Seeing this next passage with new eyes this morning...
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
What gain has the worker from his toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 ESV
God-given seasons. God-given toil. I think the key passage that puts the rest into perspective is this one.
"I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with." - Ecclesiastes 3:10 ESV
" 'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor... So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31 ESV
Yes. Yes. Yes.
When we are in the glory of God business each season has a place and makes sense eventually. The Greek word there is doxa (Strong's G1391) and it is a 'revealing.' It is a true account made by a believable witness.
A polished outside isn't what glorifies God. Grace, mercy, truth and redemption do. Forgiveness. Rebound (getting back up when we fall). Living in a new identity. Being free inside. Struggling with God for 'the blessing' until He lets us win.
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Romans 14:17 ESV
Not every season is easy or comfortable or fun but there is a glory waiting in each one for them that believe. God can be revealed as He Is.
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me...' " - John 14:6 ESV
Jesus is the revealer of God. God can't be known correctly without Him but if we have Him and He has us glory is going to happen. That glory is man's highest truest joy.
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Showing posts with label Glory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glory. Show all posts
Friday, March 23, 2018
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
No Law Against Such Things
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:22-26 ESV
There is 'no law against such things' that is for sure with God. We don't strive to have them and there is no law against them.
Perhaps we have all seen (or even been) the person who gets a victory over a bad habit and then becomes this crusader of 'making good decisions'. We become conceited in our victory when it was really the fruit of the Spirit and some crucified flesh. God did something that we had the privilege of participating in but can claim no glory for... but we do and perhaps it creates envy in others.
I revel this morning in the effortlessness of the fruit of the Spirit and that my reckoning of belonging to Christ serves to crucify my flesh. Crucifixion is a past tense thing for someone who belongs to Christ.
God is not stopping or regulating love, joy and peace this morning. He isn't saying, 'You can only love in these circumstances.' or 'Please limit your peace to when these things happen.'
...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...
Thank you God. We don't want to limit or take credit for these things. You produce them freely. You get the glory for them if we have them. You are the mighty God and your Gospel is seed that grows up into this fruit. Thank You God. We belong to you. You purchased us with precious blood and knowing that moves our fleshly desires into the category of 'crucified'.
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There is 'no law against such things' that is for sure with God. We don't strive to have them and there is no law against them.
Perhaps we have all seen (or even been) the person who gets a victory over a bad habit and then becomes this crusader of 'making good decisions'. We become conceited in our victory when it was really the fruit of the Spirit and some crucified flesh. God did something that we had the privilege of participating in but can claim no glory for... but we do and perhaps it creates envy in others.
I revel this morning in the effortlessness of the fruit of the Spirit and that my reckoning of belonging to Christ serves to crucify my flesh. Crucifixion is a past tense thing for someone who belongs to Christ.
God is not stopping or regulating love, joy and peace this morning. He isn't saying, 'You can only love in these circumstances.' or 'Please limit your peace to when these things happen.'
...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...
Thank you God. We don't want to limit or take credit for these things. You produce them freely. You get the glory for them if we have them. You are the mighty God and your Gospel is seed that grows up into this fruit. Thank You God. We belong to you. You purchased us with precious blood and knowing that moves our fleshly desires into the category of 'crucified'.
--
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
God's Method Of Supply
This is a good 'memory verse'.
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19 ESV
The word translated 'need' is chreia (Strong's G5532) and it is more of a business need or necessity related to supply and demand.
God meets every 'transactional demand' with the 'abundant outward possessions' of His 'actual character on display' in Christ Jesus.
That is mysterious and wonderful if we let that statement sink in. Here is the context of the passage.
"Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:14-19 ESV
Paul was hoping all the Churches would work together and give a little to help the work. That way no one would be overburdened. Good plan. It made sense. It didn't go that way. No one helped and when the Philippians found out they took on a large burden and showed Paul great almost uncomfortable love. God was glorified in their sacrifical love.
Paul was saying that it was going to be that way for them also. Needs 'to do Gospel business' were going to be met but in mysterious ways.
Perhaps things haven't gone the way you planned? Take heart... and get used to it. {smile}
--
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19 ESV
The word translated 'need' is chreia (Strong's G5532) and it is more of a business need or necessity related to supply and demand.
God meets every 'transactional demand' with the 'abundant outward possessions' of His 'actual character on display' in Christ Jesus.
That is mysterious and wonderful if we let that statement sink in. Here is the context of the passage.
"Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:14-19 ESV
Paul was hoping all the Churches would work together and give a little to help the work. That way no one would be overburdened. Good plan. It made sense. It didn't go that way. No one helped and when the Philippians found out they took on a large burden and showed Paul great almost uncomfortable love. God was glorified in their sacrifical love.
Paul was saying that it was going to be that way for them also. Needs 'to do Gospel business' were going to be met but in mysterious ways.
Perhaps things haven't gone the way you planned? Take heart... and get used to it. {smile}
--
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
The Dignified And The Efficient
What do you do when you just can't get along with someone?
"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." - Philippians 4:2 ESV
Watchman Nee's take on the book of Philippians is that Paul has the conflict between these two women in his mind as he writes this whole book. The book isn't about them. It is written to everyone but this conflict is a primal human conflict. Two women who just can't agree... not because one is right and the other wrong... no... they are just people and people just don't get along sometimes.
They can't work it out with each other but the Spirit gives them different advice...
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." - Philippians 2:12-18 ESV
Walter Bagehot wrote a book in 1867 about the British Constitution and in it he breaks that document into two great ideals. He says that all great documents about governance can be broken into these two parts. The 'dignified' and the 'efficient.' The dignified represents glorious ideals and timeless truths. The English Monarchy should, in the Victorian mind, represent the dignified. Advising but only when ideals are involved. Ruling as examples of dignity. The efficient aspect represents the action of governance. The practical day to day work of completing tasks or making necessary changes. Both need each other and both must be in balance.
The British Constitution isn't scripture but we can see these two concepts in scripture can't we?
Jesus dying on a cross is the ultimate dignified act done by the ultimate person. He was and Is dignity incarnate and His dignity dignifies us if we let the Spirit work efficiently in us.
Paul points these two women, and all of mankind, that struggles in conflict to the dignity of the cross. If that dignity is the advising example then we can be governed by love efficiently because The Spirit of God works in us and is always in tune with the dignity of the Trinity.
We can rejoice in a crooked world that amplifies conflict and division if we behold the cross and 'work it out' with God.
"...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13 ESV
If the cross is our point of reference we can find a way past every obstacle because God does it in us and through us.
One day we will be face to face with the dignified One. He Is full of grace and truth. Let's stand and rest with our eyes fixed on Him as we deal with what must be dealt with in our day to day lives. He makes all the difference in every situation. His finished work counsels us in amazing practical ways moment to moment.
--
"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." - Philippians 4:2 ESV
Watchman Nee's take on the book of Philippians is that Paul has the conflict between these two women in his mind as he writes this whole book. The book isn't about them. It is written to everyone but this conflict is a primal human conflict. Two women who just can't agree... not because one is right and the other wrong... no... they are just people and people just don't get along sometimes.
They can't work it out with each other but the Spirit gives them different advice...
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." - Philippians 2:12-18 ESV
Walter Bagehot wrote a book in 1867 about the British Constitution and in it he breaks that document into two great ideals. He says that all great documents about governance can be broken into these two parts. The 'dignified' and the 'efficient.' The dignified represents glorious ideals and timeless truths. The English Monarchy should, in the Victorian mind, represent the dignified. Advising but only when ideals are involved. Ruling as examples of dignity. The efficient aspect represents the action of governance. The practical day to day work of completing tasks or making necessary changes. Both need each other and both must be in balance.
The British Constitution isn't scripture but we can see these two concepts in scripture can't we?
Jesus dying on a cross is the ultimate dignified act done by the ultimate person. He was and Is dignity incarnate and His dignity dignifies us if we let the Spirit work efficiently in us.
Paul points these two women, and all of mankind, that struggles in conflict to the dignity of the cross. If that dignity is the advising example then we can be governed by love efficiently because The Spirit of God works in us and is always in tune with the dignity of the Trinity.
We can rejoice in a crooked world that amplifies conflict and division if we behold the cross and 'work it out' with God.
"...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13 ESV
If the cross is our point of reference we can find a way past every obstacle because God does it in us and through us.
One day we will be face to face with the dignified One. He Is full of grace and truth. Let's stand and rest with our eyes fixed on Him as we deal with what must be dealt with in our day to day lives. He makes all the difference in every situation. His finished work counsels us in amazing practical ways moment to moment.
--
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Ontological Perfections - Part 2
This morning I am still thinking about 'God Proofs' and apologetics. Christian apologetics is basically explaining and 'arguing for' the faith. It can be confrontational but for the most part it deals with a deep connected understanding of God's nature and man's history.
Here is a wonderful passage.
"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 ESV
Man wants to experience God and He also wants to understand God. These are two different extremes. Blessing is felt. Glory is know or seen. But God dwells in a realm higher than the rational and experiential. He touches those realms also but He is holy and holiness is set apart from everything that is common. We can see His signature in nature but ultimately we can't find Him there. Theologians can think wonderful thoughts but be lacking in Spirit.
Isn't it wonderful to be around people who are truly alive?
The Lord is Spirit and the Spirit is Lord. True apologetics reveals who God Is. His living perfections. One theologian I read yesterday used the term 'great-making property' and I really liked that. Grace has that quality doesn't it. God treating man with the favor that he gives His perfect self sacrificing Son. God has perfect love and He also has perfect hatred. He is merciful and yet His judgement are perfectly right. He is alive in every sense.
The cross is the ultimate apologetic tool. He reveals great mysteries through the cross. Perfect love is revealed. This love is great and makes others great.
We can talk to people and explain truth and that is needed. We can also say, 'God has blessed my life. Knowing Him has been profitable for me.' and that is also true but as believers we go beyond all that to the person who is wonderful. Glory is revealed in a face that recognizes and desires us.
God is gracious. Don't we want to know this gracious person? Some don't. That is a mystery.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV
Life gets hard and often doesn't make sense. Perhaps you have noticed that also?
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16 ESV
A good apologetic allows this to happen. Even in the hard times. God's perfections remain untarnished because they are eternal.
--
Here is a wonderful passage.
"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 ESV
Man wants to experience God and He also wants to understand God. These are two different extremes. Blessing is felt. Glory is know or seen. But God dwells in a realm higher than the rational and experiential. He touches those realms also but He is holy and holiness is set apart from everything that is common. We can see His signature in nature but ultimately we can't find Him there. Theologians can think wonderful thoughts but be lacking in Spirit.
Isn't it wonderful to be around people who are truly alive?
The Lord is Spirit and the Spirit is Lord. True apologetics reveals who God Is. His living perfections. One theologian I read yesterday used the term 'great-making property' and I really liked that. Grace has that quality doesn't it. God treating man with the favor that he gives His perfect self sacrificing Son. God has perfect love and He also has perfect hatred. He is merciful and yet His judgement are perfectly right. He is alive in every sense.
The cross is the ultimate apologetic tool. He reveals great mysteries through the cross. Perfect love is revealed. This love is great and makes others great.
We can talk to people and explain truth and that is needed. We can also say, 'God has blessed my life. Knowing Him has been profitable for me.' and that is also true but as believers we go beyond all that to the person who is wonderful. Glory is revealed in a face that recognizes and desires us.
God is gracious. Don't we want to know this gracious person? Some don't. That is a mystery.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV
Life gets hard and often doesn't make sense. Perhaps you have noticed that also?
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16 ESV
A good apologetic allows this to happen. Even in the hard times. God's perfections remain untarnished because they are eternal.
--
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Asking For The Vehicle
Not having grown up in Christianity I never experienced the idea firsthand of thinking that Church leadership wanted something from me.
Now I see the damage that has been done in people's lives by leaders who have demanded the wrong things.
"Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children." - 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 ESV
"Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep." - Ezekiel 34:2b-3 ESV
"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.' This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'' The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them." - Matthew 21:1-7 ESV
There is a thing that falls into the category of, 'The Lord Has Need of This' but it isn't food... it is a vehicle. Is was a humble vehicle at that.
Men can use the office to feed their ego. They can use it to feed their belly and bank account also. They sense that there is a legitimate category of demand that an apostle (or sent one which is what that word means) can make but pride or carnality asks for the wrong things.
The Apostles knew they could ask for things within certain boundaries but they refrained. They knew it was more important that these people needed to know that God wanted to give something to them and that receiving from God was of paramount importance.
Later once a team is formed the leader can say please contribute to this humble vehicle that brings Christ into the city and it is an appropriate request. A leader should ask for those things or places might never be reached.
Christ was hailed as The King on that little colt that had never held a rider (see Mark 11:2)
"And some of those standing there said to them, 'What are you doing, untying the colt?' And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it." - Mark 11:5-7 ESV
There are places where we can go and say,'We would like to put on a concert in this park.' or 'Let's go feed the homeless on Saturdays.' or even, 'We want to start meeting here on Sundays to sings songs and teach the Bible.' and the people there who may not know God will just let us when our answer is that we are doing it in the Lord's name.
It seems to work best if the vehicle has never been ridden before. People are less likely to want to participate if they have run into the 'belly feeders' first. {{ Sigh }}
I wonder what that owner of the colt thought when He realized the prophesied Messiah was riding in on his animal? That man became a part of eternal history because he was willing to part with his donkey.
--
Now I see the damage that has been done in people's lives by leaders who have demanded the wrong things.
"Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children." - 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 ESV
"Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep." - Ezekiel 34:2b-3 ESV
"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once.' This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'' The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them." - Matthew 21:1-7 ESV
There is a thing that falls into the category of, 'The Lord Has Need of This' but it isn't food... it is a vehicle. Is was a humble vehicle at that.
Men can use the office to feed their ego. They can use it to feed their belly and bank account also. They sense that there is a legitimate category of demand that an apostle (or sent one which is what that word means) can make but pride or carnality asks for the wrong things.
The Apostles knew they could ask for things within certain boundaries but they refrained. They knew it was more important that these people needed to know that God wanted to give something to them and that receiving from God was of paramount importance.
Later once a team is formed the leader can say please contribute to this humble vehicle that brings Christ into the city and it is an appropriate request. A leader should ask for those things or places might never be reached.
Christ was hailed as The King on that little colt that had never held a rider (see Mark 11:2)
"And some of those standing there said to them, 'What are you doing, untying the colt?' And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it." - Mark 11:5-7 ESV
There are places where we can go and say,'We would like to put on a concert in this park.' or 'Let's go feed the homeless on Saturdays.' or even, 'We want to start meeting here on Sundays to sings songs and teach the Bible.' and the people there who may not know God will just let us when our answer is that we are doing it in the Lord's name.
It seems to work best if the vehicle has never been ridden before. People are less likely to want to participate if they have run into the 'belly feeders' first. {{ Sigh }}
I wonder what that owner of the colt thought when He realized the prophesied Messiah was riding in on his animal? That man became a part of eternal history because he was willing to part with his donkey.
--
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Giving God Glory
"Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands." - Isaiah 42:11-12 KJV
Giving glory to God is illumination mixed with recognition.
I love this verse because it reveals different cultures all recognizing God. The city, the village, the island people and mountain people all can see God's illumination and respond with true recognition.
Some will dance and sing and others may have a tendency to be quietly in awe. Some will focus on the practical while another dwells more on the philosophical.
Grace has an appeal to all people of all cultures. Grace is God's chosen method of expression. It is the avenue the God's attributes will be revealed.
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." - Ephesians 1:6 KJV
Grace has been revealed and a recognition of acceptance is the result.
If you look at Jesus in the Gospels He Is every type of healthy personality. In one instance He appears to be an extrovert and in another He looks like an introvert. He relates and influences. He excites and Is strategic.
The island people can relate to Him and so can the mountain people. The wilderness person and the city dweller all can recognize Him and identify with Him in some way.
He Is grace and truth.
Let's give Him glory.
Let's recognize who He Is and not make Him into who we want Him to be. When we function in that which is contrary to His character we cease to give glory to God.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" - Hebrews 12:1-2a KJV
After we see Him we will have something to say. When we see Him as He really Is it will motivate us to action.
Then God will get His glory and we will be in sync with Heaven here on Earth.
--
Giving glory to God is illumination mixed with recognition.
I love this verse because it reveals different cultures all recognizing God. The city, the village, the island people and mountain people all can see God's illumination and respond with true recognition.
Some will dance and sing and others may have a tendency to be quietly in awe. Some will focus on the practical while another dwells more on the philosophical.
Grace has an appeal to all people of all cultures. Grace is God's chosen method of expression. It is the avenue the God's attributes will be revealed.
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." - Ephesians 1:6 KJV
Grace has been revealed and a recognition of acceptance is the result.
If you look at Jesus in the Gospels He Is every type of healthy personality. In one instance He appears to be an extrovert and in another He looks like an introvert. He relates and influences. He excites and Is strategic.
The island people can relate to Him and so can the mountain people. The wilderness person and the city dweller all can recognize Him and identify with Him in some way.
He Is grace and truth.
Let's give Him glory.
Let's recognize who He Is and not make Him into who we want Him to be. When we function in that which is contrary to His character we cease to give glory to God.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" - Hebrews 12:1-2a KJV
After we see Him we will have something to say. When we see Him as He really Is it will motivate us to action.
Then God will get His glory and we will be in sync with Heaven here on Earth.
--
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Grace And Idolatry in 1 Corinthians Chapter 10
I enjoy reading scriptures and asking God, 'How does this apply to me?'
I've been reading 1 Corinthians chapter 10 this morning
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." - 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 ESV
The chapter goes back forth on the issue of idolatry. Israel fell into it again and again.
"For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were" - 1 Corinthians 10:1-7a ESV
The Church was face to face with it in the Roman culture.
"For 'the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.' If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience - I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:26-31 ESV
The way of escape we are looking for is not just a way of escape from the personal temptation that may assault us. We have that and thank God we do. Jesus Himself is our way of escape. Practicing the presence of God is one aspect of that escape.
Paul is addressing culture in this chapter. Israel's culture and the Roman influenced culture of the day. Food sacrificed to idols was everywhere. The question is, 'Where is the focus when we sit down to eat together?'
What we do or don't do is glory oriented, capacity building and capacity preserving. God sees us all the time. People only see us some of the time and that is good. What we do in those times is on display and knowing that is part of our way of escape.
God dealt with Israel the way that He did for His name's sake. It was not sin oriented judgement because sin is paid for. It was reputation oriented. That is powerful. Israel had a national reputation and we have an individual one. God had to deal with Israel again and again because He loved them and they needed to be drawn back and saved from their own selves over and over again. Is that what we want?
Lust turns wood into idols. Grace turns idols back into pieces of wood. How I see the lumber of life around me adds to or removes from our portrayal of God's reputation. Our freedom and love proclaims that our God is a good God. Our bondage sends the wrong message.
If we focus on grace then at dinner that is what the person in front of us is seeing.
Grace is all wrapped up in our walk with God. Grace is the basis of our walk. The freedom of grace and the constraining love that a graced out person reveals. We are free to eat the food no matter what idol it was sacrificed to because we know that is all garbage anyway but we are also free to say no if it will hurt our brother because grace has loved us so very much that our hunger or desire to exercise our rights can't dictate our behavior.
Glory. What a high thought.
That the God of Heaven is glorified in our little lives is amazing. I want people to see God as He really is through my life. Grace is how God really Is. He Is holy and gracious at the same time.
--
I've been reading 1 Corinthians chapter 10 this morning
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." - 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 ESV
The chapter goes back forth on the issue of idolatry. Israel fell into it again and again.
"For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were" - 1 Corinthians 10:1-7a ESV
The Church was face to face with it in the Roman culture.
"For 'the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.' If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience - I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:26-31 ESV
The way of escape we are looking for is not just a way of escape from the personal temptation that may assault us. We have that and thank God we do. Jesus Himself is our way of escape. Practicing the presence of God is one aspect of that escape.
Paul is addressing culture in this chapter. Israel's culture and the Roman influenced culture of the day. Food sacrificed to idols was everywhere. The question is, 'Where is the focus when we sit down to eat together?'
What we do or don't do is glory oriented, capacity building and capacity preserving. God sees us all the time. People only see us some of the time and that is good. What we do in those times is on display and knowing that is part of our way of escape.
God dealt with Israel the way that He did for His name's sake. It was not sin oriented judgement because sin is paid for. It was reputation oriented. That is powerful. Israel had a national reputation and we have an individual one. God had to deal with Israel again and again because He loved them and they needed to be drawn back and saved from their own selves over and over again. Is that what we want?
Lust turns wood into idols. Grace turns idols back into pieces of wood. How I see the lumber of life around me adds to or removes from our portrayal of God's reputation. Our freedom and love proclaims that our God is a good God. Our bondage sends the wrong message.
If we focus on grace then at dinner that is what the person in front of us is seeing.
Grace is all wrapped up in our walk with God. Grace is the basis of our walk. The freedom of grace and the constraining love that a graced out person reveals. We are free to eat the food no matter what idol it was sacrificed to because we know that is all garbage anyway but we are also free to say no if it will hurt our brother because grace has loved us so very much that our hunger or desire to exercise our rights can't dictate our behavior.
Glory. What a high thought.
That the God of Heaven is glorified in our little lives is amazing. I want people to see God as He really is through my life. Grace is how God really Is. He Is holy and gracious at the same time.
--
Friday, April 17, 2015
Solitary Glory
I was thinking this morning of young Moses as a picture of fame and celebrity. If there were paparazzi back then they would have followed young Moses. He was fished out of the water of anonymity and found it to be a double edged sword.
"When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' ... And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, 'Because,' she said, 'I drew him out of the water.' " - Exodus 2:6, 9-10 ESV
With renown comes money and other things but people then need to use that money to create a breathing space to have a life. Renown can turn ugly quite quickly. People like to tear down the things that others have built up.
"One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, 'Why do you strike your companion?'
He answered, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?'
Then Moses was afraid, and thought, 'Surely the thing is known.'
When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well." - Exodus 2:11-15 ESV
Moses was not burdened the way his people were burdened but he was burdened in his own way and his fame seemed to separate him in the crowd. I wonder if when he sat by that rock if it was the first time in his life that he had been alone.
"Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, 'How is it that you have come home so soon today?' They said, 'An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.' " - Exodus 2:16-19 ESV
"And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, 'I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.' " - Exodus 2:21-22 ESV
"Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.'
When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' " - Exodus 3:1-4 ESV
The burning bush is a representation of God's solitary glory. Fame and prying eyes had consumed Moses in his early life. Now He was anonymous but purposeless. God was content to be God in the middle of nowhere. God's glory does not consume Him. He is glorious when there are worshipers and when there is no one there who seems to notices.
Perhaps fame is not an issue for most of us.
Grace gives us the benefits of fame without the pitfalls. We are known as we should be known and God gets the glory just as He should.
I pray for people who have the bright lights shining on them. I'm not always happy for them either. That is a harder place to be than it looks. Famous people often don't know who their friends really are. It is a place that can burn a person up quickly.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior," - 1 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV
Perhaps we think praying for public people is just giving them even more attention. Why should they get more attention from us. But they are souls that need prayer. They are being pushed and pulled in crazy ways. They truly need prayer.
We hope that they would see their burning bush. Oh, How we all need to turn aside and observe that bush. It is where we leave the natural behind and witness an enduring eternal glory... a glory that changes us forever.
--
"When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' ... And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, 'Because,' she said, 'I drew him out of the water.' " - Exodus 2:6, 9-10 ESV
With renown comes money and other things but people then need to use that money to create a breathing space to have a life. Renown can turn ugly quite quickly. People like to tear down the things that others have built up.
"One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, 'Why do you strike your companion?'
He answered, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?'
Then Moses was afraid, and thought, 'Surely the thing is known.'
When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well." - Exodus 2:11-15 ESV
Moses was not burdened the way his people were burdened but he was burdened in his own way and his fame seemed to separate him in the crowd. I wonder if when he sat by that rock if it was the first time in his life that he had been alone.
"Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, 'How is it that you have come home so soon today?' They said, 'An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.' " - Exodus 2:16-19 ESV
"And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, 'I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.' " - Exodus 2:21-22 ESV
"Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.'
When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' " - Exodus 3:1-4 ESV
The burning bush is a representation of God's solitary glory. Fame and prying eyes had consumed Moses in his early life. Now He was anonymous but purposeless. God was content to be God in the middle of nowhere. God's glory does not consume Him. He is glorious when there are worshipers and when there is no one there who seems to notices.
Perhaps fame is not an issue for most of us.
Grace gives us the benefits of fame without the pitfalls. We are known as we should be known and God gets the glory just as He should.
I pray for people who have the bright lights shining on them. I'm not always happy for them either. That is a harder place to be than it looks. Famous people often don't know who their friends really are. It is a place that can burn a person up quickly.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior," - 1 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV
Perhaps we think praying for public people is just giving them even more attention. Why should they get more attention from us. But they are souls that need prayer. They are being pushed and pulled in crazy ways. They truly need prayer.
We hope that they would see their burning bush. Oh, How we all need to turn aside and observe that bush. It is where we leave the natural behind and witness an enduring eternal glory... a glory that changes us forever.
--
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
People That Never Fade Away
"For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): 'I am the LORD, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right. 'Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save. Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. 'Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.' " Isaiah 45:18-22 ESV
What a picture. As nations crumble there are people in them that never crumble. Wooden ideologies will march into obscurity in mass and fade from view and memory but there are souls that will never die and fade. No one who seeks God seeks Him in vain.
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" Revelation 5:9 KJV
Isaiah is written from the perspective of God addressing a world and telling them what was and what will be. In the Book of Revelation it has all happened already. The remnant of nations is together singing on the stage of eternity. The song is one of thankfulness. It is a song composed for the Messiah who shed His blood and loved them each individually pulling them out of darkness and into eternal glory.
"By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.' 'Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.' " Isaiah 45:23-25 ESV
The sun will set on laws and rules. One day prisons, bars and hospitals will shut their doors forever. The structures will fade and only people will remain. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that right standing was only found in one place and one person.
Jesus is that person.
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 ESV
We have only ever seen life out of one pair of eyes. We have only heard words through one set of ears. It should not seem strange that history would have it's hinges set on one person. That person is not us. It is Christ.
"At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' " Matthew 11:25-30 ESV
It is the Father's gracious will that no one who Comes to Christ ever comes to Him 'in vain.' If we come on our deathbed or right now this morning... if we come once and exchange a few words or a ten thousand times in a lifetime. Each interaction is golden and remembered.
Thank you for this one open door God! Thank you Jesus for being our way, our truth and our life.
What a picture. As nations crumble there are people in them that never crumble. Wooden ideologies will march into obscurity in mass and fade from view and memory but there are souls that will never die and fade. No one who seeks God seeks Him in vain.
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" Revelation 5:9 KJV
Isaiah is written from the perspective of God addressing a world and telling them what was and what will be. In the Book of Revelation it has all happened already. The remnant of nations is together singing on the stage of eternity. The song is one of thankfulness. It is a song composed for the Messiah who shed His blood and loved them each individually pulling them out of darkness and into eternal glory.
"By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.' 'Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.' " Isaiah 45:23-25 ESV
The sun will set on laws and rules. One day prisons, bars and hospitals will shut their doors forever. The structures will fade and only people will remain. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that right standing was only found in one place and one person.
Jesus is that person.
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 ESV
We have only ever seen life out of one pair of eyes. We have only heard words through one set of ears. It should not seem strange that history would have it's hinges set on one person. That person is not us. It is Christ.
"At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' " Matthew 11:25-30 ESV
It is the Father's gracious will that no one who Comes to Christ ever comes to Him 'in vain.' If we come on our deathbed or right now this morning... if we come once and exchange a few words or a ten thousand times in a lifetime. Each interaction is golden and remembered.
Thank you for this one open door God! Thank you Jesus for being our way, our truth and our life.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Vexing Is In The Mix
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV
This word translated 'suffered' is Pascho (G3958) and it means to be vexed or immersed in sensory identification. The woman with an issue of blood suffered at the hands of her physicians before she touched the hem of the garment of the the great physician and found healing. Jesus was vexed in many ways. The Messiah had to be vexed first and so do we have to be vexed.
There is no strengthening, confirming, or establishing without a period of vexing. It is a short period but a measured period that must seem long even though it is by comparison to eternity short.
Vexing causes identification with frustration and that is a necessary ingredient for the established person.
Has God poured a measure of vexing into your mixing bowl of late? Has He?
No worries it will all be folded in soon enough to make a batter that will rise and produce eternal glory. Our God of all grace will make sure of it.
Just like when divine red blood touches the blackest sin and makes it white as snow when mercy grace and truth are mixed with great vexing God makes something beautiful out of it. The dry wood of our humanity is overlaid with gold and a work of art is created.
Don't get me wrong it isn't easy. It boarders on intolerable. Jesus' body flinched at the crack of the whip and His brow hated the crown of thorns. It would not be vexing if it was easy. In the midst of suffering He was a lamb that opened not His mouth. He didn't beg His captors to stop... He poured out His soul to His Father.
I want to refuse to let my sensory identification with frustration to get me to speak words I will regret later. Let the frustration be wiped away like dross from silver and the purification process proceed as planned.
Eternal glory is never a deserved result. Only a God of all grace can establish us.
I surrender all to You the God of all power and dominion. I want to marvel at Your artistry. Today my eyes are fixed on You.
This word translated 'suffered' is Pascho (G3958) and it means to be vexed or immersed in sensory identification. The woman with an issue of blood suffered at the hands of her physicians before she touched the hem of the garment of the the great physician and found healing. Jesus was vexed in many ways. The Messiah had to be vexed first and so do we have to be vexed.
There is no strengthening, confirming, or establishing without a period of vexing. It is a short period but a measured period that must seem long even though it is by comparison to eternity short.
Vexing causes identification with frustration and that is a necessary ingredient for the established person.
Has God poured a measure of vexing into your mixing bowl of late? Has He?
No worries it will all be folded in soon enough to make a batter that will rise and produce eternal glory. Our God of all grace will make sure of it.
Just like when divine red blood touches the blackest sin and makes it white as snow when mercy grace and truth are mixed with great vexing God makes something beautiful out of it. The dry wood of our humanity is overlaid with gold and a work of art is created.
Don't get me wrong it isn't easy. It boarders on intolerable. Jesus' body flinched at the crack of the whip and His brow hated the crown of thorns. It would not be vexing if it was easy. In the midst of suffering He was a lamb that opened not His mouth. He didn't beg His captors to stop... He poured out His soul to His Father.
I want to refuse to let my sensory identification with frustration to get me to speak words I will regret later. Let the frustration be wiped away like dross from silver and the purification process proceed as planned.
Eternal glory is never a deserved result. Only a God of all grace can establish us.
I surrender all to You the God of all power and dominion. I want to marvel at Your artistry. Today my eyes are fixed on You.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Glorify God
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor 6:20
This phrase 'glorify God' is an interesting one. You often hear it spoken and get the impression that some sort of performance is involved... an effort to preserve a testimony. That could not be farther from the truth.
I so much want to glorify God today and it will only happen absent of my effort.
We can think of glory in the Hebrew scriptures in terms of the Shekinah or 'brightness of His prescence' but many more times the word that is translated glory is Kabad (H3513) or Kavowd (H3519) which speaks about honour, dignity or reputation.
The Greek mirrors this in the word Doxa (G1391) or Doxazō (G1392) which is to render something or someone excellent. It carries with it a revealing, acknowledging and expressing of a viewpoint that is accurate.
Here is something Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once." John 13:31b-32 ESV
What honour and oneness... The cross would be a place where the Father turned His back on His Son for our sakes but in it there would be a revealing and a resurrection. The Father would 'glorify him at once' in that Christ would not be long in the grave and His body would not see corruption but would be raised incorruptible forever.
Peter got a glimpse of Christ's brightness on the mount of transfiguration and later said,"but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (in 2 Pet 1:16) and John said "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." (in 1 John 1:1)
Oh! My soul shouts and sings! The Son reveals the Father and the Father reveals the Son. What glory are we witnesses of?
"They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west (from the sea). Therefore in the east (in the realm of light) give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. " Isaiah 24:15-16a ESV
Glorifying God can't be what I do. It is always what Christ has done. The honour due His name is like a sunrise in the East that shines out over the oceans of humanity and shines a light that is life giving.
"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." 1 Pet 4:16 ESV
What is our report? We can look to the East in our suffering and let the sun bath us in light. If it is still dark we wait facing that way knowing joy will come in the morning.
Perhaps our 'testimony' deals more with our hope... with the light of a sunrise that others see reflected on our face as they are walking in the opposite direction.
Just like the Father glorified the Son 'at once'... all those that know Christ will soon be glorified...
When all this over our glory will be revealed. Our true state will be known. It will have a brightness and truth will not be hidden anymore.
This phrase 'glorify God' is an interesting one. You often hear it spoken and get the impression that some sort of performance is involved... an effort to preserve a testimony. That could not be farther from the truth.
I so much want to glorify God today and it will only happen absent of my effort.
We can think of glory in the Hebrew scriptures in terms of the Shekinah or 'brightness of His prescence' but many more times the word that is translated glory is Kabad (H3513) or Kavowd (H3519) which speaks about honour, dignity or reputation.
The Greek mirrors this in the word Doxa (G1391) or Doxazō (G1392) which is to render something or someone excellent. It carries with it a revealing, acknowledging and expressing of a viewpoint that is accurate.
Here is something Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once." John 13:31b-32 ESV
What honour and oneness... The cross would be a place where the Father turned His back on His Son for our sakes but in it there would be a revealing and a resurrection. The Father would 'glorify him at once' in that Christ would not be long in the grave and His body would not see corruption but would be raised incorruptible forever.
Peter got a glimpse of Christ's brightness on the mount of transfiguration and later said,"but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (in 2 Pet 1:16) and John said "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." (in 1 John 1:1)
Oh! My soul shouts and sings! The Son reveals the Father and the Father reveals the Son. What glory are we witnesses of?
"They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west (from the sea). Therefore in the east (in the realm of light) give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. " Isaiah 24:15-16a ESV
Glorifying God can't be what I do. It is always what Christ has done. The honour due His name is like a sunrise in the East that shines out over the oceans of humanity and shines a light that is life giving.
"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." 1 Pet 4:16 ESV
What is our report? We can look to the East in our suffering and let the sun bath us in light. If it is still dark we wait facing that way knowing joy will come in the morning.
Perhaps our 'testimony' deals more with our hope... with the light of a sunrise that others see reflected on our face as they are walking in the opposite direction.
Just like the Father glorified the Son 'at once'... all those that know Christ will soon be glorified...
When all this over our glory will be revealed. Our true state will be known. It will have a brightness and truth will not be hidden anymore.
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