Hebrews 12:1-2
So many of us today are living with impaired vision. As I've gotten older I've noticed when reading the need to hold whatever I'm attempting to read further and further from my eyes. I simply can't see when somethings too close to me anymore. And isn't that the truth when it comes to whatever is happening in our life right now? The closer something is to us, especially when it's happening to us, the more difficult it is to see. Similarly we all have imperfect, impaired vision.
The Bible uses Hebrews 12:1-2 to tell us about seeing Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, for the purpose of encouraging us to focus our eyes, ultimately our attention on what really matters - Jesus. The stuff going on in our lives should all be viewed through the lens of Jesus Christ. No matter what we face we have a perfect example who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorned it's shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This tells us a few things about fixing our eyes on Jesus. First it says Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith. It means He knows what's best, He's been there before and knows what we're facing. Yet He was without sin and was able to live according to God's plan and with God's power. Friends, this life is available to us. But we must believe it and we must trust God's vision, how He sees things is better than how we see what's going on in our lives right now. Second thing it tells us is Jesus considered His suffering joy. Now this is a tough one to understand. Because I don't know about you but I don't consider pain joyfully. But Jesus' example tells us He could do this because He knew the benefit of His suffering for those He loves. Think about it this way, the suffering we face is for the benefit of ourselves and more importantly it's also for others. So at the same time we're suffering we're fulfilling the Great Commandment. We're being faithful to God and therefore loving God with everything we've got. And we're loving our neighbor as ourselves. Last thing this tells us about fixing our eyes on Jesus is He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. This means all His suffering was worth it. This means He sat down where? At the throne of God which means He sat down in VICTORY! Friends we too will one day fully realize we are sitting down in VICTORY with Christ where we'll reign with Him forever and ever. Amen.
Let's trust the author and perfector of our faith and fix our eyes on Jesus all the time.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Arrested Spiritual Development?
Read Hebrews 5:12
Ever come across a passage of scripture and think that verse or that passage is a bit in your face? Sometimes when I come across a passage like that I stop and wonder about the direct approach used by God, Jesus, Paul and so many others. I wonder is it an approach we use much today and if so is it effective?
Well the passage today in Hebrews 5:12 is one of those passages. Simply said the statement made is some in the faith weren't doing what they were supposed to be doing. They were supposed to be able to teach others about the faith but instead they were still in need of someone to teach them the basic, elementary truths of God's word all over again.
I read an article awhile ago about the difference between making decisions for Christ and making disciples for Christ. Think about it. What's the difference? Making a decision for Christ should include discipleship but sadly that's not always the case. When someone comes to faith in Christ we must make sure they understand the call to follow Christ. We're interested in two things: redemption and regeneration. Redemption comes as a result of us accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross where He paid for our sins once and for all. It has nothing to do with our effort and everything to do with His. But regeneration is a new life. It's a new life we're called to live and that requires effort on our part.
In this case in Hebrews, these believers we're told should be maturing in their faith so that they might be able to teach others about the "elementary truths of God's word." May all of us be focused on maturing in our faith, growing in our relationship with Christ so that we might be able to pass on our faith.
Ever come across a passage of scripture and think that verse or that passage is a bit in your face? Sometimes when I come across a passage like that I stop and wonder about the direct approach used by God, Jesus, Paul and so many others. I wonder is it an approach we use much today and if so is it effective?
Well the passage today in Hebrews 5:12 is one of those passages. Simply said the statement made is some in the faith weren't doing what they were supposed to be doing. They were supposed to be able to teach others about the faith but instead they were still in need of someone to teach them the basic, elementary truths of God's word all over again.
I read an article awhile ago about the difference between making decisions for Christ and making disciples for Christ. Think about it. What's the difference? Making a decision for Christ should include discipleship but sadly that's not always the case. When someone comes to faith in Christ we must make sure they understand the call to follow Christ. We're interested in two things: redemption and regeneration. Redemption comes as a result of us accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross where He paid for our sins once and for all. It has nothing to do with our effort and everything to do with His. But regeneration is a new life. It's a new life we're called to live and that requires effort on our part.
In this case in Hebrews, these believers we're told should be maturing in their faith so that they might be able to teach others about the "elementary truths of God's word." May all of us be focused on maturing in our faith, growing in our relationship with Christ so that we might be able to pass on our faith.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Meditation is the Key
Read Joshua 1:8
I don't know about you, but the older I get the less I remember. With me, the worst is names. I may even know your name, we might have known each other for years and years but if I'm in need of instantly recalling your name at times, I got nothing. I can't remember names or they come more slowly than they used to. What about you? How's your memory? Are you able to remember details of your childhood? What about important places and dates? How about lessons you've learned over the years?
My suspicion is we all have the ability to remember, but maybe we don't take the time to train ourselves to do so. I know with me I'm supposed to be taking certain vitamins to help with my memory and you know what? You guessed it - I forget to take them. However, if I was promised $1,000 every day I took those little pills you better believe I wouldn't forget. How about you?
Here's the thing, we remember what's most important to us. Bottom line, that's the truth. I can tell you things that I really shouldn't be able to remember but I'm able to because they hold a certain significance to me. And you can do the same.
God in His word has something to say about what's important for all of us to remember. Read Joshua 1:8. As Joshua is going into the Promised Land he's told not to let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth. He should know God's word so well that he's able to speak it with clarity as he leads God's people. And God tells him the way to remember the Law is to meditate on it every day and every night. Friends, we all meditate everyday. It's called worry. Whatever captures our attention is what we go over and over again in our mind. That's meditation. So Joshua's told to go over and over again in his mind the word of God. Why? Two reasons are given. First, so he will be assured that knowing the word he will be careful to do everything written in the Law. Second, he will be successful. I don't know anyone who wants to fail.
Let's take the time to begin training our minds on the word of God. Take some time this week and memorize Joshua 1:8. It's a great place to start and after you've committed it to memory, continue. Continue finding verses, even passages, of scripture that will help you walk with God every day and every night.
I don't know about you, but the older I get the less I remember. With me, the worst is names. I may even know your name, we might have known each other for years and years but if I'm in need of instantly recalling your name at times, I got nothing. I can't remember names or they come more slowly than they used to. What about you? How's your memory? Are you able to remember details of your childhood? What about important places and dates? How about lessons you've learned over the years?
My suspicion is we all have the ability to remember, but maybe we don't take the time to train ourselves to do so. I know with me I'm supposed to be taking certain vitamins to help with my memory and you know what? You guessed it - I forget to take them. However, if I was promised $1,000 every day I took those little pills you better believe I wouldn't forget. How about you?
Here's the thing, we remember what's most important to us. Bottom line, that's the truth. I can tell you things that I really shouldn't be able to remember but I'm able to because they hold a certain significance to me. And you can do the same.
God in His word has something to say about what's important for all of us to remember. Read Joshua 1:8. As Joshua is going into the Promised Land he's told not to let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth. He should know God's word so well that he's able to speak it with clarity as he leads God's people. And God tells him the way to remember the Law is to meditate on it every day and every night. Friends, we all meditate everyday. It's called worry. Whatever captures our attention is what we go over and over again in our mind. That's meditation. So Joshua's told to go over and over again in his mind the word of God. Why? Two reasons are given. First, so he will be assured that knowing the word he will be careful to do everything written in the Law. Second, he will be successful. I don't know anyone who wants to fail.
Let's take the time to begin training our minds on the word of God. Take some time this week and memorize Joshua 1:8. It's a great place to start and after you've committed it to memory, continue. Continue finding verses, even passages, of scripture that will help you walk with God every day and every night.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Under Construction
Read Deuteronomy 7:9
Recently we've been working with some contractors and getting different quotes on a few jobs we are having done at our home. These are different types of jobs but jobs that for the most part have needed to be done since we moved in. When I asked my wife why we didn't do these sooner she reminded me that while we've been in our "new" home for ten years this summer that our home has been under construction pretty much since day one. So I began to think about all the jobs we've worked on together over the years and you know what? She's right - we have done a lot of work on this house. Kind of reminds us when we were buying the house of the words of our realtor who said this house has potential (word of caution to any buying a new home - this means it has a lot of work to be done).
Anyway, when I think of the work we've done or the work we've had done by others I'm reminded that some jobs I was really looking forward to having done and finishing while others I was like who can get excited about a new roof or installing new drywall after ripping out the old and/or stripping wall paper. And I can't help but think about the parallel between our homes and our hearts. God has had our hearts under construction since the day we met Him personally. There's things in our lives that we're excited to see what God is going to do but then there's those areas where we'd rather not go there if you know what I mean. Maybe for some it's bitterness and maybe for others it's forgiveness, while others might be dealing with issues of the heart that pertain to a broken relationship - like a marriage or a parent/child relationship or maybe a friend who is hurting because of an addiction. Whatever it is, God is in the construction business. His desire is to build us up with courage and strength to face together with Him whatever it is we need to face.
Friends, please read Deuteronomy 7:9. And this week just meditate on this about our amazing God. He is always faithful and always keeps His word to those who follow Him.
Father - we thank you for your faithfulness to us. Help us be faithful followers of you. We know we are always under construction and we thank you for this because we are your children who you call to be holy. May we live life for you knowing your good purpose and plan for every one of us is to bring glory to your great name!!
Recently we've been working with some contractors and getting different quotes on a few jobs we are having done at our home. These are different types of jobs but jobs that for the most part have needed to be done since we moved in. When I asked my wife why we didn't do these sooner she reminded me that while we've been in our "new" home for ten years this summer that our home has been under construction pretty much since day one. So I began to think about all the jobs we've worked on together over the years and you know what? She's right - we have done a lot of work on this house. Kind of reminds us when we were buying the house of the words of our realtor who said this house has potential (word of caution to any buying a new home - this means it has a lot of work to be done).
Anyway, when I think of the work we've done or the work we've had done by others I'm reminded that some jobs I was really looking forward to having done and finishing while others I was like who can get excited about a new roof or installing new drywall after ripping out the old and/or stripping wall paper. And I can't help but think about the parallel between our homes and our hearts. God has had our hearts under construction since the day we met Him personally. There's things in our lives that we're excited to see what God is going to do but then there's those areas where we'd rather not go there if you know what I mean. Maybe for some it's bitterness and maybe for others it's forgiveness, while others might be dealing with issues of the heart that pertain to a broken relationship - like a marriage or a parent/child relationship or maybe a friend who is hurting because of an addiction. Whatever it is, God is in the construction business. His desire is to build us up with courage and strength to face together with Him whatever it is we need to face.
Friends, please read Deuteronomy 7:9. And this week just meditate on this about our amazing God. He is always faithful and always keeps His word to those who follow Him.
Father - we thank you for your faithfulness to us. Help us be faithful followers of you. We know we are always under construction and we thank you for this because we are your children who you call to be holy. May we live life for you knowing your good purpose and plan for every one of us is to bring glory to your great name!!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
It's His Goodness...
Read Deuteronomy 9
Are we there yet? How many of us have heard this question, asked this question when going on a long trip? Then we can imagine the Israelites as we read Deuteronomy 9 asking this same question - are we there yet.
Friends, what I want us to focus on after we've read this chapter in Israel's history is the discussion in verse 4 and following where God let's Israel know He is driving out the inhabitants of Canaan (the Promised Land) because of their wickedness and that they are not to think (verse 6) that it has anything to do with Israel's righteousness. You see God then goes on to explain how Israel since the time they left Egypt had been rebellious. He reminds them of their disobedience and lack of trust in Him as their good God. Please don't miss this - God is revealing that they too are a wicked nation. However, it is He who chose Israel to be His people and Moses goes to bat in defense of Israel. Not because they are deserving; but because of who God is He pleads with God for their redemption.
Only when we know the goodness of God like Moses can we truly trust Him. You see, Moses was able to pray for Israel and approach God based on what He knew about God. He knew God is a just God, but He also knew God is a good God. He knew God so well that he was able to trust Him with Israel's future.
And this needs to be true with us. We are rebellious - just like Israel. We are prone to go our own way, do our own thing because at the end of the day we are often at odds with God in our attitudes and actions. But God wants us to know Him so well that we learn to trust that what He asks of us is ALWAYS good for us. It's His Goodness we need come to know and love. And it's important that we know how to come to know His goodness. Psalm 34:8 says taste and see that the Lord is good.
Do you know the goodness of God? Have you been witness to His goodness in your life? Let me encourage you to take time and simply consider how good God has been to you. No matter what we face, when we take time we can see it; we can see His goodness. He's good because of who He is and not because of what He does. But what He does gives us plenty to draw on to see His absolute goodness. Consider His unconditional love for you; consider His unwavering devotion to us in spite of sometimes we are not unwavering in our devotion to Him; and consider how good it is that He wants to have a growing and loving relationship with each one of us.
Are we there yet? How many of us have heard this question, asked this question when going on a long trip? Then we can imagine the Israelites as we read Deuteronomy 9 asking this same question - are we there yet.
Friends, what I want us to focus on after we've read this chapter in Israel's history is the discussion in verse 4 and following where God let's Israel know He is driving out the inhabitants of Canaan (the Promised Land) because of their wickedness and that they are not to think (verse 6) that it has anything to do with Israel's righteousness. You see God then goes on to explain how Israel since the time they left Egypt had been rebellious. He reminds them of their disobedience and lack of trust in Him as their good God. Please don't miss this - God is revealing that they too are a wicked nation. However, it is He who chose Israel to be His people and Moses goes to bat in defense of Israel. Not because they are deserving; but because of who God is He pleads with God for their redemption.
Only when we know the goodness of God like Moses can we truly trust Him. You see, Moses was able to pray for Israel and approach God based on what He knew about God. He knew God is a just God, but He also knew God is a good God. He knew God so well that he was able to trust Him with Israel's future.
And this needs to be true with us. We are rebellious - just like Israel. We are prone to go our own way, do our own thing because at the end of the day we are often at odds with God in our attitudes and actions. But God wants us to know Him so well that we learn to trust that what He asks of us is ALWAYS good for us. It's His Goodness we need come to know and love. And it's important that we know how to come to know His goodness. Psalm 34:8 says taste and see that the Lord is good.
Do you know the goodness of God? Have you been witness to His goodness in your life? Let me encourage you to take time and simply consider how good God has been to you. No matter what we face, when we take time we can see it; we can see His goodness. He's good because of who He is and not because of what He does. But what He does gives us plenty to draw on to see His absolute goodness. Consider His unconditional love for you; consider His unwavering devotion to us in spite of sometimes we are not unwavering in our devotion to Him; and consider how good it is that He wants to have a growing and loving relationship with each one of us.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Blessed Revelation
Read Revelation 1:1-3
The book of Revelation is either loved or hated. We're either hot and bothered by it's contents or we're luke warm to it. What I'd suggest is before we make up our minds about being indifferent to the writings of Revelation that we read Revelation 1:1-3 first.
We're told in verse three that everyone who reads these words of this prophecy is blessed when they hear the words and takes to heart what is written in it because the time is near. You see I know so many people who simply want to settle for themselves that Revelation says Jesus is coming back and that's all that really matters. While that's true, He is coming back and that is what really matters, it's not all that really matters. It's very clear the revelation John received and recorded is about the consummation of all things and those who make reading and taking to hear Revelation are blessed!
Friends we all know prophecy can be extremely difficult to read and understand. But with this promise of blessing it's most definitely a book that's worth reading. Let's take the time to know ALL of God's word; ALL of His promises: and ALL of His plans for human history. While it won't be easy, it will be worth it. Take some time, little by little and read the book that promises blessing. Take some time and take to heart what God has for all who desire to know God fully by reading and taking to heart EVERYTHING He has to say to each and everyone of us.
The book of Revelation is either loved or hated. We're either hot and bothered by it's contents or we're luke warm to it. What I'd suggest is before we make up our minds about being indifferent to the writings of Revelation that we read Revelation 1:1-3 first.
We're told in verse three that everyone who reads these words of this prophecy is blessed when they hear the words and takes to heart what is written in it because the time is near. You see I know so many people who simply want to settle for themselves that Revelation says Jesus is coming back and that's all that really matters. While that's true, He is coming back and that is what really matters, it's not all that really matters. It's very clear the revelation John received and recorded is about the consummation of all things and those who make reading and taking to hear Revelation are blessed!
Friends we all know prophecy can be extremely difficult to read and understand. But with this promise of blessing it's most definitely a book that's worth reading. Let's take the time to know ALL of God's word; ALL of His promises: and ALL of His plans for human history. While it won't be easy, it will be worth it. Take some time, little by little and read the book that promises blessing. Take some time and take to heart what God has for all who desire to know God fully by reading and taking to heart EVERYTHING He has to say to each and everyone of us.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Make Him Known
Read Isaiah 43:1-13
One of my favorite TV shows is Law and Order. While I enjoy the investigation into the crime, what I enjoy most is the court room drama. I love it when the prosecuting or defense attorney is questioning the witnesses involved in the case. The key for both sides is to get the truth out of each witness so justice will be served.
When it comes to the Bible, we're told a lot about the importance of Israel in the Old Testament and disciples in the New Testament and how we're supposed to be God's witnesses in this world. Read Isaiah 43:1-13 and you'll see how our purpose is to know God and make Him known in this world. In Acts 1:8 Jesus says right before He ascends into Heaven that as His followers we will be His witnesses. So that leads us to the question - what's a witness?
A witness is simply someone who testifies (tells the truth) about what they know. Now as God's witness in this world our testimony comes from what we know to be the truth about God. Logic demands that we'll get to know God very well by spending time with Him. How is it you enjoy spending time with God? Some enjoy being with God on a long prayer walk; others enjoy being with God alone with Him, reading His word the Bible; and others enjoy being with other disciples, followers of Christ in various ways but worshiping Him as they are together. Whatever your way is, however you enjoy spending time with God, do so more and more! And as you grow in your knowledge of Him remember we are His witnesses. So let's make Him known!
One of my favorite TV shows is Law and Order. While I enjoy the investigation into the crime, what I enjoy most is the court room drama. I love it when the prosecuting or defense attorney is questioning the witnesses involved in the case. The key for both sides is to get the truth out of each witness so justice will be served.
When it comes to the Bible, we're told a lot about the importance of Israel in the Old Testament and disciples in the New Testament and how we're supposed to be God's witnesses in this world. Read Isaiah 43:1-13 and you'll see how our purpose is to know God and make Him known in this world. In Acts 1:8 Jesus says right before He ascends into Heaven that as His followers we will be His witnesses. So that leads us to the question - what's a witness?
A witness is simply someone who testifies (tells the truth) about what they know. Now as God's witness in this world our testimony comes from what we know to be the truth about God. Logic demands that we'll get to know God very well by spending time with Him. How is it you enjoy spending time with God? Some enjoy being with God on a long prayer walk; others enjoy being with God alone with Him, reading His word the Bible; and others enjoy being with other disciples, followers of Christ in various ways but worshiping Him as they are together. Whatever your way is, however you enjoy spending time with God, do so more and more! And as you grow in your knowledge of Him remember we are His witnesses. So let's make Him known!
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