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"Why do bad people have it so good?” (Jeremiah 12:1, The Message).
Back up in the hills several years ago the mountain folk pondered a mystery that has vexed mankind from the earliest days. Their musings produced a gospel standard that is sung at camp meetings everywhere. “Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long. While there are others living about us, never molested though in the wrong.”
Indeed, why do the righteous suffer, and the wicked prosper?
Surely you’ve wondered as much from time to time. The only solution those Tennessee highlanders could come up with, still remains the only answer anyone can give to this very day, “Further along we’ll know more about it. Further along we’ll understand why. Cheer up my brother; come sing in the sunshine. We’ll understand it all by and by.”
Job, in bitterness of soul, pointedly asked, “Why does God let evil people even live? And not only live; but live well. They grow old and prosper! No calamity comes to their homes.” (see Job 21). Yet. he wisely concluded, "But who are we to tell God how to run his affairs? He's dealing with matters that are way over our heads” (21:22, The Message).
Jeremiah took a more tactful approach, and appealed directly to the Lord, “You are right, O GOD, and you set things right. I can't argue with that. But I do have some questions: Why do bad people have it so good?” (Jeremiah 12:1, The Message).
The Psalmist Asaph, in the typical self-disclosing style of all poets, put it this way, “When I looked at the prosperity of the wicked I became envious. They aren't troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else. Why then should I even try to be righteous?” (see Psalm 73)
But then Asaph concludes with his sobering discovery of what awaits those who breeze through life without God's correction of their course -- "When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me — Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors." (Psalm 73:16-19).
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Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Best it's Ever Been....and it's Only Getting Better!
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"You have saved the best for now." (John 2:10)
Bill McCartney, former coach of the University Colorado Football team and Founder of Promise Keepers, the dynamic men's ministry that swept the Nation throughout the nineties and started a revolution, would often say -- "Good, better, best; never let it rest until your good is your better, and your better is your best."
Most people will content themselves with what is good. Fewer people will not settle until it's better. But the rare souls among us are those who press only for the best. Which are you?
George Morrison wrote, "Take man apart from God and always it is the worse which follows; but take God in any of His thousand energies, and always the best is kept until the end."
Two paths are set before each soul -- one leads to that which is ever worse than before, and the other to that which is always better. Which path are you on?
Sometimes the path leading to that which is best passes through some of the worst stuff you can imagine. And on the other hand, one may be cruising merrily along in life without God, supposing there is no end to their delights -- not knowing that the path is about to take an abrupt sharp downturn, from which there will be no recovery.
The words, "You have saved the best for now", were spoken to Jesus. He is the only one who has the power to bring our lives to that place where things are the best they've ever been -- and only getting better.
Is He at work in your life?
.
"You have saved the best for now." (John 2:10)
Bill McCartney, former coach of the University Colorado Football team and Founder of Promise Keepers, the dynamic men's ministry that swept the Nation throughout the nineties and started a revolution, would often say -- "Good, better, best; never let it rest until your good is your better, and your better is your best."
Most people will content themselves with what is good. Fewer people will not settle until it's better. But the rare souls among us are those who press only for the best. Which are you?
George Morrison wrote, "Take man apart from God and always it is the worse which follows; but take God in any of His thousand energies, and always the best is kept until the end."
Two paths are set before each soul -- one leads to that which is ever worse than before, and the other to that which is always better. Which path are you on?
Sometimes the path leading to that which is best passes through some of the worst stuff you can imagine. And on the other hand, one may be cruising merrily along in life without God, supposing there is no end to their delights -- not knowing that the path is about to take an abrupt sharp downturn, from which there will be no recovery.
The words, "You have saved the best for now", were spoken to Jesus. He is the only one who has the power to bring our lives to that place where things are the best they've ever been -- and only getting better.
Is He at work in your life?
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Friday, August 29, 2008
The Power of Personal Treasures
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"Where you keep your treasure is the place you will most want to be -- and will end up being." (Luke 12:34, The Message).
Whatever it is that you value will hold a unique power over your life. You will schedule your time, spend your money, organize your plans, and expend your efforts in direct proportion to the esteem and desire you hold for that thing -- whatever, or whoever it is.
When you love someone, you want to be with them as mush as possible. When you love something, you want to do it as often as possible.
People who love sports are most often, if not always, found in some sort of sport setting. People who love money are always occupied with money talk. People who love the Arts find their greatest joy in visiting Theaters and Museums.
What do you treasure? Good or bad -- it doesn't matter. If you value it; if you treasure it -- you will end up with it.
This puts a premium on the choices our hearts make, and highlights the great importance of making sure that the things we most cherish are heavenly, rather than hellish. For the last thing in the world you would want is for your lifelong desires to end up taking you into hell.
To this end Paul writes, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philippians 4:8, The Message).
Make sure your treasure are of such worth, that you prove to be a worthy person once they take you to be with them.
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"Where you keep your treasure is the place you will most want to be -- and will end up being." (Luke 12:34, The Message).
Whatever it is that you value will hold a unique power over your life. You will schedule your time, spend your money, organize your plans, and expend your efforts in direct proportion to the esteem and desire you hold for that thing -- whatever, or whoever it is.
When you love someone, you want to be with them as mush as possible. When you love something, you want to do it as often as possible.
People who love sports are most often, if not always, found in some sort of sport setting. People who love money are always occupied with money talk. People who love the Arts find their greatest joy in visiting Theaters and Museums.
What do you treasure? Good or bad -- it doesn't matter. If you value it; if you treasure it -- you will end up with it.
This puts a premium on the choices our hearts make, and highlights the great importance of making sure that the things we most cherish are heavenly, rather than hellish. For the last thing in the world you would want is for your lifelong desires to end up taking you into hell.
To this end Paul writes, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Philippians 4:8, The Message).
Make sure your treasure are of such worth, that you prove to be a worthy person once they take you to be with them.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Smokescreen of Pious Talk
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"In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true." (Matthew 5:34, The Message).
Did it ever occur to you that God does not want you to be religious? And, furthermore, this aversion you have in your soul for that which is religious and pretentious was actually placed there by God -- who wants you to be real.
So when you talk to God, talk straight. He knows what is in your heart; and that's what He wants to hear coming from your lips. Don't go Shakespeare on Him -- unless, of course, you're William Shakespeare. And, for the record, Jesus did not speak in King James English. Neither do you.
Be true to who you are, honest with how you feel, transparent about what you think, truthful with your fears and concerns; as well as your hopes and dreams. Tell God everything, but don't dress it up all pretty and nice. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace; rather, you actually disguise them -- and bring them under suspicion.
The problem with religious chatter is that it becomes ritualistic; and rituals, by definition, are scripted and inflexible. What God desires is an open and flexible heart. When a man or woman (or a boy and girl) is simply honest before God -- He responds in powerful ways; ways that satisfy our deepest longings, and shape our lives into something beautiful.
The bottom line is this -- don't talk religious to God, and don't do it to your friends either, because the more religious your speech sounds -- the less true it is.
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"In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true." (Matthew 5:34, The Message).
Did it ever occur to you that God does not want you to be religious? And, furthermore, this aversion you have in your soul for that which is religious and pretentious was actually placed there by God -- who wants you to be real.
So when you talk to God, talk straight. He knows what is in your heart; and that's what He wants to hear coming from your lips. Don't go Shakespeare on Him -- unless, of course, you're William Shakespeare. And, for the record, Jesus did not speak in King James English. Neither do you.
Be true to who you are, honest with how you feel, transparent about what you think, truthful with your fears and concerns; as well as your hopes and dreams. Tell God everything, but don't dress it up all pretty and nice. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace; rather, you actually disguise them -- and bring them under suspicion.
The problem with religious chatter is that it becomes ritualistic; and rituals, by definition, are scripted and inflexible. What God desires is an open and flexible heart. When a man or woman (or a boy and girl) is simply honest before God -- He responds in powerful ways; ways that satisfy our deepest longings, and shape our lives into something beautiful.
The bottom line is this -- don't talk religious to God, and don't do it to your friends either, because the more religious your speech sounds -- the less true it is.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
"Give 'em Heaven!"
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"Let your enemies bring out the best in you, not the worst." (Matthew 5:44, The Message).
Jesus always had a way of putting things that turned things around. Today's verse is but one of many examples. The natural and understandable thing for us to do when confronting an enemy is to fight fire with fire. But in so doing we actually become the same as our enemy.
This was the dilemma confronting Batman when he held the Joker dangling on a rope at death's door. All Batman had to do was drop him -- and the evil would end. Or would it?
Letting go of the rope would surely put an end to the Joker, but it would also put an end to Batman -- for it would have been the worst for him...not the best.
Maybe you have a few jokers in your life -- at home, on the job, in the church, on the team, in your class, or in your circle of friends. When their cackles send shivers up your spine, and their mockery stirs your blood -- turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Ask Him to fill you with His spirit, and to make Himself known in you and through you during those stressful moments. Let your enemies bring out the best in you, by showing them Jesus instead of yourself.
In other words, give 'em Heaven -- when what you really want to do is give 'em Hell.
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"Let your enemies bring out the best in you, not the worst." (Matthew 5:44, The Message).
Jesus always had a way of putting things that turned things around. Today's verse is but one of many examples. The natural and understandable thing for us to do when confronting an enemy is to fight fire with fire. But in so doing we actually become the same as our enemy.
This was the dilemma confronting Batman when he held the Joker dangling on a rope at death's door. All Batman had to do was drop him -- and the evil would end. Or would it?
Letting go of the rope would surely put an end to the Joker, but it would also put an end to Batman -- for it would have been the worst for him...not the best.
Maybe you have a few jokers in your life -- at home, on the job, in the church, on the team, in your class, or in your circle of friends. When their cackles send shivers up your spine, and their mockery stirs your blood -- turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Ask Him to fill you with His spirit, and to make Himself known in you and through you during those stressful moments. Let your enemies bring out the best in you, by showing them Jesus instead of yourself.
In other words, give 'em Heaven -- when what you really want to do is give 'em Hell.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Yawning Our Way to Our Journey's End?
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"If you knew that I was after the best, then why did you do less than the least?" (Matthew 25:26, The Message).
Sooner or later we each will have to face the moment of truth -- when our lives are measured in the light of eternity. There is an abiding reality within the depths of our souls that stirs us to pursue that which is good and true, that which is virtuous and noble. By divine instinct we shun death, disease, and destruction -- for we were not made for these things.
And though this fallen world is marred with the ever-encroaching presence of evil, our hearts are up-linked to more heavenly pursuits. We were not made for failure, but success. We were not designed to malfunction, but to excel. We are not at ease settling for that which we know is less than our best. But, then, why do so many seem so ready to surrender to mediocrity?
Maybe we've lost our vision -- our view of nobler things. Maybe our leaders have failed us, and thereby granted us license to sell our own selves short. Or maybe the friends with which we converse have inadvertently coaxed us into joining them in living a somewhat diminished life. After all, one of the easiest things in life to do is go along with the crowd.
Maybe we've become content to yawn our way to our journey's end.
Still, this doesn't change the sobering reality that one day we will stand in the Presence of Love Himself to answer for the loveless choices we have made along the way. "If you knew that I was after the best, then why did you do less than the least?"
Perhaps you are not in a place where you can give your best just yet -- but can't you at least do more than the least? It's a place to start. And after all is said and done, you might end up not only surprising yourself with just how far and how high you go -- but, who knows, along the way you just also inspire the rest of us snozzing lugs.
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"If you knew that I was after the best, then why did you do less than the least?" (Matthew 25:26, The Message).
Sooner or later we each will have to face the moment of truth -- when our lives are measured in the light of eternity. There is an abiding reality within the depths of our souls that stirs us to pursue that which is good and true, that which is virtuous and noble. By divine instinct we shun death, disease, and destruction -- for we were not made for these things.
And though this fallen world is marred with the ever-encroaching presence of evil, our hearts are up-linked to more heavenly pursuits. We were not made for failure, but success. We were not designed to malfunction, but to excel. We are not at ease settling for that which we know is less than our best. But, then, why do so many seem so ready to surrender to mediocrity?
Maybe we've lost our vision -- our view of nobler things. Maybe our leaders have failed us, and thereby granted us license to sell our own selves short. Or maybe the friends with which we converse have inadvertently coaxed us into joining them in living a somewhat diminished life. After all, one of the easiest things in life to do is go along with the crowd.
Maybe we've become content to yawn our way to our journey's end.
Still, this doesn't change the sobering reality that one day we will stand in the Presence of Love Himself to answer for the loveless choices we have made along the way. "If you knew that I was after the best, then why did you do less than the least?"
Perhaps you are not in a place where you can give your best just yet -- but can't you at least do more than the least? It's a place to start. And after all is said and done, you might end up not only surprising yourself with just how far and how high you go -- but, who knows, along the way you just also inspire the rest of us snozzing lugs.
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Monday, August 25, 2008
THE RACE (a poem by D.H. Groberg)
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"Even if godly people fall down seven times, they always get back up" (Proverbs 24:16).
"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!" They shout at me and plead,
"There's just too much against you now. This time you can't succeed!"
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race - young boys, young men - how I remember well.
Excitement, sure! But also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope; each thought to win the race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went! Young hearts and hope afire.
To win and be the hero there was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular whose dad was in the crowd,
was running near the lead and thought, "My dad will be so proud!"
But as they speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought to win lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself his hands flew out to brace,
and mid the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
So down he fell, and within him hope; he couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face.
Which to the boy so clearly said: "Get up and win the race!"
He quickly rose, no damage done; behind a bit, that's all
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs; he slipped and fell again!
He wished then he had quit before with only one disgrace.
"I'm hopeless as a runner now; I shouldn't try to race."
But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face.
That steady look which said again: "Get up and win the race!"
So up he jumped to try again, ten yards behind the last.
"If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to move real fast!"
Exerting everything he had he gained eight or ten,
but trying so hard to catch the lead he slipped and fell again!
Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore; three strikes: I'm out! Why try?"
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away;
so far behind, so error prone; a loser all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought. "I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up," an echo sounded low, "Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here. Get up and win the race.
With borrowed will, get up," it said, "you haven't lost at all.
For winning is no more than this: To rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit
he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran so as to win.
Three times he'd fallen, stumbling; three times he rose again;
to far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed the line first place.
Head high, and proud and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line in last place,
the crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud.
You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to that crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me, you won," his father said. "You rose each time you fell."
And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!" They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says: "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"
.
"Even if godly people fall down seven times, they always get back up" (Proverbs 24:16).
"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!" They shout at me and plead,
"There's just too much against you now. This time you can't succeed!"
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race - young boys, young men - how I remember well.
Excitement, sure! But also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope; each thought to win the race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went! Young hearts and hope afire.
To win and be the hero there was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular whose dad was in the crowd,
was running near the lead and thought, "My dad will be so proud!"
But as they speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought to win lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself his hands flew out to brace,
and mid the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
So down he fell, and within him hope; he couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face.
Which to the boy so clearly said: "Get up and win the race!"
He quickly rose, no damage done; behind a bit, that's all
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs; he slipped and fell again!
He wished then he had quit before with only one disgrace.
"I'm hopeless as a runner now; I shouldn't try to race."
But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face.
That steady look which said again: "Get up and win the race!"
So up he jumped to try again, ten yards behind the last.
"If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to move real fast!"
Exerting everything he had he gained eight or ten,
but trying so hard to catch the lead he slipped and fell again!
Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore; three strikes: I'm out! Why try?"
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away;
so far behind, so error prone; a loser all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought. "I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up," an echo sounded low, "Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here. Get up and win the race.
With borrowed will, get up," it said, "you haven't lost at all.
For winning is no more than this: To rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit
he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran so as to win.
Three times he'd fallen, stumbling; three times he rose again;
to far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed the line first place.
Head high, and proud and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line in last place,
the crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud.
You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to that crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me, you won," his father said. "You rose each time you fell."
And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!" They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says: "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"
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Sunday, August 24, 2008
Olympic Champions in Life (Part 5)
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
Today we conclude our thoughts about the call that is on our lives to conduct ourselves as champions; that summons from on high for us to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Here, then, is the fifth and final fact regarding our Olympic championship.
Fact #5 -- There is a Means By Which We Win
"To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." (Colossians 1:29)
As we have already noted, the life we have with Jesus is not about imitation -- it's about indwelling. In other words, Christ being Himself in and through us in the sphere of our influence; empowering us by His Spirit to do His will and achieve His purposes. That's the secret which has been made known -- "Christ in you, the hope of Glory."
Jesus said, "Without Me, you can do nothing"(John 15:5). Perhaps there are some who are trying to help the Lord out by doing things for Him -- things He never asked them to do. Much of our religious fervor falls into this category, and ultimately becomes the wood, hay, and stubble burned up just before we enter the Golden Gates.
As Champions, we are to acknowledge the authority and power of Jesus Christ by submitting our lives to His Lordship that we might therein find the strength of character to overcome all opponents. And as we discover the wonder of His indwelling Spirit we can exclaim in the words of the Apostle Paul: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Phil4:13).
This way He gets all the glory.
As we conclude this five-part series, let me sum it up by saying -- half-hearted contenders never make it to the championship level. They give up somewhere along the way because of the various difficulties they encounter. They lack that inner quality of character that drives true champions to excellence and to victory.
There is a contest in which we struggle, an opponent against which we contend, a goal toward which we press, a strategy by which we advance, and a means by which we win. Each of us must decide the extent to which we are willing to go to show ourselves as true men and women of God, as champions in a world of quitters.
See You at the Finish Line!
.
"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
Today we conclude our thoughts about the call that is on our lives to conduct ourselves as champions; that summons from on high for us to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Here, then, is the fifth and final fact regarding our Olympic championship.
Fact #5 -- There is a Means By Which We Win
"To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." (Colossians 1:29)
As we have already noted, the life we have with Jesus is not about imitation -- it's about indwelling. In other words, Christ being Himself in and through us in the sphere of our influence; empowering us by His Spirit to do His will and achieve His purposes. That's the secret which has been made known -- "Christ in you, the hope of Glory."
Jesus said, "Without Me, you can do nothing"(John 15:5). Perhaps there are some who are trying to help the Lord out by doing things for Him -- things He never asked them to do. Much of our religious fervor falls into this category, and ultimately becomes the wood, hay, and stubble burned up just before we enter the Golden Gates.
As Champions, we are to acknowledge the authority and power of Jesus Christ by submitting our lives to His Lordship that we might therein find the strength of character to overcome all opponents. And as we discover the wonder of His indwelling Spirit we can exclaim in the words of the Apostle Paul: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Phil4:13).
This way He gets all the glory.
As we conclude this five-part series, let me sum it up by saying -- half-hearted contenders never make it to the championship level. They give up somewhere along the way because of the various difficulties they encounter. They lack that inner quality of character that drives true champions to excellence and to victory.
There is a contest in which we struggle, an opponent against which we contend, a goal toward which we press, a strategy by which we advance, and a means by which we win. Each of us must decide the extent to which we are willing to go to show ourselves as true men and women of God, as champions in a world of quitters.
See You at the Finish Line!
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
Olympic Champions in Life (Part 4)
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
We now come to the fourth day in our consideration of the call that is on our lives to conduct ourselves as champions; to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. And so we will look at the fourth fact about our Olympic championship.
Fact #4 -- There is a Strategy by Which We Advance
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." (Philippians 1:27).
On a personal level each one of us is required to conduct ourselves in such a manner that brings honor to the name and cause of Christ. It is a regrettable thing when one who professes to follow Jesus behaves in such a way as to dishonor His name and bring reproach upon all other believers. We each take a hit when someone on our Team compromises and falls.
The phrase, "contending as one man", literally means team athletics -- each person finding where he or she fits, and then doing their part to insure the victory for the whole Team.
"Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Something happens when a team comes together; the combined efforts of the many actually raise the ability of the individual. You can go farther and faster with others than you could ever go on your on.
As Champions, we skillfully advance against our opponent by working together with one another, thereby compounding our abilities and efforts -- as well as our results.
Are you a team player?
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
We now come to the fourth day in our consideration of the call that is on our lives to conduct ourselves as champions; to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. And so we will look at the fourth fact about our Olympic championship.
Fact #4 -- There is a Strategy by Which We Advance
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." (Philippians 1:27).
On a personal level each one of us is required to conduct ourselves in such a manner that brings honor to the name and cause of Christ. It is a regrettable thing when one who professes to follow Jesus behaves in such a way as to dishonor His name and bring reproach upon all other believers. We each take a hit when someone on our Team compromises and falls.
The phrase, "contending as one man", literally means team athletics -- each person finding where he or she fits, and then doing their part to insure the victory for the whole Team.
"Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Something happens when a team comes together; the combined efforts of the many actually raise the ability of the individual. You can go farther and faster with others than you could ever go on your on.
As Champions, we skillfully advance against our opponent by working together with one another, thereby compounding our abilities and efforts -- as well as our results.
Are you a team player?
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Friday, August 22, 2008
Olympic Champions in Life (Part 3)
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
For the past couple of days we have been considering the call that is upon our lives to conduct ourselves as champions; to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Today we will look at the third fact about our Olympic championship.
Fact #3 -- There is a Goal Toward Which We Press
"Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (I Timothy 4:7-8).
Train yourself to be godly. The word train means "to exercise naked" -- as the Greek athletes. The idea here is the removing of any encumbrance, as well as the disrobing of all pretense.
Notice also that he places the emphasis on personal responsibility -- train yourself. Far too many in today's world are living like bottom feeders in a pond, waiting for the farmer to dole out today's portion of grub. Life's best and highest moments are for those who show initiative in the things that truly matter. Train yourself.
And then he gives us the object of our training -- to be godly. In other words, to become like Jesus. Not imitation, but indwelling; Christ in us, making Himself known through us. YOu don't need to ask, "What would Jesus do?" -- and then try to do it yourself. No; rather yield your life to the Lord in every situation so that He Himself can do what He does through you. That;s the goal.
As Champions, we press on with relentless intensity toward the goal of becoming like Christ in our Character, our Conduct and our Conversation. For such a life holds great promise not only for the time we spend here on earth, but also deep into eternity as well.
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
For the past couple of days we have been considering the call that is upon our lives to conduct ourselves as champions; to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Today we will look at the third fact about our Olympic championship.
Fact #3 -- There is a Goal Toward Which We Press
"Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (I Timothy 4:7-8).
Train yourself to be godly. The word train means "to exercise naked" -- as the Greek athletes. The idea here is the removing of any encumbrance, as well as the disrobing of all pretense.
Notice also that he places the emphasis on personal responsibility -- train yourself. Far too many in today's world are living like bottom feeders in a pond, waiting for the farmer to dole out today's portion of grub. Life's best and highest moments are for those who show initiative in the things that truly matter. Train yourself.
And then he gives us the object of our training -- to be godly. In other words, to become like Jesus. Not imitation, but indwelling; Christ in us, making Himself known through us. YOu don't need to ask, "What would Jesus do?" -- and then try to do it yourself. No; rather yield your life to the Lord in every situation so that He Himself can do what He does through you. That;s the goal.
As Champions, we press on with relentless intensity toward the goal of becoming like Christ in our Character, our Conduct and our Conversation. For such a life holds great promise not only for the time we spend here on earth, but also deep into eternity as well.
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
Olympic Champions in Life (Part 2)
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
As followers of Jesus we are called to conduct ourselves as champions, to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Today we will look at the second fact about our Olympic championship.
Fact #2 -- There is an Opponent Against Which We Contend
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).
Peter, who wrote these words so long ago, knew what he was talking about. Jesus once told him, "Peter, the devil has desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat." It was one of the worst ordeals of Peter's life -- but Jesus brought him through it.
There is an opponent against which we contend, and we in our own strength are no match for him. Our strength comes from the Lord who is with us, and in us. "Greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world.
Our opponent is subtle; we therefore must walk in wisdom. Our opponent is deceitful; we therefore must walk in the truth. Our opponent is arrogant; we therefore must walk in humility. And all heaven cheers us on as we engage in this epic contest.
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us -- looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:1-3).
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
As followers of Jesus we are called to conduct ourselves as champions, to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Today we will look at the second fact about our Olympic championship.
Fact #2 -- There is an Opponent Against Which We Contend
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).
Peter, who wrote these words so long ago, knew what he was talking about. Jesus once told him, "Peter, the devil has desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat." It was one of the worst ordeals of Peter's life -- but Jesus brought him through it.
There is an opponent against which we contend, and we in our own strength are no match for him. Our strength comes from the Lord who is with us, and in us. "Greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world.
Our opponent is subtle; we therefore must walk in wisdom. Our opponent is deceitful; we therefore must walk in the truth. Our opponent is arrogant; we therefore must walk in humility. And all heaven cheers us on as we engage in this epic contest.
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us -- looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:1-3).
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Olympic Champions in Life (Part 1)
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
With the Summer Olympics moving fast towards the Closing Ceremonies, and our minds reeling with the stunning achievements of all those who have competed according to the rules and been given the victor's crown -- a thought occurred to me that much of this parallels our Faith journey with Jesus.
And just like the remarkable athletes who astound us with their discipline, dedication, and determination -- we also should give such an Olympian commitment to Christ that others are equally moved by the excellence and beauty of our endeavors.
When Paul wrote of the athlete who competes, the word he used literally means "to be a champion" -- one who has defeated all opponents. As followers of Jesus we are called to conduct ourselves as champions, to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Over the next five days, I will point out the five facts of our Olympic championship in Life.
Fact #1 -- There is a Contest in Which We Struggle - Luke 13:24
"Jesus said to them, 'Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.'" (Luke 13:24).
As Champions, we are to cast aside anything that would hold us back; overcome any obstacle which seeks to pull us down; fight through any difficulty which seeks to deny us of accomplishing our goal. There is no such thing as cruise control in our journey to glory.
We are in pursuit of such things that require our every step to be contested, thus making our progress a matter of unrelenting determination. No one will float into heaven, sipping on a soda, eating grapes and strumming a harp.
There is a contest in which we struggle -- a quest for superiority and victory. Love over hatred, Faith over suspicion, Hope over despair, Truth over deceit, Freedom over bondage, Joy over sorrow, and Life over death.
Jesus has won the victory and offers it to each one who follows Him. But to possess it, you've got to want it enough to contend for it.
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"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5).
With the Summer Olympics moving fast towards the Closing Ceremonies, and our minds reeling with the stunning achievements of all those who have competed according to the rules and been given the victor's crown -- a thought occurred to me that much of this parallels our Faith journey with Jesus.
And just like the remarkable athletes who astound us with their discipline, dedication, and determination -- we also should give such an Olympian commitment to Christ that others are equally moved by the excellence and beauty of our endeavors.
When Paul wrote of the athlete who competes, the word he used literally means "to be a champion" -- one who has defeated all opponents. As followers of Jesus we are called to conduct ourselves as champions, to stand in the power given to us in Christ and defeat anything that tries to make us less than what God wants us to be. Over the next five days, I will point out the five facts of our Olympic championship in Life.
Fact #1 -- There is a Contest in Which We Struggle - Luke 13:24
"Jesus said to them, 'Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.'" (Luke 13:24).
As Champions, we are to cast aside anything that would hold us back; overcome any obstacle which seeks to pull us down; fight through any difficulty which seeks to deny us of accomplishing our goal. There is no such thing as cruise control in our journey to glory.
We are in pursuit of such things that require our every step to be contested, thus making our progress a matter of unrelenting determination. No one will float into heaven, sipping on a soda, eating grapes and strumming a harp.
There is a contest in which we struggle -- a quest for superiority and victory. Love over hatred, Faith over suspicion, Hope over despair, Truth over deceit, Freedom over bondage, Joy over sorrow, and Life over death.
Jesus has won the victory and offers it to each one who follows Him. But to possess it, you've got to want it enough to contend for it.
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Go the Distance!
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"Blessed is the man who endures temptation, who perseveres under trial" (James 1:12).
By definition, endurance means to sustain one's capacity and integrity throughout the duration of any kind of ordeal. It means to withstand hardship, adversity, or stress; to remain firm under difficulty without yielding. It means that even though you may bend, you will not break.
This indefatigable spirit was illustrated in the life of one man in particular, who aspired for greatness despite many difficulties. Here is a brief review of his uphill battle....
His first attempt at business failed. He tried politics and within only one year failed there also. He went back to the business sector for yet another try, and failed again. Three failures in three years.
He struggled for the next two years and then suffered a nervous breakdown. After taking two years to recover, he tried once again in the political world and was defeated in his bid to be elected as Speaker of the House. Two years later he made his bid to be appointed as the Elector and was again defeated. Three years after this he ran for a seat in Congress and was defeated.
He waited five years to run for office again, and was again defeated. He spent the next seven years as a relative unknown in the private sector and then ran yet again for a political office -- this time in the Senate. Again, he was defeated.
The following year he was nominated by his party to be the candidate for Vice-President, but was defeated along with his running mate in the general election. After two more years he tried again for the Senate seat but again was defeated. Then, another two years later, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States!
Add it all up and you have twenty four years of sheer endurance! Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "The hero is no braver than the ordinary man; he just fights five minutes longer."
In a day when so many seem so ready to give up so easily, will you hang in there for just five more minutes? It very well could make all the difference in the world!
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"Blessed is the man who endures temptation, who perseveres under trial" (James 1:12).
By definition, endurance means to sustain one's capacity and integrity throughout the duration of any kind of ordeal. It means to withstand hardship, adversity, or stress; to remain firm under difficulty without yielding. It means that even though you may bend, you will not break.
This indefatigable spirit was illustrated in the life of one man in particular, who aspired for greatness despite many difficulties. Here is a brief review of his uphill battle....
His first attempt at business failed. He tried politics and within only one year failed there also. He went back to the business sector for yet another try, and failed again. Three failures in three years.
He struggled for the next two years and then suffered a nervous breakdown. After taking two years to recover, he tried once again in the political world and was defeated in his bid to be elected as Speaker of the House. Two years later he made his bid to be appointed as the Elector and was again defeated. Three years after this he ran for a seat in Congress and was defeated.
He waited five years to run for office again, and was again defeated. He spent the next seven years as a relative unknown in the private sector and then ran yet again for a political office -- this time in the Senate. Again, he was defeated.
The following year he was nominated by his party to be the candidate for Vice-President, but was defeated along with his running mate in the general election. After two more years he tried again for the Senate seat but again was defeated. Then, another two years later, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States!
Add it all up and you have twenty four years of sheer endurance! Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "The hero is no braver than the ordinary man; he just fights five minutes longer."
In a day when so many seem so ready to give up so easily, will you hang in there for just five more minutes? It very well could make all the difference in the world!
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Monday, August 18, 2008
Words of Wisdom?
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"Words of wisdom make good sense; but the thoughts of a fool make no sense at all." (Proverbs 15:7).
We all know that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. And he's the one who said, "Words of wisdom make good sense." So in light of that insight, take a look at these twelve tidbits, and see if they "make sense" to you....
"Words of wisdom make good sense; but the thoughts of a fool make no sense at all." (Proverbs 15:7).
We all know that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. And he's the one who said, "Words of wisdom make good sense." So in light of that insight, take a look at these twelve tidbits, and see if they "make sense" to you....
- If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
- Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
- For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
- He who hesitates is probably right.
- The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
- The severity of the itch is proportional to the extremity of the reach.
- The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
- Don't sweat petty things... nor pet sweaty things.
- Hell hath no fury like the lawyer of a woman scorned.
- Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
- Eagles may soar, but weasels aren't sucked into jet engines.
- If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you!
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Lord is Thinking About You Right Now
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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Have you ever prayed something like this: "Lord, I know what you must be thinking about me right now," and then began to tell Him what you were actually thinking about yourself? We all do this. We condemn ourselves for the mistakes we have made and resolve within ourselves that it must be what the Lord thinks of us.
But, this is a wrong thing to do! We have got to stop "putting our words in the Lord's mouth." We must come to know the Lord as He is, and not as we assume Him to be. We must let Him put HIS words in our mouths.
Listen to what the Lord says about Himself in the words of Jeremiah, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). And in the writings of Isaiah, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8,9).
In other words - God thinks more highly of us than we think of ourselves. And God's plans for us are greater than the plans we would set for ourselves.
Yet something within us makes us believe that God is always angry with us, always ready to "smite us, yea, and that right early!" We tread softly in His presence and cower when we pray, for we dare not rouse Him from slumber lest He strike us with His rod of righteous judgement -- O bless His Holy Name!
Now I ask you honestly, how in the world can you have any kind of a meaningful relationship with someone like that? You CAN'T! And that's precisely why so few really know the Lord.
Why not right now reintroduce yourself to the Lord. And ask Him to reintroduce Himself to you. Start afresh and live in the delight of knowing that His thoughts of you are of peace, and not of evil. And then you will discover, that your thoughts of Him are of peace -- and not evil.
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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Have you ever prayed something like this: "Lord, I know what you must be thinking about me right now," and then began to tell Him what you were actually thinking about yourself? We all do this. We condemn ourselves for the mistakes we have made and resolve within ourselves that it must be what the Lord thinks of us.
But, this is a wrong thing to do! We have got to stop "putting our words in the Lord's mouth." We must come to know the Lord as He is, and not as we assume Him to be. We must let Him put HIS words in our mouths.
Listen to what the Lord says about Himself in the words of Jeremiah, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). And in the writings of Isaiah, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8,9).
In other words - God thinks more highly of us than we think of ourselves. And God's plans for us are greater than the plans we would set for ourselves.
Yet something within us makes us believe that God is always angry with us, always ready to "smite us, yea, and that right early!" We tread softly in His presence and cower when we pray, for we dare not rouse Him from slumber lest He strike us with His rod of righteous judgement -- O bless His Holy Name!
Now I ask you honestly, how in the world can you have any kind of a meaningful relationship with someone like that? You CAN'T! And that's precisely why so few really know the Lord.
Why not right now reintroduce yourself to the Lord. And ask Him to reintroduce Himself to you. Start afresh and live in the delight of knowing that His thoughts of you are of peace, and not of evil. And then you will discover, that your thoughts of Him are of peace -- and not evil.
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Saturday, August 16, 2008
Have You Seen God Lately?
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"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).
Did you know that our eyes are connected to our hearts? It's true. Whatever your heart is set upon, your eyes will search out and find. Whatever your heart dismisses as meaningless will always be passed over by your gaze. For example -- have you ever noticed when you buy a new car and start driving it around, you then start seeing it each time someone else is driving the same model? Why? Because it matters to you; and because your heart is set upon it, your eyes will seek it out.
Have you seen God lately? If not, the problem is not with your eyes.....it's with your heart.
In another place the Bible says, "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled" (Titus 1:15). In other words, we do not see things as they are, we see things as we are. And if we are broken, then we will not see things right -- even if they are right in front of us.
This is why we must turn to the Lord for cleansing whenever we are defiled by the awful things that happen in a fallen world. Otherwise we will carry the defilement within our hearts and find ourselves unable to even receive the words of the Lord, much less believe them.
A corrupted and broken heart can distort the words of God in the same way that a defective radio receiver distorts a good signal. The signal from the station is perfectly clear but the message being heard in the living room is garbled and disturbing.
Suppose, for example, that an individual had a particularly cruel father who treated him with such harshness that it warped how he viewed himself and the world around him. One can imagine the difficulties that would arise within that person's heart as he was introduced to the notion that God wanted to be his "Father!" "God wants to be my Father?" he might ask, inwardly thinking: "He wants to beat me and belittle me?!"
Mistreated sons and daughters unwittingly project onto God the awful failures of their own earthly fathers. Aloof, absent, and angry men have done so much to give God a bad name through their distorted examples of fatherhood. As a result the world is filled with broken children who are in desperate need of a true revelation of the Father heart of God.
Perhaps you are one of them? Jesus will heal you, and make you whole if you but ask Him -- and you will see God!
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"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).
Did you know that our eyes are connected to our hearts? It's true. Whatever your heart is set upon, your eyes will search out and find. Whatever your heart dismisses as meaningless will always be passed over by your gaze. For example -- have you ever noticed when you buy a new car and start driving it around, you then start seeing it each time someone else is driving the same model? Why? Because it matters to you; and because your heart is set upon it, your eyes will seek it out.
Have you seen God lately? If not, the problem is not with your eyes.....it's with your heart.
In another place the Bible says, "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled" (Titus 1:15). In other words, we do not see things as they are, we see things as we are. And if we are broken, then we will not see things right -- even if they are right in front of us.
This is why we must turn to the Lord for cleansing whenever we are defiled by the awful things that happen in a fallen world. Otherwise we will carry the defilement within our hearts and find ourselves unable to even receive the words of the Lord, much less believe them.
A corrupted and broken heart can distort the words of God in the same way that a defective radio receiver distorts a good signal. The signal from the station is perfectly clear but the message being heard in the living room is garbled and disturbing.
Suppose, for example, that an individual had a particularly cruel father who treated him with such harshness that it warped how he viewed himself and the world around him. One can imagine the difficulties that would arise within that person's heart as he was introduced to the notion that God wanted to be his "Father!" "God wants to be my Father?" he might ask, inwardly thinking: "He wants to beat me and belittle me?!"
Mistreated sons and daughters unwittingly project onto God the awful failures of their own earthly fathers. Aloof, absent, and angry men have done so much to give God a bad name through their distorted examples of fatherhood. As a result the world is filled with broken children who are in desperate need of a true revelation of the Father heart of God.
Perhaps you are one of them? Jesus will heal you, and make you whole if you but ask Him -- and you will see God!
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Friday, August 15, 2008
One Mouth, and Two Ears
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"Let every man be swift to hear, and slow to speak" (James 1:19).
On more than one occasion Jesus reprimanded His disciples for their dullness of hearing and slowness of heart. "Can't you understand?" He asked them. "Is your heart too hard to take it in? Your eyes are to see with - why don't you look? Why don't you open your ears and listen? Don't you remember anything at all?" (Mark 8:17-18, Living Bible).
The apostle James was moved of God to write in his epistle to the early Christians this familiar charge, "Let every man be swift to hear, and slow to speak" (James 1:19). And it is still the same today as it was in ancient Israel and with the first disciples in Galilee. A stupor lingers in the hearts of many believers, blocking their discernment and appreciation of spiritual things. As a result more than a few are slow to listen to the word of the Lord.
The hectic pace of our modern world seems to have made Listening a lost art and replaced it with "much ado about nothing." Take note of the next conversation you have and see how much of it consists of you actually listening to what the other has to say. Go a step further and watch individuals as they are absorbed in conversation. It should not surprise you to find that the majority of people would rather hear themselves than to contemplate what another has to say.
Indeed, to entertain some people all one needs to do is listen!
Permit me to slightly alter a familiar nursery rhyme: "Old Mac Donald loved to hear the sound of his own words, and if he ever caught your ear that's all you ever heard! With a yak-yak here, and a yak-yak there.....!" Now, repeat the verse over and over and over again.
Someone cleverly observed that God gave man two ears and one mouth that he might listen twice as much as he speaks. What a great idea.
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"Let every man be swift to hear, and slow to speak" (James 1:19).
On more than one occasion Jesus reprimanded His disciples for their dullness of hearing and slowness of heart. "Can't you understand?" He asked them. "Is your heart too hard to take it in? Your eyes are to see with - why don't you look? Why don't you open your ears and listen? Don't you remember anything at all?" (Mark 8:17-18, Living Bible).
The apostle James was moved of God to write in his epistle to the early Christians this familiar charge, "Let every man be swift to hear, and slow to speak" (James 1:19). And it is still the same today as it was in ancient Israel and with the first disciples in Galilee. A stupor lingers in the hearts of many believers, blocking their discernment and appreciation of spiritual things. As a result more than a few are slow to listen to the word of the Lord.
The hectic pace of our modern world seems to have made Listening a lost art and replaced it with "much ado about nothing." Take note of the next conversation you have and see how much of it consists of you actually listening to what the other has to say. Go a step further and watch individuals as they are absorbed in conversation. It should not surprise you to find that the majority of people would rather hear themselves than to contemplate what another has to say.
Indeed, to entertain some people all one needs to do is listen!
Permit me to slightly alter a familiar nursery rhyme: "Old Mac Donald loved to hear the sound of his own words, and if he ever caught your ear that's all you ever heard! With a yak-yak here, and a yak-yak there.....!" Now, repeat the verse over and over and over again.
Someone cleverly observed that God gave man two ears and one mouth that he might listen twice as much as he speaks. What a great idea.
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Thursday, August 14, 2008
Lend an Ear to a Love Song
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"If My people would but listen to Me..." (Psalm 81:13).
The Lord is looking for Listeners, those who will be both attentive and obedient to His revealed will. To such as these He will surely speak -- "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Although He is looking, He does not often find them. This is not merely a condition of modern times, but rather is a longstanding problem that has characterized the people of God throughout history.
The Lord lamented Israel's indifference to His Word, revealing that their defeats in battle were directly tied to their neglect of listening to His voice. "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!" (Psalm 81:13-14).
Charles H. Spurgeon, the distinguished prince of preachers, once commented on this verse, saying, "Our enemies find their greatest weapons against us in the stockpile of our own disobedience. They could not defeat us were we not first to defeat ourselves" (The Treasury of David, Vol. IV, pg. 30).
The foremost cause of our many defeats is failure to listen to what the Lord is saying to us, and to do what He is telling us. Oh, how much grief do we experience in our lives simply because we do not lend an ear to a Love Song!
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"If My people would but listen to Me..." (Psalm 81:13).
The Lord is looking for Listeners, those who will be both attentive and obedient to His revealed will. To such as these He will surely speak -- "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Although He is looking, He does not often find them. This is not merely a condition of modern times, but rather is a longstanding problem that has characterized the people of God throughout history.
The Lord lamented Israel's indifference to His Word, revealing that their defeats in battle were directly tied to their neglect of listening to His voice. "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!" (Psalm 81:13-14).
Charles H. Spurgeon, the distinguished prince of preachers, once commented on this verse, saying, "Our enemies find their greatest weapons against us in the stockpile of our own disobedience. They could not defeat us were we not first to defeat ourselves" (The Treasury of David, Vol. IV, pg. 30).
The foremost cause of our many defeats is failure to listen to what the Lord is saying to us, and to do what He is telling us. Oh, how much grief do we experience in our lives simply because we do not lend an ear to a Love Song!
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
An Ever-Growing Circle of True Friends
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"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Acts 2:1).
Pentecost, it was the day when Heaven came to earth and accomplished two things which have redefined our world. First, there was fusion; and then there was empowerment. Let me backtrack for a minute to explain what I mean.
Back in the earliest days of civilized man’s heavenly aspirations, a knuckle head named Nimrod thought he would build a tower whose height reached into heaven itself. We know it as the Tower of Babel. We also know the legendary story of how God disrupted the building program by confusing the language of the people. Once communication breaks down, relationships are over, and all cooperative projects fall unfinished.
Babel – even today we use the word to describe a confusing sound of words or noises. In fact, the word confusion means to mix together things that do not belong together. In the case of Babylon, there was an arrogant man trying to become God’s equal – that is confusion.
On the other hand, fusion means to melt together, so as to merge. This is what occurred on the day of Pentecost when a mighty rushing wind rocked Jerusalem, and tongues of fire rested upon the waiting disciples. At that epic moment God fused together a community of spiritually gifted men and women to love and serve one another in the beauty of holiness. We call this emerging community, which now is global, the Church.
There is a beauty in community that the world longs to experience. When one is a part of an ever-growing circle of true friends, he or she will experience acceptance of who they really are, affirmation of what God has given them to do, and accountability that keeps them on the right path. But there’s more!
The Lord didn’t simply fuse us together with one another, He joined us inseparably to Himself as well! And in so doing unleashed the power of heaven into each one of our lives. And now, He wants to release that very power through our lives to a world still in need of a Savior’s redeeming love and grace.
After all, there's no limit to the size of this ever-growing circle of true friends! John the Beloved said, "We want you to be with us in the wonderful friendship, and so we write and tell you about it. For the more that friendship extends, the greater the joy it brings to us who are already in it!" (1 John 1:4).
Are you in the circle? Are you also helping others to get in?
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"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Acts 2:1).
Pentecost, it was the day when Heaven came to earth and accomplished two things which have redefined our world. First, there was fusion; and then there was empowerment. Let me backtrack for a minute to explain what I mean.
Back in the earliest days of civilized man’s heavenly aspirations, a knuckle head named Nimrod thought he would build a tower whose height reached into heaven itself. We know it as the Tower of Babel. We also know the legendary story of how God disrupted the building program by confusing the language of the people. Once communication breaks down, relationships are over, and all cooperative projects fall unfinished.
Babel – even today we use the word to describe a confusing sound of words or noises. In fact, the word confusion means to mix together things that do not belong together. In the case of Babylon, there was an arrogant man trying to become God’s equal – that is confusion.
On the other hand, fusion means to melt together, so as to merge. This is what occurred on the day of Pentecost when a mighty rushing wind rocked Jerusalem, and tongues of fire rested upon the waiting disciples. At that epic moment God fused together a community of spiritually gifted men and women to love and serve one another in the beauty of holiness. We call this emerging community, which now is global, the Church.
There is a beauty in community that the world longs to experience. When one is a part of an ever-growing circle of true friends, he or she will experience acceptance of who they really are, affirmation of what God has given them to do, and accountability that keeps them on the right path. But there’s more!
The Lord didn’t simply fuse us together with one another, He joined us inseparably to Himself as well! And in so doing unleashed the power of heaven into each one of our lives. And now, He wants to release that very power through our lives to a world still in need of a Savior’s redeeming love and grace.
After all, there's no limit to the size of this ever-growing circle of true friends! John the Beloved said, "We want you to be with us in the wonderful friendship, and so we write and tell you about it. For the more that friendship extends, the greater the joy it brings to us who are already in it!" (1 John 1:4).
Are you in the circle? Are you also helping others to get in?
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Yes, There are Many, Many Ways to God....
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"I am the Door." (John 10:7).
Whether you live in a big house, a small house, an apartment, or a car -- there is one thing in common with each and every domicile. You enter through a door.
It can be the front door, side door, back door, basement door, or garage door -- doesn't matter. Thieves and robbers climb through windows, and Santa Claus comes down the chimney. Everybody else uses the door.
Jesus said, "I am the door." By this He means that He is the only legitimate way into the presence of God, and into God's heaven. Yes, there are in fact many, many ways to God -- providing they all lead you through the Door.
And there is only one Door -- Jesus. He Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except through Me." Through Me -- that's a Door talking.
And then Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (John 10:1). Anybody that tries to get you to believe that you can reach God without going through Jesus is leading you through a Trap Door -- and to a very unhappy ending.
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"I am the Door." (John 10:7).
Whether you live in a big house, a small house, an apartment, or a car -- there is one thing in common with each and every domicile. You enter through a door.
It can be the front door, side door, back door, basement door, or garage door -- doesn't matter. Thieves and robbers climb through windows, and Santa Claus comes down the chimney. Everybody else uses the door.
Jesus said, "I am the door." By this He means that He is the only legitimate way into the presence of God, and into God's heaven. Yes, there are in fact many, many ways to God -- providing they all lead you through the Door.
And there is only one Door -- Jesus. He Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except through Me." Through Me -- that's a Door talking.
And then Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (John 10:1). Anybody that tries to get you to believe that you can reach God without going through Jesus is leading you through a Trap Door -- and to a very unhappy ending.
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Monday, August 11, 2008
"He Was a Saint!"
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"Giving the right answer at the right time makes everyone happy." (Proverbs 15:23, CEV).
There were two notorious and wicked brothers who terrorized a small town in the Midwest. When one of the brothers died it became the other’s responsibility to make funeral arrangements. However, he could find no pastor in the county who would agree to officiate at the funeral.
It wasn’t because they lacked compassion; it was because of the unusual request made by the surviving brother. He wanted the pastor to say of the deceased, “He was a saint.” Of course, no pastor would agree to do such a dishonest thing.
In desperation, the brother offered $1,000 to any pastor who would say the words during the funeral, and one pastor agreed to do so. He was a prominent pastor of a prestigious church, and the entire community was shocked when they heard of his decision.
When the day of the funeral came, everybody showed up-- not because they cared anything for the dead guy, but they wanted to see if the pastor would really compromise himself for a mere thousand dollars.
When the moment arrived, the pastor delivered the epithet without a stutter, “We all know that Charlie here was a wicked man. He was twisted, foul, perverse and full of the devil. But compared to his brother …. he was a saint!"
Never underestimate a preacher's ability to find a way to say it right -- especially when money is on the line!
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"Giving the right answer at the right time makes everyone happy." (Proverbs 15:23, CEV).
There were two notorious and wicked brothers who terrorized a small town in the Midwest. When one of the brothers died it became the other’s responsibility to make funeral arrangements. However, he could find no pastor in the county who would agree to officiate at the funeral.
It wasn’t because they lacked compassion; it was because of the unusual request made by the surviving brother. He wanted the pastor to say of the deceased, “He was a saint.” Of course, no pastor would agree to do such a dishonest thing.
In desperation, the brother offered $1,000 to any pastor who would say the words during the funeral, and one pastor agreed to do so. He was a prominent pastor of a prestigious church, and the entire community was shocked when they heard of his decision.
When the day of the funeral came, everybody showed up-- not because they cared anything for the dead guy, but they wanted to see if the pastor would really compromise himself for a mere thousand dollars.
When the moment arrived, the pastor delivered the epithet without a stutter, “We all know that Charlie here was a wicked man. He was twisted, foul, perverse and full of the devil. But compared to his brother …. he was a saint!"
Never underestimate a preacher's ability to find a way to say it right -- especially when money is on the line!
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Sunday, August 10, 2008
HEAVEN -- Don't Miss it For the World!
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"Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them." (Luke 12:37, NKJV).
Not only will the Lord render to every man the praise his life is due, but — oh, I can hardly write the words, for they are so foreign to our thoughts; and I can only write them because Jesus Himself said that it would be so -- but Christ will then “gird Himself, have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them” (Luke 12:37)!
Now you know how Peter must've felt when Jesus stooped to wash his feet; or, how John felt when Jesus bowed before him to be baptized. But, wait, there’s more!
God will then reward each one with an eternal weight of glory. As joint-heirs with Christ, we will be made to shine as the sun in the kingdom of our Father, and we will reign with Him forever. But, wait, there’s still more!
We will be given crowns that are incorruptible! There is the Crown of Life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (see James 1:12). And then there's the Crown of Righteousness, to all those who loved His appearing (see 2 Timothy 4:8). And also, there is the Crown of Glory, that does not fade away (see 1 Peter 5:4). But wait! There's still one more. It's the Crown of Rejoicing, which we will wear when we see all those who we have helped make it into Heaven with us (see 1 Thessalonians 2:19). Wow!!
And, of course, you know what we will do with those crowns? We will fall down in worship before Him who sits on the throne, and cast our crowns before His feet, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power!” (see Rev.4:10). Oh, what a day that will be!
Heaven; don’t miss it for the world!
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"Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them." (Luke 12:37, NKJV).
Not only will the Lord render to every man the praise his life is due, but — oh, I can hardly write the words, for they are so foreign to our thoughts; and I can only write them because Jesus Himself said that it would be so -- but Christ will then “gird Himself, have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them” (Luke 12:37)!
Now you know how Peter must've felt when Jesus stooped to wash his feet; or, how John felt when Jesus bowed before him to be baptized. But, wait, there’s more!
God will then reward each one with an eternal weight of glory. As joint-heirs with Christ, we will be made to shine as the sun in the kingdom of our Father, and we will reign with Him forever. But, wait, there’s still more!
We will be given crowns that are incorruptible! There is the Crown of Life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (see James 1:12). And then there's the Crown of Righteousness, to all those who loved His appearing (see 2 Timothy 4:8). And also, there is the Crown of Glory, that does not fade away (see 1 Peter 5:4). But wait! There's still one more. It's the Crown of Rejoicing, which we will wear when we see all those who we have helped make it into Heaven with us (see 1 Thessalonians 2:19). Wow!!
And, of course, you know what we will do with those crowns? We will fall down in worship before Him who sits on the throne, and cast our crowns before His feet, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power!” (see Rev.4:10). Oh, what a day that will be!
Heaven; don’t miss it for the world!
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Saturday, August 09, 2008
Praise, as We have Never Heard Before!
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"Then each one's praise will come from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Everybody knows that the choir in Heaven is solid gold, and we know that the worship there is endless. But what most of us don’t realize is that our first days in glory are going to be filled with praise — praise, as we have never heard before.
It will not be the sound of our voices praising God. No. Rather, it will be the astounding sound of God—are you ready for this?—praising us!
You don’t believe me? Listen to what the Bible says: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God” (1 Co.4:5, NKJV).
Only God really knows what is in a man’s heart; He alone sees and understands the deepest secrets, the fondest hopes, the truest motives — even when these are somewhat soiled by our own carnality. This is why we are expressly told to not judge one another. The truth is we do not know what is in another man’s heart; we only know what is in our own. Our judgment of another, then, is the trumpeting aloud of our own hidden faults.
When you and I stand before the Lord in Heaven, He is going to bring out into the open all the undeveloped gifts, abilities, treasures, dreams, possibilities, and show what He had in mind all along when He created us. He is going to show how these things stirred our deepest imaginations and filled us with holy desire to live for Him—even if we did not fully realize it all.
And then He is going to publicly render His opinion, His judgment, about these things and then — here it comes — give us praise! Imagine it; the Lord Himself praising you for the way you lived your life in honor of His name!
He has seen each deed -- great or small -- which we have done for His glory. And on that Day when we stand before Him in the assembly of the Ages, we will hear Him openly declare for all to hear the depth of His Own great admiration for even the simplest moments of our faithful service!
What a day that will be! A Day filled with Praise, as we have never heard before!
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"Then each one's praise will come from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Everybody knows that the choir in Heaven is solid gold, and we know that the worship there is endless. But what most of us don’t realize is that our first days in glory are going to be filled with praise — praise, as we have never heard before.
It will not be the sound of our voices praising God. No. Rather, it will be the astounding sound of God—are you ready for this?—praising us!
You don’t believe me? Listen to what the Bible says: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God” (1 Co.4:5, NKJV).
Only God really knows what is in a man’s heart; He alone sees and understands the deepest secrets, the fondest hopes, the truest motives — even when these are somewhat soiled by our own carnality. This is why we are expressly told to not judge one another. The truth is we do not know what is in another man’s heart; we only know what is in our own. Our judgment of another, then, is the trumpeting aloud of our own hidden faults.
When you and I stand before the Lord in Heaven, He is going to bring out into the open all the undeveloped gifts, abilities, treasures, dreams, possibilities, and show what He had in mind all along when He created us. He is going to show how these things stirred our deepest imaginations and filled us with holy desire to live for Him—even if we did not fully realize it all.
And then He is going to publicly render His opinion, His judgment, about these things and then — here it comes — give us praise! Imagine it; the Lord Himself praising you for the way you lived your life in honor of His name!
He has seen each deed -- great or small -- which we have done for His glory. And on that Day when we stand before Him in the assembly of the Ages, we will hear Him openly declare for all to hear the depth of His Own great admiration for even the simplest moments of our faithful service!
What a day that will be! A Day filled with Praise, as we have never heard before!
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Friday, August 08, 2008
Enter Into the Joy of Your Lord
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"Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:23).
And now we speak of things so sublime that they are far beyond the scope of man’s imagination. Indeed, we could never even conceive of such things as we are about to discuss. As it is written, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Co.2:9).
Dream of heaven, O dreamer of dreams, and your dreams at best are altogether vanity—for God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever even think or imagine.
How then do we know of these glorious things, seeing they are beyond our ability to know them? “God has revealed them to us by his Spirit,” the Bible says, “for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Co.2:10, NKJV). The verse goes on to say that we have been given the Spirit of God “that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God” (vs.12).
Why is it important that we speak now of things that are yet so far away? Jesus regarded our future in heaven an important motivation for faithful service during this time of waiting for His return. That’s why He included it in the Parable of the Talents. And that’s why we ought to familiarize ourselves with what the Bible says on this subject.
We will discover that by living each day now with That Day fully in mind—our choices, our conduct, and our conversations will become much more intentional as it pertains to bringing honor to Jesus by faithfully obeying His word and doing His will.
What a day it will be when we see Jesus! One of my favorite Bible verses comes from the Wuest New Testament. It sums up how we will feel when we stand before the Lord and see all He has done in His love for us: “And they were completely flabbergasted, and that in a super abundant degree, which itself was augmented by the addition of yet more astonishment, saying, ‘He has done all things well!’” (Mark 7:37)
And on That Day when we shall look upon Him, wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear the Lord say to each of us in return, “You, too, have done all things well! Now, enter into the joy of your Lord!”
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"Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:23).
And now we speak of things so sublime that they are far beyond the scope of man’s imagination. Indeed, we could never even conceive of such things as we are about to discuss. As it is written, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Co.2:9).
Dream of heaven, O dreamer of dreams, and your dreams at best are altogether vanity—for God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever even think or imagine.
How then do we know of these glorious things, seeing they are beyond our ability to know them? “God has revealed them to us by his Spirit,” the Bible says, “for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Co.2:10, NKJV). The verse goes on to say that we have been given the Spirit of God “that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God” (vs.12).
Why is it important that we speak now of things that are yet so far away? Jesus regarded our future in heaven an important motivation for faithful service during this time of waiting for His return. That’s why He included it in the Parable of the Talents. And that’s why we ought to familiarize ourselves with what the Bible says on this subject.
We will discover that by living each day now with That Day fully in mind—our choices, our conduct, and our conversations will become much more intentional as it pertains to bringing honor to Jesus by faithfully obeying His word and doing His will.
What a day it will be when we see Jesus! One of my favorite Bible verses comes from the Wuest New Testament. It sums up how we will feel when we stand before the Lord and see all He has done in His love for us: “And they were completely flabbergasted, and that in a super abundant degree, which itself was augmented by the addition of yet more astonishment, saying, ‘He has done all things well!’” (Mark 7:37)
And on That Day when we shall look upon Him, wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear the Lord say to each of us in return, “You, too, have done all things well! Now, enter into the joy of your Lord!”
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Thursday, August 07, 2008
What Does the Lord Want Me to Do? (Part 3)
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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
The one question I most often hear people ask is, "What does the Lord want me to do?" While those who ask this question are typically is looking for some specific answer about some specific issue or decision -- the answer God gives tends to be more comprehensive.
Over the past two days we've looked at two of the three directives given by the prophet Micah in response to this question. Today we finish by looking at the third. The first was to do justly, the second was to love mercy, and now today we are told to.....
#3-- WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD
Pride has no place in the presence of the Lord, nor in the service we render unto His name. Pride will never do justice, for it only seeks its own. Pride will never show mercy, because it delights in oppression. Pride will never walk with God, for it sees itself to be equal to the Most High. Thus, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Humility is the God-given self assurance that eliminates the need to prove to others the worth of who you are, and the rightness of what you do. It is the freedom to be yourself before God, and before others.
Humility is the result of being in total agreement with the Lord. “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
If you will agree with God and submit to His will for your life, He will make you a man or woman of justice and mercy; clothed with humility! And He will anoint you with His grace. His power and ability will use your limited resources in His unlimited ways. Even if all you have is two fish and five loaves of bread—there is going to a banquet in your sphere of influence!
Whatever you decide to do with your life, and wherever that decision may take you -- be sure that these three things are true of you in every place and situation -- you do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
The one question I most often hear people ask is, "What does the Lord want me to do?" While those who ask this question are typically is looking for some specific answer about some specific issue or decision -- the answer God gives tends to be more comprehensive.
Over the past two days we've looked at two of the three directives given by the prophet Micah in response to this question. Today we finish by looking at the third. The first was to do justly, the second was to love mercy, and now today we are told to.....
#3-- WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD
Pride has no place in the presence of the Lord, nor in the service we render unto His name. Pride will never do justice, for it only seeks its own. Pride will never show mercy, because it delights in oppression. Pride will never walk with God, for it sees itself to be equal to the Most High. Thus, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Humility is the God-given self assurance that eliminates the need to prove to others the worth of who you are, and the rightness of what you do. It is the freedom to be yourself before God, and before others.
Humility is the result of being in total agreement with the Lord. “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
If you will agree with God and submit to His will for your life, He will make you a man or woman of justice and mercy; clothed with humility! And He will anoint you with His grace. His power and ability will use your limited resources in His unlimited ways. Even if all you have is two fish and five loaves of bread—there is going to a banquet in your sphere of influence!
Whatever you decide to do with your life, and wherever that decision may take you -- be sure that these three things are true of you in every place and situation -- you do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
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Wednesday, August 06, 2008
What Does the Lord Want Me to Do? (Part 2)
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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
Yesterday we looked at what the prophet Micah said, and highlighted the first of three comprehensive directives which the Lord has set before each one of us. The first was to do justly. Today we will look at the second.
#2 -- LOVE MERCY.
Solomon wrote, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee” (Proverbs 3:3). Notice that mercy and truth must never be separated from one another. Truth without mercy is harsh; mercy without truth is irresponsible. Together they form the essence of godliness. Solomon went on to say that mercy and truth working together in our hearts and lives would bring us favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Justice calls for action against that which is wrong; mercy requires patience in dealing with those who have been wronged. Together they accomplish God’s will in our sphere of influence. “God works powerfully,” wrote John Newton, “but for the most part He works gently and gradually.”
You and I cannot change the world, but we can do something about what goes on where we live. And if we'll see to that, the Lord will take care of the rest. After all, the light that shines the farthest, shines brightest at home.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Did you know that how you treat other people is a prayer you are praying, asking the Lord to treat you the same way? The one sure path you can walk is the Way of Mercy.
What does the Lord want you to do? He wants you to be a person who does justice, and who loves mercy.
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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
Yesterday we looked at what the prophet Micah said, and highlighted the first of three comprehensive directives which the Lord has set before each one of us. The first was to do justly. Today we will look at the second.
#2 -- LOVE MERCY.
Solomon wrote, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee” (Proverbs 3:3). Notice that mercy and truth must never be separated from one another. Truth without mercy is harsh; mercy without truth is irresponsible. Together they form the essence of godliness. Solomon went on to say that mercy and truth working together in our hearts and lives would bring us favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Justice calls for action against that which is wrong; mercy requires patience in dealing with those who have been wronged. Together they accomplish God’s will in our sphere of influence. “God works powerfully,” wrote John Newton, “but for the most part He works gently and gradually.”
You and I cannot change the world, but we can do something about what goes on where we live. And if we'll see to that, the Lord will take care of the rest. After all, the light that shines the farthest, shines brightest at home.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Did you know that how you treat other people is a prayer you are praying, asking the Lord to treat you the same way? The one sure path you can walk is the Way of Mercy.
What does the Lord want you to do? He wants you to be a person who does justice, and who loves mercy.
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Tuesday, August 05, 2008
What Does the Lord Want Me to Do? (Part 1)
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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
As I travel and meet with people in a variety of settings, the one question I hear more than any other is, "What does the Lord want me to do?" While most people who ask this question are typically looking for some specific answer about some specific issue or decision -- the answer God gives tends to be more comprehensive.
The prophet Micah illustrates this better than anyone else. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" In other words -- whatever you decide to do with your life, and wherever that decision may take you -- be sure it contains these three things.
#1 -- DO JUSTLY. This means that we are to see that justice is done, when it is within our power to do so.
Micah was a peasant prophet speaking up to the civil powers that ruled in Jerusalem. It is noteworthy that "the justice issue" is always raised from below, not from above. In other words, those in power never see a need to change anything—they like it the way it is.
The Bible says, “The Lord does what is right and fair for all who are oppressed” (Psalm 03:6). As followers of Jesus, we will do the same.
What does the Lord want you to do? He wants you to see that justice is done in situations where you have a voice to speak, and power to exert. There may be some things that are in fact beyond your reach, things you truly can do nothing about. But for those things that are before you, and within the scope of your influence -- there the Lord wants you to do what is just, right and fair.
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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
As I travel and meet with people in a variety of settings, the one question I hear more than any other is, "What does the Lord want me to do?" While most people who ask this question are typically looking for some specific answer about some specific issue or decision -- the answer God gives tends to be more comprehensive.
The prophet Micah illustrates this better than anyone else. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" In other words -- whatever you decide to do with your life, and wherever that decision may take you -- be sure it contains these three things.
#1 -- DO JUSTLY. This means that we are to see that justice is done, when it is within our power to do so.
Micah was a peasant prophet speaking up to the civil powers that ruled in Jerusalem. It is noteworthy that "the justice issue" is always raised from below, not from above. In other words, those in power never see a need to change anything—they like it the way it is.
The Bible says, “The Lord does what is right and fair for all who are oppressed” (Psalm 03:6). As followers of Jesus, we will do the same.
What does the Lord want you to do? He wants you to see that justice is done in situations where you have a voice to speak, and power to exert. There may be some things that are in fact beyond your reach, things you truly can do nothing about. But for those things that are before you, and within the scope of your influence -- there the Lord wants you to do what is just, right and fair.
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Monday, August 04, 2008
The Last Word About the Wicked Man
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"You wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
What was it that moved Jesus to label this particular fellow a wicked servant? It would do us well to find out, so as to make sure He doesn't do the same to us.
The Greek word used in the original text means malignant -- evil in nature, influence, or effect. It's the word we use to describe cancer. Thus, a wicked man is one who effects others in an injurious way; a malcontent who causes deterioration in the lives of others; a man or woman who contaminates others with the destructive power of death. Its the kind of person who brightens up a room by leaving!
A wicked man creates in his environment that which he carries within his own soul. He is a man or woman who is laborious, in that they are hard to deal with; like a person who always sees what's wrong with something, rather than what's right; a person who is always complaining, always working at tearing things down, rather than bulding them up; always stirring up strife and discord.
A wicked man is a person who causes sorrow, pain, grief, and trouble. A wicked man or woman is one who works malicious mischief everywhere they go; someone whose influence is malevolent -- filled with vicious ill-will, spite, or hatred -- especially against Christ.
And, while we each know someone somewhere who falls into this category -- the most astonishing of all is that this person is often found sitting in the church pew on Sunday morning! Someone said, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more that sitting in a garage makes you a car."
When the Lord taught us to pray "deliver us from evil" -- this is the very same word He used when He called the servant wicked. So, make this your prayer today -- "Lord, save me from being a wicked person! Remove from me anything that would be evil in its nature, its influence, or its effect upon other. Keep me from being cancerous, by making me a blessing to you and to others in all things, and at all times."
May the Lord use you to fill your world with His presence!
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"You wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
What was it that moved Jesus to label this particular fellow a wicked servant? It would do us well to find out, so as to make sure He doesn't do the same to us.
The Greek word used in the original text means malignant -- evil in nature, influence, or effect. It's the word we use to describe cancer. Thus, a wicked man is one who effects others in an injurious way; a malcontent who causes deterioration in the lives of others; a man or woman who contaminates others with the destructive power of death. Its the kind of person who brightens up a room by leaving!
A wicked man creates in his environment that which he carries within his own soul. He is a man or woman who is laborious, in that they are hard to deal with; like a person who always sees what's wrong with something, rather than what's right; a person who is always complaining, always working at tearing things down, rather than bulding them up; always stirring up strife and discord.
A wicked man is a person who causes sorrow, pain, grief, and trouble. A wicked man or woman is one who works malicious mischief everywhere they go; someone whose influence is malevolent -- filled with vicious ill-will, spite, or hatred -- especially against Christ.
And, while we each know someone somewhere who falls into this category -- the most astonishing of all is that this person is often found sitting in the church pew on Sunday morning! Someone said, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more that sitting in a garage makes you a car."
When the Lord taught us to pray "deliver us from evil" -- this is the very same word He used when He called the servant wicked. So, make this your prayer today -- "Lord, save me from being a wicked person! Remove from me anything that would be evil in its nature, its influence, or its effect upon other. Keep me from being cancerous, by making me a blessing to you and to others in all things, and at all times."
May the Lord use you to fill your world with His presence!
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Sunday, August 03, 2008
The Five Colossal Mistakes of a Wicked Man (#5)
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"Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
Today we conclude our look into the story Jesus told about a man who was given a gift, and then expected to use it in a such a way as to bring honor to the one who gave him the gift. The man failed miserably by making five colossal mistakes. We have discussed the first four, now we'll look at the final one. My purpose is to help insure that you and I do not follow his example and squander the gifts and the great opportunities the which the Lord has given us.
Colossal Mistake No.5 -- He Betrayed his Soul
This man had professed to be a servant of the Lord, but now his true colors were shown. Though he painted his face with the veneer of piety, his behavior betrayed the true condition of his soul.
“You wicked servant,” Jesus said to him. These are strong words, leaving no doubt about what the Lord thought. Wicked means “evil in thought and purpose.” It is the fruit of following the devil. Satan has but one agenda; to destroy everything that brings honor to Jesus Christ. He used this wicked man to do just that. We must make sure that he does not do the same with us.
As for the wicked servant, Jesus said, “Take from him and give it to another.” Here we have the final, sobering summary of one man’s desperate failure. He was disqualified, dishonored, and eternally damned. “Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness,” Jesus said. “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt.25:30).
He no doubt thought he was doing the safe thing by burying his talent, keeping it from risk and loss; ready to give back to his Lord without incident. He clearly could not have been more mistaken! By taking no risk at all—he took the greatest risk of all, and in the end betrayed his own soul!
Don't you dare make the same colossal mistakes this poor man made!
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"Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
Today we conclude our look into the story Jesus told about a man who was given a gift, and then expected to use it in a such a way as to bring honor to the one who gave him the gift. The man failed miserably by making five colossal mistakes. We have discussed the first four, now we'll look at the final one. My purpose is to help insure that you and I do not follow his example and squander the gifts and the great opportunities the which the Lord has given us.
Colossal Mistake No.5 -- He Betrayed his Soul
This man had professed to be a servant of the Lord, but now his true colors were shown. Though he painted his face with the veneer of piety, his behavior betrayed the true condition of his soul.
“You wicked servant,” Jesus said to him. These are strong words, leaving no doubt about what the Lord thought. Wicked means “evil in thought and purpose.” It is the fruit of following the devil. Satan has but one agenda; to destroy everything that brings honor to Jesus Christ. He used this wicked man to do just that. We must make sure that he does not do the same with us.
As for the wicked servant, Jesus said, “Take from him and give it to another.” Here we have the final, sobering summary of one man’s desperate failure. He was disqualified, dishonored, and eternally damned. “Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness,” Jesus said. “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt.25:30).
He no doubt thought he was doing the safe thing by burying his talent, keeping it from risk and loss; ready to give back to his Lord without incident. He clearly could not have been more mistaken! By taking no risk at all—he took the greatest risk of all, and in the end betrayed his own soul!
Don't you dare make the same colossal mistakes this poor man made!
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Saturday, August 02, 2008
The Five Colossal Mistakes of a Wicked Man (#4)
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"Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
Today we continue our look into the story Jesus told about a man who was given a gift, and then expected to use it in a such a way as to bring honor to the one who gave him the gift. The man failed miserably by making five colossal mistakes. We have discussed the first three, now we'll look at the fourth one. My purpose is to help insure that you and I do not follow his example and squander the gifts and the great opportunities the which the Lord has given us.
Colossal Mistake No.4 -- He Blew his Opportunity
The Lord ignored the man’s insults and turned the argument back upon him. “Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?”
The issue here is what did you do with what you were given? The Master doesn't defend himself; he doesn't correct the man's false perceptions about him. Rather, he confronts the deeper issue -- the man blew his opportunity. Regardless of what he thought about his master, he still had the chance to do something good with what he had.
Your life matters to God. He did not haphazardly create you, nor randomly drop you into the gene pool of life. He created you with a purpose, and He has good reason to expect good returns on His investment in you.
This man blew his chance. Don’t make the same mistake! His sobering failure stares each one of us squarely in the face, serving as a warning lest we let our own opportunities slip by unappreciated and unused.
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"Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
Today we continue our look into the story Jesus told about a man who was given a gift, and then expected to use it in a such a way as to bring honor to the one who gave him the gift. The man failed miserably by making five colossal mistakes. We have discussed the first three, now we'll look at the fourth one. My purpose is to help insure that you and I do not follow his example and squander the gifts and the great opportunities the which the Lord has given us.
Colossal Mistake No.4 -- He Blew his Opportunity
The Lord ignored the man’s insults and turned the argument back upon him. “Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?”
The issue here is what did you do with what you were given? The Master doesn't defend himself; he doesn't correct the man's false perceptions about him. Rather, he confronts the deeper issue -- the man blew his opportunity. Regardless of what he thought about his master, he still had the chance to do something good with what he had.
Your life matters to God. He did not haphazardly create you, nor randomly drop you into the gene pool of life. He created you with a purpose, and He has good reason to expect good returns on His investment in you.
This man blew his chance. Don’t make the same mistake! His sobering failure stares each one of us squarely in the face, serving as a warning lest we let our own opportunities slip by unappreciated and unused.
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Friday, August 01, 2008
The Five Colossal Mistakes of a Wicked Man (#3)
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"Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
We are looking into the story Jesus told about a man who was given a gift, and then expected to use it in a good way that would bring honor to the one who gave him the gift. But the man failed miserably.
He made five colossal mistakes. We have already considered the first two, now we'll look at the third one. My purpose is to help insure that you and I do not follow his example and squander the gifts and the great opportunities the which the Lord has given us.
Colossal Mistake No.3 -- He Blamed the Lord
“I feared you," he said to the Lord, "because You are a hard man.” The man is justifying his lack of stewardship by calling the Master's character and conduct into question.
In other words, this guy was saying, “I could have done something meaningful with what you gave me, but you are so hard to deal with — so difficult to please, so demanding in your expectations, and so severe in how you handles things. I realized the best thing for me to do was to keep the talent you gave me safely hidden away so that you could have it back just like it was.”
This twisted thinking started all the way back in the Garden. Adam blamed God when he said, "The woman you gave me made me do it." In other words, if the Lord had not given the woman to Adam—none of this would have ever happened. So, it’s not Adam’s fault, and it’s not really even the woman’s fault—it’s God’s! Adam blamed GOd, and men have been following in his footstpes since that first day!
Are you blaming God for something in your life?
If so, you are making a colossal mistake!
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"Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant." (Luke 19:22).
We are looking into the story Jesus told about a man who was given a gift, and then expected to use it in a good way that would bring honor to the one who gave him the gift. But the man failed miserably.
He made five colossal mistakes. We have already considered the first two, now we'll look at the third one. My purpose is to help insure that you and I do not follow his example and squander the gifts and the great opportunities the which the Lord has given us.
Colossal Mistake No.3 -- He Blamed the Lord
“I feared you," he said to the Lord, "because You are a hard man.” The man is justifying his lack of stewardship by calling the Master's character and conduct into question.
In other words, this guy was saying, “I could have done something meaningful with what you gave me, but you are so hard to deal with — so difficult to please, so demanding in your expectations, and so severe in how you handles things. I realized the best thing for me to do was to keep the talent you gave me safely hidden away so that you could have it back just like it was.”
This twisted thinking started all the way back in the Garden. Adam blamed God when he said, "The woman you gave me made me do it." In other words, if the Lord had not given the woman to Adam—none of this would have ever happened. So, it’s not Adam’s fault, and it’s not really even the woman’s fault—it’s God’s! Adam blamed GOd, and men have been following in his footstpes since that first day!
Are you blaming God for something in your life?
If so, you are making a colossal mistake!
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