Friday, December 31, 2010
Jesus--Our Hope
Here we are at the end of another year! It just doesn't seem possible but the reality is that another whole 'new' year is now behind us. May the year ahead be bright with the Light of the Lord. May this nation bend its knee before Jesus again. May integrity be restored at the individual and personal level and at the corporate level and at the governmental level, for apart from Him, we have no hope.
Words
December 31
All the uplifting words from the lips of a gracious man that sweeten life like honey when spoken to the heartbroken or frightened or sorrowful; all the words of wisdom of the Word of God itself cannot be of any avail until they have been drunk in by the thirsting soul and have done the work that God sent them to do.
In Isaiah 55:11 the Lord says through His prophet, “My word, that goes forth out of My mouth, shall not return to Me void but shall accomplish that which I please and shall prosper in the thing to which I send it.” The Word of God, if received by a man, shall be his salvation. If rejected, it shall be his downfall, his damnation.
We who believe that Jesus is the Living Word of God bear a great responsibility to convey the message of salvation, the Truth, the Word, to everyone with whom we have association. Ezekiel 3:18-21 indeed states very emphatically that the believer is required to share God’s truth. What is done with that truth by the hearer is between the hearer and God, but if the truth goes unspoken, the one who professes faith but did not speak is held accountable by the Lord.
Therefore, when we have received the knowledge of Christ our Savior and Lord, we must pass it along to others. In I Thessalonians 4:1, Paul says, “We ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God, do so even more.” Let us resolve at the close of the old year and threshold of the new to walk and please God by scattering seeds of the truth of Jesus among everyone we encounter.
All the uplifting words from the lips of a gracious man that sweeten life like honey when spoken to the heartbroken or frightened or sorrowful; all the words of wisdom of the Word of God itself cannot be of any avail until they have been drunk in by the thirsting soul and have done the work that God sent them to do.
In Isaiah 55:11 the Lord says through His prophet, “My word, that goes forth out of My mouth, shall not return to Me void but shall accomplish that which I please and shall prosper in the thing to which I send it.” The Word of God, if received by a man, shall be his salvation. If rejected, it shall be his downfall, his damnation.
We who believe that Jesus is the Living Word of God bear a great responsibility to convey the message of salvation, the Truth, the Word, to everyone with whom we have association. Ezekiel 3:18-21 indeed states very emphatically that the believer is required to share God’s truth. What is done with that truth by the hearer is between the hearer and God, but if the truth goes unspoken, the one who professes faith but did not speak is held accountable by the Lord.
Therefore, when we have received the knowledge of Christ our Savior and Lord, we must pass it along to others. In I Thessalonians 4:1, Paul says, “We ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God, do so even more.” Let us resolve at the close of the old year and threshold of the new to walk and please God by scattering seeds of the truth of Jesus among everyone we encounter.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Why?
December 30
With the confidence that God’s promises are ‘yea and amen,’ why then does it sometimes appear that Christians suffer defeat? Why does every believer not always triumph over every foe? Why are the faithful sometimes overcome by something as simple as failing to attain financial security or matters as weighty as succumbing to disease and death?
Hebrews, Chapter 11, often referred to as 'The Hall of Faith,’ begins with a glimpse of the explanation. In the first verse it says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This makes it very clear that true faith holds to the Lord, even when the fruit of faith remains unrealized.
There is indeed a comprehensive list of the people of God given in this chapter who did not receive the thing for which they prayed. Hebrews 11:39-40 says, “They did not receive what was promised since God had provided something better...” What is that “something better”? After all, what can be better than seeing miracles in response to our prayers?
Ultimately, the Lord does not want us to follow Him because of what He can do for us. He wants us to follow Him because of what He has done for us. Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin. If He did nothing else in our behalf, that would yet be the great, “unspeakable gift” of II Corinthians 9:15, the gift of eternal life, which all those in ‘The Hall of Faith’ received—and so can we.
With the confidence that God’s promises are ‘yea and amen,’ why then does it sometimes appear that Christians suffer defeat? Why does every believer not always triumph over every foe? Why are the faithful sometimes overcome by something as simple as failing to attain financial security or matters as weighty as succumbing to disease and death?
Hebrews, Chapter 11, often referred to as 'The Hall of Faith,’ begins with a glimpse of the explanation. In the first verse it says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This makes it very clear that true faith holds to the Lord, even when the fruit of faith remains unrealized.
There is indeed a comprehensive list of the people of God given in this chapter who did not receive the thing for which they prayed. Hebrews 11:39-40 says, “They did not receive what was promised since God had provided something better...” What is that “something better”? After all, what can be better than seeing miracles in response to our prayers?
Ultimately, the Lord does not want us to follow Him because of what He can do for us. He wants us to follow Him because of what He has done for us. Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin. If He did nothing else in our behalf, that would yet be the great, “unspeakable gift” of II Corinthians 9:15, the gift of eternal life, which all those in ‘The Hall of Faith’ received—and so can we.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Stand Without Fear
December 29
God doesn’t want His people to fret. He wants His children to go forward in confidence—confidence that is borne of the knowledge that Jesus has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This wonderful promise was quoted by Paul in Hebrews 13:5.
We can 'know that we know' yet today that Jesus will always be with us, for His promises stand forever. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” The Word of God is surer than anything earthly, on which man can build his hope.
With the promises of God in mind, and with the awareness that every word God utters is true, Jesus says to His followers in Matthew 6:34, “Don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.” Though we may have trials and tribulations that assail on any given day, the promises of God will stand on the day of testing.
We needn’t worry or be concerned about the ‘What if?’ concerns that stir in our minds. We need not fear about the foes described in Psalm 91—pestilence, destruction, war, etc.—for “…There shall be no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near thy dwelling, for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways…” Stand on His Word and we will not faint with fear.
God doesn’t want His people to fret. He wants His children to go forward in confidence—confidence that is borne of the knowledge that Jesus has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This wonderful promise was quoted by Paul in Hebrews 13:5.
We can 'know that we know' yet today that Jesus will always be with us, for His promises stand forever. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” The Word of God is surer than anything earthly, on which man can build his hope.
With the promises of God in mind, and with the awareness that every word God utters is true, Jesus says to His followers in Matthew 6:34, “Don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.” Though we may have trials and tribulations that assail on any given day, the promises of God will stand on the day of testing.
We needn’t worry or be concerned about the ‘What if?’ concerns that stir in our minds. We need not fear about the foes described in Psalm 91—pestilence, destruction, war, etc.—for “…There shall be no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near thy dwelling, for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways…” Stand on His Word and we will not faint with fear.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Acceptable Day of Salvation
December 28
There is a day coming when time shall be no more. The ancient texts of many religions and cultures predict a time of catastrophic proportion when life as we know it on earth shall be greatly altered--perhaps shall cease.
There is a lot of excitement at this juncture about the writings of the Mayans because they have established a time in December of 2012 when this event will occur. As of this writing, the date is almost exactly one year away.
Whether we give credence to the musings of pagan soothsayers or not, there is one highly reliable source upon which Christians base their anticipation of events that will precede and accompany the return of Jesus to earth to claim His bride. Of that day, the Bible speaks in many places, including in Jeremiah 13:16.
Here the Word of God declares to mankind, “Give glory to the Lord your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the mountains at dusk.” If we are to escape the wrath of God on that day, we must receive Jesus as Lord today, which II Corinthians 6:2 says is, “the acceptable day of salvation.”
There is a day coming when time shall be no more. The ancient texts of many religions and cultures predict a time of catastrophic proportion when life as we know it on earth shall be greatly altered--perhaps shall cease.
There is a lot of excitement at this juncture about the writings of the Mayans because they have established a time in December of 2012 when this event will occur. As of this writing, the date is almost exactly one year away.
Whether we give credence to the musings of pagan soothsayers or not, there is one highly reliable source upon which Christians base their anticipation of events that will precede and accompany the return of Jesus to earth to claim His bride. Of that day, the Bible speaks in many places, including in Jeremiah 13:16.
Here the Word of God declares to mankind, “Give glory to the Lord your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the mountains at dusk.” If we are to escape the wrath of God on that day, we must receive Jesus as Lord today, which II Corinthians 6:2 says is, “the acceptable day of salvation.”
Monday, December 27, 2010
Master of the Extraordinary
December 27
Our God is the Master of the extraordinary. People of faith, theologians, doubters, scoffers have tried to water Him down through the ages, but the fact remains that our God is an awesome God. Whether life and time began as they are detailed in the Biblical book of Genesis or with the ‘big bang’ some scientists theorize triggered the creation of the universe, the event was exceptional.
Amazing though creation may be, we who call ourselves Christians, we who are believers in the salvation provided by the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, would say that the most extraordinary of the miracles performed by our wonder-working God must be the resurrection of the Lord from the tomb on the third day.
This one, well-documented event of history establishes for all time and eternity the single most glorious and significant event in time. Yet there is another that must be mentioned when a list is being compiled of God’s great and wondrous acts in the behalf of the children of men. That one amazing event is found in Joshua where it is recounted that time stood still so the Israelites could gain a victory over their foes.
In Joshua 10:14 it is recorded of the day, “There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man, because the Lord fought for Israel.” Though He did not don armor and wield a sword in the conflict, the God of Israel, our God, showed Himself strong and mighty by this extraordinary way of partnering with His people. He still partners with us in amazing ways. Look for Him at the point of your need and you, too, will see His glory.
Our God is the Master of the extraordinary. People of faith, theologians, doubters, scoffers have tried to water Him down through the ages, but the fact remains that our God is an awesome God. Whether life and time began as they are detailed in the Biblical book of Genesis or with the ‘big bang’ some scientists theorize triggered the creation of the universe, the event was exceptional.
Amazing though creation may be, we who call ourselves Christians, we who are believers in the salvation provided by the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, would say that the most extraordinary of the miracles performed by our wonder-working God must be the resurrection of the Lord from the tomb on the third day.
This one, well-documented event of history establishes for all time and eternity the single most glorious and significant event in time. Yet there is another that must be mentioned when a list is being compiled of God’s great and wondrous acts in the behalf of the children of men. That one amazing event is found in Joshua where it is recounted that time stood still so the Israelites could gain a victory over their foes.
In Joshua 10:14 it is recorded of the day, “There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man, because the Lord fought for Israel.” Though He did not don armor and wield a sword in the conflict, the God of Israel, our God, showed Himself strong and mighty by this extraordinary way of partnering with His people. He still partners with us in amazing ways. Look for Him at the point of your need and you, too, will see His glory.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
What's in a Name?
December 26
Ebenezer is one of those old-fashioned names we rarely hear these days. Every Christmas we watch again the classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens and we hear it, but it’s certainly not among the list of top names for boys for today’s parents. After all, who wants to name a child after Ebenezer Scrooge?
We hear names like Trevor and Kyle that have been selected for newborns—and they are perfectly good names—but we rarely hear the old names found in scripture that are filled with meaning. Perhaps parents should look through the ‘name’ books with not only the sound but also the meaning of the name in mind.
The name Ebenezer, for example, means ‘stone of help.’ In I Samuel 7:12, it says, “He named it Ebenezer, explaining, ‘The Lord has helped us to this point.’” This is where the prophet Samuel set up an altar of praise to the Lord for the help He had given His people Israel in defeating the Philistines.
Names like Ebenezer remind us of the all-encompassing presence of the Christ we serve. They remind us of His faithfulness. They remind us of His power that exceeds the might of our foes. They remind us that when we are confronted with the difficulties of life, Jesus, the Rock of our salvation, is "Immanuel, God with us" Matthew 1:23.
Ebenezer is one of those old-fashioned names we rarely hear these days. Every Christmas we watch again the classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens and we hear it, but it’s certainly not among the list of top names for boys for today’s parents. After all, who wants to name a child after Ebenezer Scrooge?
We hear names like Trevor and Kyle that have been selected for newborns—and they are perfectly good names—but we rarely hear the old names found in scripture that are filled with meaning. Perhaps parents should look through the ‘name’ books with not only the sound but also the meaning of the name in mind.
The name Ebenezer, for example, means ‘stone of help.’ In I Samuel 7:12, it says, “He named it Ebenezer, explaining, ‘The Lord has helped us to this point.’” This is where the prophet Samuel set up an altar of praise to the Lord for the help He had given His people Israel in defeating the Philistines.
Names like Ebenezer remind us of the all-encompassing presence of the Christ we serve. They remind us of His faithfulness. They remind us of His power that exceeds the might of our foes. They remind us that when we are confronted with the difficulties of life, Jesus, the Rock of our salvation, is "Immanuel, God with us" Matthew 1:23.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 25
"Behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy...for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2:10, 11)
Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. Jesus, the One who spoke and the worlds were formed (John 1:1-3); that mghty Jesus is still with us. If we will allow Him, He will live within our hearts. If we will invite Him back into our lives, back into our families, back into our government, He will manifest Himself again to us.
He is the only Solution to the world's woes. HE can fix our faltering economy. He can restore our diminishing well-being. He can save our children from the mockery of the distorted 'history' that's being taught in our schools. He can save us from the corrupt 'laws' of misguided politicians that fly in the face of His immutable ordinance. He can cause us to abide in honor and live in victory once again.
Let us daily pray the prayer of II Chronicles 7:14 over our land, remembering His promise in II Chronicles 16:9, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth, seeking to show Himself strong in the behalf of those who love Him."
Merry Christmas!
We come to this day with the exultant sounds of the Hallelujah Chorus ringing in our ears. We hear in our inner man the sweet strains of JOY that will redound to the glory of God at Easter. We know the Baby born at Bethlehem came to die on the cross at Calvary and He arose.
We know that the celebration of His arrival and the joy of His departure as He returned to the realm of glory were separated by a life set apart, by a life that was unique among men, because it was lived for all men.
What seemed to begin in a stable while his mother was complying with a Roman census requirement—“While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered and she brought forth her firstborn Son” Luke 2:6-7—was actually planned in the corridors of Heaven before time began (Revelation 13:8).
Because Jesus came in the fullness of time, we have the opportunity to receive the gift of salvation He came to bestow upon us. We may sing the redounding hallelujahs to His glory and we may anticipate the joy of His triumph over death! Because of Him, we may triumph over sin and death! Halleluiah! Joy!
"Behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy...for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2:10, 11)
Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. Jesus, the One who spoke and the worlds were formed (John 1:1-3); that mghty Jesus is still with us. If we will allow Him, He will live within our hearts. If we will invite Him back into our lives, back into our families, back into our government, He will manifest Himself again to us.
He is the only Solution to the world's woes. HE can fix our faltering economy. He can restore our diminishing well-being. He can save our children from the mockery of the distorted 'history' that's being taught in our schools. He can save us from the corrupt 'laws' of misguided politicians that fly in the face of His immutable ordinance. He can cause us to abide in honor and live in victory once again.
Let us daily pray the prayer of II Chronicles 7:14 over our land, remembering His promise in II Chronicles 16:9, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth, seeking to show Himself strong in the behalf of those who love Him."
Merry Christmas!
We come to this day with the exultant sounds of the Hallelujah Chorus ringing in our ears. We hear in our inner man the sweet strains of JOY that will redound to the glory of God at Easter. We know the Baby born at Bethlehem came to die on the cross at Calvary and He arose.
We know that the celebration of His arrival and the joy of His departure as He returned to the realm of glory were separated by a life set apart, by a life that was unique among men, because it was lived for all men.
What seemed to begin in a stable while his mother was complying with a Roman census requirement—“While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered and she brought forth her firstborn Son” Luke 2:6-7—was actually planned in the corridors of Heaven before time began (Revelation 13:8).
Because Jesus came in the fullness of time, we have the opportunity to receive the gift of salvation He came to bestow upon us. We may sing the redounding hallelujahs to His glory and we may anticipate the joy of His triumph over death! Because of Him, we may triumph over sin and death! Halleluiah! Joy!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Receive the Joy
We stand at the threshhold of the celebration of the incarnation--Immanuel, God with us. May we allow our incarnate God, our Savior our Lord, to be the heart of our joy.
December 24
Most believers have imagined themselves to have been at the Nativity scene. We’ve pondered the wonder of hearing the angel chorus announce the birth of the One who came to be Prince of Peace. We’ve contemplated the amazement of the humble shepherds who were privy to such grand news.
We think of the wise men, indeed wise beyond the knowledge of the astrological signs they analyzed in order to discern the arrival of One highly favored and anointed. This One, they knew, was unique among the potentates born into the realm of man; was worthy of their finest gifts of treasure and of homage.
When we think of how we would have acted or what we would have done, we know we would have been struck with awe and wonder, even as were the shepherds. And like them, we would have heard the angels reassure, “Don’t be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of great joy that is for all people” Luke 2:10.
Perhaps we would have proclaimed as did the elderly father of John the Baptist when he heard the news of Mary’s pregnancy and the imminent birth of the long-awaited One, “Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dayspring from on High has visited us” Luke 1:78. Perhaps we would have rejoiced to have Jesus as our Savior. That joy is still available to anyone who will receive it.
December 24
Most believers have imagined themselves to have been at the Nativity scene. We’ve pondered the wonder of hearing the angel chorus announce the birth of the One who came to be Prince of Peace. We’ve contemplated the amazement of the humble shepherds who were privy to such grand news.
We think of the wise men, indeed wise beyond the knowledge of the astrological signs they analyzed in order to discern the arrival of One highly favored and anointed. This One, they knew, was unique among the potentates born into the realm of man; was worthy of their finest gifts of treasure and of homage.
When we think of how we would have acted or what we would have done, we know we would have been struck with awe and wonder, even as were the shepherds. And like them, we would have heard the angels reassure, “Don’t be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of great joy that is for all people” Luke 2:10.
Perhaps we would have proclaimed as did the elderly father of John the Baptist when he heard the news of Mary’s pregnancy and the imminent birth of the long-awaited One, “Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dayspring from on High has visited us” Luke 1:78. Perhaps we would have rejoiced to have Jesus as our Savior. That joy is still available to anyone who will receive it.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Separated from the Father
December 23
As we approach the night that we celebrate the nativity of the Lord, the night the Second Person of the Trinity entered the world as a Babe and began His trek through human experience, living the sinless life we were incapable of living and vicariously providing restored fellowship with our Heavenly Father, we cannot but think beyond the manger to the cross.
The beautiful Baby, lying in Mary’s arms, held tenderly to her breast would one day be roughly handled by disdainful religious leaders and cruel soldiers. He would endure the mockery of a trial; He would hear those who’d felt the gentle touch of His healing hand cry, “Crucify Him!”
He would bear the reproach of men and He would feel the Father with whom He was One turn away from Him. He would pray to His Father, “All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will but what You will be done” Mark 14:36. Christ bore the pain and the mockery inflicted by men without complaint.
But He anguished at the breech between Himself and His Father who would not look upon Him while He bore our sin upon Himself. The great cost to Christ as He hung upon the cross, was not the wounds he endured on His back or the crown of thorns that pierced His brow or the nails that bound Him to the tree. He anguished that for the only time in all eternity, He was separated from the Father.
As we approach the night that we celebrate the nativity of the Lord, the night the Second Person of the Trinity entered the world as a Babe and began His trek through human experience, living the sinless life we were incapable of living and vicariously providing restored fellowship with our Heavenly Father, we cannot but think beyond the manger to the cross.
The beautiful Baby, lying in Mary’s arms, held tenderly to her breast would one day be roughly handled by disdainful religious leaders and cruel soldiers. He would endure the mockery of a trial; He would hear those who’d felt the gentle touch of His healing hand cry, “Crucify Him!”
He would bear the reproach of men and He would feel the Father with whom He was One turn away from Him. He would pray to His Father, “All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will but what You will be done” Mark 14:36. Christ bore the pain and the mockery inflicted by men without complaint.
But He anguished at the breech between Himself and His Father who would not look upon Him while He bore our sin upon Himself. The great cost to Christ as He hung upon the cross, was not the wounds he endured on His back or the crown of thorns that pierced His brow or the nails that bound Him to the tree. He anguished that for the only time in all eternity, He was separated from the Father.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Despise the Gift
December 22
Some of us, even believers, have taken the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in vain. To those who are not inclined toward faith, His name is a mere cuss word in a repertoire of unsavory epithets that are uttered to express distain for a situation or an individual.
Those who are well-practiced in the blasphemous usage of the “Name that is given above all names, the only Name by which men may be saved” (Acts 4:12) will have a rude awakening one day when the light of truth illumines the darkness in which they have chosen to live their lives.
In Matthew 17:6, we get a preview of the power of that Name, the Name that can save and the Name that can condemn to eternal darkness. Here we get a glimpse of the transfiguration of Jesus. The disciples hear a voice from Heaven declaring that God is well-pleased with Christ—and these men who had walked with the Lord, “fell face down and were terrified.”
If they who knew Him as companion and brother, they who walked with Him and talked with Him and saw His love extended to the masses fell on their faces in fear and trepidation at the revelation of His glory, we can only shudder to think of the horror of the blasphemer, the hater of God, the mocker of truth when he recognizes Who it is who offered him life and he despised the Gift.
Some of us, even believers, have taken the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in vain. To those who are not inclined toward faith, His name is a mere cuss word in a repertoire of unsavory epithets that are uttered to express distain for a situation or an individual.
Those who are well-practiced in the blasphemous usage of the “Name that is given above all names, the only Name by which men may be saved” (Acts 4:12) will have a rude awakening one day when the light of truth illumines the darkness in which they have chosen to live their lives.
In Matthew 17:6, we get a preview of the power of that Name, the Name that can save and the Name that can condemn to eternal darkness. Here we get a glimpse of the transfiguration of Jesus. The disciples hear a voice from Heaven declaring that God is well-pleased with Christ—and these men who had walked with the Lord, “fell face down and were terrified.”
If they who knew Him as companion and brother, they who walked with Him and talked with Him and saw His love extended to the masses fell on their faces in fear and trepidation at the revelation of His glory, we can only shudder to think of the horror of the blasphemer, the hater of God, the mocker of truth when he recognizes Who it is who offered him life and he despised the Gift.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Splendor of the City
December 21
Many immigrants to the United States at the turn of the Twentieth Century came to this country with tales of the splendor of the nation’s cities dancing in their imaginations. Their disappointment must have been great upon their arrival when they found the sprawling urban poverty where they would live.
Oh, yes, they found opportunity here and many of them rose, through their own hard work and ingenuity, to attain the wealth they thought would be available for the taking upon their arrival. But many of their number did not realize the dream—at least not to the degree they’d anticipated.
There is another City whose appearance is described in superlatives. It is the place John saw (Revelation 21:2), of which he said, “I saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.”
There won’t be disappointment upon our arrival to that wondrous place where Christ dwells. There won’t be any ghetto neighborhoods. The Word tells us that the beauty of the place is staggering. The wonder of it pales only by comparison to the glory we will behold when we see Jesus—face to face in all His glory!
Many immigrants to the United States at the turn of the Twentieth Century came to this country with tales of the splendor of the nation’s cities dancing in their imaginations. Their disappointment must have been great upon their arrival when they found the sprawling urban poverty where they would live.
Oh, yes, they found opportunity here and many of them rose, through their own hard work and ingenuity, to attain the wealth they thought would be available for the taking upon their arrival. But many of their number did not realize the dream—at least not to the degree they’d anticipated.
There is another City whose appearance is described in superlatives. It is the place John saw (Revelation 21:2), of which he said, “I saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.”
There won’t be disappointment upon our arrival to that wondrous place where Christ dwells. There won’t be any ghetto neighborhoods. The Word tells us that the beauty of the place is staggering. The wonder of it pales only by comparison to the glory we will behold when we see Jesus—face to face in all His glory!
Monday, December 20, 2010
The Embodiment of Who We Are
December 20
Peter. Disciple. Apostle. Hero of the faith. Failure. Perhaps no one embodies the best and the worst of all we who believe endeavor to be and actually are than does Peter, the impetuous one. Than Peter, the one who was quick to declare his resolve to follow Jesus to the end and quick to fall from it.
It is easy to grasp that Peter recognized Jesus was no mere man. A fisherman does not abandon a thriving business to walk the dusty streets of Galilee with an itinerant preacher and sometime carpenter. No, Peter saw there was something beyond the ordinary in Jesus.
And, rightly he should have for he had been present for the miracles. Perhaps a miracle that might have touched him most was the one Jesus did while aboard Peter’s own fishing vessel. The nets were empty after a long night of fishing. Jesus suggested that Peter have his crew drop the net on the other side of the boat.
Illogical? Yes, but Peter said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night long and have caught nothing, but at Your word, I’ll let down the net.” The net nearly broke with the size of the catch! (Luke 5:5). Jesus does the same for us. When He wants to really make us grasp the magnitude of who He is, He touches us where we are. So, expect a miracle at the point of your need.
Peter. Disciple. Apostle. Hero of the faith. Failure. Perhaps no one embodies the best and the worst of all we who believe endeavor to be and actually are than does Peter, the impetuous one. Than Peter, the one who was quick to declare his resolve to follow Jesus to the end and quick to fall from it.
It is easy to grasp that Peter recognized Jesus was no mere man. A fisherman does not abandon a thriving business to walk the dusty streets of Galilee with an itinerant preacher and sometime carpenter. No, Peter saw there was something beyond the ordinary in Jesus.
And, rightly he should have for he had been present for the miracles. Perhaps a miracle that might have touched him most was the one Jesus did while aboard Peter’s own fishing vessel. The nets were empty after a long night of fishing. Jesus suggested that Peter have his crew drop the net on the other side of the boat.
Illogical? Yes, but Peter said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night long and have caught nothing, but at Your word, I’ll let down the net.” The net nearly broke with the size of the catch! (Luke 5:5). Jesus does the same for us. When He wants to really make us grasp the magnitude of who He is, He touches us where we are. So, expect a miracle at the point of your need.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Lost Nothing; Gained All
December 19
God has allowed man no latitude for boasting of himself. Oh, that is not to say that unregenerate man is not boastful and proud in his own conceit. That is not to say that even among the redeemed there are not those whose estimation of themselves is far too high. That is to say, GOD has allowed man no latitude for boasting for we are nothing; He is everything.
God loves man and has given His “unspeakable Gift” (II Corinthians 9:15) for man but that is because God loves, not because man is worthy. When Jesus, Heaven’s sinless perfection, came and took the punishment upon Himself that sinful man deserves, it was a complete exchange.
Holiness overcame evil for every man who would be willing to exchange his sin and failure for the Lord’s perfect righteousness. As Paul says in Titus 3:7, “Having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.” We lay aside all that we are and receive all that He is.
We forsake our earthly treasure and receive to ourselves His eternal reward. If our eyes are consumed with the things of life, we may feel we give up something to become His heirs; but if we see life as the vapor that it is, we know we have lost nothing. We who are nothing have gained all.
God has allowed man no latitude for boasting of himself. Oh, that is not to say that unregenerate man is not boastful and proud in his own conceit. That is not to say that even among the redeemed there are not those whose estimation of themselves is far too high. That is to say, GOD has allowed man no latitude for boasting for we are nothing; He is everything.
God loves man and has given His “unspeakable Gift” (II Corinthians 9:15) for man but that is because God loves, not because man is worthy. When Jesus, Heaven’s sinless perfection, came and took the punishment upon Himself that sinful man deserves, it was a complete exchange.
Holiness overcame evil for every man who would be willing to exchange his sin and failure for the Lord’s perfect righteousness. As Paul says in Titus 3:7, “Having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.” We lay aside all that we are and receive all that He is.
We forsake our earthly treasure and receive to ourselves His eternal reward. If our eyes are consumed with the things of life, we may feel we give up something to become His heirs; but if we see life as the vapor that it is, we know we have lost nothing. We who are nothing have gained all.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Our God Is Faithful
December 18
The God we serve is faithful. He is the God of integrity and honor. He is the God of truth and justice. His Word is yea and amen. There is no variance in His decrees. What He said long ago is viable today. The commands that He gave to Moses when he led the Israelites out of bondage, He expects us to follow today.
God does not change His mind. He does not have a ‘light bulb moment’ when He comes up with a better idea. He doesn’t reconsider His law and say to Himself, ‘Gee, I wish I had stated that another way.’ No. His way is perfect. It has always been perfect; Jesus is the Living Word and He is perfect.
The psalmist said of Him in Psalm 25:10, “All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth to those who keep His covenants and decrees.” If there is any time that the veracity of the Lord’s honor, the essence of His being is not visible to us, it is because we have somehow reneged on our part of the covenant. We deceive ourselves if we think we have not failed to uphold His holy decrees
If we are honest with ourselves, we will acknowledge that we have failed to keep His covenants. We have gone back on our portion of the agreement between ourselves and our Holy God. But we also know that Jesus has washed us clean of all our sin and failure. We can be restored to right fellowship through our Lord and Savior; and we can enjoy the fruit of His steadfast faithfulness.
The God we serve is faithful. He is the God of integrity and honor. He is the God of truth and justice. His Word is yea and amen. There is no variance in His decrees. What He said long ago is viable today. The commands that He gave to Moses when he led the Israelites out of bondage, He expects us to follow today.
God does not change His mind. He does not have a ‘light bulb moment’ when He comes up with a better idea. He doesn’t reconsider His law and say to Himself, ‘Gee, I wish I had stated that another way.’ No. His way is perfect. It has always been perfect; Jesus is the Living Word and He is perfect.
The psalmist said of Him in Psalm 25:10, “All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth to those who keep His covenants and decrees.” If there is any time that the veracity of the Lord’s honor, the essence of His being is not visible to us, it is because we have somehow reneged on our part of the covenant. We deceive ourselves if we think we have not failed to uphold His holy decrees
If we are honest with ourselves, we will acknowledge that we have failed to keep His covenants. We have gone back on our portion of the agreement between ourselves and our Holy God. But we also know that Jesus has washed us clean of all our sin and failure. We can be restored to right fellowship through our Lord and Savior; and we can enjoy the fruit of His steadfast faithfulness.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Busy!
December 17
Busy, busy, busy, busy!!!! We have so many things to do. We have so many places to go. We have so much responsibility that we wonder at times if we shall ever be able to manage all that we have taken upon ourselves. Sometimes, we allow ourselves to be imposed upon by other people. Sometimes our hyper activity reflects our own choices—our own compulsion to maintain a frenetic pace.
The Word of God tells us that we are indeed to do everything with which we are charged as though we were doing it for the Lord. We are not to give short shrift to any task to which we have committed ourselves. The question then becomes, to what tasks should we commit ourselves?
We know we have great responsibilities. We have families to support and jobs to perform and careers to manage. We have relationships that require our investment of not only our time but our heart. We cannot neglect the people within the sphere of our influence who are depending upon us. Yet there is but one task with which the Word charges us and that is found in Mark 12:30.
Here Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength.” He knows if we do that, we will not neglect to hear Him guide us into other areas of responsibility to which He desires that we go, nor will we neglect those precious people to whom we owe due diligence in living God’s truth before them.
Busy, busy, busy, busy!!!! We have so many things to do. We have so many places to go. We have so much responsibility that we wonder at times if we shall ever be able to manage all that we have taken upon ourselves. Sometimes, we allow ourselves to be imposed upon by other people. Sometimes our hyper activity reflects our own choices—our own compulsion to maintain a frenetic pace.
The Word of God tells us that we are indeed to do everything with which we are charged as though we were doing it for the Lord. We are not to give short shrift to any task to which we have committed ourselves. The question then becomes, to what tasks should we commit ourselves?
We know we have great responsibilities. We have families to support and jobs to perform and careers to manage. We have relationships that require our investment of not only our time but our heart. We cannot neglect the people within the sphere of our influence who are depending upon us. Yet there is but one task with which the Word charges us and that is found in Mark 12:30.
Here Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength.” He knows if we do that, we will not neglect to hear Him guide us into other areas of responsibility to which He desires that we go, nor will we neglect those precious people to whom we owe due diligence in living God’s truth before them.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Satisfied. Filled.
December 16
Satisfied. Filled. Most of us who have been blessed to have been born in Twentieth/Twenty-first Century America have never had to contemplate the significance of these two words. We take them for granted because we have never been without the benefit of them.
Oh, yes, we may have had our ups and downs in life, we’ve endured our share of disappointed hopes, but we have never had to grovel in poverty; we have never known stomach-wrenching hunger. When it has come to life’s basic needs, we have been satisfied and filled.
Psalm 107:9 says, “He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.” We in the modern West tend to associate that statement with our economic abundance. We claim the prosperity gospel that suggests we should all abound in temporal wealth. Yet, there is a far deeper, more profound essence to these words.
What the Lord God is promising here is that we may enjoy the abundance of satisfaction and be filled to overflowing within our spirit! No matter what our external circumstances may be, we may abound in the fruit of His presence—we may overflow with faith—a faith that assures our complete provision of spirit for time and eternity.
Satisfied. Filled. Most of us who have been blessed to have been born in Twentieth/Twenty-first Century America have never had to contemplate the significance of these two words. We take them for granted because we have never been without the benefit of them.
Oh, yes, we may have had our ups and downs in life, we’ve endured our share of disappointed hopes, but we have never had to grovel in poverty; we have never known stomach-wrenching hunger. When it has come to life’s basic needs, we have been satisfied and filled.
Psalm 107:9 says, “He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.” We in the modern West tend to associate that statement with our economic abundance. We claim the prosperity gospel that suggests we should all abound in temporal wealth. Yet, there is a far deeper, more profound essence to these words.
What the Lord God is promising here is that we may enjoy the abundance of satisfaction and be filled to overflowing within our spirit! No matter what our external circumstances may be, we may abound in the fruit of His presence—we may overflow with faith—a faith that assures our complete provision of spirit for time and eternity.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Time for the Promises
December 15
We profess our belief in Jesus. Most people who have heard of Him affirm that He was ‘a good man.’ They believe He exemplified principles of interaction between men that, if they were to be followed, would allow peace to reign upon the earth.
Some attest that He was a prophet, a man sent by God to lay the groundwork for the purposes of the Most High to be fulfilled. We who call ourselves Christians, we who are born again, take belief a step further. We acknowledge that Jesus is the righteous Son of our Holy God—the One who sacrificed Himself to redeem mankind from sin.
So, if we believe in Him, if we are ‘people of the Book,’ people of faith in the unique Man among men, why don’t we see more evidence of the work He said we would do if we believe? In Mark 9:23, Jesus Himself uttered these words of power, “…Everything is possible to the one who believes.” To one degree or another, most people believe in Him.
Even if we eliminate people on the periphery of faith, what about those of us who have embraced Him as Savior and Lord, as God incarnate? Why don’t we see the fruit of His remarkable promise? Can it be that we are so content with the trappings of time that we haven’t the time to tap into the promises that are ours?
We profess our belief in Jesus. Most people who have heard of Him affirm that He was ‘a good man.’ They believe He exemplified principles of interaction between men that, if they were to be followed, would allow peace to reign upon the earth.
Some attest that He was a prophet, a man sent by God to lay the groundwork for the purposes of the Most High to be fulfilled. We who call ourselves Christians, we who are born again, take belief a step further. We acknowledge that Jesus is the righteous Son of our Holy God—the One who sacrificed Himself to redeem mankind from sin.
So, if we believe in Him, if we are ‘people of the Book,’ people of faith in the unique Man among men, why don’t we see more evidence of the work He said we would do if we believe? In Mark 9:23, Jesus Himself uttered these words of power, “…Everything is possible to the one who believes.” To one degree or another, most people believe in Him.
Even if we eliminate people on the periphery of faith, what about those of us who have embraced Him as Savior and Lord, as God incarnate? Why don’t we see the fruit of His remarkable promise? Can it be that we are so content with the trappings of time that we haven’t the time to tap into the promises that are ours?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
To Be and to Do
December 14
What does man truly desire from life? Certainly, it would be wonderful to ‘have it all,’ yet that illusory prize is not extended to many of us. Though we may not be the leader of the free world or the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize or the holder of an Academy Award, we do indeed desire to make our mark.
We want our voice to be heard amidst the cacophony of claims and counter-claims regarding various religious and political views. We want to promote our point of view within the limited scope of our influence because we believe it has merit, that others will be advantaged if they embrace it.
So we endeavor within our small circle of influence to impact the world around us. If we esteem the Christ and desire to serve His Kingdom’s purposes, we will render to Him the best service we can. If we believe that the natural man must serve an eternal purpose, that we are bought with a price and we are not our own, our gifts will be surrendered to Jesus.
We will stand on the promise found in II Corinthians 9:8 that says, “God is able to make every grace abound to you, so that in every way, in all things, you will have everything you need in order to excel.” We don’t have to strive for ascendency; we need only to rely upon the God who assures us we will accomplish all HE sets before us to be and to do.
What does man truly desire from life? Certainly, it would be wonderful to ‘have it all,’ yet that illusory prize is not extended to many of us. Though we may not be the leader of the free world or the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize or the holder of an Academy Award, we do indeed desire to make our mark.
We want our voice to be heard amidst the cacophony of claims and counter-claims regarding various religious and political views. We want to promote our point of view within the limited scope of our influence because we believe it has merit, that others will be advantaged if they embrace it.
So we endeavor within our small circle of influence to impact the world around us. If we esteem the Christ and desire to serve His Kingdom’s purposes, we will render to Him the best service we can. If we believe that the natural man must serve an eternal purpose, that we are bought with a price and we are not our own, our gifts will be surrendered to Jesus.
We will stand on the promise found in II Corinthians 9:8 that says, “God is able to make every grace abound to you, so that in every way, in all things, you will have everything you need in order to excel.” We don’t have to strive for ascendency; we need only to rely upon the God who assures us we will accomplish all HE sets before us to be and to do.
Monday, December 13, 2010
He Knows Our Hearts
December 13
It is an observable, if not measurable phenomenon that it is often the people who know the least regarding a matter who virtually demand to be in charge. To put this mindset into a 'spiritual nutshell', we could say that this type of individual is concerned about his own aggrandizement more than he is in the furtherance of the Kingdom of God.
Put another way, if the person in question is a Christian, he is following Christ ‘for the loaves and fishes.’ Indeed, it is true, some of us who name the name of the Lord Jesus are followers because of the advantage we attain for doing so rather than because we have allowed Him to be Lord of our lives.
In I Timothy 1:7, Paul says to his spiritual son, “They want to be teachers of the law although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting upon.” Because human nature doesn’t change apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, this observation is still true today. Some who profess faith in Jesus are very desirous of holding positions of authority within the body.
They enjoy being on the board or counseling new Christians or expounding their purported wisdom, but it is for their own aggrandizement not for the glory of Christ that they volunteer their service. Mere observers of men’s actions cannot rightly judge their motives, but God sees hearts and knows men’s motives. May we assure that what He sees in us flows from genuine love for Jesus.
It is an observable, if not measurable phenomenon that it is often the people who know the least regarding a matter who virtually demand to be in charge. To put this mindset into a 'spiritual nutshell', we could say that this type of individual is concerned about his own aggrandizement more than he is in the furtherance of the Kingdom of God.
Put another way, if the person in question is a Christian, he is following Christ ‘for the loaves and fishes.’ Indeed, it is true, some of us who name the name of the Lord Jesus are followers because of the advantage we attain for doing so rather than because we have allowed Him to be Lord of our lives.
In I Timothy 1:7, Paul says to his spiritual son, “They want to be teachers of the law although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting upon.” Because human nature doesn’t change apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, this observation is still true today. Some who profess faith in Jesus are very desirous of holding positions of authority within the body.
They enjoy being on the board or counseling new Christians or expounding their purported wisdom, but it is for their own aggrandizement not for the glory of Christ that they volunteer their service. Mere observers of men’s actions cannot rightly judge their motives, but God sees hearts and knows men’s motives. May we assure that what He sees in us flows from genuine love for Jesus.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Let the Evidence Speak
December 12
Would anyone enter an apple orchard with the hope of harvesting tomatoes? Do shoppers go into a grocery store to purchase a new car? Can we expect a real estate agent to serve the needs of someone injured in an accident? Silly questions.
When assistance is needed, the corresponding source of supply must be sought. We must ascertain the credentials of an individual to determine whether he has the skills and the resources to provide our need. A painter who specializes in single-level dwellings is not someone who we’d hire to paint a multi-story building.
When Jesus walked the dusty roads of Palestine, He acquired a reputation. He was known as One who not only did good among the needy but also as One who possessed extraordinary power. The people of the countryside round about knew that if they could but be in His presence, their needs would be fully met. So they flocked to Him. One such individual was a man who had been blind from birth.
When he received his sight from Jesus, the religious leaders of the day who continually found fault with the Lord said he had been healed by an evil man. Rather than argue, the healed man simply said, “Whether or not He’s a sinner, I don’t know. But I do know that once I was blind and now I see” John 9:25. We, like that wise beggar, must recognize that our faith will at times be challenged. When it is, like him, we must simply allow the evidence to speak for itself.
Would anyone enter an apple orchard with the hope of harvesting tomatoes? Do shoppers go into a grocery store to purchase a new car? Can we expect a real estate agent to serve the needs of someone injured in an accident? Silly questions.
When assistance is needed, the corresponding source of supply must be sought. We must ascertain the credentials of an individual to determine whether he has the skills and the resources to provide our need. A painter who specializes in single-level dwellings is not someone who we’d hire to paint a multi-story building.
When Jesus walked the dusty roads of Palestine, He acquired a reputation. He was known as One who not only did good among the needy but also as One who possessed extraordinary power. The people of the countryside round about knew that if they could but be in His presence, their needs would be fully met. So they flocked to Him. One such individual was a man who had been blind from birth.
When he received his sight from Jesus, the religious leaders of the day who continually found fault with the Lord said he had been healed by an evil man. Rather than argue, the healed man simply said, “Whether or not He’s a sinner, I don’t know. But I do know that once I was blind and now I see” John 9:25. We, like that wise beggar, must recognize that our faith will at times be challenged. When it is, like him, we must simply allow the evidence to speak for itself.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
He Will Not Forget
December 11
It is the nature of man to desire some acknowledgement, if not reward, for the labor upon which he expends himself. Whether the work that is done is tedious and frustrating or stimulating and challenging, it is worthwhile in the end if there is a simple, ‘Thank you,’ from those who have benefitted from it.
Often, however, there are no thanks given at the conclusion of a task. It is an unfortunate reality of the nature of man that diligent effort usually goes unnoticed. To gain the attention of the people round about, one must perform a colossal blunder!
To gain a reward, therefore, is not a sure thing—except in the spiritual realm. The God we serve, the One in whose harvest field we labor to reap souls for the Kingdom of Christ, is mindful of the labor of love that we perform. It is not that our goal is to attain recognition. Rather, it is our hearts’ longing to see many lost souls brought from darkness to the Light of Christ.
But as a by-product of our labor of love for our Savior that motivates our outreach to the lost, we are promised a reward. Hebrews 6:10 states very clearly that, “He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you continually serve the saints.” Because He loves us, it is His desire to reward our service in the behalf of His Kingdom and His people.
It is the nature of man to desire some acknowledgement, if not reward, for the labor upon which he expends himself. Whether the work that is done is tedious and frustrating or stimulating and challenging, it is worthwhile in the end if there is a simple, ‘Thank you,’ from those who have benefitted from it.
Often, however, there are no thanks given at the conclusion of a task. It is an unfortunate reality of the nature of man that diligent effort usually goes unnoticed. To gain the attention of the people round about, one must perform a colossal blunder!
To gain a reward, therefore, is not a sure thing—except in the spiritual realm. The God we serve, the One in whose harvest field we labor to reap souls for the Kingdom of Christ, is mindful of the labor of love that we perform. It is not that our goal is to attain recognition. Rather, it is our hearts’ longing to see many lost souls brought from darkness to the Light of Christ.
But as a by-product of our labor of love for our Savior that motivates our outreach to the lost, we are promised a reward. Hebrews 6:10 states very clearly that, “He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you continually serve the saints.” Because He loves us, it is His desire to reward our service in the behalf of His Kingdom and His people.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Your Garden of Flourishing Fruit
December 10
The garden of life flourishes with fruit. Each of God’s children has harvested much from the lush fare of life. He has withheld nothing from those who believe in His name, yet there may be inconsistencies among us that make us question the fairness of how His fruits are distributed.
When we indulge the futility of comparison, we allow ourselves to become distracted from our main purpose—that of sharing His salvation message with the lost. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of Christ; we are to reflect Him more and more; we are to win others to Him by the light of His truth that we allow to shine in our lives.
We are to so live before Him that we may, as stated in Isaiah 61:3, “…be called trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, to glorify Him.” We must recognize that we possess no righteousness of our own, that we are like other men. We know nothing good dwells within us, yet, when Jesus lives in our hearts, our lives become a reflection of His goodness.
When we shine His love and truth and salvation through the living epistle of our lives, everyone whose life touches ours may see the fruit our lives bear and everyone whose life touches ours may feast upon that fruit. Love, truth, goodness, mercy, honor, kindness, hope, faith—all the things that Jesus is—become evident in us and we distribute them as He gives opportunity.
The garden of life flourishes with fruit. Each of God’s children has harvested much from the lush fare of life. He has withheld nothing from those who believe in His name, yet there may be inconsistencies among us that make us question the fairness of how His fruits are distributed.
When we indulge the futility of comparison, we allow ourselves to become distracted from our main purpose—that of sharing His salvation message with the lost. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of Christ; we are to reflect Him more and more; we are to win others to Him by the light of His truth that we allow to shine in our lives.
We are to so live before Him that we may, as stated in Isaiah 61:3, “…be called trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, to glorify Him.” We must recognize that we possess no righteousness of our own, that we are like other men. We know nothing good dwells within us, yet, when Jesus lives in our hearts, our lives become a reflection of His goodness.
When we shine His love and truth and salvation through the living epistle of our lives, everyone whose life touches ours may see the fruit our lives bear and everyone whose life touches ours may feast upon that fruit. Love, truth, goodness, mercy, honor, kindness, hope, faith—all the things that Jesus is—become evident in us and we distribute them as He gives opportunity.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
It's Not about Us
December 9
It’s not about us. No matter who we are. The only One who may lay claim to the reality that it is all about Him is Jesus. We may, as Shakespeare observed, “strut our hour upon the stage,” for indeed, we all have our role to perform, but in having completed our part excellently, the performance is still not about us.
We may even fancy ourselves to be stars in the drama of life, but no matter how large a part we may have, no matter how crucial our role may be to the outcome of ‘the play,’ we are expendable. Each of us can be replaced. None of us is uniquely qualified to speak our lines—except Jesus.
Nobody can slip into His role. He has no understudy—He did not take one with Him to the cross. The Lord fulfilled His role and because He did, everyone who believes may complete his own performance to the utmost of his ability. No matter what circumstances may befall our lives, we may know with certainty that we will deliver our lines effectively.
Paul said in II Timothy 2:9, “For this I suffer, to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound.” Paul, the great apostle, the one whose life touched more souls for the Kingdom than any other but the Lord’s, knew that it wasn’t about him. Paul knew that though he might be imprisoned and executed, the truth he bore could never be stopped.
It’s not about us. No matter who we are. The only One who may lay claim to the reality that it is all about Him is Jesus. We may, as Shakespeare observed, “strut our hour upon the stage,” for indeed, we all have our role to perform, but in having completed our part excellently, the performance is still not about us.
We may even fancy ourselves to be stars in the drama of life, but no matter how large a part we may have, no matter how crucial our role may be to the outcome of ‘the play,’ we are expendable. Each of us can be replaced. None of us is uniquely qualified to speak our lines—except Jesus.
Nobody can slip into His role. He has no understudy—He did not take one with Him to the cross. The Lord fulfilled His role and because He did, everyone who believes may complete his own performance to the utmost of his ability. No matter what circumstances may befall our lives, we may know with certainty that we will deliver our lines effectively.
Paul said in II Timothy 2:9, “For this I suffer, to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound.” Paul, the great apostle, the one whose life touched more souls for the Kingdom than any other but the Lord’s, knew that it wasn’t about him. Paul knew that though he might be imprisoned and executed, the truth he bore could never be stopped.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Stumbling Block to Stepping Stone
December 8
Romans 9:33 makes a clear point that lends itself to a vivid analogy. It says, “I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame.” The Jews had an expectation of their Messiah. He would be a conqueror.
Jesus, humble and mild did not fit the bill. They could not reconcile the concept of the “Suffering Messiah” of Isaiah 53 with their anticipation of the Liberator who would set them free from the yoke of their harsh Roman masters. So, they stumbled, and in their stumbling, the plan of salvation was opened to the gentiles.
What could have been a devastating end became a new beginning. What was a stumbling block to God’s chosen people became a stepping stone to the rest of the world’s people! We who would have been left out entirely if the Jews had simply recognized and embraced their Messiah when He came, now have a future and a hope; we, too can be co-heirs with Christ of Heaven’s riches.
Yet, as Paul says in Romans 11:8-23, the Jews have not fallen that they may be lost. No! Though a somnolence has fallen over them for a season, they will be re-gathered into the fold of faith. Indeed, in these last days we see a mighty move of the Spirit of the Living God sweeping over His ancient people, awakening them to the reality that Jesus is the One for whom they have waited.
Romans 9:33 makes a clear point that lends itself to a vivid analogy. It says, “I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over and a rock to trip over, yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame.” The Jews had an expectation of their Messiah. He would be a conqueror.
Jesus, humble and mild did not fit the bill. They could not reconcile the concept of the “Suffering Messiah” of Isaiah 53 with their anticipation of the Liberator who would set them free from the yoke of their harsh Roman masters. So, they stumbled, and in their stumbling, the plan of salvation was opened to the gentiles.
What could have been a devastating end became a new beginning. What was a stumbling block to God’s chosen people became a stepping stone to the rest of the world’s people! We who would have been left out entirely if the Jews had simply recognized and embraced their Messiah when He came, now have a future and a hope; we, too can be co-heirs with Christ of Heaven’s riches.
Yet, as Paul says in Romans 11:8-23, the Jews have not fallen that they may be lost. No! Though a somnolence has fallen over them for a season, they will be re-gathered into the fold of faith. Indeed, in these last days we see a mighty move of the Spirit of the Living God sweeping over His ancient people, awakening them to the reality that Jesus is the One for whom they have waited.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Real Faith Stands
December 7
Real faith stands. Yes. Real faith stands. It isn’t shaken by adverse winds. You can’t argue real faith away. You can’t vote real faith away. You can’t legislate real faith away. You can’t discourage real faith away. You can’t rationalize real faith away. You can’t torture real faith away. Real faith stands.
Ask Moses who was willing to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of Egypt for a season (Hebrews 11:25). Ask Paul who was willing to relinquish the esteem of his nation in order to propagate the gospel under great persecution (Philippians 3:4-9).
Ask anyone who has placed faith in Christ at the pinnacle of his life and he will affirm that abiding in Him is worth the cost. And, there will be cost. Everyone who takes the yoke of the Lord upon himself gives something up—but gains so much more. One thing that will be notably discerned as part of what must be let go, is the esteem of ones fellows. Many people will consider the believer to have taken leave of his senses.
To dispute with those who do not believe is to abdicate the high ground of faith. Mark 9:14-19 tells us what Jesus said to His disciples when they found themselves arguing with doubters: “What are you arguing about...O, faithless generation! How long shall I suffer you?” It is apparent here that to engage in argumentation is to diminish the believer’s faith and his power to do what Jesus has sent him to accomplish. Jesus expects His followers to stand! To stand in real faith!
Real faith stands. Yes. Real faith stands. It isn’t shaken by adverse winds. You can’t argue real faith away. You can’t vote real faith away. You can’t legislate real faith away. You can’t discourage real faith away. You can’t rationalize real faith away. You can’t torture real faith away. Real faith stands.
Ask Moses who was willing to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of Egypt for a season (Hebrews 11:25). Ask Paul who was willing to relinquish the esteem of his nation in order to propagate the gospel under great persecution (Philippians 3:4-9).
Ask anyone who has placed faith in Christ at the pinnacle of his life and he will affirm that abiding in Him is worth the cost. And, there will be cost. Everyone who takes the yoke of the Lord upon himself gives something up—but gains so much more. One thing that will be notably discerned as part of what must be let go, is the esteem of ones fellows. Many people will consider the believer to have taken leave of his senses.
To dispute with those who do not believe is to abdicate the high ground of faith. Mark 9:14-19 tells us what Jesus said to His disciples when they found themselves arguing with doubters: “What are you arguing about...O, faithless generation! How long shall I suffer you?” It is apparent here that to engage in argumentation is to diminish the believer’s faith and his power to do what Jesus has sent him to accomplish. Jesus expects His followers to stand! To stand in real faith!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Heaven's Great Work
December 6
Some people believe that though there is indeed a Creator God who fashioned the universe, He is not involved in the affairs of the vast creation of His hand today. They subscribe to the theory that He made everything, wound it up and then pretty much left it to itself.
This erroneous notion flies in the face of all the evidence. We who have prayed and received answers to our prayers would be among those who would testify to His profound involvement in the affairs of men. Many scientists understand that concepts like gravitational pull would fail without His keeping power.
If physical evidence in the natural realm is not sufficient to convince us that God sees and hears and cares about what is going on in the universe He fashioned, we have the words of Jesus in John 5:17 that attest to the fact that the One who made us endeavors continually to accomplish His plan for His people. Here the Lord says, “My Father is still working and I am working also.”
The primary work that God is striving to complete is the salvation of souls. That is the great scheme of Heaven—to bring as many as will believe home to glory. The Holy Spirit that stirs in your heart is striving to lead you home—God’s great and glorious work then, the work that was established in Heaven (Revelation 13:8) and completed by Jesus on the cross is to share heaven with you, with me
Some people believe that though there is indeed a Creator God who fashioned the universe, He is not involved in the affairs of the vast creation of His hand today. They subscribe to the theory that He made everything, wound it up and then pretty much left it to itself.
This erroneous notion flies in the face of all the evidence. We who have prayed and received answers to our prayers would be among those who would testify to His profound involvement in the affairs of men. Many scientists understand that concepts like gravitational pull would fail without His keeping power.
If physical evidence in the natural realm is not sufficient to convince us that God sees and hears and cares about what is going on in the universe He fashioned, we have the words of Jesus in John 5:17 that attest to the fact that the One who made us endeavors continually to accomplish His plan for His people. Here the Lord says, “My Father is still working and I am working also.”
The primary work that God is striving to complete is the salvation of souls. That is the great scheme of Heaven—to bring as many as will believe home to glory. The Holy Spirit that stirs in your heart is striving to lead you home—God’s great and glorious work then, the work that was established in Heaven (Revelation 13:8) and completed by Jesus on the cross is to share heaven with you, with me
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Stand for Itself
December 5
Sometime there’s just no point in arguing. We’ve all put ourselves through the ordeal of trying to justify our words or our actions. We’ve put ourselves through the wringer in order to clarify something said or done that someone simply didn’t grasp as we’d intended it.
Though we may count ourselves to be skilled wordsmiths, we have to acknowledge that we never were able to make our point. The one who did not understand initially, still didn’t ‘get it’ when we’d gone through our hoops of attempting to explain, to clarify.
Jesus must have felt the same way when at His mockery of a trial Pontius Pilate inquired of Him, “’Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?’ But He kept silent and did not answer anything” Mark 14:60, 61. Jesus did not argue before His accusers. He knew the futility of debate and He knew that in order for the plan of salvation to be implemented, this moment had to come.
But, beyond that, He knew that if these people had seen His miracles—blind eyes that were opened, deaf ears that were unstopped, demon-possessed lives that were set free from oppression—and yet did not believe Him, there was no point of further clarification that He could state that would change their hearts. Like Him, we must let the living epistle of our lives stand for itself.
Sometime there’s just no point in arguing. We’ve all put ourselves through the ordeal of trying to justify our words or our actions. We’ve put ourselves through the wringer in order to clarify something said or done that someone simply didn’t grasp as we’d intended it.
Though we may count ourselves to be skilled wordsmiths, we have to acknowledge that we never were able to make our point. The one who did not understand initially, still didn’t ‘get it’ when we’d gone through our hoops of attempting to explain, to clarify.
Jesus must have felt the same way when at His mockery of a trial Pontius Pilate inquired of Him, “’Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?’ But He kept silent and did not answer anything” Mark 14:60, 61. Jesus did not argue before His accusers. He knew the futility of debate and He knew that in order for the plan of salvation to be implemented, this moment had to come.
But, beyond that, He knew that if these people had seen His miracles—blind eyes that were opened, deaf ears that were unstopped, demon-possessed lives that were set free from oppression—and yet did not believe Him, there was no point of further clarification that He could state that would change their hearts. Like Him, we must let the living epistle of our lives stand for itself.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
What Is That to You?
December 4
There is a verse in scripture (II Corinthians 10:12) that says, “….they who compare themselves among themselves are not wise.” The Bible is quite clear that if we believe in Christ, have settled in our hearts and minds that we are His and we will follow wherever He leads, there is no place in us for second guessing His choice.
There is no place for negotiation for a ‘better deal.’ If He calls us into a mission field in some far-flung corner of the world, we must trust that it is because He knows His plan for us will be best accomplished there and His plan for that part of the globe will be best accomplished because of our presence there.
If He tells us to remain in our hometown and share our faith with the people among whom we grew up, we cannot lament the lack of adventure in our lives. Again, He knows where we will be most effectively discipled and where we will be best equipped to draw new disciples to Jesus. Even Peter wrestled with the question of where he was to go in order to serve the Kingdom of Christ—and where his fellow Apostle John would go, and how he would die.
Jesus had described Peter’s martyrdom in John 21: 18, 19. When in John 21:21, Peter asked, “And what shall this man (John) do?” The Lord’s answer silenced him. It should silence us when we ponder the role of fellow believers in His Kingdom. In John 21:22, He said, “If I want him to tarry until I come, what is that to you?” His polite way of saying that another person's life and ministry are none of our business effectively shuts us up, as it did Peter.
There is a verse in scripture (II Corinthians 10:12) that says, “….they who compare themselves among themselves are not wise.” The Bible is quite clear that if we believe in Christ, have settled in our hearts and minds that we are His and we will follow wherever He leads, there is no place in us for second guessing His choice.
There is no place for negotiation for a ‘better deal.’ If He calls us into a mission field in some far-flung corner of the world, we must trust that it is because He knows His plan for us will be best accomplished there and His plan for that part of the globe will be best accomplished because of our presence there.
If He tells us to remain in our hometown and share our faith with the people among whom we grew up, we cannot lament the lack of adventure in our lives. Again, He knows where we will be most effectively discipled and where we will be best equipped to draw new disciples to Jesus. Even Peter wrestled with the question of where he was to go in order to serve the Kingdom of Christ—and where his fellow Apostle John would go, and how he would die.
Jesus had described Peter’s martyrdom in John 21: 18, 19. When in John 21:21, Peter asked, “And what shall this man (John) do?” The Lord’s answer silenced him. It should silence us when we ponder the role of fellow believers in His Kingdom. In John 21:22, He said, “If I want him to tarry until I come, what is that to you?” His polite way of saying that another person's life and ministry are none of our business effectively shuts us up, as it did Peter.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Equality
December 3
Perhaps in your field of endeavor there is a ‘pecking order.’ The most discernable evidence of such will be the salaries of the individuals employed at your place of work. The CEO or the superintendent or the president or the manager will be paid more than the lower echelon employees.
If you are one of the ‘underlings,’ you probably don’t even know what your upper management officials make. Although you’re probably convinced that they’re out of touch with the nuts and bolts of what keeps the wheels of the organization turning and the importance of the ordinary folk who keep them greased, you know in spite of that, they make way more than you do!
As the old saying goes, ‘Life ain’t fair. Get over it.’ But, in spite of the discrepancies that abound everywhere you turn—not only at work but in virtually every area of interaction with other individuals, there is one place where you will find absolute equity; and that is with God. He has no favorites. He values every individual’s contribution to the furtherance of the Kingdom of Christ.
Whether you’re Billy Graham or Billy Smith the usher at the corner church, He values you. In I Corinthians 3:8, we’re told, “The one who plants and the one who waters are equal; each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” There is no vying for favor, and no need to impress the boss. Simply do what He called you to do in the field to which He sent you—and your reward will be great.
Perhaps in your field of endeavor there is a ‘pecking order.’ The most discernable evidence of such will be the salaries of the individuals employed at your place of work. The CEO or the superintendent or the president or the manager will be paid more than the lower echelon employees.
If you are one of the ‘underlings,’ you probably don’t even know what your upper management officials make. Although you’re probably convinced that they’re out of touch with the nuts and bolts of what keeps the wheels of the organization turning and the importance of the ordinary folk who keep them greased, you know in spite of that, they make way more than you do!
As the old saying goes, ‘Life ain’t fair. Get over it.’ But, in spite of the discrepancies that abound everywhere you turn—not only at work but in virtually every area of interaction with other individuals, there is one place where you will find absolute equity; and that is with God. He has no favorites. He values every individual’s contribution to the furtherance of the Kingdom of Christ.
Whether you’re Billy Graham or Billy Smith the usher at the corner church, He values you. In I Corinthians 3:8, we’re told, “The one who plants and the one who waters are equal; each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” There is no vying for favor, and no need to impress the boss. Simply do what He called you to do in the field to which He sent you—and your reward will be great.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Demonstrate Diligence, Realize Hope
December 2
God’s expectation of Abram, that he would make the things of the Lord his top priority, is also His expectation of us. Scripture is replete with examples of the men and women who were used of God who had to first be willing to lay their own reason, their own goals, aside to simply trust the Almighty.
When Gideon was told that his army was too big, that he would have to whittle it down (Judges 7:2-7), it required profound faith for Gideon to trust that the great army of the Midianites could be defeated by the 300 men that God allowed Gideon to keep.
When we are asked to dispense with human reason, with our own prior experience and our finite understanding of how things work and how problems can best be resolved, God has a plan that exceeds our very limited scope. He has a plan that will not disappoint us, if we will but trust in His power—if we will but trust in His love.
The Word says in Hebrews 6:11, “We want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope.” Abraham trusted God in every matter of importance—from leaving his homeland to believing for his promised heir when he and his wife were beyond child-bearing years (Genesis 21:2). God wants us to evidence Abraham’s level of faith, trust and obedience in our lives.
God’s expectation of Abram, that he would make the things of the Lord his top priority, is also His expectation of us. Scripture is replete with examples of the men and women who were used of God who had to first be willing to lay their own reason, their own goals, aside to simply trust the Almighty.
When Gideon was told that his army was too big, that he would have to whittle it down (Judges 7:2-7), it required profound faith for Gideon to trust that the great army of the Midianites could be defeated by the 300 men that God allowed Gideon to keep.
When we are asked to dispense with human reason, with our own prior experience and our finite understanding of how things work and how problems can best be resolved, God has a plan that exceeds our very limited scope. He has a plan that will not disappoint us, if we will but trust in His power—if we will but trust in His love.
The Word says in Hebrews 6:11, “We want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope.” Abraham trusted God in every matter of importance—from leaving his homeland to believing for his promised heir when he and his wife were beyond child-bearing years (Genesis 21:2). God wants us to evidence Abraham’s level of faith, trust and obedience in our lives.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
So Must We
December 1
God’s promises are conditional. Much like a contractual agreement, they are contingent upon the compliance of both parties with the terms stipulated. Because God will never renege on any aspect of His word, we understand that any departure from the terms of the promises comes from man.
One of the big qualifiers for receiving the fulfillment of any promise we claim is our own faith. If we do not believe, if we do not trust God in a matter, He is no longer under any obligation to fulfill the promise we claim. Hebrews 11:6 states clearly that we cannot please God without faith.
Another very clear requirement set forth in the Word regarding our receipt of the benefits the Bible says are ours when we ask in faith is that we step out when God calls us. He does not require the same degree of compliance from every individual but He does expect that when we are asked to leave our comfort zone to follow Him in faith, we will do it.
As early as Genesis 12:1, Abram is called to, “Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land I will show you.” Here Abram demonstrated the faith that God expects from all who believe. He left all that was familiar, he left the inheritance that was his as the son of his father in order to receive the inheritance his heavenly Father, his God, had for him. So must we.
God’s promises are conditional. Much like a contractual agreement, they are contingent upon the compliance of both parties with the terms stipulated. Because God will never renege on any aspect of His word, we understand that any departure from the terms of the promises comes from man.
One of the big qualifiers for receiving the fulfillment of any promise we claim is our own faith. If we do not believe, if we do not trust God in a matter, He is no longer under any obligation to fulfill the promise we claim. Hebrews 11:6 states clearly that we cannot please God without faith.
Another very clear requirement set forth in the Word regarding our receipt of the benefits the Bible says are ours when we ask in faith is that we step out when God calls us. He does not require the same degree of compliance from every individual but He does expect that when we are asked to leave our comfort zone to follow Him in faith, we will do it.
As early as Genesis 12:1, Abram is called to, “Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land I will show you.” Here Abram demonstrated the faith that God expects from all who believe. He left all that was familiar, he left the inheritance that was his as the son of his father in order to receive the inheritance his heavenly Father, his God, had for him. So must we.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)