January 21
The word ‘provoke’ suggests an outside action on the part of another individual that causes one to act in a way that would not have been his first choice if the decision had been entirely his to make. Most of us can attest to having responded to both positive and negative provocation.
A little boy has no interest in learning how to tie his shoes—until his baby sister successfully ties hers. This is a clear example of positive provocation. Someone pulls into the parking place you’ve maneuvered toward—causing you to utter a few unpleasant words in his direction. Negative provocation.
Provocation, whether toward something good or bad, causes a pre-determined course to be altered. A Biblical example occurred when the Israelites emerged from Egypt and were directed away from their Promised Land. This was such a significant turn around that the writer of Hebrews in 3:17 brings it to mind again. It was a sobering example of God being provoked by humans.
“With whom was He provoked for 40 years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert!” God’s intent was to deliver His people to a land of milk and honey, of hope and promise. But they defied Him, they disbelieved Him, they flaunted their arrogance before Him, provoking Him to remind them that pride goes before a fall. Great was their fall. It took them 40 years to arise!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Only One
January 20
We know that ultimately the only One whose praise is significant, the Only One whose praise we should desire is the Lord’s. We yearn to stand before Him one day and hear the amazing words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).
Yet Romans 16:19 states a truth that is worthy of our profound consideration as we go about the daily opportunity to live our faith in a way that is discernable before the eyes of men. Paul says to the Romans, “The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore, I rejoice over you.”
Paul considered those to whom he preached the gospel of Christ to be his spiritual children. Those who are parents can fully understand the desire of a parent’s heart to take pride in his children. Not that we possess an inordinate pride in them; rather, a delight in their success—especially in their spiritual growth and maturity.
This is what the great apostle is stating to his spiritual children at Rome. Paul knew that living as a Christian in the heart of this pagan empire posed a threat of both economic persecution and literal death. Yet, in the face of the horrors the empire held over the head of the believer, there were those who chose to walk in obedience to the Savior. For their courage, for their faithfulness, Paul rejoiced.
We know that ultimately the only One whose praise is significant, the Only One whose praise we should desire is the Lord’s. We yearn to stand before Him one day and hear the amazing words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21).
Yet Romans 16:19 states a truth that is worthy of our profound consideration as we go about the daily opportunity to live our faith in a way that is discernable before the eyes of men. Paul says to the Romans, “The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore, I rejoice over you.”
Paul considered those to whom he preached the gospel of Christ to be his spiritual children. Those who are parents can fully understand the desire of a parent’s heart to take pride in his children. Not that we possess an inordinate pride in them; rather, a delight in their success—especially in their spiritual growth and maturity.
This is what the great apostle is stating to his spiritual children at Rome. Paul knew that living as a Christian in the heart of this pagan empire posed a threat of both economic persecution and literal death. Yet, in the face of the horrors the empire held over the head of the believer, there were those who chose to walk in obedience to the Savior. For their courage, for their faithfulness, Paul rejoiced.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Secret Believers
January 19
Secret believers sometimes receive Christ at great personal cost. In some cultures, to become a Christian means losing ones family and perhaps even losing ones life. The God of creation is greatly glorified in the sacrifices of these secret believers.
But, the unfortunate reality is that many of us who live in free societies where there are no threats imposed upon us for our faith in Christ are virtual ‘secret believers,’ too! We go about our daily lives without a nod to the faith we claim to have. If those who know us casually had to guess, they’d doubt we believe in Jesus.
In John 15:8 Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.” How many of us begin to approximate that? How many of us even entertain the notion of sowing seed and producing fruit for the Kingdom of Christ? How many of us even gather with others of like precious faith to pray for those who do go forth scattering precious seed?
Are we selfish Christians? Do we care only for our own eternal well-being? If that’s what we are, we are falling far short of the Lord’s statement of what it is that truly glorifies our heavenly Father. If we are too absorbed in our day-to-day existence to live like Christ’s disciples, we are much too absorbed in our day-to-day existence.
Secret believers sometimes receive Christ at great personal cost. In some cultures, to become a Christian means losing ones family and perhaps even losing ones life. The God of creation is greatly glorified in the sacrifices of these secret believers.
But, the unfortunate reality is that many of us who live in free societies where there are no threats imposed upon us for our faith in Christ are virtual ‘secret believers,’ too! We go about our daily lives without a nod to the faith we claim to have. If those who know us casually had to guess, they’d doubt we believe in Jesus.
In John 15:8 Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.” How many of us begin to approximate that? How many of us even entertain the notion of sowing seed and producing fruit for the Kingdom of Christ? How many of us even gather with others of like precious faith to pray for those who do go forth scattering precious seed?
Are we selfish Christians? Do we care only for our own eternal well-being? If that’s what we are, we are falling far short of the Lord’s statement of what it is that truly glorifies our heavenly Father. If we are too absorbed in our day-to-day existence to live like Christ’s disciples, we are much too absorbed in our day-to-day existence.
Monday, January 18, 2010
No Distinctions
January 18
We like to think we have our priorities in order. We assess ourselves and like to believe we value the valuable and take lightly the extraneous. Yet, we focus far more of our time and energy on our earthly treasures that will ‘pass away’ (Matthew 24:35) than we do on the eternal treasure that we possess.
We tend to ‘major in the minors.’ It is of utmost concern to us that our neighbor has purchased a new car or that our co-worker has attained a salary increase. We concern ourselves not only with our neighbors’ business but also with the affairs of movie stars and of well-known athletes. Ever watch a ‘reality’ show?
But the Word tells us that God does not consider important these distinctions that so preoccupy our attention. He says in fact that in His perception, those who have entered the family of faith are essentially one. When He looks upon us He doesn’t see us as poor or wealthy, as unsuccessful or successful. In Galatians 5:6 He states a powerful truth:
“In Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything; what matters is faith working through love.” If He doesn’t care about even the clearest difference between early believers—whether they were Jews or gentiles—no distinction among us shall stand in His eyes. It is our faith and the love it generates to those among us that will establish our status in the eyes of the Lord.
We like to think we have our priorities in order. We assess ourselves and like to believe we value the valuable and take lightly the extraneous. Yet, we focus far more of our time and energy on our earthly treasures that will ‘pass away’ (Matthew 24:35) than we do on the eternal treasure that we possess.
We tend to ‘major in the minors.’ It is of utmost concern to us that our neighbor has purchased a new car or that our co-worker has attained a salary increase. We concern ourselves not only with our neighbors’ business but also with the affairs of movie stars and of well-known athletes. Ever watch a ‘reality’ show?
But the Word tells us that God does not consider important these distinctions that so preoccupy our attention. He says in fact that in His perception, those who have entered the family of faith are essentially one. When He looks upon us He doesn’t see us as poor or wealthy, as unsuccessful or successful. In Galatians 5:6 He states a powerful truth:
“In Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything; what matters is faith working through love.” If He doesn’t care about even the clearest difference between early believers—whether they were Jews or gentiles—no distinction among us shall stand in His eyes. It is our faith and the love it generates to those among us that will establish our status in the eyes of the Lord.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Joy in the Rough Places
January 17
Colossians 1:11 extends one of Paul’s great prayers for people who embrace the salvation of Christ. Here he says, “May you be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience and with joy.” Of that short prayer, four words leap out: strength, power, might, joy.
If we focus on just those words we might be confused when trials come our way; if we overlook the rest of the prayer, we might fail to grasp the purpose for which Jesus is extending His strength, power, might, and joy. Read in its entirety, we see that Paul is praying we appropriate those things in our dire moments.
If we haven’t a trial to overcome, we haven’t much to endure. If we haven’t besetting circumstances to face in life, we will have no need of patience. To endure, to be patient, are two things most of humankind distains. We don’t want to be subjected to trials, to ordeals that require our patient endurance.
We want life to be replete with blessings, to be lavished with prosperity. We want the fine things of time and the promises of eternity! We’d like the good things here to last into long, healthy, happy lives. Paul’s prayer for us covers the unpleasant eventualities; he prays our strength and joy endure the rough places.
Colossians 1:11 extends one of Paul’s great prayers for people who embrace the salvation of Christ. Here he says, “May you be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience and with joy.” Of that short prayer, four words leap out: strength, power, might, joy.
If we focus on just those words we might be confused when trials come our way; if we overlook the rest of the prayer, we might fail to grasp the purpose for which Jesus is extending His strength, power, might, and joy. Read in its entirety, we see that Paul is praying we appropriate those things in our dire moments.
If we haven’t a trial to overcome, we haven’t much to endure. If we haven’t besetting circumstances to face in life, we will have no need of patience. To endure, to be patient, are two things most of humankind distains. We don’t want to be subjected to trials, to ordeals that require our patient endurance.
We want life to be replete with blessings, to be lavished with prosperity. We want the fine things of time and the promises of eternity! We’d like the good things here to last into long, healthy, happy lives. Paul’s prayer for us covers the unpleasant eventualities; he prays our strength and joy endure the rough places.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Protocol
January 16
To enter the hall of power in a worldly court has a protocol. A man must contact the right people and establish his justification for seeking an audience with the one in power. His credentials will be scrutinized and his background thoroughly investigated. Not just anyone may approach the lofty among us.
There is also a way to approach God. There is a protocol for entering into the Throne Room of Mercy and Grace. The correct way has nothing to do with whether a man has in his hand the proper invitation or how he is attired. Gaining proximity to God has everything to do with the status of a man’s heart.
When a person realizes where he is, when his spiritual eyes are open and he beholds the surroundings in which he finds himself, when he looks upon the face of Jesus who is smiling and reaching out to him, he will melt in the warmth of the love and grace in which he finds himself. As Joshua 5:15 points out, he will:
“Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy…” When we behold the glory of Jesus we will wrap ourselves in the robe of righteousness He’s supplied and remove our spiritual shoes. We will assume a posture of rapt adoration in the wonder of His presence.
To enter the hall of power in a worldly court has a protocol. A man must contact the right people and establish his justification for seeking an audience with the one in power. His credentials will be scrutinized and his background thoroughly investigated. Not just anyone may approach the lofty among us.
There is also a way to approach God. There is a protocol for entering into the Throne Room of Mercy and Grace. The correct way has nothing to do with whether a man has in his hand the proper invitation or how he is attired. Gaining proximity to God has everything to do with the status of a man’s heart.
When a person realizes where he is, when his spiritual eyes are open and he beholds the surroundings in which he finds himself, when he looks upon the face of Jesus who is smiling and reaching out to him, he will melt in the warmth of the love and grace in which he finds himself. As Joshua 5:15 points out, he will:
“Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy…” When we behold the glory of Jesus we will wrap ourselves in the robe of righteousness He’s supplied and remove our spiritual shoes. We will assume a posture of rapt adoration in the wonder of His presence.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Transformed by Renewing
January 15
If the natural man is corrupt in his thinking, if he cannot see things as the Lord would have him to view them, how can anyone ever attain the mind of Christ? How can anyone ever be pleasing to God in his thought life? How can a mere mortal think like God?
A mere mortal can’t think like God, but a mere mortal can turn his life over to God—including his mind—and find himself transformed! When his life is no longer his own, a man moves from glory to glory in Christ. A man rises from a plane of corruptible mortality to a plane of incorruptible immortality.
On that lofty plateau, the Word assures that the believer will, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” Romans 12:2. On that high plateau, the wind of the Holy Spirit will sweep away the dust of human thought.
There the Holy Spirit will stir within a man’s mind until He has brought him from the place of human perception to divine perception. When a man’s mind has been renewed, he no longer sees things as the world sees but submits to the removal of the corrupt worldview and its replacement with the divine.
If the natural man is corrupt in his thinking, if he cannot see things as the Lord would have him to view them, how can anyone ever attain the mind of Christ? How can anyone ever be pleasing to God in his thought life? How can a mere mortal think like God?
A mere mortal can’t think like God, but a mere mortal can turn his life over to God—including his mind—and find himself transformed! When his life is no longer his own, a man moves from glory to glory in Christ. A man rises from a plane of corruptible mortality to a plane of incorruptible immortality.
On that lofty plateau, the Word assures that the believer will, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” Romans 12:2. On that high plateau, the wind of the Holy Spirit will sweep away the dust of human thought.
There the Holy Spirit will stir within a man’s mind until He has brought him from the place of human perception to divine perception. When a man’s mind has been renewed, he no longer sees things as the world sees but submits to the removal of the corrupt worldview and its replacement with the divine.
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