We’ve all heard sermons on Mark 12:41-44, about how Jesus pointed out how a poor widow’s miniscule gift was more than everyone else’s offerings. Jesus told His disciples, that she had “put in everything—all she had to live on.”
My question is how did Jesus know that this was all she had? Her poverty might have been obvious, but how did Jesus know that she gave everything? The answer is God knows everything and this snapshot reinforces Jesus' claim to be God.
Even though this story is only two paragraphs long, it tells us something very important about God and us. This incident doesn’t give us much detail about the widow. We don’t know anything about her life before this moment and we don’t know anything about her after this incident. We don’t know if this widow was young or old. We don’t know if this widow had young children to feed. We don’t know if she was blessed of God for her giving or if the LORD took her home shortly after she had given everything she had to live on. We don’t even know her name.
But this we do know—she is immortalized on the pages of Scripture. Centuries after she died, we are still reading and reflecting on her giving. We also know that Jesus (God) does not speak directly to her, but Jesus (God) speaks highly about her and commends her in the presence of others.
We may not have a lot of information about the poor widow. But this we know, God sees and God knows. Isn’t this good enough when we think about our relationship with our God?
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Living on the Edge
Living on the edge means different things to different people. For some, living on the edge describes a person who does dangerous stunts, like a daredevil. To others, living on the edge describes their existence—from paycheck to paycheck. There are others still, who think of living on the edge as a lifestyle. While these are all different definitions of what it means to be living on the edge, they have one thing in common. Living on the edge pictures a person or people on the brink of disaster.
One of the messages that I get from Scripture is that a life without God is living on the edge. The Bible describes a person’s life as a “mist” and that “tomorrow” is not guaranteed (James 4:13-16). In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus told a parable about a rich man that illustrates this very point and concluded the parable with, “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself, but is not rich toward God.” The Hebrew writer put it bluntly, “…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (9:27).
Our fears and anxieties are well founded if we live life without God. He is the only one that can comfort us (II Corinthians 1:3-4) and give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30). If we are seeking Him, we can live confidently in uncertain times (Psalms 23:4). If we are not on the lookout for Him, He will come like a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5:1-6). And that’s living on the edge.
One of the messages that I get from Scripture is that a life without God is living on the edge. The Bible describes a person’s life as a “mist” and that “tomorrow” is not guaranteed (James 4:13-16). In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus told a parable about a rich man that illustrates this very point and concluded the parable with, “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself, but is not rich toward God.” The Hebrew writer put it bluntly, “…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (9:27).
Our fears and anxieties are well founded if we live life without God. He is the only one that can comfort us (II Corinthians 1:3-4) and give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30). If we are seeking Him, we can live confidently in uncertain times (Psalms 23:4). If we are not on the lookout for Him, He will come like a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5:1-6). And that’s living on the edge.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
God's Will
I’ve heard about and watched many Christians wrestle with the question, “What’s God’s will for me?” However, I think that knowing God’s will and knowing the mind (or heart) of God is not as difficult as we sometimes make it out to be. In fact, there is an abundance of Scripture that speak of God’s will or desires.
First and foremost, God desires that all men be saved (I Timothy 2:3, II Peter 3:9, Matthew 18:14, John 6:40). Once we are saved, or born again, it is God’s will, or God’s desire, that we imitate or grow up into Jesus. The Scripture references for these are numerous, but Paul says it this way in Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…” In Ephesians 2:10, Paul adds, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” After Scripture tells us that “doing good” is God’s will, Scripture goes on to define what doing good means. Some of the Scriptures are, I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:18, I Peter 2:15, Titus 3:8, and Ephesians 3:10.
When I think about God’s will, or what God expects and desires, I cringe because what I want and what God wants are on a collision course with each other. My friend Dave pointed out that the heart of this conflict is usually selfishness.
Jesus wrestled with the Father’s will as well. In the Garden our LORD cried out, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36, Matthew 26:39). However, I don’t think Jesus wrestled with selfishness. On the contrary, I think that Jesus wrestled with righteousness, justice, and mercy. I think that it would have been well within Jesus’ rights to walk away from the cross.
I know my conflict is different than Jesus’ struggle, because I would have ended my monologue with God after the first two sentences. Yet, if it is God’s will that Jesus be our example (I Peter 2:21, 15), I would ultimately have to surrender and confess Jesus’ words, “Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
I am also coming to understand that if this is the big picture, and if it is also at the heart of God’s will, I should be learning not to micromanage God. Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and don’t sweat the small stuff” (Matthew 6:33, paraphrased). Paraphrasing Jesus again, He said, “If you find yourself overwhelmed by the small stuff, come to Me and I’ll comfort you” (Matthew 11:28-30). This is such a paradox. If trusting in the LORD is God’s will (Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38, 11:6), why is it so difficult to do?
First and foremost, God desires that all men be saved (I Timothy 2:3, II Peter 3:9, Matthew 18:14, John 6:40). Once we are saved, or born again, it is God’s will, or God’s desire, that we imitate or grow up into Jesus. The Scripture references for these are numerous, but Paul says it this way in Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…” In Ephesians 2:10, Paul adds, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” After Scripture tells us that “doing good” is God’s will, Scripture goes on to define what doing good means. Some of the Scriptures are, I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:18, I Peter 2:15, Titus 3:8, and Ephesians 3:10.
When I think about God’s will, or what God expects and desires, I cringe because what I want and what God wants are on a collision course with each other. My friend Dave pointed out that the heart of this conflict is usually selfishness.
Jesus wrestled with the Father’s will as well. In the Garden our LORD cried out, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36, Matthew 26:39). However, I don’t think Jesus wrestled with selfishness. On the contrary, I think that Jesus wrestled with righteousness, justice, and mercy. I think that it would have been well within Jesus’ rights to walk away from the cross.
I know my conflict is different than Jesus’ struggle, because I would have ended my monologue with God after the first two sentences. Yet, if it is God’s will that Jesus be our example (I Peter 2:21, 15), I would ultimately have to surrender and confess Jesus’ words, “Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
I am also coming to understand that if this is the big picture, and if it is also at the heart of God’s will, I should be learning not to micromanage God. Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and don’t sweat the small stuff” (Matthew 6:33, paraphrased). Paraphrasing Jesus again, He said, “If you find yourself overwhelmed by the small stuff, come to Me and I’ll comfort you” (Matthew 11:28-30). This is such a paradox. If trusting in the LORD is God’s will (Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38, 11:6), why is it so difficult to do?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Humility
I must have read John 8:1-11 a hundred times, but no matter how many times I’ve read it, I still marvel at the way our LORD handles this situation.
The Scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. They asked Him, “What should we do with this woman?” Had Jesus answered, “Let her go!” He would have been accused of breaking the Law of Moses. If He said, “Stone her!” He would have been in trouble with the Roman government. When Jesus did not answer them, He seemed to be in a pickle. However, when the Scribes and Pharisees persisted, Jesus answered, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Touché, Jesus! A reply worthy of God! I can imagine the astonishment on the faces of the Scribes and Pharisees! I would have loved to have been there to see them come to Jesus as roaring lions, to watch their smug expressions turn different shades of purple and red, and then to turn and slowly tiptoe out of His presence.
If I were in Jesus’ shoes, I would have folded my arms, would have tried to make eye contact, and I would have victoriously basked in the moment. But Jesus doesn’t do that. Jesus does not smirk or sneer like I would have done. There is not even a hint of smugness from Jesus.
As much as I am captured by the genius of Jesus, I am even more fascinated by His humility. Jesus did not have the, “I guess I told you!” look on His face. Instead, the Scriptures inform us that He “stooped down and wrote on the ground.”
Like the woman adulteress, the Scribes and Pharisees were also, “caught in the very act.” One minute they were reveling in their fleshly lusts, the next moment they found themselves being disrobed and standing “naked” before the crowd awaiting conviction. One glance from the piercing “All Knowing” eyes of Jesus would have shattered any dignity that the Scribes and Pharisees had left. But love and humility does not respond that way (I Cor. 13:4-7) and neither did Jesus.
I strongly suspect that Jesus did not want to see the embarrassment on their faces or the humiliation that was in their eyes. It’s the same love and humility that we see in Jesus as He turns His eyes away from the jeering crowd to look to His Father and cry, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
What an amazing plea. What an astonishing heart. What a marvelous Savior. Praise God!
The Scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. They asked Him, “What should we do with this woman?” Had Jesus answered, “Let her go!” He would have been accused of breaking the Law of Moses. If He said, “Stone her!” He would have been in trouble with the Roman government. When Jesus did not answer them, He seemed to be in a pickle. However, when the Scribes and Pharisees persisted, Jesus answered, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Touché, Jesus! A reply worthy of God! I can imagine the astonishment on the faces of the Scribes and Pharisees! I would have loved to have been there to see them come to Jesus as roaring lions, to watch their smug expressions turn different shades of purple and red, and then to turn and slowly tiptoe out of His presence.
If I were in Jesus’ shoes, I would have folded my arms, would have tried to make eye contact, and I would have victoriously basked in the moment. But Jesus doesn’t do that. Jesus does not smirk or sneer like I would have done. There is not even a hint of smugness from Jesus.
As much as I am captured by the genius of Jesus, I am even more fascinated by His humility. Jesus did not have the, “I guess I told you!” look on His face. Instead, the Scriptures inform us that He “stooped down and wrote on the ground.”
Like the woman adulteress, the Scribes and Pharisees were also, “caught in the very act.” One minute they were reveling in their fleshly lusts, the next moment they found themselves being disrobed and standing “naked” before the crowd awaiting conviction. One glance from the piercing “All Knowing” eyes of Jesus would have shattered any dignity that the Scribes and Pharisees had left. But love and humility does not respond that way (I Cor. 13:4-7) and neither did Jesus.
I strongly suspect that Jesus did not want to see the embarrassment on their faces or the humiliation that was in their eyes. It’s the same love and humility that we see in Jesus as He turns His eyes away from the jeering crowd to look to His Father and cry, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
What an amazing plea. What an astonishing heart. What a marvelous Savior. Praise God!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Talents
I sometimes think that it is unfair at how God has distributed talents. Subconsciously I am upset at God and envious of multi-talented people. Some people have more than their share of talents and seemed to have won the talent lottery. These people are smart—they can read a book in a few hours, understand, and recall what they read. And if they had to, they could articulate and write about what they read in a very entertaining and engaging way.
These people are also very clever. They could look at problems and come up with ingenious solutions with what they have available. These people also seem to have an endless supply of wisdom and have a lot of knowledge about everything under and beyond the sun. These people are physically fit and attractive, are gourmet cooks, musically (vocally and instrumentally) inclined and seem to be able to do everything well. On top of that, they seem to do everything efficiently and with great ease. All I can say is, “That’s not fair!” because I have to work very hard at everything.
However, there is one thing that gives me great comfort. When I read I Corinthians 13, Paul levels the playing field. Paul tells me that if I had all the talent in the world, but if I don’t have the love of God that originates from Christ Jesus (compare Romans 5:5-8), then all the gifts in the world amounts to nothing.
This doesn’t totally take away my jealousy of others, but it does make me feel good about God because He is willing to give me freely what He’s made available to everyone else. In other words, I can have the very best thing in life and not have to work for it—that’s more than fair and that’s Great News!
These people are also very clever. They could look at problems and come up with ingenious solutions with what they have available. These people also seem to have an endless supply of wisdom and have a lot of knowledge about everything under and beyond the sun. These people are physically fit and attractive, are gourmet cooks, musically (vocally and instrumentally) inclined and seem to be able to do everything well. On top of that, they seem to do everything efficiently and with great ease. All I can say is, “That’s not fair!” because I have to work very hard at everything.
However, there is one thing that gives me great comfort. When I read I Corinthians 13, Paul levels the playing field. Paul tells me that if I had all the talent in the world, but if I don’t have the love of God that originates from Christ Jesus (compare Romans 5:5-8), then all the gifts in the world amounts to nothing.
This doesn’t totally take away my jealousy of others, but it does make me feel good about God because He is willing to give me freely what He’s made available to everyone else. In other words, I can have the very best thing in life and not have to work for it—that’s more than fair and that’s Great News!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Irene
Several months ago I watched people on the news as they prepared for Hurricane Irene. The people on the Southeastern coast of the United States were taping and boarding up windows; they were moving patio furniture inside; they were tying other things down; Long lines formed at gas stations, hardware stores and grocery stores as people were filling up their tanks, stocking up on water, batteries, and other necessities—all in preparation for Irene. Someone even joked, that he got cleaned up and dressed up in anticipation of Irene’s arrival in his town.
The news made me reflect on Jesus’ words,
What a contrast! Even though Jesus said that the people in Noah’s day “knew nothing about what would happen” they could not have been totally ignorant about the things to come. The people watched Noah at work for about 80 years and the ark that Noah was building was 50% longer than a football field (Genesis 6:15). And since Noah was called “a preacher of righteousness” (II Peter 2:5) he probably was not quiet about the impending doom.
Here’s another irony. Over and over Jesus said that He was going to die, was coming back from the dead, and His disciples did not believe or understand what He meant. And even though Jesus’ disciples witnessed the empty tomb, they were totally unprepared to see Him alive (Matthew 28:17).
History has a way of repeating itself and it is still amazing that Christians can listen to and believe the weather prophets today, but fail to hear the Son of God. We often look more like pagans in our life’s pursuits than we do as Children seeking our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:25-33).
Yet the words of the Preacher of Righteousness continue to echo throughout the ages, “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” (Matthew 24:42, 44). Can we hear Him now?
The news made me reflect on Jesus’ words,
“As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37-39)
What a contrast! Even though Jesus said that the people in Noah’s day “knew nothing about what would happen” they could not have been totally ignorant about the things to come. The people watched Noah at work for about 80 years and the ark that Noah was building was 50% longer than a football field (Genesis 6:15). And since Noah was called “a preacher of righteousness” (II Peter 2:5) he probably was not quiet about the impending doom.
Here’s another irony. Over and over Jesus said that He was going to die, was coming back from the dead, and His disciples did not believe or understand what He meant. And even though Jesus’ disciples witnessed the empty tomb, they were totally unprepared to see Him alive (Matthew 28:17).
History has a way of repeating itself and it is still amazing that Christians can listen to and believe the weather prophets today, but fail to hear the Son of God. We often look more like pagans in our life’s pursuits than we do as Children seeking our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:25-33).
Yet the words of the Preacher of Righteousness continue to echo throughout the ages, “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” (Matthew 24:42, 44). Can we hear Him now?
Saturday, October 8, 2011
I Never Knew You
The first time I read Matthew 7:21-23 and heard Jesus say, “I never knew you” I was traumatized. I think that was Jesus’ intent. In the event that I didn’t get what Jesus was saying when He started off with, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and Scribes…” (Matthew 5:20), and His commentary that followed, Jesus lowered the boom with his heart stopping statement of, “I never knew you.”
This is very troubling because the people that Jesus was talking to seemed to have known Jesus. They not only prophesied or preached, but they also did great and wonderful works all in Jesus’ name. But the most disturbing blow is that Jesus didn’t just say, “I don’t know you,” but “I never knew you.”
For years I’ve consoled myself by telling myself that Jesus could not possibly have been talking about me. In fact, I could come up with lots of reasons, good reasons that Jesus was really talking about someone else. However, in the back of my mind there were the gnawing questions, “Will this be my fate and what is the will of God?” According to Jesus, doing the “will of God” will get me into heaven (7:21).
After years of trying to figure out what the “will of God” was so that I could “do” it, it dawned on me that I was asking the same question as the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-23. I was asking for a set of behaviors or a formula to enter into God’s good graces, but was not looking for a Savior.
It is astonishing to me how disconnected I am. I already know this. I mean, how does one get into heaven or receive eternal life (Matthew 5:20, 7:21, 19:16)? It is on the basis of a relationship with Jesus Christ, of course! The only way that we can approach God the Father is based in our relationship with Jesus Christ and in trusting Him.
When I hear Jesus “lay down the law,” through the Sermon on the Mount, I am faced with several choices. I can throw my hands up in the air and walk away like the rich young man because what Jesus asks is beyond me; Or I can make a checklist of good works hoping that by doing them it will be acceptable to the LORD; Or I could drop to my knees at the foot of the cross and cry out, “LORD, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
I still get traumatized these days, but I am okay with this—as long as it is bringing me to a place of complete trust and confidence in Jesus or as Paul would say, “I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day (II Timothy 1:12).
This is very troubling because the people that Jesus was talking to seemed to have known Jesus. They not only prophesied or preached, but they also did great and wonderful works all in Jesus’ name. But the most disturbing blow is that Jesus didn’t just say, “I don’t know you,” but “I never knew you.”
For years I’ve consoled myself by telling myself that Jesus could not possibly have been talking about me. In fact, I could come up with lots of reasons, good reasons that Jesus was really talking about someone else. However, in the back of my mind there were the gnawing questions, “Will this be my fate and what is the will of God?” According to Jesus, doing the “will of God” will get me into heaven (7:21).
After years of trying to figure out what the “will of God” was so that I could “do” it, it dawned on me that I was asking the same question as the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-23. I was asking for a set of behaviors or a formula to enter into God’s good graces, but was not looking for a Savior.
It is astonishing to me how disconnected I am. I already know this. I mean, how does one get into heaven or receive eternal life (Matthew 5:20, 7:21, 19:16)? It is on the basis of a relationship with Jesus Christ, of course! The only way that we can approach God the Father is based in our relationship with Jesus Christ and in trusting Him.
When I hear Jesus “lay down the law,” through the Sermon on the Mount, I am faced with several choices. I can throw my hands up in the air and walk away like the rich young man because what Jesus asks is beyond me; Or I can make a checklist of good works hoping that by doing them it will be acceptable to the LORD; Or I could drop to my knees at the foot of the cross and cry out, “LORD, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
I still get traumatized these days, but I am okay with this—as long as it is bringing me to a place of complete trust and confidence in Jesus or as Paul would say, “I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day (II Timothy 1:12).
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Ruminating and Rummaging
What does ruminating have in common with rummaging? Nothing except that rummage is the word that immediately follows rumination in the dictionary. This morning as I was preparing a lesson on “Bible Study” for Xiaoka (pronounced Sho’ ka), I was contemplating the different components of studying the Bible. One of the ideas that leaped to mind was the word, ruminating. Following that word, images of Biology class and a cow with four stomachs chewing on regurgitated grass flooded my mind. It seemed to me that I heard someone using the illustration of a cow chewing on its cud and applied it to meditation. That’s how I ended up with Funk and Wagnalls in hand. I wanted to refresh my memory on the process of ruminating.
When I read through the definitions of ruminant, ruminate, and rumination I was surprised to see that synonyms of these words included, “meditative, reflective, contemplate, and ponder.” It was obvious how someone could have made this application to studying the Bible.
As I read these definitions, my eyes went on to the next word, rummage. Its definition was, “1. To search through (a place, a box, etc.) by turning over and disarranging the contents; ransack. 2. To find or bring out by searching thoroughly. 3. To make a thorough search.” As I read this, I was amazed because this is also the way I study and search Scripture. This might sound a little strange, but I rummage through, or ransack Scripture to find God because I am convinced that He is the Pearl of great price. I guess ruminating and rummaging have more in common than I thought.
When I read through the definitions of ruminant, ruminate, and rumination I was surprised to see that synonyms of these words included, “meditative, reflective, contemplate, and ponder.” It was obvious how someone could have made this application to studying the Bible.
As I read these definitions, my eyes went on to the next word, rummage. Its definition was, “1. To search through (a place, a box, etc.) by turning over and disarranging the contents; ransack. 2. To find or bring out by searching thoroughly. 3. To make a thorough search.” As I read this, I was amazed because this is also the way I study and search Scripture. This might sound a little strange, but I rummage through, or ransack Scripture to find God because I am convinced that He is the Pearl of great price. I guess ruminating and rummaging have more in common than I thought.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Why Not Me?
A friend once heard me mutter, “Why me?” and she asked, “Why not you?” That led to some serious reflection on my part. I began to wonder, “Why not me? Why should I be exempt me from the “interruptions” of life that is common to everyone? What makes me so special to think I should be excused or immune from life’s disruptions, discomforts, or tragedies?” This also led me to think, if our LORD was the target of the world’s assault (Hebrews 4:15), am I better or greater than He was to be spared from any or all of life’s difficulties? Just who do I think I am? What a sobering thought.
I think that the main reason why we are “inconvenienced” or suffer is so that we will be challenged to know God. Isaiah said, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed Him not” (Isaiah 53:3-4a).
I know that this passage of Scripture is a prophecy about Jesus, but I also think that this is a commentary on God. I don’t think that God needs a body to feel hurt. In fact, some say that mental and emotional pain sometimes leaves the deepest and the greatest scars.
Early in Scripture, I see a God that hurts. When Adam hid and God asked him, “Who told you that you were naked” (Genesis 3:11), I hear great disappointment in God’s words. God’s pain might not be obvious to some in this passage of Scripture, but a few chapters later, the Bible tells us that God was grieved as he looked at the wickedness of man (Genesis 6:6).
One of the books of the Bible that speaks powerfully to me about the pain that God feels is the book of Hosea. Over and over again God reveals His heartache through His prophet, Hosea.
The Scripture also says that the Lamb (Jesus) was slain from the formation of the world (Revelation 13:8). The Scriptures also tell us that God lives in all time zones (Isaiah 57:15). What this says to me is that even though God is eternal and “invincible,” emotions—in this case pain, is a part of the nature or character of God.
I’ve come to the conclusion that Jesus didn’t come to earth in a human body so that He could understand, experience, or feel what we go through. I think that Jesus came to earth so that we could see and know the face of God as He suffers.
It is an amazing thought that God would put up and suffer for me. It is also beyond me why anyone who has “seen” the anguished face of Jesus would continue to hurt Him. Maybe it’s because we haven’t seen Him. Maybe that’s why we continue to cry out, “Why me” stemming from an arrogant heart instead of a humble one…
I think that the main reason why we are “inconvenienced” or suffer is so that we will be challenged to know God. Isaiah said, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed Him not” (Isaiah 53:3-4a).
I know that this passage of Scripture is a prophecy about Jesus, but I also think that this is a commentary on God. I don’t think that God needs a body to feel hurt. In fact, some say that mental and emotional pain sometimes leaves the deepest and the greatest scars.
Early in Scripture, I see a God that hurts. When Adam hid and God asked him, “Who told you that you were naked” (Genesis 3:11), I hear great disappointment in God’s words. God’s pain might not be obvious to some in this passage of Scripture, but a few chapters later, the Bible tells us that God was grieved as he looked at the wickedness of man (Genesis 6:6).
One of the books of the Bible that speaks powerfully to me about the pain that God feels is the book of Hosea. Over and over again God reveals His heartache through His prophet, Hosea.
The Scripture also says that the Lamb (Jesus) was slain from the formation of the world (Revelation 13:8). The Scriptures also tell us that God lives in all time zones (Isaiah 57:15). What this says to me is that even though God is eternal and “invincible,” emotions—in this case pain, is a part of the nature or character of God.
I’ve come to the conclusion that Jesus didn’t come to earth in a human body so that He could understand, experience, or feel what we go through. I think that Jesus came to earth so that we could see and know the face of God as He suffers.
It is an amazing thought that God would put up and suffer for me. It is also beyond me why anyone who has “seen” the anguished face of Jesus would continue to hurt Him. Maybe it’s because we haven’t seen Him. Maybe that’s why we continue to cry out, “Why me” stemming from an arrogant heart instead of a humble one…
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
More Reflections on "Why Me?"
As I was reflecting on the other day’s thought of, “Why me?” a few more answers came to mind…
1. Things happen so that we will trust God. The Apostle Paul wrote, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.” Then Paul concluded, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead…On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, (II Corinthians 1:8b-10).
2. Things happen to make us humble. Paul said, “To keep me from becoming conceited…there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” The LORD answered Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (I Corinthians 12:7-9).
3. Things happen so that we will look at the bigger picture. Again, the Apostle Paul said, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (II Corinthians 4:16-18).
4. Things happen so that we can know the comfort of God. Paul said, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (II Corinthians 1:3-4).
5. Things happen so that God’s power will be revealed in us. Paul said, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Read the rest of what Paul said about this in II Corinthians 4:8-11.
6. Things happen so that the works of God can be revealed. In John 9, Jesus disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
God has truly taken the “weak” things of the world to astonish the wise. Maybe in avoiding to ask, “Why me” I’ve been doing a smart thing. Perhaps the wiser thing for me to ask is, “Why not me?”
1. Things happen so that we will trust God. The Apostle Paul wrote, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.” Then Paul concluded, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead…On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, (II Corinthians 1:8b-10).
2. Things happen to make us humble. Paul said, “To keep me from becoming conceited…there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” The LORD answered Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (I Corinthians 12:7-9).
3. Things happen so that we will look at the bigger picture. Again, the Apostle Paul said, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (II Corinthians 4:16-18).
4. Things happen so that we can know the comfort of God. Paul said, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (II Corinthians 1:3-4).
5. Things happen so that God’s power will be revealed in us. Paul said, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Read the rest of what Paul said about this in II Corinthians 4:8-11.
6. Things happen so that the works of God can be revealed. In John 9, Jesus disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
God has truly taken the “weak” things of the world to astonish the wise. Maybe in avoiding to ask, “Why me” I’ve been doing a smart thing. Perhaps the wiser thing for me to ask is, “Why not me?”
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Why Me?
I’ve learned not to ask, “Why me?” or “Why does this happen to me?” because I kinda know the answer to these questions. I don’t know the details of why things specifically happen, but the Bible gives a range of “answers” for us to reflect on. These are some of the things that immediately flood my mind when I find myself asking myself, “Why…”
1. To remind us of who we are. We are creatures. We are the created. Many times we have a sense of self-importance and we think that the world revolves around us. To this, James asks the question, “What is your life?”(James 5:14). James then goes on to say, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
2. Things happen so that we will remember Who is in control and Who is the Creator. James says, “You don’t even know what will happen tomorrow…Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will…”
3. Things happen so that we will seek God. Often in our day to day life, God’s not even on our radar. The writer of Proverbs admonishes us, “In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:6-7a). Isaiah adds, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us have turned to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). Things happen so that we are driven to seek God.
4. Things happen so that we can assess where we are in God’s plan. Paul says, “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…” (Romans 8:29). We are predestined to be conformed into the image of Jesus. Things happen so that we can know our hearts and surrender our wills to His.
5. Things happen so that we will look to God for our complete salvation and deliverance. Sometimes we think of our salvation as futuristic. God wants us to know Him as our fortress, refuge, security, sustainer, as well as our Savior yesterday, today, and forever. We live closer to the edge that we realize, but God wants us to abide in Him.
6. Things happen because of sin in the world. Sometimes things happen because of our sin, other times the sins of others affect us. Sometimes things happen to us because we deserve it. Other times we are affected unfairly. We know this because the only innocent man in all of history was afflicted by sins that were not His own. He was not only the target of our sinful hearts, but the sins of the world were laid on Him by the Father (Isaiah 53:3-6).
7. Things happen to us so that we can give honor and glory to God. Jesus came to do the will of God (Hebrews 10:5-7). We are told to have the same mindset (I Peter 4:1-2). After Jesus was abused, violated, tortured, and nailed to a cross, Luke tells us that Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34). Peter adds, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” And just before Peter makes this statement, he said, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21-23).
To be willing to suffer unjustly doesn’t sound right and doesn’t feel good to me. But when I think about the opposite end of this spectrum—about Jesus and how He was treated and how He responded to me and for me, I cannot help but to be humbled and be in awe of Him. To Jesus’ display of compassion, I also ask, “Why me?”
Even though the words at the beginning and at the end are exactly the same, “Why me” comes from two totally different contexts and therefore asks two different questions. In God’s eyes, there is but only one answer and it involves Jesus Christ. That’s the reason why I don’t ask, “Why” or “Why me” anymore because I know it leads to a deeper question. That question is, “Am I willing to align my heart and mind to be in harmony with Him?” and I kinda don’t want to answer this question.
1. To remind us of who we are. We are creatures. We are the created. Many times we have a sense of self-importance and we think that the world revolves around us. To this, James asks the question, “What is your life?”(James 5:14). James then goes on to say, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
2. Things happen so that we will remember Who is in control and Who is the Creator. James says, “You don’t even know what will happen tomorrow…Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will…”
3. Things happen so that we will seek God. Often in our day to day life, God’s not even on our radar. The writer of Proverbs admonishes us, “In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:6-7a). Isaiah adds, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us have turned to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). Things happen so that we are driven to seek God.
4. Things happen so that we can assess where we are in God’s plan. Paul says, “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…” (Romans 8:29). We are predestined to be conformed into the image of Jesus. Things happen so that we can know our hearts and surrender our wills to His.
5. Things happen so that we will look to God for our complete salvation and deliverance. Sometimes we think of our salvation as futuristic. God wants us to know Him as our fortress, refuge, security, sustainer, as well as our Savior yesterday, today, and forever. We live closer to the edge that we realize, but God wants us to abide in Him.
6. Things happen because of sin in the world. Sometimes things happen because of our sin, other times the sins of others affect us. Sometimes things happen to us because we deserve it. Other times we are affected unfairly. We know this because the only innocent man in all of history was afflicted by sins that were not His own. He was not only the target of our sinful hearts, but the sins of the world were laid on Him by the Father (Isaiah 53:3-6).
7. Things happen to us so that we can give honor and glory to God. Jesus came to do the will of God (Hebrews 10:5-7). We are told to have the same mindset (I Peter 4:1-2). After Jesus was abused, violated, tortured, and nailed to a cross, Luke tells us that Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34). Peter adds, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” And just before Peter makes this statement, he said, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21-23).
To be willing to suffer unjustly doesn’t sound right and doesn’t feel good to me. But when I think about the opposite end of this spectrum—about Jesus and how He was treated and how He responded to me and for me, I cannot help but to be humbled and be in awe of Him. To Jesus’ display of compassion, I also ask, “Why me?”
Even though the words at the beginning and at the end are exactly the same, “Why me” comes from two totally different contexts and therefore asks two different questions. In God’s eyes, there is but only one answer and it involves Jesus Christ. That’s the reason why I don’t ask, “Why” or “Why me” anymore because I know it leads to a deeper question. That question is, “Am I willing to align my heart and mind to be in harmony with Him?” and I kinda don’t want to answer this question.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A Reminder
After I asked for prayers for my memory issues, Jim came up to me and said, “I’ll be praying for you—just remember Him…” I most likely interrupted Jim and blurted out, “That’s one thing that I worry about—that I’ll forget Him.”
Jim immediately responded with, “Even if you forget Him, He will always remember you!” Wow! What a rush! I think Jim went on to say, “It is more important that He remembers you, than for you to remember Him.” I didn’t really hear Jim’s second sentence because I was too excited thinking about his first statement.
God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). Jesus also said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet none of them is forgotten by God…Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). Finally Jesus said, “And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
With such comforting words, why should I be afraid or worried. It’s like David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me” (Psalms 23:4). Thanks, LORD for the reminder.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Terah
Even though Peter says, “His [God’s] divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him…” (II Peter 1:3a), the Bible does not tell us everything and leaves a lot of details out. I have decided that it must mean that some things are not that important and are unnecessary for us to know. On the other hand, I’ve also decided that there are other things that are very important, but they are “hidden” from us. I think that this was done intentionally so that we would seek God’s wisdom in knowing the difference between what’s important and what’s not. I also think that it can ultimately lead us to knowing God better.
One of the things that make me stroke my chin and go, “Hmm…” are the small references to Terah, Abraham’s father. The Bible tells us that Terah (as well as Abraham) lived in a distant land and worshipped other Gods (Joshua 24:2). The Bible also tells us that one day Terah took Lot, Abram (Abraham), and Sarai and set out from Ur and headed to Canaan. The Bible also tells us that when they came to Haran, they settled there (Genesis 11:31).
In the very next chapter, God speaks to Abram and says, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). A few verses later we find out that Abram settled in Canaan and God said that He would give Abram this land (Genesis 12:5-7).
This is where my imagination kicks in and I begin to ask questions like, “Did God speak to Terah? Did Terah hear the voice of God? Did Terah hear God’s voice before Abraham and did God tell Terah to go to Canaan?”
God hasn’t answered me and hasn’t filled in the details yet, but this much I do know. The Old Testament tells us a lot about Abraham’s life and the New Testament has numerous references to him. In the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews, the chapter that we refer to as the “Hall of Faith,” Abraham is described as a stranger or alien in a foreign land seeking for the city whose architect and builder was God (Hebrews 11:8-10).
On the other hand, Terah is mentioned in only a few short verses in the Bible, most are in a genealogy in Genesis, and no reference to him in the New Testament. The striking contrast between him and his son Abraham is found in this epitaph, “Terah…set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran” (Genesis 11:31-32). Hmmm…I wonder if God is telling us something or am I reading too much into the text?
One of the things that make me stroke my chin and go, “Hmm…” are the small references to Terah, Abraham’s father. The Bible tells us that Terah (as well as Abraham) lived in a distant land and worshipped other Gods (Joshua 24:2). The Bible also tells us that one day Terah took Lot, Abram (Abraham), and Sarai and set out from Ur and headed to Canaan. The Bible also tells us that when they came to Haran, they settled there (Genesis 11:31).
In the very next chapter, God speaks to Abram and says, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). A few verses later we find out that Abram settled in Canaan and God said that He would give Abram this land (Genesis 12:5-7).
This is where my imagination kicks in and I begin to ask questions like, “Did God speak to Terah? Did Terah hear the voice of God? Did Terah hear God’s voice before Abraham and did God tell Terah to go to Canaan?”
God hasn’t answered me and hasn’t filled in the details yet, but this much I do know. The Old Testament tells us a lot about Abraham’s life and the New Testament has numerous references to him. In the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews, the chapter that we refer to as the “Hall of Faith,” Abraham is described as a stranger or alien in a foreign land seeking for the city whose architect and builder was God (Hebrews 11:8-10).
On the other hand, Terah is mentioned in only a few short verses in the Bible, most are in a genealogy in Genesis, and no reference to him in the New Testament. The striking contrast between him and his son Abraham is found in this epitaph, “Terah…set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran” (Genesis 11:31-32). Hmmm…I wonder if God is telling us something or am I reading too much into the text?
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Is Faith a Blessing?
Life is so overwhelming at times and to make matters worse, it is very unstable and unpredictable. Things are often not what they seem to be and they keep changing. Life puts up roadblocks and forces us to take detours. Sometimes it’s hard to see past today because tomorrow looks pitch black. In addition, people are sometimes hard to understand because they see things so differently. On top of that, people are fickle—a lot of times people cannot or will do not what they said they would do. Other times people out and out lie.
If anyone’s experienced this, they are probably aware that there are a lot of insecurities, anxieties, frustration, disappointments, disillusionments, and fears that come along with this knowledge—and they’ve also discovered that it is very hard to be sure of anything.
I learned this about life at a very young age. I grew up being very skeptical and this made it hard for me to trust or to have faith in anybody or anything. But the biggest shock came to me as I was becoming an adult—I failed myself. I came to a realization that I could not live up to my own expectations, so I could not even trust myself.
It was after this realization that I was reintroduced to the Bible and Jesus. This time Jesus excited me…that is, until I started reading and thinking about what Jesus said. As I listened to what Jesus said, I started hearing myself saying things like: “Yeah, right!” “You’ve got to be kidding!” “You want me to do what?” “Yeah, that’s easy for you to say!” “You can’t possibly mean that!” But the words that made me stop dead in my tracks were, “Who do you think you are? Jesus, just who do you think you are?”
The Bible claims that the Word of God is sure and claims that Jesus is the Living Word of God. Jesus Himself said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) Reflecting on this, I thought to myself, since I cannot put my trust in anything, and I cannot put my confidence in anyone else, much less faith in myself, I thought I’d put the Bible and Jesus to the test. So whenever I felt like I was in a vortex and my life was going down the toilet, when things seemed like they were falling apart, and when my feelings were on a roller coaster ride, I recalled what the Bible or what Jesus said and reminded myself, “But God said…,” or “But Jesus said…” Then I held on to His Words as if my life and sanity depended on it (and it did). You know something? When everything stopped spinning and shaking, I found myself okay and still standing.
Has my faith been a blessing to me? Not so much. My faith has been weak and small and unstable. It’s really not my faith that is the blessing. My blessing has come from the One in whom I can put my confidence.
I am discovering that faith is born and grows “from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17) and when I hold unswervingly to this hope I profess, I am blessed only because He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
If anyone’s experienced this, they are probably aware that there are a lot of insecurities, anxieties, frustration, disappointments, disillusionments, and fears that come along with this knowledge—and they’ve also discovered that it is very hard to be sure of anything.
I learned this about life at a very young age. I grew up being very skeptical and this made it hard for me to trust or to have faith in anybody or anything. But the biggest shock came to me as I was becoming an adult—I failed myself. I came to a realization that I could not live up to my own expectations, so I could not even trust myself.
It was after this realization that I was reintroduced to the Bible and Jesus. This time Jesus excited me…that is, until I started reading and thinking about what Jesus said. As I listened to what Jesus said, I started hearing myself saying things like: “Yeah, right!” “You’ve got to be kidding!” “You want me to do what?” “Yeah, that’s easy for you to say!” “You can’t possibly mean that!” But the words that made me stop dead in my tracks were, “Who do you think you are? Jesus, just who do you think you are?”
The Bible claims that the Word of God is sure and claims that Jesus is the Living Word of God. Jesus Himself said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) Reflecting on this, I thought to myself, since I cannot put my trust in anything, and I cannot put my confidence in anyone else, much less faith in myself, I thought I’d put the Bible and Jesus to the test. So whenever I felt like I was in a vortex and my life was going down the toilet, when things seemed like they were falling apart, and when my feelings were on a roller coaster ride, I recalled what the Bible or what Jesus said and reminded myself, “But God said…,” or “But Jesus said…” Then I held on to His Words as if my life and sanity depended on it (and it did). You know something? When everything stopped spinning and shaking, I found myself okay and still standing.
Has my faith been a blessing to me? Not so much. My faith has been weak and small and unstable. It’s really not my faith that is the blessing. My blessing has come from the One in whom I can put my confidence.
I am discovering that faith is born and grows “from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17) and when I hold unswervingly to this hope I profess, I am blessed only because He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Meaningful Conversation
For years, Author and Lecturer Gary Smalley, wondered what women meant by a “meaningful conversation.” One day after he was married for a while, it dawned on him that a “meaningful conversation” to a woman was any conversation that was meaningful to her. It sounds so simple, yet when I heard this, I was awed. I might have known this fact, but it was so deep into my subconscious that I needed Gary’s words to enlighten me.
Since then, I’ve really noticed that whenever anyone is able to express themselves freely and the response to them is favorable, the speaker leaves the conversation feeling very satisfied. I’ve also thought about how it affects an individual in different relationships—a child with his parents, a student with his teacher, a worker with his boss, a patient with his doctor, and a human being with his God. It seems to me that in every instance when a person is able to share what’s on his or her heart without repercussion, this individual leaves the “conversation” feeling content, satisfied, and even joyful. This also leads me to wonder how God feels when He wants to have a meaningful conversation with us…
Since then, I’ve really noticed that whenever anyone is able to express themselves freely and the response to them is favorable, the speaker leaves the conversation feeling very satisfied. I’ve also thought about how it affects an individual in different relationships—a child with his parents, a student with his teacher, a worker with his boss, a patient with his doctor, and a human being with his God. It seems to me that in every instance when a person is able to share what’s on his or her heart without repercussion, this individual leaves the “conversation” feeling content, satisfied, and even joyful. This also leads me to wonder how God feels when He wants to have a meaningful conversation with us…
Friday, August 5, 2011
Bipartisanship
I think that the arguments over balancing the budget, raising the national debt ceiling, and calling for bipartisanship over the last few months has moved a lot of people from being concerned, to worried, frustrated, and now outraged.
When the debate first began, I don’t think I could have defined bipartisanship, but listening to the President, the Republicans, and the Democrats, I think I know what it means. It seems to me that it means, “I have come up with a plan and now you should agree with me.” When I was a kid, the term was called, “bullying.”
The Bible has a similar term. It’s called “confession.” The Bible asks us to confess, agree, or admit: we sin or we are sinners (I John 1:8-9). Jesus is Lord and He comes from God (Acts 10:9-10, I John 4:3). Only by our admission that Jesus comes from God, that we can know God (I John 2:23, 4:15). When we confess Jesus’ Name, it is a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). And finally, we confess that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13).
These are some of the things that the Bible calls us to confess, agree, and come to terms with. While there is some similarity between “bipartisanship” in the world and “confession” in Scripture, there is at least one huge difference. God’s not a bully, as some may think He is. God is looking out for everyone’s welfare and He has our very best interest at heart. We know this because He sacrificially gave up His very own Son as the condition of the agreement between Him and us. This is the concession that God brings to the bargaining table. If we do not agree to His terms, there is no other deal in the works.
When the debate first began, I don’t think I could have defined bipartisanship, but listening to the President, the Republicans, and the Democrats, I think I know what it means. It seems to me that it means, “I have come up with a plan and now you should agree with me.” When I was a kid, the term was called, “bullying.”
The Bible has a similar term. It’s called “confession.” The Bible asks us to confess, agree, or admit: we sin or we are sinners (I John 1:8-9). Jesus is Lord and He comes from God (Acts 10:9-10, I John 4:3). Only by our admission that Jesus comes from God, that we can know God (I John 2:23, 4:15). When we confess Jesus’ Name, it is a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). And finally, we confess that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13).
These are some of the things that the Bible calls us to confess, agree, and come to terms with. While there is some similarity between “bipartisanship” in the world and “confession” in Scripture, there is at least one huge difference. God’s not a bully, as some may think He is. God is looking out for everyone’s welfare and He has our very best interest at heart. We know this because He sacrificially gave up His very own Son as the condition of the agreement between Him and us. This is the concession that God brings to the bargaining table. If we do not agree to His terms, there is no other deal in the works.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Sowing and Reaping
When I am talking to people, I get the feeling a lot of the time people do not believe what I am saying. One of the reasons why I get this impression is because of the response that I get from them after making a statement. People don’t usually come out blatantly and say, “You’re lying,” “You’re exaggerating,” or “You don’t understand.” People “tell” me that I don’t know what I’m talking about in a round about way, usually by giving me an alternate viewpoint or by sharing with me their experiences in life. When this happens, I get frustrated; I get myself all worked up and want to “defend” or further explain what I have said.
This morning I had a flashback. When I was a kid, I often tried to convince people of something, even to the point of tears. People used to believe me, until they found out I was lying (and I used to lie a lot). Eventually, people took what I said with a grain—no, it was probably more like a box of salt. So maybe this is payback time. Maybe I am reaping what I have sowed as a kid even though I am not bent in this direction anymore. If this is true, it stinks.
This morning I am also reminded that Jesus’ underlying message was “believe Me” (John 8:45-46) or “trust Me” (John 14:1, Matthew 7:24-27), but His message was continually rejected (John 1:14). I’ve noticed that every time Jesus was rejected, His response was not like mine. Jesus does not grab people by their shoulders, shake them, and scream, “Believe Me!” I also don’t see Jesus dropping to His knees pleading with people, “Why won’t you listen to Me?” Nor does Jesus follow people around, bombarding them with a multitude of words to convince them of His truthfulness. No, I am not like Jesus.
Maybe I should consider limiting my speech and be content with short answers like, “Yes” or “No” (Matthew 5:37). Maybe I should allow God the opportunity to have the final word instead of me. This is so hard, but if I remember correctly, the last time I looked, words like badgering, overbearing, and argumentative were not listed under the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). Perhaps, just perhaps this would be a good time for me to practice sowing seeds of godliness.
This morning I had a flashback. When I was a kid, I often tried to convince people of something, even to the point of tears. People used to believe me, until they found out I was lying (and I used to lie a lot). Eventually, people took what I said with a grain—no, it was probably more like a box of salt. So maybe this is payback time. Maybe I am reaping what I have sowed as a kid even though I am not bent in this direction anymore. If this is true, it stinks.
This morning I am also reminded that Jesus’ underlying message was “believe Me” (John 8:45-46) or “trust Me” (John 14:1, Matthew 7:24-27), but His message was continually rejected (John 1:14). I’ve noticed that every time Jesus was rejected, His response was not like mine. Jesus does not grab people by their shoulders, shake them, and scream, “Believe Me!” I also don’t see Jesus dropping to His knees pleading with people, “Why won’t you listen to Me?” Nor does Jesus follow people around, bombarding them with a multitude of words to convince them of His truthfulness. No, I am not like Jesus.
Maybe I should consider limiting my speech and be content with short answers like, “Yes” or “No” (Matthew 5:37). Maybe I should allow God the opportunity to have the final word instead of me. This is so hard, but if I remember correctly, the last time I looked, words like badgering, overbearing, and argumentative were not listed under the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). Perhaps, just perhaps this would be a good time for me to practice sowing seeds of godliness.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Disconnected
I’ve noticed that as Christians, we live such disconnected lives—in that we read God’s Word, the Bible and often fail to see the connection it has in our lives. I often hear things like, “Be with us,” and “Help us.” While these petitions are not necessarily wrong, but in the framework of Scripture, I wonder why our language, our prayers, and our spirit are not more aligned to what God has said.
I might be knit picking at words, but I wonder if God is like a parent standing beside a child asking, “What did I say? What did I tell you?” It seems to me that our approach or our responses to our Father as Children of Light should be different.
One of the more common groaning that I hear is, “Why me” or “Why now?” Someone once asked me, “Why not you?” It made me think, “Why should I be exempt from the human experience” (I Corinthians 10:13)? After I became a Christian, I wondered, “If Jesus went through similar ordeals, why should I expect anything different? (Luke 6:40, John 13:16)? If I really believe that I deserve hell, but received Heaven, then what’s a little discomfort in my life now” (Romans 8:18)?
I guess the next time I hear myself saying, “I don’t have time for this;” I’m going to have to remember to ask myself, “Whose clock am I on? Whose life am I living?” (I Corinthians 6:19-20, 7:23) and “Am I being blessed?” (John 13:17).
I might be knit picking at words, but I wonder if God is like a parent standing beside a child asking, “What did I say? What did I tell you?” It seems to me that our approach or our responses to our Father as Children of Light should be different.
One of the more common groaning that I hear is, “Why me” or “Why now?” Someone once asked me, “Why not you?” It made me think, “Why should I be exempt from the human experience” (I Corinthians 10:13)? After I became a Christian, I wondered, “If Jesus went through similar ordeals, why should I expect anything different? (Luke 6:40, John 13:16)? If I really believe that I deserve hell, but received Heaven, then what’s a little discomfort in my life now” (Romans 8:18)?
I guess the next time I hear myself saying, “I don’t have time for this;” I’m going to have to remember to ask myself, “Whose clock am I on? Whose life am I living?” (I Corinthians 6:19-20, 7:23) and “Am I being blessed?” (John 13:17).
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Christian Joy
I heard someone say the reason why a lot of Christians don’t live a more joyous, abundant, victorious, and exuberant life was because we don’t spend enough time with God and with other Christians. That statement made me cringe.
So many times other Christians make me angry, frustrated, exasperated, and stressed. I think that Jesus had experienced similar feelings when He walked with His twelve.
Often, being aware of God’s presence brings me anything but joy. A lot of times, when I am reminded that I am standing in His Presence (to name a few), I feel ashamed, guilty, irritated, and yes, even angry.
As I think about “Christian” joy, I am reminded of the one who cried out,
This passage of Scripture sounds like it comes from the New Testament, but it actually comes from the hand of David in Psalms 51:11-12. It seems that David had a taste of something that a lot of Christians have not yet experienced. Many of us acknowledge and affirm what Jesus has done for us, but it seems like this reality has yet to penetrate into our hearts.
Joy comes from really knowing who we are, who God is, and the mercy and the grace that overflows from Him. This also why David can declare,
So many times other Christians make me angry, frustrated, exasperated, and stressed. I think that Jesus had experienced similar feelings when He walked with His twelve.
Often, being aware of God’s presence brings me anything but joy. A lot of times, when I am reminded that I am standing in His Presence (to name a few), I feel ashamed, guilty, irritated, and yes, even angry.
As I think about “Christian” joy, I am reminded of the one who cried out,
Do not cast me from Your Presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to
me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
This passage of Scripture sounds like it comes from the New Testament, but it actually comes from the hand of David in Psalms 51:11-12. It seems that David had a taste of something that a lot of Christians have not yet experienced. Many of us acknowledge and affirm what Jesus has done for us, but it seems like this reality has yet to penetrate into our hearts.
Joy comes from really knowing who we are, who God is, and the mercy and the grace that overflows from Him. This also why David can declare,
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days
of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalms 23:5-6)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Avoidance
There are some people that I try to avoid. When I see them coming, I turn and head in the opposite direction, and hope that they didn’t see me. If I see them passing by my house as I’m heading towards my front door, I pause and wait until they are out of sight before I open the door to go out. If I am in the grocery store and see them, I will turn down the first aisle and hope that they didn’t see me. I let out a sigh of relief if I am unnoticed.
A lot of times I feel this way about myself. There are times when I wish that it were possible to get out of my body and walk away. There are times when I when I avoid looking in the mirror because I don’t want to look into the eyes of the one that would be looking back at me. The person in the mirror can see past the veneer and see into the soul of the person he’s looking at. In this way, I can see what God sees.
In times like these, I am thankful that I am not standing before God because I would not be able to look into His all-knowing eyes. I am also thankful for the Word of God because it is helping me practice standing in His Presence by fixing my eyes on His Word.
God’s Word tells me that He loves me so much that He demonstrated it at the expense of His very own Son (John 3:16, Romans 8:32). God’s Word tells me that while I was still immersed in my sins, Jesus died for me (Romans 5:6, 8). The Word of God asks the question, “Who or what can separate us from the love of God?” It also answers its own question by declaring, “Nothing and no one!” (Romans 8:35-38) Repeatedly the Word of God says that God is faithful (II Timothy 2:13); that it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18); that if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17); and that God will complete the work that He began (Philippians 1:6). If that’s not enough, the Word of God reminds me that God is greater than the way I feel (I John 3:20).
I often stare at God’s Word and ask myself, “Do I wholeheartedly believe this?” I answer, “No, not yet” but I will continue to gaze at these gracious and precious words because I know that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). I am hoping that one day soon I will be able to lift my eyes from the pages of Scripture and look adoringly into the eyes of the One who loves me.
A lot of times I feel this way about myself. There are times when I wish that it were possible to get out of my body and walk away. There are times when I when I avoid looking in the mirror because I don’t want to look into the eyes of the one that would be looking back at me. The person in the mirror can see past the veneer and see into the soul of the person he’s looking at. In this way, I can see what God sees.
In times like these, I am thankful that I am not standing before God because I would not be able to look into His all-knowing eyes. I am also thankful for the Word of God because it is helping me practice standing in His Presence by fixing my eyes on His Word.
God’s Word tells me that He loves me so much that He demonstrated it at the expense of His very own Son (John 3:16, Romans 8:32). God’s Word tells me that while I was still immersed in my sins, Jesus died for me (Romans 5:6, 8). The Word of God asks the question, “Who or what can separate us from the love of God?” It also answers its own question by declaring, “Nothing and no one!” (Romans 8:35-38) Repeatedly the Word of God says that God is faithful (II Timothy 2:13); that it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18); that if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17); and that God will complete the work that He began (Philippians 1:6). If that’s not enough, the Word of God reminds me that God is greater than the way I feel (I John 3:20).
I often stare at God’s Word and ask myself, “Do I wholeheartedly believe this?” I answer, “No, not yet” but I will continue to gaze at these gracious and precious words because I know that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). I am hoping that one day soon I will be able to lift my eyes from the pages of Scripture and look adoringly into the eyes of the One who loves me.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Behind Closed Doors
Two things come to mind when I think about the expression, “Behind closed doors.” The first image that comes to mind is a serious meeting between two parties. Whether these two parties belong to a family, the heads of a state, or world leaders, one can be certain that this discussion will be brutally frank.
The second image that comes to mind is just as intense; however, the scene is one of openness, intimacy, and passion. It is a picture of two people sharing their affections for each other.
Jesus may not have had these two images in mind when He said, “when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father…” (Matthew 6:6). However, I think of the same kind of intensity and passion when I think of Jesus’ words.
I’ve painfully learned that when I leave the door open and invite others in, it exposes the intimacy that should have been reserved for Him alone. Jesus’ words about the Pharisees (Matthew 6:5) also grieves me because it reminds me of another profession that peddles themselves in temples and on street corners...
The second image that comes to mind is just as intense; however, the scene is one of openness, intimacy, and passion. It is a picture of two people sharing their affections for each other.
Jesus may not have had these two images in mind when He said, “when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father…” (Matthew 6:6). However, I think of the same kind of intensity and passion when I think of Jesus’ words.
I’ve painfully learned that when I leave the door open and invite others in, it exposes the intimacy that should have been reserved for Him alone. Jesus’ words about the Pharisees (Matthew 6:5) also grieves me because it reminds me of another profession that peddles themselves in temples and on street corners...
Friday, February 25, 2011
Conversing With God
I’ve heard prayer defined as “having a conversation with God.” If we were to look up all the passages in Scripture concerning prayer, we’d find that prayer is only half of a conversation. Prayer involves the active asking, telling, declaring, or speaking to God. If only prayer is involved, it is a monologue, like the Pharisee who prayed to himself (Luke 18:11).
Conversing with, or having a meaningful conversation, occurs when thoughts, feelings, and hearts are exchanged and shared between two parties. Often we do not have meaningful conversations with God because we are not praying on the basis of His Word—in other words, we are praying (talking) but are not listening. Our “conversation” with God often sounds more like children asking their parents the same questions over and over with the parents answering, “What did I say?” repeatedly.
Prayer is not just to inform God about our circumstances or our internal state of affairs—God already knows that! Rather, prayer is an avenue of seeking God in an attempt to enter into His Presence and into His World (Hebrews 4:8-11). I think that Jesus said it best when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).
I know that it has made a huge difference in my life when I started to talk to God on the basis of His Word. I remember telling Jesus, “Where is this rest for my soul that you talked about?” The ensuing conversation changed the direction of my life forever. The rest is history—or should I say, the rest is His story.
Conversing with, or having a meaningful conversation, occurs when thoughts, feelings, and hearts are exchanged and shared between two parties. Often we do not have meaningful conversations with God because we are not praying on the basis of His Word—in other words, we are praying (talking) but are not listening. Our “conversation” with God often sounds more like children asking their parents the same questions over and over with the parents answering, “What did I say?” repeatedly.
Prayer is not just to inform God about our circumstances or our internal state of affairs—God already knows that! Rather, prayer is an avenue of seeking God in an attempt to enter into His Presence and into His World (Hebrews 4:8-11). I think that Jesus said it best when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).
I know that it has made a huge difference in my life when I started to talk to God on the basis of His Word. I remember telling Jesus, “Where is this rest for my soul that you talked about?” The ensuing conversation changed the direction of my life forever. The rest is history—or should I say, the rest is His story.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Suffering
Most of us suffer like Job because we do not “see” God in our suffering. But if God is sovereign, He is involved in our suffering in one way or another. He might not be the cause of our suffering, but we cannot suffer unless He allows it. Satan was aware of this, that is why Satan said to God, “Have you not put a hedge around him [Job] and his household and everything he has?” (Job 1:10) To which God replied, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
All of Scripture tells or shows us that it is God that brings or allows suffering in our lives. Two examples that come immediately to mind are Joseph and Paul. Joseph was unfairly treated when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. When Joseph confronted his brothers, he said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20). Throughout his life, Joseph maintained his integrity because He “saw” God as sovereign.
In II Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul said, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.” But Paul also saw God’s hand in his suffering because Paul went on to say, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
In II Corinthians 12:7-8, Paul said, “there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” Then as Paul begged the sovereign LORD to, “…take it away from me” he heard God say to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (vs.9) and Paul understood that his suffering kept him from becoming cocky and conceited (vs.7). This is not a pleasant thought to me because I understand that godliness comes with pain…(II Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 12:10).
All of Scripture tells or shows us that it is God that brings or allows suffering in our lives. Two examples that come immediately to mind are Joseph and Paul. Joseph was unfairly treated when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. When Joseph confronted his brothers, he said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20). Throughout his life, Joseph maintained his integrity because He “saw” God as sovereign.
In II Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul said, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.” But Paul also saw God’s hand in his suffering because Paul went on to say, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
In II Corinthians 12:7-8, Paul said, “there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” Then as Paul begged the sovereign LORD to, “…take it away from me” he heard God say to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (vs.9) and Paul understood that his suffering kept him from becoming cocky and conceited (vs.7). This is not a pleasant thought to me because I understand that godliness comes with pain…(II Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 12:10).
Friday, February 18, 2011
Virtuous Living
The Jesus of the Bible is so beautiful, noble, and oh, so majestic. Before I came to know Him, He was the kind of person that I would have liked to be. But I also knew how life worked. A person who lived liked Jesus was a fool or a sucker. If people are kind to you, it is only for a season. People are out to take advantage of you. They will use you, abuse you, violate you then toss you aside. That’s what happened to Jesus. After Jesus fed, healed, and taught people how to live a virtuous life, the people mocked Him, beat Him, turned their back on Him, and murdered Him. Jesus lived such an honorable life, and even died a virtuous death, but no one spoke up for Him and He died alone. That’s life in a nutshell and that was my view of life. Jesus had a lot of the qualities that I thought were so attractive, but if this was the end, there was no reason for me to live like Him.
That’s where my life hung for many years until I realized that wasn’t the end of Jesus’ story. Had I been less cynical, I would have noticed that the stone had been rolled away, the tomb was empty, and the words, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see…” should have screamed out at me. Like Jesus’ disciples, I guess I needed to be reminded of what He said.
I still need to be reminded. But now I need to be reminded that because Jesus allowed Himself to suffer death, the Father has now crowned Him with glory and honor and has put EVERYTHING under His feet (Hebrews 2:7-10, Philippians 2:8-11). I’ve been told that this is my future as well (I Corinthians 15:50-58, Ephesians 2:4-7).
With this in mind, these days I don’t mind being a sucker or a fool—as long as it is for Jesus’ sake!
That’s where my life hung for many years until I realized that wasn’t the end of Jesus’ story. Had I been less cynical, I would have noticed that the stone had been rolled away, the tomb was empty, and the words, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see…” should have screamed out at me. Like Jesus’ disciples, I guess I needed to be reminded of what He said.
I still need to be reminded. But now I need to be reminded that because Jesus allowed Himself to suffer death, the Father has now crowned Him with glory and honor and has put EVERYTHING under His feet (Hebrews 2:7-10, Philippians 2:8-11). I’ve been told that this is my future as well (I Corinthians 15:50-58, Ephesians 2:4-7).
With this in mind, these days I don’t mind being a sucker or a fool—as long as it is for Jesus’ sake!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Abortion
I had been listening to R. C. Sproul’s teaching/discussion on abortion and how he addressed the key points of conflict. The beginning of life, the sanctity of life, the question of abortion and murder, and the humanity of the fetus are among the many issues raised. It became very clear to me as he spoke that this debate will continue to be a vicious circle because people do not have the same point of reference. How we value or devalue human life is dependent on who or what our authority is. Unless we establish a common authority, the arguments will not only continue to be endless, but volatile.
It seems to me that this should not be a conflict between Christians. It seems to me that Scripture has resolved this issue for us. Scripture tells us that before we were born, before we were naturally conceived, before the creation of the world (I Peter 1:18-20), and before time began (II Timothy 1:9-10), Jesus died for all mankind (Revelation 13:8). This tells us about how much God values humans and the sanctity of human life. The conclusion? Life truly did begin at conception—when God conceived us! (Titus 1:2)
It seems to me that this should not be a conflict between Christians. It seems to me that Scripture has resolved this issue for us. Scripture tells us that before we were born, before we were naturally conceived, before the creation of the world (I Peter 1:18-20), and before time began (II Timothy 1:9-10), Jesus died for all mankind (Revelation 13:8). This tells us about how much God values humans and the sanctity of human life. The conclusion? Life truly did begin at conception—when God conceived us! (Titus 1:2)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
