1. This is the exercise of my faith that makes it stronger. The strongest trees with the most character are the ones that grow in the wind.
2. Even if they themselves do not realize it, those others who don't believe, are watching me to see how I handle this.
3. He's already told me He won't let go of me. God keeps His promises.
4. When I am humanly weak, then I am spiritually strong and filled with God's power through submission to Him.
6. I get to see Him in action. This is what breaks my bondage to fear.
7. I'm starting to see things like He does, and to understand why His will is always for the best.
8. I have found out He is the only true comfort, and now I can share that insight with others.
9 I guess I really have been clinging too tightly to some things in this world. I have a chance to reassess my priorities so that He comes out on top.
10. The best reason of all is that I am sharing the fellowship of His suffering. I realize that I am dying daily on His cross with Him, and so experiencing, in my daily life, the redemptive power of His death. I am no longer just reading stories about Him, I am touching Him.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I Don't Apologize for God, I Just Explain
Every believer is called to preach the gospel (the good news). Not only that, but in speaking of Him, believers speak with the authority of Christ himself (remember that the authority of Christ is that of a servant). The adversary cannot stop the spreading of the Word.
In the effort to communicate this ultimate rationality and sanity, which is the nature of His love, the duly designated representative of His message should not succumb to anger. "The wrath of man does not work the works of God." Sad as it is, those who reject Christ do so for emotional reasons. The amount of anger present is indicative of the measure of the indefensibility of the position taken when someone is "confronted" with the gentleness of love. Do not follow them down the same road.
As an example, a modern excuse is the taking of exception to Christ's claim of exclusivity. "All religions are equal" is the reasoning. It sounds altruistic, but is just an alibi for the true intent. A more truthful translation would be "God, how dare you not accept me on my own terms!"
Facts are just that: Facts. God has left believers here to be a witness to what is. Do not be distracted by appeal to emotion. If someone has already made up their mind, then we can at least give them food for thought, the solid meat of fact for the mind to chew on. Who knows what God might bring out of it?
In the effort to communicate this ultimate rationality and sanity, which is the nature of His love, the duly designated representative of His message should not succumb to anger. "The wrath of man does not work the works of God." Sad as it is, those who reject Christ do so for emotional reasons. The amount of anger present is indicative of the measure of the indefensibility of the position taken when someone is "confronted" with the gentleness of love. Do not follow them down the same road.
As an example, a modern excuse is the taking of exception to Christ's claim of exclusivity. "All religions are equal" is the reasoning. It sounds altruistic, but is just an alibi for the true intent. A more truthful translation would be "God, how dare you not accept me on my own terms!"
Facts are just that: Facts. God has left believers here to be a witness to what is. Do not be distracted by appeal to emotion. If someone has already made up their mind, then we can at least give them food for thought, the solid meat of fact for the mind to chew on. Who knows what God might bring out of it?
The Real Appeal of My God
God is greater than all others. As overwhelming as His strength is, it is not the most impressive of His skills. His perception is also unsurpassed in the deep matters of the heart. His instruction manual has laid bare, and has perceived, the thoughts and intentions of the inner man. As corrupt as it is, the only barrier which separates the sinner from the perfect God, is the yet lack of a humble request for His mercy and compassion. The only disconnect from His love is a willful turning away. God has destroyed any and all other barriers which could keep us from His presence.
What is to be found in the presence of the King? Rationality, the foundation of sanity, is based on the bedrock of His unchanging character. He is not capricious, He will always respond with forgiveness when we seek Him to change our unprofitable ways. Overflowing joy comes from realizing how great is the work He has done on our behalf! Every good thing we have comes from His provision. Wisdom is the application of His knowledge which He generously shares through the process of educating His children.
One factor overrides them all, and is the motivating force behind all the wonderful acts God has initiated toward us. His love pours down like cool water in a dry and thirsty land. To know His love, His consuming passion, is the only thing that is truly fulfilling in this life, and in this cold world. Only He can fill the void with meaning.
What is to be found in the presence of the King? Rationality, the foundation of sanity, is based on the bedrock of His unchanging character. He is not capricious, He will always respond with forgiveness when we seek Him to change our unprofitable ways. Overflowing joy comes from realizing how great is the work He has done on our behalf! Every good thing we have comes from His provision. Wisdom is the application of His knowledge which He generously shares through the process of educating His children.
One factor overrides them all, and is the motivating force behind all the wonderful acts God has initiated toward us. His love pours down like cool water in a dry and thirsty land. To know His love, His consuming passion, is the only thing that is truly fulfilling in this life, and in this cold world. Only He can fill the void with meaning.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!
"Yea, hath God said?" This was the question from the adversary that opened the proverbial can of worms, the pandora's box of evil for humanity. Satan was calling God a liar. He was putting God on trial. Who was really on trial here, and who was, really, using whom?
Imagine the adversary's state of mind entering the "scene of the crime". Initially, he had been the top guy in all of creation, who had unlimited access to the throne of the Almighty. He had been the the most brilliant and beautiful one. That's when he decided he was smarter than God. Maybe he got tired of all the bowing and scraping, and didn't feel all his energy should go towards honoring God and serving others. He felt he was powerful enough to be God, himself. God knew what satan was thinking, and satan was thrown out of paradise.
Satan sees this new creature that God has created, and thinks that man is physically weak, not nearly as smart as himself, and not nearly as beautiful by half. Satan becomes a door to door salesman and picks the more emotional woman to sell the idea to, that each person can actually be a god unto themselves. It wasn't about a piece of fruit. It was about choosing God's way, or satan's way. He induced them to follow the error he started, and by extension, to following himself. Now man is experiencing all of the terrors of the consequences of "the knowledge of good and evil." Man drinks the dregs of the pain and ugliness of relying on something less loving and giving than the God who made him.
Satan already knows his own ending. God is simply using satan in the meantime to teach those, who do want to follow God, the wisdom of knowing God, and the folly and destruction brought on those who refuse Him. In abject weakness and through dependence on Christ, christians defeat the incredibly powerful and cunning adversary.
Imagine the adversary's state of mind entering the "scene of the crime". Initially, he had been the top guy in all of creation, who had unlimited access to the throne of the Almighty. He had been the the most brilliant and beautiful one. That's when he decided he was smarter than God. Maybe he got tired of all the bowing and scraping, and didn't feel all his energy should go towards honoring God and serving others. He felt he was powerful enough to be God, himself. God knew what satan was thinking, and satan was thrown out of paradise.
Satan sees this new creature that God has created, and thinks that man is physically weak, not nearly as smart as himself, and not nearly as beautiful by half. Satan becomes a door to door salesman and picks the more emotional woman to sell the idea to, that each person can actually be a god unto themselves. It wasn't about a piece of fruit. It was about choosing God's way, or satan's way. He induced them to follow the error he started, and by extension, to following himself. Now man is experiencing all of the terrors of the consequences of "the knowledge of good and evil." Man drinks the dregs of the pain and ugliness of relying on something less loving and giving than the God who made him.
Satan already knows his own ending. God is simply using satan in the meantime to teach those, who do want to follow God, the wisdom of knowing God, and the folly and destruction brought on those who refuse Him. In abject weakness and through dependence on Christ, christians defeat the incredibly powerful and cunning adversary.
Monday, March 28, 2011
When Will I See Him?
He has lit the home fires of my shining city on the hill of night.
Yet still I long, for the sight, of my Beloved's steadfast light.
He has taught me of endurance as I tread under the black miles.
Yet still I long, for the sight, of my Beloved's tender smiles.
I have braved the often lonely vigil of His calling to compassion.
But I long to look into His eyes as I thank Him for what HE'S done.
In my journey over troubled waters I've paid consequences for each choice.
Still I long to hear Him tell me I've done well, in His soothing voice.
Here, my heart is renewed in brokenness when I see each needy face.
Yet I long to forget my sorrow in the comfort of His embrace.
As I administer authority for those He came to save,
I desire to rejoice forever in consideration of what He gave.
Because He's asked me, I will learn, the wisdom and cost of hope.
Unveiled to see, with my naked eyes, my Love of limitless scope.
No matter what my task, I will not be complete.
Till all my longings are fulfilled when I sit contented at His feet.
Yet still I long, for the sight, of my Beloved's steadfast light.
He has taught me of endurance as I tread under the black miles.
Yet still I long, for the sight, of my Beloved's tender smiles.
I have braved the often lonely vigil of His calling to compassion.
But I long to look into His eyes as I thank Him for what HE'S done.
In my journey over troubled waters I've paid consequences for each choice.
Still I long to hear Him tell me I've done well, in His soothing voice.
Here, my heart is renewed in brokenness when I see each needy face.
Yet I long to forget my sorrow in the comfort of His embrace.
As I administer authority for those He came to save,
I desire to rejoice forever in consideration of what He gave.
Because He's asked me, I will learn, the wisdom and cost of hope.
Unveiled to see, with my naked eyes, my Love of limitless scope.
No matter what my task, I will not be complete.
Till all my longings are fulfilled when I sit contented at His feet.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Post Script
You are closer to belief than you know. If you are aware of the weight of your sin, then you also know that it needs to be forgiven. It would be arrogance to assume otherwise. Please do not hold tightly to sin, thinking it must be who you are. Do not be content to settle for the miserable comforts of this world.
Do not let satan convince you that you would be surrendering your intellectual integrity by putting faith in God instead of something less worthy (see prior blog entitled "The Problem With Faith", posted Feb. 15, 2009). This is not about checking your brain at the door. It is about not ignoring facts. When I mention the ambiguity of the evidence, I do not mean that it is not conclusive for those with the eyes and will to see clearly (Not talking ourselves out of where plain logic would lead because we did not get the answer we wanted). Those who want God to work in plain sight do not realize that if He did, then He must needs judge us immediately for our lack of obedience (and He will shortly initiate that sort of method). Instead, He gives us the freedom of choice between abandoning ourselves to love, or saving our "love" for ourselves. (Remember, we cannot save ourselves.) He chooses to woo us with the proofs of His love. The proofs I speak of are His awesome creation, the testimonies of believers, and the eyewitness accounts of His miracles and ressurection (the Bible, which also predicted His life and told us who He is). So, as the Bible says, "Anyone who seeks to know God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." If we feel compelled by His love, we will be saying "I want that" and respond with submission to Him. After we are obedient, then is when He will provide us with "many convincing proofs", as the Bible says it. (I will share some of my own experiences to any who ask.)
I feel I must also clarify the statement that I made that God "will take care of us and take away our problems." True, that, but an oversimplification. While christians live on this earth, He cares for us in the midst of our problems. As a matter of fact, Jesus said, "a servant is no better than his master. The world has hated me, it will also hate you." He also said we are to be "exceedingly glad" when we suffer persectuion for His name's sake, because "great is your reward in Heaven." He has uses for the christians's troubles and pains in this life, just as the suffering and death of Jesus accomplished His plan.
Do not let satan convince you that you would be surrendering your intellectual integrity by putting faith in God instead of something less worthy (see prior blog entitled "The Problem With Faith", posted Feb. 15, 2009). This is not about checking your brain at the door. It is about not ignoring facts. When I mention the ambiguity of the evidence, I do not mean that it is not conclusive for those with the eyes and will to see clearly (Not talking ourselves out of where plain logic would lead because we did not get the answer we wanted). Those who want God to work in plain sight do not realize that if He did, then He must needs judge us immediately for our lack of obedience (and He will shortly initiate that sort of method). Instead, He gives us the freedom of choice between abandoning ourselves to love, or saving our "love" for ourselves. (Remember, we cannot save ourselves.) He chooses to woo us with the proofs of His love. The proofs I speak of are His awesome creation, the testimonies of believers, and the eyewitness accounts of His miracles and ressurection (the Bible, which also predicted His life and told us who He is). So, as the Bible says, "Anyone who seeks to know God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." If we feel compelled by His love, we will be saying "I want that" and respond with submission to Him. After we are obedient, then is when He will provide us with "many convincing proofs", as the Bible says it. (I will share some of my own experiences to any who ask.)
I feel I must also clarify the statement that I made that God "will take care of us and take away our problems." True, that, but an oversimplification. While christians live on this earth, He cares for us in the midst of our problems. As a matter of fact, Jesus said, "a servant is no better than his master. The world has hated me, it will also hate you." He also said we are to be "exceedingly glad" when we suffer persectuion for His name's sake, because "great is your reward in Heaven." He has uses for the christians's troubles and pains in this life, just as the suffering and death of Jesus accomplished His plan.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Believe? What is Belief?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This well known verse is the quintessential encapsulation of the gospel, the good news. It expresses the enduring truth of God's nature and gift to humanity.
In our jaded society, His love is more applicable than ever, but we have lost sight of some of the significance of what God is saying He expects from us here. We see this verse and think, yes, God is the one who is there to take care of us and remove all of our problems. Of course He will, but His truth goes much deeper than that. In a first century society of many gods, the one chosen to serve was the master, the controller of fate. The one who received the loyalty also had the authority of life and death over the follower.
The Lord clearly expects us to change our allegiance. He wants us to turn our backs (repent) on following anything but Him. For those who choose to, it is clear that God has done everything else necessary to keep our souls safe in Him. We are totally inadequate to effect our own salvation. So when we believe, we change who and what we pursue and follow after, and trust in Him to do what needs to be done.
A modern definition would say that we are convinced of the truth of what we believe in. However, the Lord has left just enough ambiguity in the most apparent of the facts so that we must make believing Him an act of our will. We must choose to follow Him. (Satan had all the facts yet chose to disobey.) Also our actions result from what we believe. As an example, if a check was found with a large value and written out to "whosoever wills", any following actions in relation to said check would be indicative of whether we thought the check was any good and there were enough "funds" to cover it. (A poverty stricken person would be much more likely to try out the truth of the promissory note. So the greater sinner is much closer to being saved because he needs it more.)
What was accomplished on the cross was that God, as Jesus, swallowed up death and corruption and absorbed it back into Himself, on behalf of those who wish to follow Him. He carried the load that we could not carry so that we could be reconciled to Him. Where else can we find someone willing to die for us? Who else is powerful enough to be sufficient to cancel the effects of sin and the grave? For salvation, we must let ourselves realize just exactly who He is and what He has done!
In our jaded society, His love is more applicable than ever, but we have lost sight of some of the significance of what God is saying He expects from us here. We see this verse and think, yes, God is the one who is there to take care of us and remove all of our problems. Of course He will, but His truth goes much deeper than that. In a first century society of many gods, the one chosen to serve was the master, the controller of fate. The one who received the loyalty also had the authority of life and death over the follower.
The Lord clearly expects us to change our allegiance. He wants us to turn our backs (repent) on following anything but Him. For those who choose to, it is clear that God has done everything else necessary to keep our souls safe in Him. We are totally inadequate to effect our own salvation. So when we believe, we change who and what we pursue and follow after, and trust in Him to do what needs to be done.
A modern definition would say that we are convinced of the truth of what we believe in. However, the Lord has left just enough ambiguity in the most apparent of the facts so that we must make believing Him an act of our will. We must choose to follow Him. (Satan had all the facts yet chose to disobey.) Also our actions result from what we believe. As an example, if a check was found with a large value and written out to "whosoever wills", any following actions in relation to said check would be indicative of whether we thought the check was any good and there were enough "funds" to cover it. (A poverty stricken person would be much more likely to try out the truth of the promissory note. So the greater sinner is much closer to being saved because he needs it more.)
What was accomplished on the cross was that God, as Jesus, swallowed up death and corruption and absorbed it back into Himself, on behalf of those who wish to follow Him. He carried the load that we could not carry so that we could be reconciled to Him. Where else can we find someone willing to die for us? Who else is powerful enough to be sufficient to cancel the effects of sin and the grave? For salvation, we must let ourselves realize just exactly who He is and what He has done!
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