willingly to heal us and give us eternal life.
What it takes though - is repentance and belief. That first step can be a doozy. To repent means to change your mind and change your direction. You have to realize the evil in you and not like it. There is no evidence that thought John I'm sure pointed out the evil that Herod ever decided against it. He later died after refusing to turn away the chants of the crowds that he was a god.
Is someone speaking the gospel into your life? Are you curious about it - want to hear it - recognize that there is something different about the person you know is a Christian? Be careful. Herod heard but did not listen and never turned his heart to God.
Don't just be curious about the gospel - really investigate it, search your heart and God's Word - and then make a decision to give your life for Jesus, after all, He gave His life for you.
And remember - not making a decision is making one - rejecting Jesus.
Herod's marriage to Herodias didn't go un-noticed. John the Baptist - the forerunner and cousin of Jesus -had publicly lambasted Herod for this sin. So Herod put John in prison.
There's an interesting verse about Herod and John the Baptist in Mark 5.
"And Herodias had a grudge against him (John) and wanted to put him to death. But she could not for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly."
Herod later had John beheaded when Herodias' daughter pleased Herod with a dance at a big bash he had thrown. But what I find interesting is that Herod knew there was something very special about John. Herod recognized him as a holy man. Herod was apparently curious about this man and what he had to say.
I think it's probably likely that John minced no words with Herod when they spoke. I find it fascinating that this very evil and powerful man still wanted to hear words of rebuke from a nobody.
I think this is instructive of the human soul. We are all lost at creation. We inherit the "sin gene" from our parents, passed on to them down through the generations all the way from Adam and Eve. It's a fatal gene. The only way to heal it is to turn to the Great Physician - Jesus Christ - who was born of God and a woman and so didn't have the defective gene. He then gave His life willingly to heal us and give us eternal life.
What it takes though - is repentance and belief. That first step can be a doozy. To repent means to change your mind and change your direction. You have to realize the evil in you and not like it. There is no evidence that thought John I'm sure pointed out the evil that Herod ever decided against it. He later died after refusing to turn away the chants of the crowds that he was a god.
Is someone speaking the gospel into your life? Are you curious about it - want to hear it - recognize that there is something different about the person you know is a Christian? Be careful. Herod heard but did not listen and never turned his heart to God.
Don't just be curious about the gospel - really investigate it, search your heart and God's Word - and then make a decision to give your life for Jesus, after all, He gave His life for you.
And remember - not making a decision is making one - rejecting Jesus.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
To Tell or Not To Tell
There is a curious contrast in Mark's gospel. In Chapter 1 He heals a man who was a leper and commands him not to tell anyone, but go to the priests. Then in chapter 5 he throws a legion of demons out of a man in the area of the Gerasenes. That man He said:
Mark 5:19-20 "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. ESV
So what's the difference? It may have been merely practical. In chapter 1 the man did not obey Jesus and spread the news far and wide. This brought huge crowds to Jesus, so much so that He had a hard time moving around. In chapter 5 Jesus was in a gentile area that He wasn't going back to, and so it wouldn't harm His ability to minister elsewhere in Israel.
It could also be the difference in audience. The leprous man was a Jew - the man with Legion was a gentile. Jesus might simply be beginning to spread hints of who He was to a non-Jewish audience, and thus encourages the man to tell his friends and family.
Remember too that Jesus' main activity was to preach the gospel, not perform healings. Perhaps He knew that the gentile man's story being spread abroad would not interfere with that. Also realize that Jesus was NOT out to make Himself famous - just do God's work.
And that's a good word for us. Perhaps there are times when it is not appropriate for someone to share a special miracle you helped bring about if the end result is so much attention on you that it draws you away from doing what God called you to do. I know that runs counter to the way many ministeries operate - they want to shout every miracle (real or not) from the rooftops.
I think these stories would tend to help us re-think that.
Mark 5:19-20 "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. ESV
So what's the difference? It may have been merely practical. In chapter 1 the man did not obey Jesus and spread the news far and wide. This brought huge crowds to Jesus, so much so that He had a hard time moving around. In chapter 5 Jesus was in a gentile area that He wasn't going back to, and so it wouldn't harm His ability to minister elsewhere in Israel.
It could also be the difference in audience. The leprous man was a Jew - the man with Legion was a gentile. Jesus might simply be beginning to spread hints of who He was to a non-Jewish audience, and thus encourages the man to tell his friends and family.
Remember too that Jesus' main activity was to preach the gospel, not perform healings. Perhaps He knew that the gentile man's story being spread abroad would not interfere with that. Also realize that Jesus was NOT out to make Himself famous - just do God's work.
And that's a good word for us. Perhaps there are times when it is not appropriate for someone to share a special miracle you helped bring about if the end result is so much attention on you that it draws you away from doing what God called you to do. I know that runs counter to the way many ministeries operate - they want to shout every miracle (real or not) from the rooftops.
I think these stories would tend to help us re-think that.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Has Jesus Come Already?
I got a book in the mail the other day. I didn't order it, but obviously someone thought I should have a copy. I don't remember the title now, but I do remember the website - something like: www.hiddenadvent.org. That should have been my first clue, but I read on in the introduction anyway.
It seems there was a big news event and I missed it. In fact, so did CNN, NBC, plus every news outlet and church in the world - except this one. What was that event? Jesus has come back. That's right - you heard it here.
The writers of this book - or, as they term themselves: translastors, say that there has been another advent of Jesus Christ. They claim that God has spoken to them and they tried their hardest to translate the words they heard into human language.
The bottom line, Jesus has returned to earth again and spoken to them only and they are charged with preaching this new gospel. I didn't take the time to read any more, I had more important things to do like preach the gospel.
But I thought it odd when I read Matthew 24 today:
Matthew 24:4 "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name saying "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray ... Then if anyone says to you 'Look, here is the Christ!' or "There he is!' do not believe it ... If they say 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it ... For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
This scripture and others clearly tell us that no one, and I mean no one will miss the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. It won't be a "secret advent" - that's code for "secret heresy."
There are a lot of good books out there, but make sure all of them square with the best book of all, God's Word, the Bible.
It seems there was a big news event and I missed it. In fact, so did CNN, NBC, plus every news outlet and church in the world - except this one. What was that event? Jesus has come back. That's right - you heard it here.
The writers of this book - or, as they term themselves: translastors, say that there has been another advent of Jesus Christ. They claim that God has spoken to them and they tried their hardest to translate the words they heard into human language.
The bottom line, Jesus has returned to earth again and spoken to them only and they are charged with preaching this new gospel. I didn't take the time to read any more, I had more important things to do like preach the gospel.
But I thought it odd when I read Matthew 24 today:
Matthew 24:4 "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name saying "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray ... Then if anyone says to you 'Look, here is the Christ!' or "There he is!' do not believe it ... If they say 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it ... For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
This scripture and others clearly tell us that no one, and I mean no one will miss the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. It won't be a "secret advent" - that's code for "secret heresy."
There are a lot of good books out there, but make sure all of them square with the best book of all, God's Word, the Bible.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Yeast
Matthew 16:6 "Watch and beware of the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
We're surrounded by messages each and every day. Some research puts the number of messages Americans see in a day at between 400 and 4,000 (or more according to some sources). Most of them are advertising products or services - but embedded in those messages are values and philosophies.
If you drink this beer you will attract hot looking women (or men). If you buy this ring you will be loved, if you use this company you will be rich and secure, etc.
But messages also come at us in more subtle ways. Every magazine or newspaper article you read, every TV show or movie you watch, every class you attend, even every conversation you have with peers, subordinates or supervisors carry with it messages. How you process those can make a big difference in a life lived for God.
Jesus, in the above Scripture, is commenting on one form of message - the attitudes, actions, and pronouncements of the religious leaders of the day. The problem was that the leaders were more interested in keeping power and prestige to themselves and less interested in turning people to God. They looked great and holy but inside were not at all.
That teaching acts like yeast in the lives of people who hear it. Yeast is used to add texture to bread - carbon dioxide really - as a byproduct of digestion of sugar. The reason yeast works is that it spreads uniformly throughout the dough.
Ideas can do that to us as well. We hear a message with a particular philosophy. Unchallenged it can go into our mind and be incorporated into our own outlook. Without even knowing it - being subjected to certain philosophies and attitudes can actually change your thinking and believing patterns - working their way throughout your psyche.
So am I saying to walk around with blinders and ear plugs in so we receive no messages? No. What I am saying is to be aware. Jesus said "watch and beware." Don't just let worldly patterning into your mind without challenge. And watch for subtle changes in your thinking patterns that might signal that the world's yeast has begun to work.
And make sure that the good yeast - God's Word - also has a chance to spread and permeate your being.
We're surrounded by messages each and every day. Some research puts the number of messages Americans see in a day at between 400 and 4,000 (or more according to some sources). Most of them are advertising products or services - but embedded in those messages are values and philosophies.
If you drink this beer you will attract hot looking women (or men). If you buy this ring you will be loved, if you use this company you will be rich and secure, etc.
But messages also come at us in more subtle ways. Every magazine or newspaper article you read, every TV show or movie you watch, every class you attend, even every conversation you have with peers, subordinates or supervisors carry with it messages. How you process those can make a big difference in a life lived for God.
Jesus, in the above Scripture, is commenting on one form of message - the attitudes, actions, and pronouncements of the religious leaders of the day. The problem was that the leaders were more interested in keeping power and prestige to themselves and less interested in turning people to God. They looked great and holy but inside were not at all.
That teaching acts like yeast in the lives of people who hear it. Yeast is used to add texture to bread - carbon dioxide really - as a byproduct of digestion of sugar. The reason yeast works is that it spreads uniformly throughout the dough.
Ideas can do that to us as well. We hear a message with a particular philosophy. Unchallenged it can go into our mind and be incorporated into our own outlook. Without even knowing it - being subjected to certain philosophies and attitudes can actually change your thinking and believing patterns - working their way throughout your psyche.
So am I saying to walk around with blinders and ear plugs in so we receive no messages? No. What I am saying is to be aware. Jesus said "watch and beware." Don't just let worldly patterning into your mind without challenge. And watch for subtle changes in your thinking patterns that might signal that the world's yeast has begun to work.
And make sure that the good yeast - God's Word - also has a chance to spread and permeate your being.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Why Can't I Understand God?
Matthew 13:14 "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never
perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull ..."
Perhaps the problem is not with God, but with your heart. You may go to church, you may read
the Bible, you may listen to online Bible studies - and yet God seems a mystery to you and
nothing seems to help.
The reason may be because your heart is not open. You can hang out around Christians, learn the songs and the lingo - but if your heart is hard then all the truth about God will simply bounce off.
How do you open up your heart? First realize your own need. "Blessed are the poor in spirit"
Jesus said. We need to recognize that we lack and have need. Second recognize that God is the
source of truth, and not our own mind or opinion.You see, we err when we read God's Word then decide what we think about it. If we don't agree then we make excuses for not receiving it into our hearts.
Perhaps we think that only parts of the Bible are inspired or we just think something isn't for
us. I know it's scary, but try having a totally open perspective as you read and study His
Word. Trust that it is all His words and even if something is difficult to hear, a loving and
merciful God will make it work for good in your life.
perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull ..."
Perhaps the problem is not with God, but with your heart. You may go to church, you may read
the Bible, you may listen to online Bible studies - and yet God seems a mystery to you and
nothing seems to help.
The reason may be because your heart is not open. You can hang out around Christians, learn the songs and the lingo - but if your heart is hard then all the truth about God will simply bounce off.
How do you open up your heart? First realize your own need. "Blessed are the poor in spirit"
Jesus said. We need to recognize that we lack and have need. Second recognize that God is the
source of truth, and not our own mind or opinion.You see, we err when we read God's Word then decide what we think about it. If we don't agree then we make excuses for not receiving it into our hearts.
Perhaps we think that only parts of the Bible are inspired or we just think something isn't for
us. I know it's scary, but try having a totally open perspective as you read and study His
Word. Trust that it is all His words and even if something is difficult to hear, a loving and
merciful God will make it work for good in your life.
Monday, June 05, 2006
When Does Life Begin?
Psalms 139:13-16
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
ESV
This is a great Psalm - for other reasons than I address in this blog entry. But I wanted to point out something. For the past 30+ years we have debated the issue of abortion. Supreme Court decisions not withstanding - neither side of the debate has backed down. Abortion proponents cite that a woman is in charge of her body and so can decide the fate of an unborn fetus.
Abortion opponents contend that you cannot end a life - that's murder - and that a baby, born or still in it's mother's womb, is a life.
So the debate tends to center around when life begins. Some say it begins when a baby is out of the womb and on it's own. You run into a problem there because what about premature babies who must be taken by a surgical procedure and kept on life support.
Science has continually pushed back the time when "life" begins. I think that one day even science will admit that life begins at conception. I think Scripture is already there.
Check out the reference above - especially verse 16: "Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them."
This verse strongly suggests that while in the womb, God considers the fetus to be a person, with a future. To cut off that future would be to end life, and life belongs to God. He decides when it should start and when it should end.
So consider this as you think about the abortion debate - who is really in charge?
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
ESV
This is a great Psalm - for other reasons than I address in this blog entry. But I wanted to point out something. For the past 30+ years we have debated the issue of abortion. Supreme Court decisions not withstanding - neither side of the debate has backed down. Abortion proponents cite that a woman is in charge of her body and so can decide the fate of an unborn fetus.
Abortion opponents contend that you cannot end a life - that's murder - and that a baby, born or still in it's mother's womb, is a life.
So the debate tends to center around when life begins. Some say it begins when a baby is out of the womb and on it's own. You run into a problem there because what about premature babies who must be taken by a surgical procedure and kept on life support.
Science has continually pushed back the time when "life" begins. I think that one day even science will admit that life begins at conception. I think Scripture is already there.
Check out the reference above - especially verse 16: "Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them."
This verse strongly suggests that while in the womb, God considers the fetus to be a person, with a future. To cut off that future would be to end life, and life belongs to God. He decides when it should start and when it should end.
So consider this as you think about the abortion debate - who is really in charge?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
