"You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you." - Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." - Revelation 22:17-21 ESV
Don't add. Don't take away. Grace should be what is presented. Christ should be central and all in all.
I want to be careful to present Jesus as He Is and in order to do that I read His words often. I review His actions again and again. I read what the Apostles wrote in the books written after His ascension. I read the Hebrew scriptures that talk of God's dealings with Israel, mankind and creation. If I stopped being exposed to the truth it might be easy to start airbrushing the truth. It would be easy add subtle changes that my faulty memory adds to past events. Things might start getting omitted.
I don't want to leave out the need for salvation and the lostness of each individual. I don't want to start omitting Hell or the coming judgement of all thinking beings who die without receiving the free gift Christ has given of salvation.
I don't want to forget details of the Gospel. I don't want to add works or human effort into salvation or sanctification. Jesus did it all. We just see what He did and receive it. The first choice qualifies us for a guaranteed salvation. Then choice by choice brings a progressive sanctification.
I don't envy those publishers who have changed the Bible to make it 'more palatable'. No. I don't envy them one little bit.
Are you thirsty? Come and drink. Jesus has removed every barrier. He died before the 'foundation of the world' so that you and i could have free access to what we were once cut off from because of our own actions and the actions of our ancestors. God loves you. God wants you. Don't listen to any words that add to or take away from that. You are loved. Receive that love today and read, or listen to, the words of the scripture each day so that you can be refreshed in that truth and the details of it would remain in clear view.
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Showing posts with label The Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Bible. Show all posts
Monday, May 21, 2018
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Starting Ariel's Harmony of the Gospels
I have a new study book. It was a Christmas present. It is a hardcover and bound very well. This morning I carefully opened the book from the front and then the back. Then I flipped through all the pages and wrote my name and the month and year in the front of the book. A study book needs to lay open flat with other books. I have found that doing this helps the binding in the long run. I also wrote that it was a gift and the person's name. I treasure these books. To me, they represent hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hours of study, preparation, meditation and editing. I plan to read this book from cover to cover but we know how that goes don't we? Many study books never get read. The binding of the last chapters or middle chapters never gets 'broken'.
Many Bibles are treated like that also. People cherry pick passages quoted by someone else but never read the book cover to cover. A list of names or the account of battles become a mountain range that never gets crossed. It is so easy to skip ahead to familiar chapters or concepts of interest. What treasures are missed when we take that approach? I want every drop of what God has to say.
One of the great things about this book I am starting ('Ariel's Harmony of the Gospels' by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum) is that it follows the order of Jesus' life as presented in the Gospel of Luke then correlates parallel scripture references from the other Gospels. As you read it you move through the life of Messiah in the order that events happened with a full view of what happened in Christ's life during His incarnation.
"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." - Luke 1:1-4 ESV
Yes! Here we see Luke's Spirit led motivations. He is writing to give clarity. He sees the generation he is living in just like we see ours. People need certainty and clarity where it can be found and Jesus provided that for so many things to His disciples. Luke wants the foundations to be preserved so that we could have what was given to him in 'an orderly account.'
Luke writes to Theophilus. The account is written to one person but that name translates as 'God lover'. Luke wanted each 'God lover' to have an account of what happened and was seen by eyewitnesses.
I was taught by my pastor that a man is only as strong as his study habits. I believe that is true. Personality, talent and inherited wealth will only carry us so far but if the middle chapters get the same treatment as the rest of the book we have substance in our soul that can be gained no other way.
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Many Bibles are treated like that also. People cherry pick passages quoted by someone else but never read the book cover to cover. A list of names or the account of battles become a mountain range that never gets crossed. It is so easy to skip ahead to familiar chapters or concepts of interest. What treasures are missed when we take that approach? I want every drop of what God has to say.
One of the great things about this book I am starting ('Ariel's Harmony of the Gospels' by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum) is that it follows the order of Jesus' life as presented in the Gospel of Luke then correlates parallel scripture references from the other Gospels. As you read it you move through the life of Messiah in the order that events happened with a full view of what happened in Christ's life during His incarnation.
"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." - Luke 1:1-4 ESV
Yes! Here we see Luke's Spirit led motivations. He is writing to give clarity. He sees the generation he is living in just like we see ours. People need certainty and clarity where it can be found and Jesus provided that for so many things to His disciples. Luke wants the foundations to be preserved so that we could have what was given to him in 'an orderly account.'
Luke writes to Theophilus. The account is written to one person but that name translates as 'God lover'. Luke wanted each 'God lover' to have an account of what happened and was seen by eyewitnesses.
I was taught by my pastor that a man is only as strong as his study habits. I believe that is true. Personality, talent and inherited wealth will only carry us so far but if the middle chapters get the same treatment as the rest of the book we have substance in our soul that can be gained no other way.
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Tuesday, July 18, 2017
His Words Have Life
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." - John 6:63 ESV
Many people have clever things to say but Jesus' words are different. They have life. The person of God speaks the words and the Spirit of God gives.
Our body is great for certain things but not in this. We need more than what our body can tell us. We need what only Jesus can tell us. He alone has the missing puzzle pieces.
Simple. So simple.
I wonder who it was who thought to make a 'red letter edition' of the Bible. I'd like to shake that man's hand. He knew something special.
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Many people have clever things to say but Jesus' words are different. They have life. The person of God speaks the words and the Spirit of God gives.
Our body is great for certain things but not in this. We need more than what our body can tell us. We need what only Jesus can tell us. He alone has the missing puzzle pieces.
Simple. So simple.
I wonder who it was who thought to make a 'red letter edition' of the Bible. I'd like to shake that man's hand. He knew something special.
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Thursday, July 6, 2017
Reading Passages That Involve Sleep
This morning I am reading scriptures about sleep and it is very interesting.
The Bible uses the concept of sleep in interesting ways.
"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," - Matthew 27:52 KJV
"And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow," - Luke 22:45 KJV
"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." - Ephesians 5:14 KJV
Sometimes it speaks of 'checking out' and being absent but one of the Hebrew words (yashen - Strong's H3462) means to 'store up' or 'remain a long time'.
I try to start and end my day with God. That has been my custom for a long time. I am not always successful in that. There are times when I have wonderful thoughts just before I fall asleep and I wonder, 'Will I remember this later?' I don't think I do remember it all. That state is a different state. In a way, it is like a sunset. Sometimes day seems to just turn into night but on other days there are colors and memorable patterns.
I know many of you out there have problems with sleep. It is elusive for one reason or another. It could be pain or thinking that just never allows rest. It could be other things also.
I am centering my prayers on that today.
If you are having sleep issues I urge you to read all the Bible passages you can about sleep and rest. Then ask God to 'give' those passages to you in understanding and in application.
We have rest in Jesus and that is an amazing gift. Oh God, Please bless those who need a little more physical rest. We pray that you would give them a breakthrough in this area. Thank You God.
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The Bible uses the concept of sleep in interesting ways.
"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," - Matthew 27:52 KJV
"And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow," - Luke 22:45 KJV
"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." - Ephesians 5:14 KJV
Sometimes it speaks of 'checking out' and being absent but one of the Hebrew words (yashen - Strong's H3462) means to 'store up' or 'remain a long time'.
I try to start and end my day with God. That has been my custom for a long time. I am not always successful in that. There are times when I have wonderful thoughts just before I fall asleep and I wonder, 'Will I remember this later?' I don't think I do remember it all. That state is a different state. In a way, it is like a sunset. Sometimes day seems to just turn into night but on other days there are colors and memorable patterns.
I know many of you out there have problems with sleep. It is elusive for one reason or another. It could be pain or thinking that just never allows rest. It could be other things also.
I am centering my prayers on that today.
If you are having sleep issues I urge you to read all the Bible passages you can about sleep and rest. Then ask God to 'give' those passages to you in understanding and in application.
We have rest in Jesus and that is an amazing gift. Oh God, Please bless those who need a little more physical rest. We pray that you would give them a breakthrough in this area. Thank You God.
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Thursday, June 22, 2017
The Rhythm Of The Scriptures
I'm reading Proverbs chapter 29 this morning and I find that jumping back and forth from idea to idea is very comforting somehow. A topic is introduced but then another is given and another. Then the writer returns to the first topic and you see it in freshness.
I truly believe that God had men pen the scriptures in such a way that our thinking would be ordered and restored by the words and the 'rhythm of words'
"[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:1-14 KJV
Yes. We have secret faults but God has given us words to realign our thinking and we can continue as flawed people living in a perfect provision.
Thank you God.
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I truly believe that God had men pen the scriptures in such a way that our thinking would be ordered and restored by the words and the 'rhythm of words'
"[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:1-14 KJV
Yes. We have secret faults but God has given us words to realign our thinking and we can continue as flawed people living in a perfect provision.
Thank you God.
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Wednesday, April 19, 2017
The Final Cut
Last night I spent over an hour watching color film footage shot by Rosie Newman in the 1930s. She is most famous for capturing footage of the Queen as a little girl but she also shot extensive footage of India, Scotland and Eygpt just before World War II and then footage of the horrors of war in England during that bloody conflict.
I take video and film for granted. I have had access to it all my life but there was a time when film, especially color film, was only for the rich. Most of human history was not recorded in this way. It is a peculiar breakthrough if you think about it but the Bible speaks of this technology in an indirect way.
"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth... And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here!' And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them." - Revelation 11:3, 7-12 ESV
People from all over the world will see them in the span of a few day? What?! That is preposterous!... two hundred years ago it was unfathomable...
"And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." - Revelation 11:13 ESV
I hope someone hits the record button because that world will never be the same...
These events haven't happened yet but they will. The text is given in the past tense because that is how God sees it.
Last night I got a rare glimpse of the past because a rich connected woman used some methods new to her time to capture history but this morning I get a rare glimpse into the future because I opened a book the King of the universe inspired human authors to write because He loved a tiny dust mite like me.
If your name is written in Heaven (because you have believed in Jesus) then your history is also recorded there... past, present and future... there is still time but time is slowly running out. Don't wait. Pray today. Ask today. Believe today. Jesus is real and alive and history is already recorded somewhere. Don't end up as a piece of film on the cutting room floor. Trust in Him and you will be in the final cut of the epic of redemption.
--
I take video and film for granted. I have had access to it all my life but there was a time when film, especially color film, was only for the rich. Most of human history was not recorded in this way. It is a peculiar breakthrough if you think about it but the Bible speaks of this technology in an indirect way.
"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth... And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here!' And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them." - Revelation 11:3, 7-12 ESV
People from all over the world will see them in the span of a few day? What?! That is preposterous!... two hundred years ago it was unfathomable...
"And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." - Revelation 11:13 ESV
I hope someone hits the record button because that world will never be the same...
These events haven't happened yet but they will. The text is given in the past tense because that is how God sees it.
Last night I got a rare glimpse of the past because a rich connected woman used some methods new to her time to capture history but this morning I get a rare glimpse into the future because I opened a book the King of the universe inspired human authors to write because He loved a tiny dust mite like me.
If your name is written in Heaven (because you have believed in Jesus) then your history is also recorded there... past, present and future... there is still time but time is slowly running out. Don't wait. Pray today. Ask today. Believe today. Jesus is real and alive and history is already recorded somewhere. Don't end up as a piece of film on the cutting room floor. Trust in Him and you will be in the final cut of the epic of redemption.
--
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Dusting Off Old Projects
Yesterday was a great day to pull out old projects and work on them. I reviewed a 'promise book' project that I put a great deal of work into years ago.
It is a colossal subject... huge... and very edifying.
I understand why people look for 'Bible codes' or other hidden messages in the scripture. People crave mystical theatrics that will solve problems all at once. I have to say after looking over my references just briefly again that there is no need to look for what is hidden. What has been revealed is just plain amazing.
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." - Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV
That last word translated 'law' is torah (Strong's H8451) and it isn't talking about rules and regulations. It is referring to inspired scripture as a whole. God's mind given to us. Living eternal ideas. We 'do all the words of Torah' when we have God's mind... when we 'think with God'.
This morning I have been looking through a small book...
'New Covenant Prophecy Edition' by International Bible Society
A man with a heart for Israel gave it to me years ago.
Wow. It is dynamite. I wish a had 1,000 of them and I could just mail you all a copy. Simple. All scripture linked to scripture with a full New Testament and references to prophetic fulfillments.
It has no price on it and no ISBN number. It was made to give away.
Sure. God has His secrets but what He has given us is amazing. I don't ever want to let what He has given sit unused and unappreciated on a shelf somewhere.
Let our minds be a little like this small book... scripture linked to scripture in a stream of understanding... of past, present and future. Oh God! Please illuminate our minds with truth that causes us to connect with You and other people... not antisocial scholars and also not extroverted idiots. Give us a balance of wisdom and love... truth and social connectedness... knowledge and sensitivity. What you have given belongs to us. We want to possess our possessions. Help us Lord. Thank You God.
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It is a colossal subject... huge... and very edifying.
I understand why people look for 'Bible codes' or other hidden messages in the scripture. People crave mystical theatrics that will solve problems all at once. I have to say after looking over my references just briefly again that there is no need to look for what is hidden. What has been revealed is just plain amazing.
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." - Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV
That last word translated 'law' is torah (Strong's H8451) and it isn't talking about rules and regulations. It is referring to inspired scripture as a whole. God's mind given to us. Living eternal ideas. We 'do all the words of Torah' when we have God's mind... when we 'think with God'.
This morning I have been looking through a small book...
'New Covenant Prophecy Edition' by International Bible Society
A man with a heart for Israel gave it to me years ago.
Wow. It is dynamite. I wish a had 1,000 of them and I could just mail you all a copy. Simple. All scripture linked to scripture with a full New Testament and references to prophetic fulfillments.
It has no price on it and no ISBN number. It was made to give away.
Sure. God has His secrets but what He has given us is amazing. I don't ever want to let what He has given sit unused and unappreciated on a shelf somewhere.
Let our minds be a little like this small book... scripture linked to scripture in a stream of understanding... of past, present and future. Oh God! Please illuminate our minds with truth that causes us to connect with You and other people... not antisocial scholars and also not extroverted idiots. Give us a balance of wisdom and love... truth and social connectedness... knowledge and sensitivity. What you have given belongs to us. We want to possess our possessions. Help us Lord. Thank You God.
--
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Atmospheric Rivers
Here is an interesting term I have been hearing lately... 'atmospheric river'... Our atmosphere can apparently contain huge amounts of water under certain conditions. Which brings me to this passage in scripture.
"In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights." - Genesis 7:11-12 ESV
Before the great flood there was no rain. Mist formed to water the garden. What a different world it must have been. Our first ancestors lived hundreds of years at a time when the world was young. The atmosphere must have been like an ocean not just an occasional river.
But when Noah was 600 years old the bubble burst.
It is always amazing to me how scientific discovery keeps reinforcing the reliability of the scriptures.
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"In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights." - Genesis 7:11-12 ESV
Before the great flood there was no rain. Mist formed to water the garden. What a different world it must have been. Our first ancestors lived hundreds of years at a time when the world was young. The atmosphere must have been like an ocean not just an occasional river.
But when Noah was 600 years old the bubble burst.
It is always amazing to me how scientific discovery keeps reinforcing the reliability of the scriptures.
--
Friday, December 11, 2015
The Underground Work Of Grace
I love how God does His work quietly inside us.
"The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high... When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built." - 1 Kings 6:2, 7 ESV
"Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" - Jeremiah 23:29 ESV
"if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:3-5 ESV
When people pick up the words of God and use them as a hammer everyone in earshot is disturbed by the noise. People feel beat up and get tired of living on a construction site where nothing is ever good enough.
Solomon was a wise king. He had the loud work done in secret.
There are moments when the Holy Spirit uses the word of God to break things up inside me and carve off my ego so that I will be the correct dimensions to slip right into place. But many times those are secret moments and not a spectacle with a crowd of witnesses.
"With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone." - Proverbs 25:15 ESV
The grace of God is a soft answer that does a powerful work inside a person and it does it without pounding them on the outside.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV
Foolish men think they must see sparks fly and a cloud of dust in order for something to happen. Usually it is the opposite. God does his spiritual work quietly on the inside through investment on the outside.
--
"The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high... When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built." - 1 Kings 6:2, 7 ESV
"Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" - Jeremiah 23:29 ESV
"if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:3-5 ESV
When people pick up the words of God and use them as a hammer everyone in earshot is disturbed by the noise. People feel beat up and get tired of living on a construction site where nothing is ever good enough.
Solomon was a wise king. He had the loud work done in secret.
There are moments when the Holy Spirit uses the word of God to break things up inside me and carve off my ego so that I will be the correct dimensions to slip right into place. But many times those are secret moments and not a spectacle with a crowd of witnesses.
"With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone." - Proverbs 25:15 ESV
The grace of God is a soft answer that does a powerful work inside a person and it does it without pounding them on the outside.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV
Foolish men think they must see sparks fly and a cloud of dust in order for something to happen. Usually it is the opposite. God does his spiritual work quietly on the inside through investment on the outside.
--
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Specific Wisdom
I was thinking this morning about specific reliance upon God... having real proactive reliance where we are seeking Him for specific answers and provisions in circumstances.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 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." - 1 Peter 5:6-9 ESV
"This God - his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? - the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." - Psalm 18:30-36 ESV
Maybe we have been conditioned to mentally beat ourselves up or lament our inability but we can revenge that kind of thinking with faith obedience. We can live saying to God, 'God. Teach me how to do this. I am looking for your wisdom and I believe You will show me something today.'
Faith is the blameless way because faith has integrity and accountability.
"And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." - Isaiah 35:8-10 ESV
The highway of holiness is the path of worship and faith reliance. It is walking in a life of expectation. Fools can be redirected there on that highway.
Hard tasks become easier when a professional shows you how to do something. If that coach stays with you until you get a handle on the technique and checks in on you from time to time you begin to look like an expert also.
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you... These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." - John 14:16-17, 25-26 ESV
The Greek word translated helper (or comforter) is parakletos (Strong's G3875). He is here indwelling us to be our coach and defense attorney. He never leaves us or forsakes us. If we lean on the Father in the name of the Son the Spirit will be our support. If we ask the Father in specifics the Spirit will reveal details and methods.
This kind of a mindset coupled with a willingness to open and explore the Bible is a powerful combination.
"You do not have, because you do not ask." - James 4:2b ESV
Thank You God. It is amazing what You have taught me over the years. Today I want to learn. I want to learn how to love. I want to learn how to communicate. Show me how to be a good steward. There are new challenges and I need specific wisdom. Help God. I ask and I know you will answer. Thank You God.
Please help all those who are reading this and asking for Your wisdom. Bless them richly with specifics today and in the weeks to come. Thank You God.
--
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 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." - 1 Peter 5:6-9 ESV
"This God - his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? - the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." - Psalm 18:30-36 ESV
Maybe we have been conditioned to mentally beat ourselves up or lament our inability but we can revenge that kind of thinking with faith obedience. We can live saying to God, 'God. Teach me how to do this. I am looking for your wisdom and I believe You will show me something today.'
Faith is the blameless way because faith has integrity and accountability.
"And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." - Isaiah 35:8-10 ESV
The highway of holiness is the path of worship and faith reliance. It is walking in a life of expectation. Fools can be redirected there on that highway.
Hard tasks become easier when a professional shows you how to do something. If that coach stays with you until you get a handle on the technique and checks in on you from time to time you begin to look like an expert also.
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you... These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." - John 14:16-17, 25-26 ESV
The Greek word translated helper (or comforter) is parakletos (Strong's G3875). He is here indwelling us to be our coach and defense attorney. He never leaves us or forsakes us. If we lean on the Father in the name of the Son the Spirit will be our support. If we ask the Father in specifics the Spirit will reveal details and methods.
This kind of a mindset coupled with a willingness to open and explore the Bible is a powerful combination.
"You do not have, because you do not ask." - James 4:2b ESV
Thank You God. It is amazing what You have taught me over the years. Today I want to learn. I want to learn how to love. I want to learn how to communicate. Show me how to be a good steward. There are new challenges and I need specific wisdom. Help God. I ask and I know you will answer. Thank You God.
Please help all those who are reading this and asking for Your wisdom. Bless them richly with specifics today and in the weeks to come. Thank You God.
--
Friday, May 15, 2015
Find The Victory
If you or I have a problem we can look up every scripture in the Bible related to that issue and it is amazing How God will speak to us.
"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." - Proverbs 24:3-6 ESV
Perhaps that requires creativity and a few study tools. A concordance will find where certain specific words are used but we might have to look for synonyms and phrases that touch on the concept also. It takes digging and searching but mining the scripture is like delving into a diamond mine. We become surrounded by treasure as we look for answers.
I'd rather have the abundance of counselors that the scripture provides than any other resource in the world. The scripture often shows me multiple perspectives in the context of divine inspiration. Those perspectives connect with my soul on many different levels. My emotions are addressed. My will is challenged. The mind is nourished with rational thought. My sense of self is explained or redefined and my conscience is cleaned and rebalanced. All this without speaking the problem out loud to any other human being.
There is something very special about taking a deep troubling issue to God and searching the scripture for answers before you ever even say anything aloud to anyone. It is like playing a game of chess and the first words out of your mouth are, 'Checkmate'. I'd rather only speak words of victory about something if it is at all possible. The Bible makes that reality possible.
People are a legitimate resource also. Of course they are. There are things that must be taught or caught from someone else but even then I want the Bible to be my ultimate guide. What people say is never the final authority on a subject. What God says is.
If you would permit me to I'd like leave you with one small piece of advice to close this week of blog posts. Take that problem you have been struggling with and find everything the Bible says about it. Then once you think you have exhausted the subject look awhile longer. After that start to look at those verses in detail. Meditate on them. Memorize them. Pray about them asking for God to give them to you. Internalize them. Don't just do it lightly. Pay a price to do it. Lose some sleep. Do whatever it takes.
Before long that problem won't be such a problem anymore. Jesus won a victory when He was raised from the dead. He wants us to partake of that victory today and forever. That victory is in the scriptures. Find it and revel in it.
--
"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." - Proverbs 24:3-6 ESV
Perhaps that requires creativity and a few study tools. A concordance will find where certain specific words are used but we might have to look for synonyms and phrases that touch on the concept also. It takes digging and searching but mining the scripture is like delving into a diamond mine. We become surrounded by treasure as we look for answers.
I'd rather have the abundance of counselors that the scripture provides than any other resource in the world. The scripture often shows me multiple perspectives in the context of divine inspiration. Those perspectives connect with my soul on many different levels. My emotions are addressed. My will is challenged. The mind is nourished with rational thought. My sense of self is explained or redefined and my conscience is cleaned and rebalanced. All this without speaking the problem out loud to any other human being.
There is something very special about taking a deep troubling issue to God and searching the scripture for answers before you ever even say anything aloud to anyone. It is like playing a game of chess and the first words out of your mouth are, 'Checkmate'. I'd rather only speak words of victory about something if it is at all possible. The Bible makes that reality possible.
People are a legitimate resource also. Of course they are. There are things that must be taught or caught from someone else but even then I want the Bible to be my ultimate guide. What people say is never the final authority on a subject. What God says is.
If you would permit me to I'd like leave you with one small piece of advice to close this week of blog posts. Take that problem you have been struggling with and find everything the Bible says about it. Then once you think you have exhausted the subject look awhile longer. After that start to look at those verses in detail. Meditate on them. Memorize them. Pray about them asking for God to give them to you. Internalize them. Don't just do it lightly. Pay a price to do it. Lose some sleep. Do whatever it takes.
Before long that problem won't be such a problem anymore. Jesus won a victory when He was raised from the dead. He wants us to partake of that victory today and forever. That victory is in the scriptures. Find it and revel in it.
--
Monday, March 2, 2015
Tyndale, Coverdale and Rogers
"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." - Psalm 138:2 KJV
I have been reading this morning about men who suffered and died to translate the Bible and make sure that it was available to people... not just rich, powerful and privileged people but to common people... all people.
Great men and great women... William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale and John Rogers...
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." - Matthew 10:16 KJV
I got so caught up looking for information about John Rogers that it left me little time to write my blog this morning.
I find it exhilarating to dwell of the lives people who would pay such a high price to live magnifying Gods word. These people died almost cheerfully... clearly God had His hand on them and His power shielded them, and countless others, in supernatural ways.
While I cherish the generality of the statement, 'God loves me.' I also cherish the specifics that can only be found in God's word.
---
I have been reading this morning about men who suffered and died to translate the Bible and make sure that it was available to people... not just rich, powerful and privileged people but to common people... all people.
Great men and great women... William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale and John Rogers...
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." - Matthew 10:16 KJV
I got so caught up looking for information about John Rogers that it left me little time to write my blog this morning.
I find it exhilarating to dwell of the lives people who would pay such a high price to live magnifying Gods word. These people died almost cheerfully... clearly God had His hand on them and His power shielded them, and countless others, in supernatural ways.
While I cherish the generality of the statement, 'God loves me.' I also cherish the specifics that can only be found in God's word.
---
Monday, February 23, 2015
The Bones That Travel With Us
I have been thinking of the birth of Israel as a nation and the long path that took them into slavery then out again into the wilderness and out into the promised land. There were several different seasons and two water crossings but there was one thing that always went with them.
"Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.' So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt." - Genesis 50:25-26 ESV
"Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.'... And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people." - Exodus 13:19, 21-22 ESV
"Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel. As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph." - Joshua 24:31-32 ESV
Joseph's bones went with them. They didn't worship those bones but they were always somewhere in the caravan. The bones crossed the red sea. The bones followed the cloud. The bones passed over chilly Jordan and went to war with Joshua. As far as we know those bone are still buried in Israel right now.
I was pondering this morning and asking the question, What are my bones? What do I carry through life?
It is the Bible. We don't worship the Bible but it goes with us. We don't abandon those bones. They represent a heritage.
God used Joseph to save the known world from a great famine and to saved his family from starvation. That family became a nation. Abraham is the father of our faith and Joseph's life became the framework for the nation of Israel.
"Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.' ' " - Hebrews 10:5-7 ESV
God came in the form of a man. He is our Savior. We worship the God who sent us a Savior. The Bible provides the framework of our faith. The Church will carry the Bible all the way into the promise land.
The Bible is what will reveal God's grace. It will return me to objectivity. It will talk of how God Is... not how I want Him to be or how other people say that He Is.
Just as a young Israelite could stand looking at the bones of Joseph and realize that this one man represents the framework of his nation we can peer into the scriptures and put aside the politics of the day and remember what the Church really is. It is a vehicle to reveal the Savior. It is an object of His love and care. It is born from one book.
When I die I want to die with my Bible in my hands. The scriptures are what I will always carry with me into every season and across every river and foreign landscape. It is my heritage.
"Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.' So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt." - Genesis 50:25-26 ESV
"Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.'... And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people." - Exodus 13:19, 21-22 ESV
"Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel. As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph." - Joshua 24:31-32 ESV
Joseph's bones went with them. They didn't worship those bones but they were always somewhere in the caravan. The bones crossed the red sea. The bones followed the cloud. The bones passed over chilly Jordan and went to war with Joshua. As far as we know those bone are still buried in Israel right now.
I was pondering this morning and asking the question, What are my bones? What do I carry through life?
It is the Bible. We don't worship the Bible but it goes with us. We don't abandon those bones. They represent a heritage.
God used Joseph to save the known world from a great famine and to saved his family from starvation. That family became a nation. Abraham is the father of our faith and Joseph's life became the framework for the nation of Israel.
"Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.' ' " - Hebrews 10:5-7 ESV
God came in the form of a man. He is our Savior. We worship the God who sent us a Savior. The Bible provides the framework of our faith. The Church will carry the Bible all the way into the promise land.
The Bible is what will reveal God's grace. It will return me to objectivity. It will talk of how God Is... not how I want Him to be or how other people say that He Is.
Just as a young Israelite could stand looking at the bones of Joseph and realize that this one man represents the framework of his nation we can peer into the scriptures and put aside the politics of the day and remember what the Church really is. It is a vehicle to reveal the Savior. It is an object of His love and care. It is born from one book.
When I die I want to die with my Bible in my hands. The scriptures are what I will always carry with me into every season and across every river and foreign landscape. It is my heritage.
---
Friday, February 20, 2015
Clean Free Hands
His mercies are new this morning. They are right out of the oven mercy. Fresh. Warm. Wholesome. New.
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.' " - Lamentations 3:21-24 ESV
His quickening is real this morning.
"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." - Romans 8:11 ESV
The Word is sharp and alive as ever.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
His faithfulness is not yesterday's news. It is today's reality.
"For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!" - Psalm 117:2 ESV
"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;" - Isaiah 59:1 ESV
God's ears are awake and His arm is strong.
"Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." - Psalm 121:4-8 ESV
He isn't sleeping. He hasn't forgotten us. He has been awake this whole time.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalm 130:3-5 ESV
New mercies mean new hope.
"A Song of Ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD! May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!" - Psalm 134 ESV
We let go of the old and lift holy hands. We don't want to hold on to that which is false and feed on ashes (see Isaiah 44:20).
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus" - Hebrews 12:1-2a ESV
Today we rise to drink the cup of salvation and rejoice in the freshness of who God Is and always will be. Today is a day to shake off the dust, cast all of our cares on Him and rejoice as we worship Him with clean free hands.
---
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.' " - Lamentations 3:21-24 ESV
His quickening is real this morning.
"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." - Romans 8:11 ESV
The Word is sharp and alive as ever.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
His faithfulness is not yesterday's news. It is today's reality.
"For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!" - Psalm 117:2 ESV
"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;" - Isaiah 59:1 ESV
God's ears are awake and His arm is strong.
"Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." - Psalm 121:4-8 ESV
He isn't sleeping. He hasn't forgotten us. He has been awake this whole time.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalm 130:3-5 ESV
New mercies mean new hope.
"A Song of Ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD! May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!" - Psalm 134 ESV
We let go of the old and lift holy hands. We don't want to hold on to that which is false and feed on ashes (see Isaiah 44:20).
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus" - Hebrews 12:1-2a ESV
Today we rise to drink the cup of salvation and rejoice in the freshness of who God Is and always will be. Today is a day to shake off the dust, cast all of our cares on Him and rejoice as we worship Him with clean free hands.
---
Thursday, January 8, 2015
The Light Of Life
There are times when everyone who has believed in God has asked the questions, 'Has God abandoned this situation?' or 'Has God left me?'
It isn't if we have asked the question. All of us have or eventually will so don't condemn yourself or live in denial when it happens. The key is to understand that kind of thinking and not linger there.
"But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.' " - 2 Timothy 2:16-19 ESV
There is a Hell but no one who has believed in Jesus and accepted His gift will go there. The glory of the Lord can depart from a situation but He will never leave or forsake a person who knows Him.
"The LORD said to Moses, 'Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'To your offspring I will give it.' " - Exodus 33:1 ESV
There is a time to leave Egypt. God did wonders there but comes a time to leave.
"And the cherubim mounted up. These were the living creatures that I saw by the Chebar canal. And when the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them. And when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels did not turn from beside them. When they stood still, these stood still, and when they mounted up, these mounted up with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in them. Then the glory of the LORD went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim." - Ezekiel 10:15-18 ESV
The anointing of God is going to move with to the place where the word of God is preached with power. God is going to leave the threshold of the house and His glory will hover over the four faced cherubim we spoke of yesterday (the four faces representing the four Gospels).
"For he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5b ESV
God will never leave us. No matter what our feelings say but the cloud moves with the Ark (see Exodus 13) and we must be ready to pack up mentally and move with it. That can mean many things depending what season a person is in but in this context it applies to being exposed to a ministry of the word of God.
Without objective touchstones relationships can get very subjective can't they? When emotions are riding high with no reigns people end up far from home and a believer without the Bible can easily start walking by sight because there is no other light to guide that individual.
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." - 2 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV
No. God has not left you. He never will. You just need God's thoughts. The situation is lacking God's glory so we need to be proactive to be bathed in the place where God's glory is manifested.
There are many voices out there that focus so much on an individuals walk and how much God loves the and is for the individual but neglect the reality that people are lacking because they have no place to belong where God is magnified and the finished work is the basis for culture of social interaction. When the Bible is preached revealing grace and mercy it is truly amazing the healing that can happen. That is a place where people can connect and fellowship around objective truth.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105 ESV
"For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life," - Proverbs 6:23 ESV
"For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness." - Psalm 18:28 ESV
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " - John 8:12 ESV
---
It isn't if we have asked the question. All of us have or eventually will so don't condemn yourself or live in denial when it happens. The key is to understand that kind of thinking and not linger there.
"But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.' " - 2 Timothy 2:16-19 ESV
There is a Hell but no one who has believed in Jesus and accepted His gift will go there. The glory of the Lord can depart from a situation but He will never leave or forsake a person who knows Him.
"The LORD said to Moses, 'Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'To your offspring I will give it.' " - Exodus 33:1 ESV
There is a time to leave Egypt. God did wonders there but comes a time to leave.
"And the cherubim mounted up. These were the living creatures that I saw by the Chebar canal. And when the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them. And when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels did not turn from beside them. When they stood still, these stood still, and when they mounted up, these mounted up with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in them. Then the glory of the LORD went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim." - Ezekiel 10:15-18 ESV
The anointing of God is going to move with to the place where the word of God is preached with power. God is going to leave the threshold of the house and His glory will hover over the four faced cherubim we spoke of yesterday (the four faces representing the four Gospels).
"For he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5b ESV
God will never leave us. No matter what our feelings say but the cloud moves with the Ark (see Exodus 13) and we must be ready to pack up mentally and move with it. That can mean many things depending what season a person is in but in this context it applies to being exposed to a ministry of the word of God.
Without objective touchstones relationships can get very subjective can't they? When emotions are riding high with no reigns people end up far from home and a believer without the Bible can easily start walking by sight because there is no other light to guide that individual.
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." - 2 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV
No. God has not left you. He never will. You just need God's thoughts. The situation is lacking God's glory so we need to be proactive to be bathed in the place where God's glory is manifested.
There are many voices out there that focus so much on an individuals walk and how much God loves the and is for the individual but neglect the reality that people are lacking because they have no place to belong where God is magnified and the finished work is the basis for culture of social interaction. When the Bible is preached revealing grace and mercy it is truly amazing the healing that can happen. That is a place where people can connect and fellowship around objective truth.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105 ESV
"For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life," - Proverbs 6:23 ESV
"For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness." - Psalm 18:28 ESV
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " - John 8:12 ESV
---
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
The Tapestry Of Truth
Grappling this morning with large concepts. Thinking of portions of the Bible in chunks. Looking then taking a few steps back and then a few more and looking again. The the Bible as a wall tapestry so large that I can not take it in all at once. A tapestry that is beautiful up close as you view a small portion and then equally stunning standing with your back against the far wall.
Christ lives in every inch of the art and science of the book. He Is the Logos. He Is the life. He Is the truth. When people miss Him in the book they miss the point of the book. When He is seen the safe traveling path in the woods is seen. When He is hidden the Bible becomes a dark dangerous forest.
My attention moves to the Gospels and center in on Jesus. He is many things in the Gospels but today I see Him as an evangelist. A shepherd who bring people to the door of the fold but does not go in Himself. Off He goes after the one while leaving the ninety nine and then He gets them through the door into safety and then off He goes again. He shepherds His disciples but does the work of an evangelist. They are with Him as He goes and He does not stop. The book of Mark has that relentless quality to it. Jesus... eating... sleeping... praying... speaking... but always moving. Even on the night of His trial they moved Him from here to there.The nails in His feet and hands didn't stop Him from winning the thief on the cross.
But the epistles show Jesus in a new light. He is seated in Heaven. A physically motionless figure who acts in intercession. He has commissioned others to go. Now He pastors from a seated position. The Spirit however is active and moving. He Is like wind swirling over the Earth.
The Spirit illuminates Christ's life as Jesus prays and waits for the moment when He will stand and then step forward close enough to bring us home but not close enough to stop the events unfolding on the Earth. He will take a bride first then return when the wood is good and dry so that the justice of God can exact judgement on an injustice. He will retake all that was ever lost. Israel will inhabit it's promised borders in fullness and the world will truly prosper for the first time since Adam's fall.
Prophet, Priest and King... Evangelist, Intercessor and returning Monarch. Amazing.
"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." - Acts 20:24-27 ESV
Grace is the whole counsel of God. That is the path through the woods... the safe path that brings us from here to there.
Jesus is in every book of the Bible. His name is not mentioned everywhere but He Is there. The Bible only makes sense if we see Him and our lives only make sense if the grace presented in the scriptures is the path we find to navigate life. We are hidden in the prophet. The priest is praying for us. The king will one day come and there will be clear association and connection to the visible kingdom now hidden and not always invisible.
Jesus goes, rests and reigns and the Spirit of God links those that believe to the person of Christ in organic union. We go, rest and reign also. Just like the whole Bible was needed to frame one small verse... our whole history was needed to frame this small moment in time.
Oh God, Let the art and science of the scriptures go with us into the day as we walk the path Your Son has paved for us. Reveal the Prophet, Priest and King to us and through us today. We are in awe of Your skill and handiwork.
--
Christ lives in every inch of the art and science of the book. He Is the Logos. He Is the life. He Is the truth. When people miss Him in the book they miss the point of the book. When He is seen the safe traveling path in the woods is seen. When He is hidden the Bible becomes a dark dangerous forest.
My attention moves to the Gospels and center in on Jesus. He is many things in the Gospels but today I see Him as an evangelist. A shepherd who bring people to the door of the fold but does not go in Himself. Off He goes after the one while leaving the ninety nine and then He gets them through the door into safety and then off He goes again. He shepherds His disciples but does the work of an evangelist. They are with Him as He goes and He does not stop. The book of Mark has that relentless quality to it. Jesus... eating... sleeping... praying... speaking... but always moving. Even on the night of His trial they moved Him from here to there.The nails in His feet and hands didn't stop Him from winning the thief on the cross.
But the epistles show Jesus in a new light. He is seated in Heaven. A physically motionless figure who acts in intercession. He has commissioned others to go. Now He pastors from a seated position. The Spirit however is active and moving. He Is like wind swirling over the Earth.
The Spirit illuminates Christ's life as Jesus prays and waits for the moment when He will stand and then step forward close enough to bring us home but not close enough to stop the events unfolding on the Earth. He will take a bride first then return when the wood is good and dry so that the justice of God can exact judgement on an injustice. He will retake all that was ever lost. Israel will inhabit it's promised borders in fullness and the world will truly prosper for the first time since Adam's fall.
Prophet, Priest and King... Evangelist, Intercessor and returning Monarch. Amazing.
"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." - Acts 20:24-27 ESV
Grace is the whole counsel of God. That is the path through the woods... the safe path that brings us from here to there.
Jesus is in every book of the Bible. His name is not mentioned everywhere but He Is there. The Bible only makes sense if we see Him and our lives only make sense if the grace presented in the scriptures is the path we find to navigate life. We are hidden in the prophet. The priest is praying for us. The king will one day come and there will be clear association and connection to the visible kingdom now hidden and not always invisible.
Jesus goes, rests and reigns and the Spirit of God links those that believe to the person of Christ in organic union. We go, rest and reign also. Just like the whole Bible was needed to frame one small verse... our whole history was needed to frame this small moment in time.
Oh God, Let the art and science of the scriptures go with us into the day as we walk the path Your Son has paved for us. Reveal the Prophet, Priest and King to us and through us today. We are in awe of Your skill and handiwork.
--
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
For Every Season
"I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one." - 1 John 2:12-14 ESV
God writes to us. For each stage and season of our life grace is for us and towards us. He writes forgiveness. He writes victory. He writes intimacy.
Are you young? He Is writing to you not just the older people.
Are you old? He is writing to you.
Are you sick? Are you poor? Are you weak? Are you lonely? He pens His thick book to you to give you the good news that you are not disqualified. Sin is paid for and your problem whatever it is has been accounted for. There is forgiveness. There is intimacy. There is victory.
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." - 2 Peter 1:2-4 ESV
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:13 ESV
All of it is wrapped up in Jesus... who He Is and what He has done... He did the work... His shed blood has brought us who have believed close to God.
Do we get that or have we disqualified ourselves by looking at ourselves or someone else in an unwise comparison. Anyone with genuine spirituality has it because they look to Jesus not because they have some rare unattainable quality.
"looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Jesus' time of shame is over and is sitting in the seat of acceptance. A present tense acceptance that will always be. It will go on and on into forever.
The forgiveness is complete. The intimacy is real and possible. We have yet to see the beginning of all the victories that God has planned. The best is yet to come.
--
God writes to us. For each stage and season of our life grace is for us and towards us. He writes forgiveness. He writes victory. He writes intimacy.
Are you young? He Is writing to you not just the older people.
Are you old? He is writing to you.
Are you sick? Are you poor? Are you weak? Are you lonely? He pens His thick book to you to give you the good news that you are not disqualified. Sin is paid for and your problem whatever it is has been accounted for. There is forgiveness. There is intimacy. There is victory.
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." - 2 Peter 1:2-4 ESV
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:13 ESV
All of it is wrapped up in Jesus... who He Is and what He has done... He did the work... His shed blood has brought us who have believed close to God.
Do we get that or have we disqualified ourselves by looking at ourselves or someone else in an unwise comparison. Anyone with genuine spirituality has it because they look to Jesus not because they have some rare unattainable quality.
"looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Jesus' time of shame is over and is sitting in the seat of acceptance. A present tense acceptance that will always be. It will go on and on into forever.
The forgiveness is complete. The intimacy is real and possible. We have yet to see the beginning of all the victories that God has planned. The best is yet to come.
--
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
My Box Of Booklets
I was thinking this morning about my box of booklets, notebooks filled with notes from services and classes and taped messages many now converted to digital format. They are treasures and stepping stones and riches connections.
Some stranger would look at my box of booklets and see something worthless. They might find my watch and it might catch their eye or some piece of computer equipment and think, 'Finally something of value.' while quickly discarding the box as useless junk to be left out in the rain.
I like the term 'man of letters' because it refers to person that values ideas more than things. Perhaps we associate such a person with the letters coming after their name like PhD or D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) showing that they spent time inside of many books. I like to think or a 'man of letters' as a person who wrote and reads many correspondences... who shares ideas with other people that also value ideas.
The Apostle Paul knew a great deal about letters. Unlike Peter and the other Apostles he had spent most of his life with his head in one book or another. Scrolls back then but the same concept.
Look at what he says here..
"Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?" - 2 Corinthians 3:1-8 ESV
There had been a great shift for Paul. He had moved from the philosophy and righteousness that could be found on paper and moved to the life that was found in the Spirit.
The letters of the law carved in stone had a ministry of death. God had communicated judgement by words carved on stone. People want earthly qualification written on paper as a means to evaluate the worth of someone and that is a different form of the same judgement. They are parallel ideas.
Paul wrote his letters to people and said, 'My love is my letter of recommendation.' Love reveals people as living epistles but that is only seen in the light of of the Spirit who reveals it. The letter of who they are on paper kills.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:1-17 ESV
Jesus is God's living letter. Not carvings in stone that removed something to make it's ideas known. Jesus was added to the world not carved out of it.
I love my Bible because it reveals Him. If I did not see Christ in it's pages it would kill me like it has been used to kill others through the centuries. It would carve me to pieces. But because I do see Him it adds something day by day... something nourishing and eternal.
I love my box of booklets also because they were written by living epistles and point me toward my Savior, not like the Bible does, that is a direct connection but in the way that Paul loved the Corinthians and many of the Corinthians loved Paul. The Spirit uses people and what they say and do to reveal God's life.
Sitting here writing this I think about what is of value. The person reading it is of value. It is not the transcript of the phone call that matters but the person on the other end and the relationship that call represents.
The booklet has value to me but there is a time to close it and put it down and interact with people by the Spirit. God will use what we know in those relationships... light interacting with light and dispelling darkness.
One day, like all of us, I'll be gone and will leave the booklets behind. They will likely be left out in the rain somewhere but my relationships that have Christ in the midst of them will last forever.
--
Some stranger would look at my box of booklets and see something worthless. They might find my watch and it might catch their eye or some piece of computer equipment and think, 'Finally something of value.' while quickly discarding the box as useless junk to be left out in the rain.
I like the term 'man of letters' because it refers to person that values ideas more than things. Perhaps we associate such a person with the letters coming after their name like PhD or D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) showing that they spent time inside of many books. I like to think or a 'man of letters' as a person who wrote and reads many correspondences... who shares ideas with other people that also value ideas.
The Apostle Paul knew a great deal about letters. Unlike Peter and the other Apostles he had spent most of his life with his head in one book or another. Scrolls back then but the same concept.
Look at what he says here..
"Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?" - 2 Corinthians 3:1-8 ESV
There had been a great shift for Paul. He had moved from the philosophy and righteousness that could be found on paper and moved to the life that was found in the Spirit.
The letters of the law carved in stone had a ministry of death. God had communicated judgement by words carved on stone. People want earthly qualification written on paper as a means to evaluate the worth of someone and that is a different form of the same judgement. They are parallel ideas.
Paul wrote his letters to people and said, 'My love is my letter of recommendation.' Love reveals people as living epistles but that is only seen in the light of of the Spirit who reveals it. The letter of who they are on paper kills.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:1-17 ESV
Jesus is God's living letter. Not carvings in stone that removed something to make it's ideas known. Jesus was added to the world not carved out of it.
I love my Bible because it reveals Him. If I did not see Christ in it's pages it would kill me like it has been used to kill others through the centuries. It would carve me to pieces. But because I do see Him it adds something day by day... something nourishing and eternal.
I love my box of booklets also because they were written by living epistles and point me toward my Savior, not like the Bible does, that is a direct connection but in the way that Paul loved the Corinthians and many of the Corinthians loved Paul. The Spirit uses people and what they say and do to reveal God's life.
Sitting here writing this I think about what is of value. The person reading it is of value. It is not the transcript of the phone call that matters but the person on the other end and the relationship that call represents.
The booklet has value to me but there is a time to close it and put it down and interact with people by the Spirit. God will use what we know in those relationships... light interacting with light and dispelling darkness.
One day, like all of us, I'll be gone and will leave the booklets behind. They will likely be left out in the rain somewhere but my relationships that have Christ in the midst of them will last forever.
--
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Irresistible Sharpness
"Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands," - Psalms 149:6 ESV
Would you use a two edged knife in your kitchen? I likely wouldn't. Why?
If both sides of a knife are sharp you must exert all of the pressure to cut anything from from the handle. Most kitchen knifes have a sharp side and a blunt side so that you can use your palm on the blunt side and exert pressure when needed or rock the blade quickly up and down to dice tough vegetables. Even heavy cleavers weighed to make cutting easier have a blunt back.
Two-edged swords must be extremely sharp and can only be controlled from the hilt. They can not be used to block because in order to block there must be a blunt back resting on some body part to absorb the blow.
"In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.' " - Revelation 1:16-18 ESV
Jesus' words are like a two-edged sword. He does not leverage them. He just speaks them and they have cutting power. His person is irresistible. The writer fell down at his feet like any man would. No one will stand against him.
"Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!" - Psalms 149:1-9 ESV
Our life of praise as we walk in grace is a two-edged sword. It speaks for itself. We don't have to leverage it with the palm of our hands. It is dangerous to try because we will cut ourselves. Grace is not a cleaver or a saw. Nor is it a defensive weapon. We block with our shield of faith. Faith can rest upon our body and absorb the forceful blows of the enemy. Our sword will only get dull if we block with it.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Notice that the verse doesn't say that the Bible is a two-edged sword... It says it is sharper than one and a two-edged sword must be very sharp indeed in order to be effective.
What words do we hold in our hands and what words proceed from our mouths? Are they grace words? Because grace needs no leverage from us. Those words go forth and do what they were meant to do.
We don't want words that hack and saw at issues wearing us down with all the effort we have to put forth. We want words that reveal the irresistible Christ. Words that have supernatural sharpness. Words that cut through cleanly and decisively. Words that cut away what needs to be discarded and dices up the rest for easy consumption.
--
Would you use a two edged knife in your kitchen? I likely wouldn't. Why?
If both sides of a knife are sharp you must exert all of the pressure to cut anything from from the handle. Most kitchen knifes have a sharp side and a blunt side so that you can use your palm on the blunt side and exert pressure when needed or rock the blade quickly up and down to dice tough vegetables. Even heavy cleavers weighed to make cutting easier have a blunt back.
Two-edged swords must be extremely sharp and can only be controlled from the hilt. They can not be used to block because in order to block there must be a blunt back resting on some body part to absorb the blow.
"In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.' " - Revelation 1:16-18 ESV
Jesus' words are like a two-edged sword. He does not leverage them. He just speaks them and they have cutting power. His person is irresistible. The writer fell down at his feet like any man would. No one will stand against him.
"Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!" - Psalms 149:1-9 ESV
Our life of praise as we walk in grace is a two-edged sword. It speaks for itself. We don't have to leverage it with the palm of our hands. It is dangerous to try because we will cut ourselves. Grace is not a cleaver or a saw. Nor is it a defensive weapon. We block with our shield of faith. Faith can rest upon our body and absorb the forceful blows of the enemy. Our sword will only get dull if we block with it.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Notice that the verse doesn't say that the Bible is a two-edged sword... It says it is sharper than one and a two-edged sword must be very sharp indeed in order to be effective.
What words do we hold in our hands and what words proceed from our mouths? Are they grace words? Because grace needs no leverage from us. Those words go forth and do what they were meant to do.
We don't want words that hack and saw at issues wearing us down with all the effort we have to put forth. We want words that reveal the irresistible Christ. Words that have supernatural sharpness. Words that cut through cleanly and decisively. Words that cut away what needs to be discarded and dices up the rest for easy consumption.
--
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
The Struggle To Press On
Press on. Consider. As citizen of Heaven we await a Savior from Heaven.
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," - Philippians 3:13-20 ESV
Like many people I sometimes struggle getting through a Bible reading in the morning... much like the resistance we can have to exercise in the morning... getting moving... pressing on. An object at rest needs energy applied to it to be put in motion. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion and take less effort, or energy, to move.
Here Paul says, 'Let my life, and those that walk in faith, catapult you into motion.'
Awaiting our Savior... fixing our eyes on Him draws us in like gravity or magnetism does for an object. The effort is not one of maintaining motion but one of maintaining focus and being a gardener of our thought life. We cast down thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God's character and Christ's Finished Work of redemption and cultivate a life in the scriptures and exposed to Godly teaching and examples so that seeds are being sown into our minds daily and tender shoots are watered moment by moment.
We open the book and sometimes fight our emotions and rebuke our familiarity. We read and reread if there seems to be no connection. We resist the urge to skip over 'less interesting passages' knowing that there in value in getting the flow of a thought even if the content of a particular passage does not interest us at the moment.
If we look in the Bible we find Jesus... not as we want Him to be but as He really is. That is the Jesus we must find. That is the Jesus who is looking for us... visiting us... living with us. He is the Jesus that can remain invisible if our God is our belly and our glory becomes our shame.
"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!" - Psalms 119:25-32 ESV
Yes God. Yes. Yes.
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart... not before that... grace must impact my soul... I must be catapulted forward by your power. Do that today Lord. I trust You. I give myself to You afresh. I seek You knowing You seek me much more... Your desire and love is much more.
Thank you God.
Thank You.
--
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," - Philippians 3:13-20 ESV
Like many people I sometimes struggle getting through a Bible reading in the morning... much like the resistance we can have to exercise in the morning... getting moving... pressing on. An object at rest needs energy applied to it to be put in motion. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion and take less effort, or energy, to move.
Here Paul says, 'Let my life, and those that walk in faith, catapult you into motion.'
Awaiting our Savior... fixing our eyes on Him draws us in like gravity or magnetism does for an object. The effort is not one of maintaining motion but one of maintaining focus and being a gardener of our thought life. We cast down thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God's character and Christ's Finished Work of redemption and cultivate a life in the scriptures and exposed to Godly teaching and examples so that seeds are being sown into our minds daily and tender shoots are watered moment by moment.
We open the book and sometimes fight our emotions and rebuke our familiarity. We read and reread if there seems to be no connection. We resist the urge to skip over 'less interesting passages' knowing that there in value in getting the flow of a thought even if the content of a particular passage does not interest us at the moment.
If we look in the Bible we find Jesus... not as we want Him to be but as He really is. That is the Jesus we must find. That is the Jesus who is looking for us... visiting us... living with us. He is the Jesus that can remain invisible if our God is our belly and our glory becomes our shame.
"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!" - Psalms 119:25-32 ESV
Yes God. Yes. Yes.
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart... not before that... grace must impact my soul... I must be catapulted forward by your power. Do that today Lord. I trust You. I give myself to You afresh. I seek You knowing You seek me much more... Your desire and love is much more.
Thank you God.
Thank You.
--
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