October 13
“Let your moderation be known to all men,” Philippians 4:5, makes an assertion that although we know we should heed, we probably don’t. We don’t particularly espouse the notion of being tempered; we prefer to be recognized for the depth of our passion, for the high level of our intensity.
We want to stand out from the crowd around the office cooler who take a little too long for lunch and who spend a little too much time focused on the office intrigues than they do for their commitment to the project. We want to be a cut above the neighbor who allows his grass to grow a little too high before mowing.
We prefer to be the one who doesn’t look frazzled at the end of a long day—the one whose luster doesn’t diminish due to the wear and tear of the demands we’ve fulfilled. We want to be the one who gets the notice of the guy in charge, we want to be the one who gets the boss’s nod for promotion.
We want to excel. And we can excel while being moderate. We can have verve while being grounded in Christ rather than exultant in ourselves. We achieve that goal best by acknowledging that it is Jesus who must receive the glory and by lifting Him up when accolades are placed at our feet.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 12
Have you ever wondered how the pioneers did it? I mean, they literally did it all. They maintained those cumbersome Conestoga Wagons through a journey of thousands of miles and, upon their arrival in an untamed land, they managed to construct homes, stores, farms, churches and pave the way for schools and universities!
Speaking only for myself, I cannot fathom my survival beyond the Cumberland Gap! Setting my lack of a venturesome spirit aside, how did they do it? I understand that they were not reliant upon the comforts that I take for granted, but even with the pampering of modernity aside, they were amazing people!
The bottom line in the matter boils down to their complete dedication to Matthew 7:24 which says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them will be like a wise man who builds his house upon a rock.” Anyone who knows anything about construction realizes that before a structure can be raised, a stable foundation must be established. Without one, no matter how beautiful, how elaborate, how solidly constructed it is, the house will fall.
The pioneers built their future upon faith in the God of their fathers. When they left their houses and villages in the east to forge westward, they took their foundation with them, for their foundation was Christ. He is the One who kept them through the ordeal of travel and He is the One who established their new farms and cities upon their arrival in the new land to which He had called them to further His Kingdom.
Have you ever wondered how the pioneers did it? I mean, they literally did it all. They maintained those cumbersome Conestoga Wagons through a journey of thousands of miles and, upon their arrival in an untamed land, they managed to construct homes, stores, farms, churches and pave the way for schools and universities!
Speaking only for myself, I cannot fathom my survival beyond the Cumberland Gap! Setting my lack of a venturesome spirit aside, how did they do it? I understand that they were not reliant upon the comforts that I take for granted, but even with the pampering of modernity aside, they were amazing people!
The bottom line in the matter boils down to their complete dedication to Matthew 7:24 which says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them will be like a wise man who builds his house upon a rock.” Anyone who knows anything about construction realizes that before a structure can be raised, a stable foundation must be established. Without one, no matter how beautiful, how elaborate, how solidly constructed it is, the house will fall.
The pioneers built their future upon faith in the God of their fathers. When they left their houses and villages in the east to forge westward, they took their foundation with them, for their foundation was Christ. He is the One who kept them through the ordeal of travel and He is the One who established their new farms and cities upon their arrival in the new land to which He had called them to further His Kingdom.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
October 11
Philippians 2:12, 13 is both confusing and comforting. It says, “Work out your own salvation for it is God who all the while is effectually working in you to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Work out your salvation…God is all the while working…
Who exactly is doing what here? Are we tasked with working in order to solidify our salvation? What about the assurance that salvation is a free gift purchased by Jesus Himself with the priceless commodity of His shed blood on Calvary? Did His blood pay for all our sins or part of them?
Is it a joint effort? Jesus has done His part and it remains for us to keep our end of the deal in order for it to be a binding contract? If there is some aspect of the deal that we must do, exactly what is our part? If eternal salvation hinges on our completion of our part, then we really must understand what our part is! It’s of utmost importance that we not allow ourselves to misunderstand what this verse is saying. Christ indeed has completed the work of salvation.
Our part is to receive His free gift, but once we do, there is a process of maturing in the things of God that requires us to, of our own volition, set aside our childish attachments to the things of earth and co-operate with the Lord in His project of conforming us to the image of Jesus. This process requires us to die to the old man who savored the temporal and become alive to the new man who receives the eternal with which He is replacing it.
Philippians 2:12, 13 is both confusing and comforting. It says, “Work out your own salvation for it is God who all the while is effectually working in you to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Work out your salvation…God is all the while working…
Who exactly is doing what here? Are we tasked with working in order to solidify our salvation? What about the assurance that salvation is a free gift purchased by Jesus Himself with the priceless commodity of His shed blood on Calvary? Did His blood pay for all our sins or part of them?
Is it a joint effort? Jesus has done His part and it remains for us to keep our end of the deal in order for it to be a binding contract? If there is some aspect of the deal that we must do, exactly what is our part? If eternal salvation hinges on our completion of our part, then we really must understand what our part is! It’s of utmost importance that we not allow ourselves to misunderstand what this verse is saying. Christ indeed has completed the work of salvation.
Our part is to receive His free gift, but once we do, there is a process of maturing in the things of God that requires us to, of our own volition, set aside our childish attachments to the things of earth and co-operate with the Lord in His project of conforming us to the image of Jesus. This process requires us to die to the old man who savored the temporal and become alive to the new man who receives the eternal with which He is replacing it.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
October 10
We are deeply touched by unexpected acts of kindness, by random evidence that we’re thought of with love and that our feelings are worthy of consideration. Of course, we gladly accept the well-thought-out plan that provides us a pleasant surprise, but small, every-day consideration can’t be topped.
We have read the scripture that tells us God’s mercy toward us is new each day (Lamentations 3:23) and we are thankful for that. We are not so foolish as to believe that life could be good, that we could arrive at blessings by our own endeavors or by happenstance.
So we cry out as did David in Psalm 119:21, “Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord. Let Your salvation be mine according to Your promise.” We know our own proclivity to take God’s goodness for granted. We presume that because today has been blessed, tomorrow will be blessed also.
And we don’t want to handle God’s mercy and kindness lightly. We want to have thankful spirits that acknowledge His consistent kindnesses and rejoice in His unexpected blessings. Because He is so good to us, we sometimes forget to express our appreciation. Let’s rejoice the heart of God with our hands lifted in thanks and continual praise!
We are deeply touched by unexpected acts of kindness, by random evidence that we’re thought of with love and that our feelings are worthy of consideration. Of course, we gladly accept the well-thought-out plan that provides us a pleasant surprise, but small, every-day consideration can’t be topped.
We have read the scripture that tells us God’s mercy toward us is new each day (Lamentations 3:23) and we are thankful for that. We are not so foolish as to believe that life could be good, that we could arrive at blessings by our own endeavors or by happenstance.
So we cry out as did David in Psalm 119:21, “Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord. Let Your salvation be mine according to Your promise.” We know our own proclivity to take God’s goodness for granted. We presume that because today has been blessed, tomorrow will be blessed also.
And we don’t want to handle God’s mercy and kindness lightly. We want to have thankful spirits that acknowledge His consistent kindnesses and rejoice in His unexpected blessings. Because He is so good to us, we sometimes forget to express our appreciation. Let’s rejoice the heart of God with our hands lifted in thanks and continual praise!
Friday, October 9, 2009
October 9
We’re always happy to hear about late bloomers—the 49 year old grandmother who begins college with the other freshmen inspires us. We’re glad to know that the drug addict who was on the road to dereliction found the path to health and success.
But the old adage, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” though not as poignant, is a far surer way to attaining the goals that we truly desire to reach. Among those cherished goals that we should be desirous of attaining are those that relate to our spirit.
Our God encourages us to seek the right spiritual path for ourselves and to follow it throughout life. He makes it very clear that death-bed salvation is not guaranteed to anyone. In Proverbs 8:17 He says, “I love those who love Me and those who seek Me early and diligently shall find Me.”
There is no promise to the effect that all late comers are welcome. And that does not negate the reality that some do have late-in-life conversions. That does not negate the fact that the Lord desires everyone to be saved and woos each of us throughout our lifetime. But the only guarantee we have is this moment.
We’re always happy to hear about late bloomers—the 49 year old grandmother who begins college with the other freshmen inspires us. We’re glad to know that the drug addict who was on the road to dereliction found the path to health and success.
But the old adage, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” though not as poignant, is a far surer way to attaining the goals that we truly desire to reach. Among those cherished goals that we should be desirous of attaining are those that relate to our spirit.
Our God encourages us to seek the right spiritual path for ourselves and to follow it throughout life. He makes it very clear that death-bed salvation is not guaranteed to anyone. In Proverbs 8:17 He says, “I love those who love Me and those who seek Me early and diligently shall find Me.”
There is no promise to the effect that all late comers are welcome. And that does not negate the reality that some do have late-in-life conversions. That does not negate the fact that the Lord desires everyone to be saved and woos each of us throughout our lifetime. But the only guarantee we have is this moment.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8
Would anyone be so foolish as to embark upon a long journey without a road map? Yes, Marko Polo did and so did Christopher Columbus—and perhaps some husbands have—but most of the time, we really do want a sense of where we’re going and knowledge of how to arrive there expeditiously.
When we are in unfamiliar territory, we might even hire a guide. Most tourists into Kenya or Uganda don’t set off without a guide, without someone who knows the wild land like the back of his hand. We love adventure, but we don’t want any unpleasant surprises along the way.
Life is a trip into uncharted territory. Each day is a journey to a place we’ve never been. Nobody awakens with a complete vision of what the day will hold. We may have a plan, an idea of where we are to go and what we are to do, but in reality, we can’t presume there won’t be a turn of events that will change our lives—perhaps forever.
The Lord has offered to be our Guide. He’s extended His offer to show us the way successfully through the ordinary routes we travel and the highways and byways and rabbit trails that could become part of our journey. In Psalm 32:8 He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will counsel you and keep My eye upon you.” It’s really too good an offer to pass up.
Would anyone be so foolish as to embark upon a long journey without a road map? Yes, Marko Polo did and so did Christopher Columbus—and perhaps some husbands have—but most of the time, we really do want a sense of where we’re going and knowledge of how to arrive there expeditiously.
When we are in unfamiliar territory, we might even hire a guide. Most tourists into Kenya or Uganda don’t set off without a guide, without someone who knows the wild land like the back of his hand. We love adventure, but we don’t want any unpleasant surprises along the way.
Life is a trip into uncharted territory. Each day is a journey to a place we’ve never been. Nobody awakens with a complete vision of what the day will hold. We may have a plan, an idea of where we are to go and what we are to do, but in reality, we can’t presume there won’t be a turn of events that will change our lives—perhaps forever.
The Lord has offered to be our Guide. He’s extended His offer to show us the way successfully through the ordinary routes we travel and the highways and byways and rabbit trails that could become part of our journey. In Psalm 32:8 He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will counsel you and keep My eye upon you.” It’s really too good an offer to pass up.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 7
Some choices are difficult. Which suit is more becoming? Which lipstick shade enhances the complexion? We tend to ponder overmuch—even when it comes to simple choices. But there are some decisions that should require no hesitation.
In Deuteronomy 30:15 we are told that God posed a choice to the Israelites. He said, “I set before you this day life and good or death and evil…” He has set the same choice before us but our choice doesn’t always appear as clear as He intends it to be. Perhaps that is why we drag our feet.
In I Corinthians 6:11, the Word states clearly that, “You were washed clean of all your sin and you were justified, declared righteous by our Holy God in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of His Holy Spirit.” We all needed cleansing and Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself is sufficient for all of us. But we have that pesky choice to make.
Will we select life and good or will we wallow a while longer in the death and evil of the sin we find so alluring? We know we want the promise of Heaven for eternity, but are we willing to relinquish the pleasures of sin immediately? We will when we recognize that we have all to gain or lose—and we haven’t the guarantee of one more day to decide.
Some choices are difficult. Which suit is more becoming? Which lipstick shade enhances the complexion? We tend to ponder overmuch—even when it comes to simple choices. But there are some decisions that should require no hesitation.
In Deuteronomy 30:15 we are told that God posed a choice to the Israelites. He said, “I set before you this day life and good or death and evil…” He has set the same choice before us but our choice doesn’t always appear as clear as He intends it to be. Perhaps that is why we drag our feet.
In I Corinthians 6:11, the Word states clearly that, “You were washed clean of all your sin and you were justified, declared righteous by our Holy God in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of His Holy Spirit.” We all needed cleansing and Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself is sufficient for all of us. But we have that pesky choice to make.
Will we select life and good or will we wallow a while longer in the death and evil of the sin we find so alluring? We know we want the promise of Heaven for eternity, but are we willing to relinquish the pleasures of sin immediately? We will when we recognize that we have all to gain or lose—and we haven’t the guarantee of one more day to decide.
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