Which is better - positive or negative?
Which person is better to be around - a positive one or a negative one?
Isn't the answer obvious? A positive one of course! Or is it?
Being positive, fun and the life of the party seems to be the "be all end all" in America today. Don't we all want to be around someone who's fun and not boring or dull?
But wait! Doesn't each situation dictate the type of person we need to be around?
The encouragement of positive people can be a great boost when we are struggling or depressed. But are there not times when we need some negativity in our lives?
What? Are you crazy? Who needs negativity?
The truth is that facing reality can feel like a very negative thing but can actually be the best thing for us!
When the roof is leaking, a positive voice to encourage us to take steps to fix it can be reassuring and a blessing. But if that positive voice steps over the line to deny reality, that is a real problem!
"Don't worry, your roof isn't leaking," say the positive voice of optimism while the water continues to pour in!
If you had cancer developing in your body and it was in the early stages and easily treated by surgery, would you want your doctor to tell you that you will be fine or tell you the truth? If he tells you you are fine, you will continue to get worse. The cancer will spread and you will eventually die a slow painful death.
If he tells you the truth, it will have a very negative feel to it. No one wants surgery and it feels like the doctor is being very negative.
What should you do - keep going from doctor to doctor until you find one that will tell you you will be fine and don't need surgery? Or face the truth and be on the first steps to recovery?
The doctor who tells you the truth is actually not being negative, he is being realistic! His diagnosis is actually positive in that it helps you to face reality and get the help you need rather than running from it and suffering later!
That is why I recommend being a "RIDEALIST!"
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
NO IS A POWERFUL WORD!
Christians are so afraid afraid to say the word "NO!"
We think that if we don't agree to every request, we are being unkind.
The limits of our human condition alone should tell us that we cannot be everywhere, do everything or say "yes" to everything.
We can take it a step further. We may agree that we cannot always say "yes" but we don't always see that the word "NO" can be vital to our lives!
Sometimes it is a matter of choice or priority. We can't travel in two directions in be in two places at once. We may be able to "multi-task" but we can't really do two things at once that demand considerable focus.
So saying "yes" to one thing often means saying "NO" to another as a consequence.
We may have to say "no" to being a famous rock star because we have said "yes" to giving our full attention to raising our children. We may have to say "no" to our friends' request to play basketball because we have work to do.
Ultimately, as Christians, we often have to say "no" to many things which pull us away from God!
In Genesis chapter 15, God commanded Abraham to prepare and offer a sacrifice to Him:
We think that if we don't agree to every request, we are being unkind.
The limits of our human condition alone should tell us that we cannot be everywhere, do everything or say "yes" to everything.
We can take it a step further. We may agree that we cannot always say "yes" but we don't always see that the word "NO" can be vital to our lives!
Sometimes it is a matter of choice or priority. We can't travel in two directions in be in two places at once. We may be able to "multi-task" but we can't really do two things at once that demand considerable focus.
So saying "yes" to one thing often means saying "NO" to another as a consequence.
We may have to say "no" to being a famous rock star because we have said "yes" to giving our full attention to raising our children. We may have to say "no" to our friends' request to play basketball because we have work to do.
Ultimately, as Christians, we often have to say "no" to many things which pull us away from God!
In Genesis chapter 15, God commanded Abraham to prepare and offer a sacrifice to Him:
Thursday, July 25, 2013
THANK GOD FOR PIONEERS, SOLDIERS AND SERVANTS!
We all have cause to be thankful for the men and women who helped shaped our lives!
Pioneers
Anyone who lives in a home or drives on a road has pioneers to thank. They have moved into lands overrun with forests and trees and cleared them for those who would one day build houses on that land or pave roads on them.
The areas of life where pioneers went ahead in medicine, technology and other fields are too numerous to name! We all partake of their willingness to take risks and do the hard work to allow others to benefit in the future - often with little or no thanks or loss of lives!
Soldiers
How can ever thank soldiers for defending, saving or liberating those in danger or in prison? Many a young man has lost his life in his efforts on behalf of strangers.
Servants
Those who serve are often considered inferior or less deserving than the "elite." This is a great miscarriage of justice because so much of what we have is from the hands of those who were willing to labor so we wouldn't have to!
Some servants are forced to labor which is also a great injustice. But many have served us by choice ready to do the unpleasant so-called "dirty work" so we could be at ease!
Christian Pioneers, Soldiers and Servants!
If we would allow our minds to be awakened to the price that has been paid by Christians for our benefit, our hearts would overflow with thanksgiving!
Pioneers
Anyone who lives in a home or drives on a road has pioneers to thank. They have moved into lands overrun with forests and trees and cleared them for those who would one day build houses on that land or pave roads on them.
The areas of life where pioneers went ahead in medicine, technology and other fields are too numerous to name! We all partake of their willingness to take risks and do the hard work to allow others to benefit in the future - often with little or no thanks or loss of lives!
Soldiers
How can ever thank soldiers for defending, saving or liberating those in danger or in prison? Many a young man has lost his life in his efforts on behalf of strangers.
Servants
Those who serve are often considered inferior or less deserving than the "elite." This is a great miscarriage of justice because so much of what we have is from the hands of those who were willing to labor so we wouldn't have to!
Some servants are forced to labor which is also a great injustice. But many have served us by choice ready to do the unpleasant so-called "dirty work" so we could be at ease!
Christian Pioneers, Soldiers and Servants!
If we would allow our minds to be awakened to the price that has been paid by Christians for our benefit, our hearts would overflow with thanksgiving!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
PREPARATION!
Preparation is no fun!
It can be hard to wait! Perhaps it is more difficult than anything else. But if we allow God to build a rich supply of theology and doctrine in our hearts, we will be prepared to be used by Him when the day comes!
If our theology remains shallow, we will always be in short supply of genuine wisdom! We may be well intentioned but we will not be full of God and properly prepared!
Fullness of God
In the Book of Acts, an issue came up in the early church.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 6:1
Jesus Twelve Disciples addressed the issue by calling for the appointment of seven men, commonly referred to as the first deacons of the church:
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:2-4
Notice that, although this was relatively non-spiritual work, they required that the men be of good reputation and that they be full! Full of what? Full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom!
These men were to be FULL! God wants us to be FULL!
It can be hard to wait! Perhaps it is more difficult than anything else. But if we allow God to build a rich supply of theology and doctrine in our hearts, we will be prepared to be used by Him when the day comes!
If our theology remains shallow, we will always be in short supply of genuine wisdom! We may be well intentioned but we will not be full of God and properly prepared!
Fullness of God
In the Book of Acts, an issue came up in the early church.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 6:1
Jesus Twelve Disciples addressed the issue by calling for the appointment of seven men, commonly referred to as the first deacons of the church:
2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:2-4
Notice that, although this was relatively non-spiritual work, they required that the men be of good reputation and that they be full! Full of what? Full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom!
These men were to be FULL! God wants us to be FULL!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY! Is Theology Boring (Part 2 of 2)
God Makes Us Wait Because He Loves Us!
Genuine wisdom from God does not come to us as it seems to by rolling dice, spinning a wheel or shaking an "eight ball" to receive a yes or no answer.
God imparts wisdom as He sees fit and when He sees fit!
On the surface, this may seem blunt or harsh. But God does not do so because He enjoys making us squirm. He makes us wait with a deep sense of love and compassion. By virtue of His infinite wisdom, He makes us wait because He is absolutely certain it is for our best!
For example, we don't want our children to drive merely because they have the required physical and mental capabilities. Probably most 10 year olds have the needed skills. But they lack the maturity and sense of responsibility to take a powerful machine like a car out on the road.
With today's advances, a car can almost seem like a toy. But a driver must have an awareness of how potentially dangerous a car can be. He or she must also learn that a car requires maintenance and must be driven more cautiously in bad weather. Cars will be ticketed for being parked in the wrong place and drivers ticketed for moving violations. There are also driver's license fees, license plates, insurance, etc. In short, there is a lot to know about driving beside knowing how to put the car in "D" and drive away!
Are you willing to wait for God's wisdom in God's timing?
Genuine wisdom from God does not come to us as it seems to by rolling dice, spinning a wheel or shaking an "eight ball" to receive a yes or no answer.
God imparts wisdom as He sees fit and when He sees fit!
On the surface, this may seem blunt or harsh. But God does not do so because He enjoys making us squirm. He makes us wait with a deep sense of love and compassion. By virtue of His infinite wisdom, He makes us wait because He is absolutely certain it is for our best!
For example, we don't want our children to drive merely because they have the required physical and mental capabilities. Probably most 10 year olds have the needed skills. But they lack the maturity and sense of responsibility to take a powerful machine like a car out on the road.
With today's advances, a car can almost seem like a toy. But a driver must have an awareness of how potentially dangerous a car can be. He or she must also learn that a car requires maintenance and must be driven more cautiously in bad weather. Cars will be ticketed for being parked in the wrong place and drivers ticketed for moving violations. There are also driver's license fees, license plates, insurance, etc. In short, there is a lot to know about driving beside knowing how to put the car in "D" and drive away!
Are you willing to wait for God's wisdom in God's timing?
Monday, July 22, 2013
IS THEOLOGY BORING? Part 1 of 2
Theology, How Boring!
In modern times, words like theology and doctrine have lost their meaning!
They have come to mean boring, meaningless bits of information which have very little to do with real life.
When your computer stops working efficiently, we take it to a "tech guy." He is the guy who knows all about how computers work. We have no clue about what he saying so we come to the bottom line - "can you fix it?"
That is how theology and doctrine are often thought of today - as ramblings of minutia and terminology of Christianity which may be fun for a select group of "Bible nerds" but are of no value to the average struggling Christian in this complicated world we live in.
In fact, theology is a study of God and our doctrines are simply what we believe!
How important are theology or doctrine to you?
Friday, July 19, 2013
God Our Instructor! SPECIAL FORCES (Part 3 of 3)
GOD'S LOVING INSTRUCTION!
In the US military special forces, when you opt out, you are free to return to your regular military branch. The Instructor will not run after you, or follow you to your home, begging you to return.
But God is a very different kind of instructor! He knows us intimately and will pursue us! He will not allow us to be pushed or tested beyond what we can bare! He is kind and will teach us with gentleness and patience. He will allow us to take the test over and over until we pass! How many people or organizations will go to that level to insure our success?
If you want to make the transition from "couch potato" Christian to "MIGHTY MAN OR WOMAN OF GOD," , come to God and ask for a "God-Evaluation!" Ask Him to take over your case and be Your instructor. Pray that He will train you.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
God Evaluation! SPECIAL FORCES (Part 2 of 3)
 |
| The GOD SQUAD wants you! |
David went a step further than “self-evaluation.” He asked for a “God-Evaluation” - for God to search and know Him and then to lead him in the way everlasting!
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Perhaps our own “self-evaluation" will prove to be inaccurate! God’s evaluation will certainly prove more accurate but it is not without a price!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
SPECIAL FORCES Part 1 of 3 - "The God Squad!"
I was a member of the US armed forces many years ago. Today, I no longer have to march everywhere, carry a rifle or wear a uniform. I am now a civilian.
Other men and women are currently part of the armed services. They do all of the above and more.
Then there is a third group. They are called “Special Forces.” They include Navy Seals, Army Rangers and Green Berets. Those who are in the regular branches have certain physical fitness requirements depending on their individual roles.
Members of the Special Forces are different than members of the regular branches. After a long, grueling, physically and mentally exhausting training, they are called upon to engage in the most demanding and dangerous missions imaginable!
The Christian may also be at one of these three levels, or at least somewhere along the spectrum.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Not Another Test!
Jesus told us that in this world we would, not might, have tribulation. (John 16:33)
Paul spoke of tribulations. (Romans 5:3-4)
James spoke of trials and testings. (James 1:2-3)
Peter spoke of the fiery trial of our faith. (1 Peter 1:2)
We should not be surprised that our faith has or will be tested! It is an ongoing integral part of every genuine Christian's life!
When we become Christians, God begins to teach us His thoughts and ways. We often view the world through our fallen human eyes. This tainted view causes us to have delusions and hallucinations but these abnormal thoughts are very harmful because they are not seen as such. They are perceived to be sane, normal thoughts while those who claim to hear from God are seen as delusional.
From a clinical psychiatric standpoint, a "scientific" or "rational"point of view is considered normal. However if the Bible is true, there is another reality which transcends our current known existence. It is called the Kingdom of God!
The Kingdom of God is thought of by many rational people as a kind of "fairy-tale" or daydream world. Christians are very often portrayed as weak people who need a man-made God or Kingdom to lean on as a crutch. It is said that they are too weak to deal with the harsh realities of this world so they must create a safer fantasy world where none of these things exist.
I cannot deny that this type of Christian thinking exists today, especially in America. There may be nothing intrinsically wrong with having Christian T-shirts, art, movies, posters, etc. They can be used to encourage fellow Christians, to let others know what we stand for or as conversation starters to share Christ.
Yet it almost seems at times that we have created a sort of Christian Disney World! Disney World is designed to be a place to visit but not a place to live! Likewise, the Christian world of art, music, etc. can serve its purposes but we should see it as a permanent comfort zone to live in.
True Christianity is everything but a crutch. It is a life described in the Bible by words such as discipline, taking up our cross, suffering and losing our lives!
God prunes us scourges us and comforts us when we need it and as He sees fit!
I am a skeptic by nature! I don't like following the crowd. If I were to create my own version of God (one definition of an idol!), I would not create the living God of the Bible. His word tells me many things contrary to my own wishes, as does the voice of His Spirit. I would create a god who would help me win the lottery and give me everything I wanted.
But I have come to realize (still working on it) that I am like a child and God is like my parent. He does not make the rules or answer my prayers based on my latest childish whims or how much I pout! He does so according to His own wise counsel! (Thank God!)
So when we come to God, he must transform our small, tainted thoughts and help us to see the world as it really is in the Kingdom of God!
So when we begin to grasp a new reality, it must be exercised in order to work. When we lift a certain amount of weight, our muscles grow. God does not give us more muscle; we are merely exercising the muscle He has already given us!
When we accept God's free gift of salvation, we literally become children of God. He gives us new hearts - not the physical organ that pumps blood, but new spirits!
Now God's lessons begin. For one thing, we must learn to live by faith. Many believe that faith is a kind of general, one-time event but when it comes to genuine biblical faith, God will be specific with us. For example, if I begin to trust God as the provider of all my needs, I will be tested in that area. How? God will place opportunities in my life to exercise that trust!
In a fairy tale, a witch or wizard can cast a spell and see immediate results. Perhaps there is a magic wand that has some power which when someone waves it - "poof" - instant results!
When we trust God, we do not simply recite what we believe or wave a magic wand and everything changes, resulting in us living happily ever after! The faith life is more akin to learning a new musical instrument than to casting a magic spell! We do not simply wish to learn the piano and sit down and play complicated pieces. A person must practice many hours until he has mastered the instrument at some level. If that person wants to move to a higher level, he or she must practice longer and learn more difficult pieces.
If we are to be convinced that God is our Provider, we must exercise that belief in circumstances which test it. The circumstances are the weights we must lift. Our growing faith is like the muscles that lift those weights.
No one who shows up at the gym and lifts a few small weights expects to return home with a perfect, muscular body. We realize that we are going to have to start small and progress to heavier weights. In the same way, we cannot expect that exercising our faith once will result in becoming a world class man or woman of faith!
Faith must be repetitive and progressive!
When we believe God to pay our rent, we can see God's provision. But it doesn't end there! We will have to repeat our trust in God. Our trust in God does not mean that we have passed the test and forevermore, we will never experience that test again or that the money will roll in and the faucet of blessings will never cease to overflow in our lives.
No. It is a good start. You are on the right road but if you are to become strong in faith, you must continue to exercise your faith repetitively and progressively! If God is teaching us to be strong in faith, we must progress to greater challenges. A challenge in this case could be defined as that which contradicts or exerts force against whatever we are endeavoring to do!
If we only attempt to lift small, light weights, we will never be strong. It is not a challenge to us. If God were to stop challenging our faith at the lowest levels, our faith also would never become strong faith!
When we are to grow in trusting God as our Provider, we may be placed in circumstances in which the most obvious natural sources will dry up. It is a simple process: If we are to grow in faith, we must learn to exercise faith.
If God wants to teach us patience, He does not zap us with a "patience" laser. He will place us in situations where we have to wait.
If we are to trust God for food, clothing and shelter, we will have to be in a position where there are no obvious sources of them.
If we are to grow in love, we will have to be where love is a challenge.
You get the picture! Whenever God wants to grow us, He will leads to a place which challenges us in that area!
The Father spoke to Jesus in an audible voice when He was baptized saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Immediately, The Spirit led Him to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The first words of Satan were, "IF you are the Son of God…" Jesus was led to a place where that which God ha clearly shown Him was greatly challenged!
We will also be challenged as we learn what God wants to teach us!
It is not that the challenge itself will automatically cause growth. I have never seen a person's muscles grow by sitting next to a set of weights! It is the resistance to the weights which takes places as we exercise which produces bigger muscles!
Likewise it is not the trials, testings and tribulations that cause us to grow but as we exercise the new life that God has already placed in our hearts by His Holy Spirit, that life will grow strong within us!
Paul spoke of tribulations. (Romans 5:3-4)
James spoke of trials and testings. (James 1:2-3)
Peter spoke of the fiery trial of our faith. (1 Peter 1:2)
We should not be surprised that our faith has or will be tested! It is an ongoing integral part of every genuine Christian's life!
When we become Christians, God begins to teach us His thoughts and ways. We often view the world through our fallen human eyes. This tainted view causes us to have delusions and hallucinations but these abnormal thoughts are very harmful because they are not seen as such. They are perceived to be sane, normal thoughts while those who claim to hear from God are seen as delusional.
From a clinical psychiatric standpoint, a "scientific" or "rational"point of view is considered normal. However if the Bible is true, there is another reality which transcends our current known existence. It is called the Kingdom of God!
The Kingdom of God is thought of by many rational people as a kind of "fairy-tale" or daydream world. Christians are very often portrayed as weak people who need a man-made God or Kingdom to lean on as a crutch. It is said that they are too weak to deal with the harsh realities of this world so they must create a safer fantasy world where none of these things exist.
I cannot deny that this type of Christian thinking exists today, especially in America. There may be nothing intrinsically wrong with having Christian T-shirts, art, movies, posters, etc. They can be used to encourage fellow Christians, to let others know what we stand for or as conversation starters to share Christ.
Yet it almost seems at times that we have created a sort of Christian Disney World! Disney World is designed to be a place to visit but not a place to live! Likewise, the Christian world of art, music, etc. can serve its purposes but we should see it as a permanent comfort zone to live in.
True Christianity is everything but a crutch. It is a life described in the Bible by words such as discipline, taking up our cross, suffering and losing our lives!
God prunes us scourges us and comforts us when we need it and as He sees fit!
I am a skeptic by nature! I don't like following the crowd. If I were to create my own version of God (one definition of an idol!), I would not create the living God of the Bible. His word tells me many things contrary to my own wishes, as does the voice of His Spirit. I would create a god who would help me win the lottery and give me everything I wanted.
But I have come to realize (still working on it) that I am like a child and God is like my parent. He does not make the rules or answer my prayers based on my latest childish whims or how much I pout! He does so according to His own wise counsel! (Thank God!)
So when we come to God, he must transform our small, tainted thoughts and help us to see the world as it really is in the Kingdom of God!
So when we begin to grasp a new reality, it must be exercised in order to work. When we lift a certain amount of weight, our muscles grow. God does not give us more muscle; we are merely exercising the muscle He has already given us!
When we accept God's free gift of salvation, we literally become children of God. He gives us new hearts - not the physical organ that pumps blood, but new spirits!
Now God's lessons begin. For one thing, we must learn to live by faith. Many believe that faith is a kind of general, one-time event but when it comes to genuine biblical faith, God will be specific with us. For example, if I begin to trust God as the provider of all my needs, I will be tested in that area. How? God will place opportunities in my life to exercise that trust!
In a fairy tale, a witch or wizard can cast a spell and see immediate results. Perhaps there is a magic wand that has some power which when someone waves it - "poof" - instant results!
When we trust God, we do not simply recite what we believe or wave a magic wand and everything changes, resulting in us living happily ever after! The faith life is more akin to learning a new musical instrument than to casting a magic spell! We do not simply wish to learn the piano and sit down and play complicated pieces. A person must practice many hours until he has mastered the instrument at some level. If that person wants to move to a higher level, he or she must practice longer and learn more difficult pieces.
If we are to be convinced that God is our Provider, we must exercise that belief in circumstances which test it. The circumstances are the weights we must lift. Our growing faith is like the muscles that lift those weights.
No one who shows up at the gym and lifts a few small weights expects to return home with a perfect, muscular body. We realize that we are going to have to start small and progress to heavier weights. In the same way, we cannot expect that exercising our faith once will result in becoming a world class man or woman of faith!
Faith must be repetitive and progressive!
When we believe God to pay our rent, we can see God's provision. But it doesn't end there! We will have to repeat our trust in God. Our trust in God does not mean that we have passed the test and forevermore, we will never experience that test again or that the money will roll in and the faucet of blessings will never cease to overflow in our lives.
No. It is a good start. You are on the right road but if you are to become strong in faith, you must continue to exercise your faith repetitively and progressively! If God is teaching us to be strong in faith, we must progress to greater challenges. A challenge in this case could be defined as that which contradicts or exerts force against whatever we are endeavoring to do!
If we only attempt to lift small, light weights, we will never be strong. It is not a challenge to us. If God were to stop challenging our faith at the lowest levels, our faith also would never become strong faith!
When we are to grow in trusting God as our Provider, we may be placed in circumstances in which the most obvious natural sources will dry up. It is a simple process: If we are to grow in faith, we must learn to exercise faith.
If God wants to teach us patience, He does not zap us with a "patience" laser. He will place us in situations where we have to wait.
If we are to trust God for food, clothing and shelter, we will have to be in a position where there are no obvious sources of them.
If we are to grow in love, we will have to be where love is a challenge.
You get the picture! Whenever God wants to grow us, He will leads to a place which challenges us in that area!
The Father spoke to Jesus in an audible voice when He was baptized saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Immediately, The Spirit led Him to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The first words of Satan were, "IF you are the Son of God…" Jesus was led to a place where that which God ha clearly shown Him was greatly challenged!
We will also be challenged as we learn what God wants to teach us!
It is not that the challenge itself will automatically cause growth. I have never seen a person's muscles grow by sitting next to a set of weights! It is the resistance to the weights which takes places as we exercise which produces bigger muscles!
Likewise it is not the trials, testings and tribulations that cause us to grow but as we exercise the new life that God has already placed in our hearts by His Holy Spirit, that life will grow strong within us!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Changing the Equation - You Do the Math!
Einstein spoke of another dimension which he said could not be conceptualized in the mind but could be proved mathematically!
It's all a bit difficult to grasp for an average person such as myself but I do know that God exists in an unseen dimension and can change equations and rearrange the math in our lives!
Jesus said that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness all that we need will be added to us. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes! He also said that those who try to save their lives will lose them and all that a person has can be taken from him (subtraction).
I thought saving my life would lead to addition?!
God transcends all of the math, science and philosophical principles of man and everything we see, feel and think we know is subject to Him!
This is the crux of our problem when we define "reality." Our perception of reality is based on our senses and much of the time they are reliable enough. The sum of what we believe is the basis for how we act.
For example, many base much of what they do on a certain principle which states, "There ain't no such thing as free lunch," This means of course that anything we get in life will be through our own efforts and no one is really going to give us anything for free!
Some hold to other life philosophies such as "Take care of number one." or "God helps those who help themselves." Still others believe in something akin to "karma" or "good luck."
The problem with all of these "mantras" which we live by is that they leave one huge factor out of the equation - God!
It's all a bit difficult to grasp for an average person such as myself but I do know that God exists in an unseen dimension and can change equations and rearrange the math in our lives!
Jesus said that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness all that we need will be added to us. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes! He also said that those who try to save their lives will lose them and all that a person has can be taken from him (subtraction).
I thought saving my life would lead to addition?!
God transcends all of the math, science and philosophical principles of man and everything we see, feel and think we know is subject to Him!
This is the crux of our problem when we define "reality." Our perception of reality is based on our senses and much of the time they are reliable enough. The sum of what we believe is the basis for how we act.
For example, many base much of what they do on a certain principle which states, "There ain't no such thing as free lunch," This means of course that anything we get in life will be through our own efforts and no one is really going to give us anything for free!
Some hold to other life philosophies such as "Take care of number one." or "God helps those who help themselves." Still others believe in something akin to "karma" or "good luck."
The problem with all of these "mantras" which we live by is that they leave one huge factor out of the equation - God!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
THE ONLY WAY!
Isaac's Question
Abraham walked with his son Isaac in obedience to God's command to sacrifice him! As they walked together, Isaac asked his father a very important question:
7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
Genesis 22:7
Abraham's answer was a profound one, not only for the moment but it was perhaps the most important answer ever given:
8 And Abraham said, “My son, GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR HIMSELF THE LAMB for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
Genesis 22:8
God provided the sacrifice to substitute for Isaac and only God could provide the sacrifice that can pay for our sins!
That sacrifice is Jesus Christ - God in the flesh sacrificing Himself!
Perhaps the phrase, "provide for Himself" is just as profound!
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossians 1:16-17
God created all things through Christ and for Him!
The sacrifice of Jesus is just as much for Himself as it is for us! What an incredible thought - that providing Jesus as the lamb to be sacrificed is just as important to God as it is to us!
God loves us to an incredible degree but that love also compels Him to provide for us!
This should not surprise us too much. We are made in God's image and to a lesser degree, we have similar instincts. Are we not compelled to provide for our children? Isn't a parent often willing to offer himself as a sacrifice for his or her child?
Parents will jump in front of a car to save their child. They will sacrifice their own dreams for their children's. They will risk their future to pay for their child's education.
And they do it just as much for themselves as for the child. Their hearts beat with desire to protect what was created through them. They cannot bear the agony of not being there to provide for a child's needs and to protect them!
How can we think that God is any less noble?
God's heart also beats with a yearning to provide whatever we need, even to the point of sacrificing Himself! He also cannot bear the thought of not providing for those He has created and has no rest in His heart until He has done everything He can!
God will provide FOR HIMSELF THE LAMB! It is the only way the lamb could be provided! None of our own sacrifices tainted by our sins could ever be adequate. Only the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah, PROVIDED BY GOD HIMSELF would be enough!
I am sure that Abraham's joy was full when the Angel of the Lord commanded him not to kill his son, Isaac and when he saw the ram caught in the bush that GOD HAD PROVIDED!
We will also rejoice if our eyes are opened to the wonderful provision God has made for us - AND FOR HIMSELF!
If God sacrificed His only Son Jesus to save us, can we think even for a moment that God will not provide whatever else we need today?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32
Abraham walked with his son Isaac in obedience to God's command to sacrifice him! As they walked together, Isaac asked his father a very important question:
7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
Genesis 22:7
Abraham's answer was a profound one, not only for the moment but it was perhaps the most important answer ever given:
8 And Abraham said, “My son, GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR HIMSELF THE LAMB for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
Genesis 22:8
God provided the sacrifice to substitute for Isaac and only God could provide the sacrifice that can pay for our sins!
That sacrifice is Jesus Christ - God in the flesh sacrificing Himself!
Perhaps the phrase, "provide for Himself" is just as profound!
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossians 1:16-17
God created all things through Christ and for Him!
The sacrifice of Jesus is just as much for Himself as it is for us! What an incredible thought - that providing Jesus as the lamb to be sacrificed is just as important to God as it is to us!
God loves us to an incredible degree but that love also compels Him to provide for us!
This should not surprise us too much. We are made in God's image and to a lesser degree, we have similar instincts. Are we not compelled to provide for our children? Isn't a parent often willing to offer himself as a sacrifice for his or her child?
Parents will jump in front of a car to save their child. They will sacrifice their own dreams for their children's. They will risk their future to pay for their child's education.
And they do it just as much for themselves as for the child. Their hearts beat with desire to protect what was created through them. They cannot bear the agony of not being there to provide for a child's needs and to protect them!
How can we think that God is any less noble?
God's heart also beats with a yearning to provide whatever we need, even to the point of sacrificing Himself! He also cannot bear the thought of not providing for those He has created and has no rest in His heart until He has done everything He can!
God will provide FOR HIMSELF THE LAMB! It is the only way the lamb could be provided! None of our own sacrifices tainted by our sins could ever be adequate. Only the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah, PROVIDED BY GOD HIMSELF would be enough!
I am sure that Abraham's joy was full when the Angel of the Lord commanded him not to kill his son, Isaac and when he saw the ram caught in the bush that GOD HAD PROVIDED!
We will also rejoice if our eyes are opened to the wonderful provision God has made for us - AND FOR HIMSELF!
If God sacrificed His only Son Jesus to save us, can we think even for a moment that God will not provide whatever else we need today?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
IT PAYS TO SERVE GOD!
Abraham's Test
Abraham was one of God's great men. He is still honored today by the three most prominent religions of the world!
He was a man of great faith and courage, but his was also a life of many trials which tested that faith, and required tremendous patience. God had promised him a son and after a great many years of waiting, the promise of God was fulfilled in the birth of his son, Isaac (Hebrew for "Laughter") when He was one hundred years old.
After Abraham had passed all the tests of faith and patience, God tested him once more:
1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Genesis 22:1-2
Our standards are often much different from God's. The rational Christianity of our day would often accept following God but never at the risk of our own families. It might allow for me as an individual to become a missionary and risk a difficult or dangerous lifestyle but God would surely understand if I declined because I have a family that must live at a certain comfort level.
Every good person wants to provide for his or her family and make them feel safe, healthy and relatively comfortable. Yet God called Abraham to do the unthinkable - sacrifice his own son! Not merely his own son, but the son of promise, the son he longed for and waited for so long for!
I love Abraham's response to God's test:
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning...
Genesis 22:2a
Some speculate that he wrestled all night with the difficulty of what God had asked him to do and by early morning had made up his mind to comply. But the Scripture doesn't tell us that. It only tells us that "Abraham rose early in the morning."
To me this indicates the immediacy and unhesitant response of Abraham to obey!
Perhaps it was the many years of waiting for Isaac and then seeing Isaac arrive in the impossible timing of his old age that made his faith so strong!
I often found myself struggling in my youth to obey God. When God gave me a command, I wrestled with Him, perhaps for some days or longer before I obeyed. Now I move more quickly when God tells me to do something. Not that I have arrived at spiritual perfection - I have grown but still have room to grow!
Part of my expedited obedience is simply a practical matter. I have learned the hard way that God's way is best! It is not that I am so wonderfully obedient but as it has been said, "My arm's too short to box with God!"
I imagine Abraham's faith to be on a higher level. He surely knew the practical consequences of obeying God as well as the negative consequences of disobedience. Isaac (Laughter) was the happy consequence of obedience and Ishmael was the result of his own impatience while waiting for God's answer.
Ishmael brought sadness to Abraham's life because he left when he was grown and could no longer be a part of God's great plan of making Abraham the father of the nation of Jews! Isaac brought great joy to Abraham as a sign of God's blessing and as the fulfillment of God's promise!
No sports fans - God did not allow Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. He is not like the other gods of the nations which demand human sacrifice. God provided another sacrifice - the ram in the bush.
What a great picture illustrating the death of Jesus as the lamb to be substituted as a sacrifice for us! God stepped in and stopped Abraham from killing Isaac and showed him the ram caught in the thorns. When the wages of our sins demanded death, God stopped us from being killed and showed us Jesus with a crown of thorns on His head!
If we rise early in the morning to obey God even when it seems like His commandments will kill what we love most, we will find that what is good will remain and God will provide the sacrifice for us.
When it comes down to it, nothing that is good will ever be taken from us by God. It may seem that way at the time but only what is bad for us will be taken by God.
If you feel like you have been waiting a long time for something you believe God has promised, look at Abraham. Wait for God! You will not be disappointed!
After you have experienced God's promises fulfilled and God seemingly tells you to sacrifice them, rise early to obey!
...Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
I Tim 4:8b
In the end, it never costs to obey God - it only pays!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Idols!
We normally think of idols as some kind of statue or likeness that we bow down to as a religious ritual.
We Americans are much too sophisticated for that!
The problem is that there are subtle idols in our lives that keep us from understanding God correctly and more intimately. Some may grow up in poverty and say within themselves, "I refuse to be poor like my parents were."
They may not be aware that they have just created an idol in their hearts and minds!
There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to rise up out of poverty or to take responsibility to provide for yourself or your family. But when that desire conflicts with God's will or plans for our lives, it instantly becomes an idol that must be dealt with.
Jesus told the rich young ruler,
21...“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:21 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Jesus did not tell everyone to sell all that they have. However He knew that there was an idol in the heart of this young man that stood between him and God!
The man's response to Jesus was revealing:
22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19:22 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
If we bowed to a statue and worshipped it, it would probably be obvious that it was an idol but the idols born from the unhealthy condition of our hearts is often hidden from us!
What idol might be in your heart today?
Perhaps a boyfriend or girlfriend? A job? Some possession or possessions?
What non-negotiable positions have you taken, either consciously or unconsciously, that are actually idols hiding deep within your heart?
"I refuse to be alone."
"I will never live there."
"I will never associate with those people."
"I'm not driving some piece of junk car."
"I never buy anything from that store."
" I must have the very best."
"I'll never give up control in that area."
The list could be almost endless! In other words, almost anything in our lives can become an idol if we let it. It is not a matter of whether or not it is OK for "Christians" to do or not something. It is a matter of whether God approves of us as individuals doing or not doing something!
Legalism creates a set of rules that apply to everyone. But God is a very personal God and may require something from us that He does not require from others, as he did with the rich young ruler!
The idol of wealth kept the rich young ruler from eternal life, unless of course He later repented. Some idols in our hearts can actually have that extreme of a consequence!
Other idols may not keep us completely from God but may hinder our walk with God!
God wants to teach us to fly! Some may say no to God and never leave the ground. Others may allow God reluctantly to lift them off the ground but have a limit to how far out they will fly. The higher we allow God to take us, the more we will experience all that He has planned for us.
Moses asked to see God's glory and saw His backside. Paul allowed God to take him to "the third heaven."
God may limit how much He shows us and how far out we are allowed to fly but we should not limit Him by creating idols or drawing lines and declaring that He is not allowed to cross. If we make such declarations, God will honor our choices!
I believe there are experiences with God which are far greater than any earthly experiences or possessions.
Owning a Mercedes, having our own skybox in the stadium where our favorite team plays or being the most powerful or richest person in the world can never compare to being in the Presence of the Living God and spending eternity with Him!
But as it is written:
the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
You and I have probably not reached our outer limit but I pray that we will have the courage to allow God to take us there!
We Americans are much too sophisticated for that!
The problem is that there are subtle idols in our lives that keep us from understanding God correctly and more intimately. Some may grow up in poverty and say within themselves, "I refuse to be poor like my parents were."
They may not be aware that they have just created an idol in their hearts and minds!
There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to rise up out of poverty or to take responsibility to provide for yourself or your family. But when that desire conflicts with God's will or plans for our lives, it instantly becomes an idol that must be dealt with.
Jesus told the rich young ruler,
21...“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:21 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Jesus did not tell everyone to sell all that they have. However He knew that there was an idol in the heart of this young man that stood between him and God!
The man's response to Jesus was revealing:
22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19:22 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
If we bowed to a statue and worshipped it, it would probably be obvious that it was an idol but the idols born from the unhealthy condition of our hearts is often hidden from us!
What idol might be in your heart today?
Perhaps a boyfriend or girlfriend? A job? Some possession or possessions?
What non-negotiable positions have you taken, either consciously or unconsciously, that are actually idols hiding deep within your heart?
"I refuse to be alone."
"I will never live there."
"I will never associate with those people."
"I'm not driving some piece of junk car."
"I never buy anything from that store."
" I must have the very best."
"I'll never give up control in that area."
The list could be almost endless! In other words, almost anything in our lives can become an idol if we let it. It is not a matter of whether or not it is OK for "Christians" to do or not something. It is a matter of whether God approves of us as individuals doing or not doing something!
Legalism creates a set of rules that apply to everyone. But God is a very personal God and may require something from us that He does not require from others, as he did with the rich young ruler!
The idol of wealth kept the rich young ruler from eternal life, unless of course He later repented. Some idols in our hearts can actually have that extreme of a consequence!
Other idols may not keep us completely from God but may hinder our walk with God!
God wants to teach us to fly! Some may say no to God and never leave the ground. Others may allow God reluctantly to lift them off the ground but have a limit to how far out they will fly. The higher we allow God to take us, the more we will experience all that He has planned for us.
Moses asked to see God's glory and saw His backside. Paul allowed God to take him to "the third heaven."
God may limit how much He shows us and how far out we are allowed to fly but we should not limit Him by creating idols or drawing lines and declaring that He is not allowed to cross. If we make such declarations, God will honor our choices!
I believe there are experiences with God which are far greater than any earthly experiences or possessions.
Owning a Mercedes, having our own skybox in the stadium where our favorite team plays or being the most powerful or richest person in the world can never compare to being in the Presence of the Living God and spending eternity with Him!
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, n
or have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
You and I have probably not reached our outer limit but I pray that we will have the courage to allow God to take us there!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
KEEP GOING!
There are many experiences of joy in living the Christian life. However there may also be times of great battle. To even suggest a struggle to many in the church is to invite criticism and accusations.
At the first sign of trouble, they point the finger like Job's "comforters" and wonder if we are living right.
Often though struggle can be a sign that we are doing right!
Jesus called this life "the narrow way" and following the narrow way implies that it is not always easy - but it is always right.
Well known pastor and author, A.W. Tozer once wrote:
"The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of fundamentalist Christians."
Being a Christian can certainly be fun and joyous at times but will not always be a "bed of roses!"
When we make a stand for what is right, we often come under criticism and/or persecution as a result.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
If you are in a battle today, pray that you are in God's will. If you know that you are - then be of good cheer! You will overcome if you do not become discouraged and press on in the name of Christ!
At the first sign of trouble, they point the finger like Job's "comforters" and wonder if we are living right.
Often though struggle can be a sign that we are doing right!
Jesus called this life "the narrow way" and following the narrow way implies that it is not always easy - but it is always right.
Well known pastor and author, A.W. Tozer once wrote:
"The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of fundamentalist Christians."
Being a Christian can certainly be fun and joyous at times but will not always be a "bed of roses!"
When we make a stand for what is right, we often come under criticism and/or persecution as a result.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
If you are in a battle today, pray that you are in God's will. If you know that you are - then be of good cheer! You will overcome if you do not become discouraged and press on in the name of Christ!
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