January 18
The age old question for which man has sought a satisfactory answer through the entirety of his existence is: “Why am I here?” He seeks a satisfactory resolution to his quest in many ways. He invests himself in a career but finds it unsatisfying. He pursues gratification in relationships but finds them un-fulfilling. He loses himself in pleasure and self-indulgence but this leaves him empty.
Pastor Brad, of God Thoughts Wired, has done a word study that will illumine the path of a man who is seeking a sense of purpose. If a man will but follow this wise counsel, he will find himself fulfilled.
He points out that the Bible speaks directly and specifically to this issue and gives us a clear and concise answer to our question.
In Isaiah 43:7 we are told that God created human beings so that He would be glorified. We are created for God’s glory. The purpose of human life is to glorify God. Here the prophet states, “Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have formed, even whom I have made,” has one over-riding purpose, to bring glory to the name of his God.
Further, Jeremiah 13:11 and John 15:7-8 also confirm the ultimate purpose of man as being created “for the glory of God.” In addition, 1 Corinthians 10:31 admonishes us, “Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Jesus Himself confirmed the purpose of His own life upon the earth as glorifying God: In John 17:4 He says, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the purpose You gave Me to do”
Kavodh, a Hebrew noun means, “glory, to be honored.” In the Old Testament, kavodh is used to express the idea of honor, respect,” renown, prestige.
Doxa, a Greek noun, means “glory, splendor, radiance, fame, renown, honor.” In the New Testament, the most important understanding of doxa is that the glory of God has been revealed in and through Jesus Christ.
Beyond Pastor Brad’s word study, there is the truth that is stated very clearly in Hebrews 1:3 where Paul says, “He, Jesus, is the radiance of His glory, the exact representation of His nature.”
According to the immutable Word of God, there is only one reason for our existence, only one purpose for our being. The totality of our purpose for existence is to glorify God, to honor Him. We were born to bring God glory.
In Ecclesiastes 12:13 it is stated thusly, “Love God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
If we love the Lord, we will be obedient to Him. In our complete surrender of our person-hood to Him, in allowing the radiance of His perfection to shine through our lives, we are fulfilling His good pleasure—glorifying Himself through His beloved children.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
Following Our Archegos
January 17
“…and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses,” Acts 3:15.
In THE BEREAN, John W. Ritenbaugh states, “The word "Prince" is translated from the Greek archegos, which is translated "author" or "captain" in Hebrews 2:10. But here, Jesus Christ is called "the archegos of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses."
“In this context, the word has the sense of being "originator," someone who starts or initiates something. An archegos is one who leads the way so that others may follow. It can also be translated "trailblazer," "scout," or "pioneer," and it indicates one who leads into battle, blazes a trail, sets a pattern, one who initiates and guides.
“In the Daily Study Bible series commentary by William Barclay, he uses the illustration of a ship foundering on a rock. Someone jumps overboard with a rope and swims ashore, securing the line somewhere on the shore so that others are able to grab onto the rope and come to safety. The one who did it originally is an archegos. He fulfilled the role of an archegos.
“That is what Christ is. He is saving us from the jagged rock, from the loss of our hope of eternal life. That is His job. He is leading and guiding us to the safety of actually being in the Kingdom of God.”
We who believe in Jesus Christ, we who have received Him as our Savior and Lord, understand fully that there is nothing we have ever done or have the power to do that can free us from the weight of the sin that we carry or from its awful penalty. We understand that apart from the propitiatory life, death and resurrection of Jesus, “we are of all men most miserable,” I Corinthians 15:19.
As Paul further states in this passage, our hope, were it just for some advantage in this life, would assure our misery. But it is not for this life only; it is for eternity. The work that our Lord did in our behalf transcends this Vale of Tears where we may labor without profit, serve without reward, be persecuted without reason—except for our faith in the One who has assured us that eternity is ours.
James 1:12 affirms that though our reward may not appear in this life, it will indeed be ours if we, “persevere to the end.” Matthew 24:12-14 says, “"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Indeed, we see this waxing cold on the part of many who have known the gospel of truth while at the same time, men who have been fettered to the deceitful religions of the enemy are being set free. In this, we know the Captain of our Salvation, Jesus Christ, is glorifying Himself.
May we not be among those who turn aside from the truth of our salvation because of the illusory allure of the world or because of the persecution we may endure here. May we not ignore the peril of being aboard the ship of life that sails in treacherous waters, but let us follow our “Archegos,” the “Author and Finisher” of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2, who “endured the cross for the glory that was set before Him.”
Let us endure the trials of life as did our Pioneer, the One who led the way to our salvation! Let us know as He knew that any price we need to pay to maintain our “unspeakable GIFT” II Corinthians 9:15, is worth the cost. Let us hold fast to Him who is Life, and let us show others the way that leads to that precious Life.
“…and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses,” Acts 3:15.
In THE BEREAN, John W. Ritenbaugh states, “The word "Prince" is translated from the Greek archegos, which is translated "author" or "captain" in Hebrews 2:10. But here, Jesus Christ is called "the archegos of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses."
“In this context, the word has the sense of being "originator," someone who starts or initiates something. An archegos is one who leads the way so that others may follow. It can also be translated "trailblazer," "scout," or "pioneer," and it indicates one who leads into battle, blazes a trail, sets a pattern, one who initiates and guides.
“In the Daily Study Bible series commentary by William Barclay, he uses the illustration of a ship foundering on a rock. Someone jumps overboard with a rope and swims ashore, securing the line somewhere on the shore so that others are able to grab onto the rope and come to safety. The one who did it originally is an archegos. He fulfilled the role of an archegos.
“That is what Christ is. He is saving us from the jagged rock, from the loss of our hope of eternal life. That is His job. He is leading and guiding us to the safety of actually being in the Kingdom of God.”
We who believe in Jesus Christ, we who have received Him as our Savior and Lord, understand fully that there is nothing we have ever done or have the power to do that can free us from the weight of the sin that we carry or from its awful penalty. We understand that apart from the propitiatory life, death and resurrection of Jesus, “we are of all men most miserable,” I Corinthians 15:19.
As Paul further states in this passage, our hope, were it just for some advantage in this life, would assure our misery. But it is not for this life only; it is for eternity. The work that our Lord did in our behalf transcends this Vale of Tears where we may labor without profit, serve without reward, be persecuted without reason—except for our faith in the One who has assured us that eternity is ours.
James 1:12 affirms that though our reward may not appear in this life, it will indeed be ours if we, “persevere to the end.” Matthew 24:12-14 says, “"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Indeed, we see this waxing cold on the part of many who have known the gospel of truth while at the same time, men who have been fettered to the deceitful religions of the enemy are being set free. In this, we know the Captain of our Salvation, Jesus Christ, is glorifying Himself.
May we not be among those who turn aside from the truth of our salvation because of the illusory allure of the world or because of the persecution we may endure here. May we not ignore the peril of being aboard the ship of life that sails in treacherous waters, but let us follow our “Archegos,” the “Author and Finisher” of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2, who “endured the cross for the glory that was set before Him.”
Let us endure the trials of life as did our Pioneer, the One who led the way to our salvation! Let us know as He knew that any price we need to pay to maintain our “unspeakable GIFT” II Corinthians 9:15, is worth the cost. Let us hold fast to Him who is Life, and let us show others the way that leads to that precious Life.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Anxiety Will Be Swallowed Into Peace
January 16
The world is fraught with anxiety. People are experiencing a sense of foreboding that shows little evidence of abating in spite of the various interventions of governments that are designed to eliminate poverty, increase man’s self-sufficiency, and reduce man’s dependency on an ever decreasing supply of natural resources.
The benevolent endeavors of men to afford assistance to those who are desperate—in spite of man’s best efforts—find the monumental problems confronting our world increasing rather than lessening.
The machines of war still traverse the seas and overarch the land. Combat gear is still the attire of the world’s armies, for swords still have not been beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4) and man has not yet arrived at the point when he shall not know war anymore (Micah 4:3). Peace negotiations are doomed to failure because the opposing sides have placed inflexible expectations upon their outcome.
It would be logical to throw up our hands in despair…to give up hope of ever living in peace and prosperity because strife and war are on every hand. Man seems incapable of putting aside his prejudice against his brother and man seems incapable of winning the war on poverty that has spent itself to no avail over the last 50 years.
Only when we delve into the Word of God do we find cause for hope. In I Peter 3-5, the Apostle exults, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In God’s great mercy, He has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
“Now we hope for the blessings God has for His children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or spoiled and cannot lose their beauty are kept in heaven for us. God’s power protects us through our faith until salvation is perfected for us at the end of time.”
Though we now “see through a glass darkly, then we shall know Him fully as we are fully known, for we shall see Him face-to-face,” II Corinthians 13:12. When Jesus returns, all mysteries will be unveiled; all problems will be solved; all men who have placed their lives at His feet shall abide as brothers.
Anxiety and foreboding will be swallowed up in the absolute peace that will attend Christ’s thousand year reign upon the earth (Revelation 20:6). We who believe will “rule and reign with Him,” II Timothy 2:12, if we will but endure.
The world is fraught with anxiety. People are experiencing a sense of foreboding that shows little evidence of abating in spite of the various interventions of governments that are designed to eliminate poverty, increase man’s self-sufficiency, and reduce man’s dependency on an ever decreasing supply of natural resources.
The benevolent endeavors of men to afford assistance to those who are desperate—in spite of man’s best efforts—find the monumental problems confronting our world increasing rather than lessening.
The machines of war still traverse the seas and overarch the land. Combat gear is still the attire of the world’s armies, for swords still have not been beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4) and man has not yet arrived at the point when he shall not know war anymore (Micah 4:3). Peace negotiations are doomed to failure because the opposing sides have placed inflexible expectations upon their outcome.
It would be logical to throw up our hands in despair…to give up hope of ever living in peace and prosperity because strife and war are on every hand. Man seems incapable of putting aside his prejudice against his brother and man seems incapable of winning the war on poverty that has spent itself to no avail over the last 50 years.
Only when we delve into the Word of God do we find cause for hope. In I Peter 3-5, the Apostle exults, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In God’s great mercy, He has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
“Now we hope for the blessings God has for His children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or spoiled and cannot lose their beauty are kept in heaven for us. God’s power protects us through our faith until salvation is perfected for us at the end of time.”
Though we now “see through a glass darkly, then we shall know Him fully as we are fully known, for we shall see Him face-to-face,” II Corinthians 13:12. When Jesus returns, all mysteries will be unveiled; all problems will be solved; all men who have placed their lives at His feet shall abide as brothers.
Anxiety and foreboding will be swallowed up in the absolute peace that will attend Christ’s thousand year reign upon the earth (Revelation 20:6). We who believe will “rule and reign with Him,” II Timothy 2:12, if we will but endure.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Price Of Grace
January 15
We live in an age that seems to be described in II Timothy 3:1-7. Here the Apostle Paul says to his young apprentice, “This know also, in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. They are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
This passage suggests that unbelief will be rampant in the last days before Christ returns according to Acts 1:11 which says, “…why stand ye gazing up into the sky? This same Jesus who is taken from you will return in like manner as ye have seen Him go.” Paul states to Timothy that whatever religion exists at the time the Lord returns will be perfunctory, that men will be “hearers of the Word, but not doers of the Word,” James 1:22.
In his commentary on Matthew, Chapter 7, Matthew Henry says, “Christ shows that it will not be enough to own Him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary…that we believe in Christ and that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. 'This is His will, even our sanctification,' I Thessalonians 4:3. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand. 'Let everyone that names the name of Christ, depart from sin,'” II Timothy 2:19.
In His GodThoughtsWired, Pastor Brad expounds a most significant word study regarding the inter-connection of true belief in the Lord with obedience:
pisteuo (Greek) verb: "believe, have faith in, be convinced of, trust, rely on, have confidence in."
apeitheo (Greek) verb: "disobey, be unpersuaded, be disobedient or disloyal." Implies a willful rebellion against or a resistance to obeying God.
"He who believes (pisteuo) in the Son has eternal life; but he who 'does not obey' (apeitheo) the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." -John 3:36
One of the greatest lies in today's church is that salvation is available without the willingness to obey...
It is not.
"By this we know that we have come to know Him, IF we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him." I John 2:3, 4.
In this matter, the Bible is quite clear, quite precise, quite emphatic. In John 3:36 (see above), "belief" and the willingness to "obey" are synonymous.
Now consider Acts 5:32: peitharcheo (Greek) verb: "obey, follow, submit to."
"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who 'obey' (peitharcheo) Him.”
The immutable Word of God is quite clear! The hallmark of every Christian is the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit as Ephesians 1:13 says, “When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” and the Holy Spirit is "given to those that obey Him," Acts 5:32.
In Hebrews 5:9 we see the Greek verb hupakouo which means, "Listen to, obey, follow, be subject to."
"He became to all those who 'obey' (hupakouo) Him the source of eternal salvation." And what of those who "do not obey?" What happens to those who "do not believe?" What about those who are willfully "disloyal?"
Of them Jesus said, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" -Matthew 3:7 And John declared, "He who does not obey the Son will not see life, the wrath of God abides on him,” John 3:36
And Paul, the "apostle of grace, " wrote, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God...Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience...For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience." (see -Romans 1:18; 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6.)
Salvation is free, but grace is not cheap. There is a cost and the price that must be paid by those of us who profess to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is that we are obedient to His ever holy, never-changing, immutable Word.
We live in an age that seems to be described in II Timothy 3:1-7. Here the Apostle Paul says to his young apprentice, “This know also, in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. They are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
This passage suggests that unbelief will be rampant in the last days before Christ returns according to Acts 1:11 which says, “…why stand ye gazing up into the sky? This same Jesus who is taken from you will return in like manner as ye have seen Him go.” Paul states to Timothy that whatever religion exists at the time the Lord returns will be perfunctory, that men will be “hearers of the Word, but not doers of the Word,” James 1:22.
In his commentary on Matthew, Chapter 7, Matthew Henry says, “Christ shows that it will not be enough to own Him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary…that we believe in Christ and that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. 'This is His will, even our sanctification,' I Thessalonians 4:3. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand. 'Let everyone that names the name of Christ, depart from sin,'” II Timothy 2:19.
In His GodThoughtsWired, Pastor Brad expounds a most significant word study regarding the inter-connection of true belief in the Lord with obedience:
pisteuo (Greek) verb: "believe, have faith in, be convinced of, trust, rely on, have confidence in."
apeitheo (Greek) verb: "disobey, be unpersuaded, be disobedient or disloyal." Implies a willful rebellion against or a resistance to obeying God.
"He who believes (pisteuo) in the Son has eternal life; but he who 'does not obey' (apeitheo) the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." -John 3:36
One of the greatest lies in today's church is that salvation is available without the willingness to obey...
It is not.
"By this we know that we have come to know Him, IF we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him." I John 2:3, 4.
In this matter, the Bible is quite clear, quite precise, quite emphatic. In John 3:36 (see above), "belief" and the willingness to "obey" are synonymous.
Now consider Acts 5:32: peitharcheo (Greek) verb: "obey, follow, submit to."
"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who 'obey' (peitharcheo) Him.”
The immutable Word of God is quite clear! The hallmark of every Christian is the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit as Ephesians 1:13 says, “When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” and the Holy Spirit is "given to those that obey Him," Acts 5:32.
In Hebrews 5:9 we see the Greek verb hupakouo which means, "Listen to, obey, follow, be subject to."
"He became to all those who 'obey' (hupakouo) Him the source of eternal salvation." And what of those who "do not obey?" What happens to those who "do not believe?" What about those who are willfully "disloyal?"
Of them Jesus said, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" -Matthew 3:7 And John declared, "He who does not obey the Son will not see life, the wrath of God abides on him,” John 3:36
And Paul, the "apostle of grace, " wrote, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God...Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience...For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience." (see -Romans 1:18; 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6.)
Salvation is free, but grace is not cheap. There is a cost and the price that must be paid by those of us who profess to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is that we are obedient to His ever holy, never-changing, immutable Word.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Evil on the Ascendancy
January 14
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
This famous quote was from British statesman Edmund Burke, who was considered the most influential orator in the House of Commons. Edmund Burke stands out in history as a member of the British Parliament who defended the rights of the American colonies and who strongly opposed the slave trade.
We cannot but wonder if Burke had a crystal ball that enabled him to see into our age, for indeed, we live in a time when the words of the Apostle Paul wax true, “Evil men shall become worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived,” II Timothy 3:13.
We hardly know in whom or in what we may place our trust. Men resort to duplicity to gain professional advantage; people cheat on their spouses; governmental leaders are known for their duplicity and trickery rather than for their patriotism and integrity.
In a time of economic upheaval, hard-working tax payers are called upon to fund the exorbitant vacations and lavish parties of those who are supposed to be serving them. People in positions of power vote themselves extravagant salary increases when many of our citizenry are unemployed.
Rather than implement policies that have accomplished a needed economic turn-around in previous times of financial distress, the current crop who are at the helm resort to the ever-failed method of burdening the workers through increased taxation.
And there is no end in sight. Promises are made and promises are broken to voters who are disillusioned with betrayal in high places. But we who believe must not allow ourselves to be discouraged by what we see. Rather, we must realize that in the ‘last days these evil things will come to be.
As the impetuous apostle said in II Peter 2:1-3, “But there will be false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…”
If we do nothing, the progression of this evil foretold by Burke will be exacerbated. If we resist it, perhaps we can abate its progress. Whatever happens, may we rest in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ which remind believers when we see evil on the ascendancy to, “Look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near,” Luke 21:28.
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
This famous quote was from British statesman Edmund Burke, who was considered the most influential orator in the House of Commons. Edmund Burke stands out in history as a member of the British Parliament who defended the rights of the American colonies and who strongly opposed the slave trade.
We cannot but wonder if Burke had a crystal ball that enabled him to see into our age, for indeed, we live in a time when the words of the Apostle Paul wax true, “Evil men shall become worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived,” II Timothy 3:13.
We hardly know in whom or in what we may place our trust. Men resort to duplicity to gain professional advantage; people cheat on their spouses; governmental leaders are known for their duplicity and trickery rather than for their patriotism and integrity.
In a time of economic upheaval, hard-working tax payers are called upon to fund the exorbitant vacations and lavish parties of those who are supposed to be serving them. People in positions of power vote themselves extravagant salary increases when many of our citizenry are unemployed.
Rather than implement policies that have accomplished a needed economic turn-around in previous times of financial distress, the current crop who are at the helm resort to the ever-failed method of burdening the workers through increased taxation.
And there is no end in sight. Promises are made and promises are broken to voters who are disillusioned with betrayal in high places. But we who believe must not allow ourselves to be discouraged by what we see. Rather, we must realize that in the ‘last days these evil things will come to be.
As the impetuous apostle said in II Peter 2:1-3, “But there will be false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…”
If we do nothing, the progression of this evil foretold by Burke will be exacerbated. If we resist it, perhaps we can abate its progress. Whatever happens, may we rest in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ which remind believers when we see evil on the ascendancy to, “Look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near,” Luke 21:28.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Reflections of Himself
January 13
Do you know that people are like diamonds? Yes, they are.
Do you know that if you saw a raw diamond lying on the ground you might not bother to bend over to pick it up because it would look pretty much like an ordinary rock?
Not many people have ordinary rocks stored away in vaults or stashed in their jewelry boxes or dangling from chains around their necks, but that’s what LOTS of people do with diamonds! So what happens? How do drab-appearing rocks become the precious gems that everyone values?
First, it takes a trained eye to spot them…someone who can tell that they aren’t just stones lying on the ground with all the other stones. Then it takes someone with great skill and patience to take them in hand and to use the proper tools and expertise to cut and facet them.
In the wrong hands, too much of the stone, or the wrong parts of the stone might be cut away, lessening its ultimate value. In expert hands, the stone will be cut and faceted to maximize the stone’s intrinsic beauty and worth. Next, the stone will be polished and brought to the luster we so admire when we gaze upon it in a necklace or a ring.
When it’s ready for mounting, the craftsman who cut the stone won’t trust it to just any jeweler…he will assure that the diamond he has skillfully brought out of its hiding place will be mounted into the perfect setting that maximizes its beauty.
The jeweler who offers it for sale doesn’t set it down just anywhere in his shop. No! He makes sure the backdrop compliments it. He doesn’t want the backdrop to compete with the jewel for attention but to display it in a way to take full advantage of its luster and sparkle and design.
Because everyone involved in the transformation of gemstone-quality diamonds from mere rocks to amazing treasures is excellent at his job, the result is exquisite jewelry that many people greatly admire and pay quite handsomely to obtain.
So how does any of this apply to people?
People, too, start out rather ordinary. They can be rough and quite imperfect. The untrained eye looking at them will see people who are rude or impolite or loud or selfish or careless in their words or actions. They will see individuals who lie or scheme or are unconcerned about anyone but themselves. To those with untrained eyes, people are like ordinary rocks…easy to ignore, to step over, and walk away from.
But someone who can see…really SEE…can detect the uniqueness of each individual. And that someone knows what people need to enable their finest inner gifts to emerge from the ordinariness of their appearance.
The trained individual will recognize that someone who is willing to channel his energy into positive goals will ultimately shine like a bright jewel in the jewelry store.
The trained individual will help him to see the importance of the small things that are easily overlooked. The trained individual will encourage him to be attentive to those small things as well as to the big things that will set him apart as unique and precious.
The trained person will help him to be the person who uses his mind to achieve worthwhile goals by paying attention to little things that seem insignificant to others, just as the master jewel cutter always cuts the raw diamond to its perfect advantage in the smallest detail.
The trained expert will help him to “Do all things as unto the Lord,” as it says in Colossians 3:23. He will help him to see that taking care of little things, and assuming small responsibilities, will help prepare him for later things that will not be little things.
There are a lot of human experts who think they have good ideas about how people should develop their potential, but the main EXPERT is JESUS, and He wants the best for every person who has ever been born.
Jesus paid attention to the smallest details of life—learning the trade of carpentry in Joseph’s workshop, knowing the best way to catch fish, understanding the intricacies of men’s hearts and minds—so when it came time for Him to fulfill the BIG THING for which He came, the plan of salvation that was established before the world began (Revelation 13:8), He was able to conclude it successfully…and anyone who believes can be saved for eternity because He did.
If Jesus is the GREAT EXPERT who “knows all things” John 21:17-19 and “by Whom all things are made,” John 1:3, shouldn’t we follow His example and get all the things that involve our lives into the kind of order that He valued?
Individuals who do, who stick to doing things right at every opportunity, are the ones who shine like lovely diamonds because they have allowed the Master Jeweler, Jesus, to cut and polish them into wonderful reflections of Himself.
Do you know that people are like diamonds? Yes, they are.
Do you know that if you saw a raw diamond lying on the ground you might not bother to bend over to pick it up because it would look pretty much like an ordinary rock?
Not many people have ordinary rocks stored away in vaults or stashed in their jewelry boxes or dangling from chains around their necks, but that’s what LOTS of people do with diamonds! So what happens? How do drab-appearing rocks become the precious gems that everyone values?
First, it takes a trained eye to spot them…someone who can tell that they aren’t just stones lying on the ground with all the other stones. Then it takes someone with great skill and patience to take them in hand and to use the proper tools and expertise to cut and facet them.
In the wrong hands, too much of the stone, or the wrong parts of the stone might be cut away, lessening its ultimate value. In expert hands, the stone will be cut and faceted to maximize the stone’s intrinsic beauty and worth. Next, the stone will be polished and brought to the luster we so admire when we gaze upon it in a necklace or a ring.
When it’s ready for mounting, the craftsman who cut the stone won’t trust it to just any jeweler…he will assure that the diamond he has skillfully brought out of its hiding place will be mounted into the perfect setting that maximizes its beauty.
The jeweler who offers it for sale doesn’t set it down just anywhere in his shop. No! He makes sure the backdrop compliments it. He doesn’t want the backdrop to compete with the jewel for attention but to display it in a way to take full advantage of its luster and sparkle and design.
Because everyone involved in the transformation of gemstone-quality diamonds from mere rocks to amazing treasures is excellent at his job, the result is exquisite jewelry that many people greatly admire and pay quite handsomely to obtain.
So how does any of this apply to people?
People, too, start out rather ordinary. They can be rough and quite imperfect. The untrained eye looking at them will see people who are rude or impolite or loud or selfish or careless in their words or actions. They will see individuals who lie or scheme or are unconcerned about anyone but themselves. To those with untrained eyes, people are like ordinary rocks…easy to ignore, to step over, and walk away from.
But someone who can see…really SEE…can detect the uniqueness of each individual. And that someone knows what people need to enable their finest inner gifts to emerge from the ordinariness of their appearance.
The trained individual will recognize that someone who is willing to channel his energy into positive goals will ultimately shine like a bright jewel in the jewelry store.
The trained individual will help him to see the importance of the small things that are easily overlooked. The trained individual will encourage him to be attentive to those small things as well as to the big things that will set him apart as unique and precious.
The trained person will help him to be the person who uses his mind to achieve worthwhile goals by paying attention to little things that seem insignificant to others, just as the master jewel cutter always cuts the raw diamond to its perfect advantage in the smallest detail.
The trained expert will help him to “Do all things as unto the Lord,” as it says in Colossians 3:23. He will help him to see that taking care of little things, and assuming small responsibilities, will help prepare him for later things that will not be little things.
There are a lot of human experts who think they have good ideas about how people should develop their potential, but the main EXPERT is JESUS, and He wants the best for every person who has ever been born.
Jesus paid attention to the smallest details of life—learning the trade of carpentry in Joseph’s workshop, knowing the best way to catch fish, understanding the intricacies of men’s hearts and minds—so when it came time for Him to fulfill the BIG THING for which He came, the plan of salvation that was established before the world began (Revelation 13:8), He was able to conclude it successfully…and anyone who believes can be saved for eternity because He did.
If Jesus is the GREAT EXPERT who “knows all things” John 21:17-19 and “by Whom all things are made,” John 1:3, shouldn’t we follow His example and get all the things that involve our lives into the kind of order that He valued?
Individuals who do, who stick to doing things right at every opportunity, are the ones who shine like lovely diamonds because they have allowed the Master Jeweler, Jesus, to cut and polish them into wonderful reflections of Himself.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Minister with His Hands and Heart
January 12
According to the Washington Times, Senator Marco Rubio has declared that the ‘War on Poverty’ has been lost. A recent post states his conclusion thusly: "Five decades and trillions of dollars after President Johnson waged his War on Poverty, the results of this big-government approach are in," he said. "We have four million Americans who have been out of work for six months or more."
Rubio added that "economic, social, cultural and educational changes and challenges" have caused poverty to get worse and that the federal government is not equipped to fix it.
One crucial factor that the government has not included in its futile effort to end poverty in our time is a truth that was spoken by Jesus in John 12:8, “The poor you shall always have with you…” Jesus spoke these words to Judas who had faulted Mary for pouring expensive perfume upon the Lord’s feet. Our Savior took the opportunity to say that her having done so was an anointing for His burial, for Jesus knew the work He came to do would soon be concluded on the cross.
But Jesus’ heart was not hardened to the poor, nor should ours be. He was simply stating the truth that His crucifixion was at hand. Throughout His ministry, Jesus interacted with compassion with the poor and destitute and sick and helpless. He ever manifested the compassion the Father had expressed in Deuteronomy 15.
The passage begins by talking about the remission of debts, and based upon this principle it asserts: that "there will be no poor among you." However, it then goes on to say: "If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be… Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so… For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore, I command you saying, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.'"
The clear message we can take from these passages is that there will, indeed be poor people among us but that we as believers are to endeavor to alleviate their poverty through our generosity. This is not the coerced largess of government that taxes one to supply another, it is not the 'redistribution of wealth,' but the heartfelt giving of a believer of substance to another whose circumstances are penurious.
What Senator Rubio has discovered is that government beneficence, carried on the backs of an over-taxed people, has failed. In every little hamlet, however, where believers in Christ reach out to meet the needs of their brothers, stomachs are full and homes are warm simply because brothers care for each other and labor in the behalf of those in need as does the Lord who invites us to, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you,” I Peter 5:7.
May we ever minister to our brothers as with His own hands and as with His own heart.
According to the Washington Times, Senator Marco Rubio has declared that the ‘War on Poverty’ has been lost. A recent post states his conclusion thusly: "Five decades and trillions of dollars after President Johnson waged his War on Poverty, the results of this big-government approach are in," he said. "We have four million Americans who have been out of work for six months or more."
Rubio added that "economic, social, cultural and educational changes and challenges" have caused poverty to get worse and that the federal government is not equipped to fix it.
One crucial factor that the government has not included in its futile effort to end poverty in our time is a truth that was spoken by Jesus in John 12:8, “The poor you shall always have with you…” Jesus spoke these words to Judas who had faulted Mary for pouring expensive perfume upon the Lord’s feet. Our Savior took the opportunity to say that her having done so was an anointing for His burial, for Jesus knew the work He came to do would soon be concluded on the cross.
But Jesus’ heart was not hardened to the poor, nor should ours be. He was simply stating the truth that His crucifixion was at hand. Throughout His ministry, Jesus interacted with compassion with the poor and destitute and sick and helpless. He ever manifested the compassion the Father had expressed in Deuteronomy 15.
The passage begins by talking about the remission of debts, and based upon this principle it asserts: that "there will be no poor among you." However, it then goes on to say: "If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be… Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so… For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore, I command you saying, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.'"
The clear message we can take from these passages is that there will, indeed be poor people among us but that we as believers are to endeavor to alleviate their poverty through our generosity. This is not the coerced largess of government that taxes one to supply another, it is not the 'redistribution of wealth,' but the heartfelt giving of a believer of substance to another whose circumstances are penurious.
What Senator Rubio has discovered is that government beneficence, carried on the backs of an over-taxed people, has failed. In every little hamlet, however, where believers in Christ reach out to meet the needs of their brothers, stomachs are full and homes are warm simply because brothers care for each other and labor in the behalf of those in need as does the Lord who invites us to, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you,” I Peter 5:7.
May we ever minister to our brothers as with His own hands and as with His own heart.
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