This is a statement that was told to over and over when I went to my sister’s church in NJ last Sunday. I really was enthused when Mark mentioned in his blog that we should be running far away from sin, and take seriously its potential to destroy us utterly. It is true that sin has no power in light of God, but we must take account that our flesh and the enemy are always working against us. If anyone reading this says they can conquer every sin, I call them a liar, plain and simple.
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” Isaiah 52:11
It is God’s great pleasure to redeem us and purify us. I think in my heart I had forgotten this, as if God would somehow be satisfied if my heart was lukewarm. It couldn’t be further from the truth! When we sing “Righteousness, righteousness, is what you want from me…” (and holiness, thankfulness, etc.), we should be saying it believing it to be the heart of God. I pray the Lord keeps us near the cross, because every day we need His mercy anew.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
To whom shall we go?...Though hast the words of eternal life
4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, 82 but test 83 the spirits 84 to determine 85 if they are from God, because many false prophets 86 have gone out into the world. 4:2 By this 87 you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses 88 Jesus as the Christ 89 who has come in the flesh is from God, 4:3 but 90 every spirit that does not confess 91 Jesus 92 is not from God, and this is the spirit 93 of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now is already in the world.
4:4 You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, 94 because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 4:5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them. 4:6 We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but 95 whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this 96 we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. 97
After the grind of the semester has come to a halt, it is refreshing to see that God is a 'big picture' God, to say the least. While we were frantically trying to juggle school, our spiritual and familial lives, and stay healthy, God was keeping us under the shadow of his wings all the while. If there is one thing I have learned this semester, it is that God wants us to take it one day at a time, not letting a single one pass where we are not constantly thanking and praising him for his overflowing mercy.
With the commercial christmas inundating the world around us, we must be acutely aware of God's presence and truly believe the 'One who is in us is greater than the world'. I know that being around my family it is too easy to get back into my frame of thinking that, 'I have nothing to say that can bring others to God'. With many people in my family who are not saved or on the fence, this is not a time to be playing games. Even though there are many things that could have been better this semester (like my grades =) ), my biggest drawback is that I let my heart become hardened at times....and I knew in my spirit something wasn't right. Once again, the solution is not as complicated as I make it out to be...I keep running toward the arms of our Savior, knowing all the while that I am in his presence always. The ways of this world are stronger than we give them credit for, and only a hunger for justice and praise that supercedes this can we remain victorious.
May your hearts be blessed this holiday season and evermore~
4:4 You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, 94 because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 4:5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them. 4:6 We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but 95 whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this 96 we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. 97
After the grind of the semester has come to a halt, it is refreshing to see that God is a 'big picture' God, to say the least. While we were frantically trying to juggle school, our spiritual and familial lives, and stay healthy, God was keeping us under the shadow of his wings all the while. If there is one thing I have learned this semester, it is that God wants us to take it one day at a time, not letting a single one pass where we are not constantly thanking and praising him for his overflowing mercy.
With the commercial christmas inundating the world around us, we must be acutely aware of God's presence and truly believe the 'One who is in us is greater than the world'. I know that being around my family it is too easy to get back into my frame of thinking that, 'I have nothing to say that can bring others to God'. With many people in my family who are not saved or on the fence, this is not a time to be playing games. Even though there are many things that could have been better this semester (like my grades =) ), my biggest drawback is that I let my heart become hardened at times....and I knew in my spirit something wasn't right. Once again, the solution is not as complicated as I make it out to be...I keep running toward the arms of our Savior, knowing all the while that I am in his presence always. The ways of this world are stronger than we give them credit for, and only a hunger for justice and praise that supercedes this can we remain victorious.
May your hearts be blessed this holiday season and evermore~
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Their sins I will remember no more
As tragic and excruciating as Christ's crucifixion is, Hebrews 10 makes clear the permanent Glory which came of it. Unlike the sacrifices which needed to be made continually, His needed to be made but once. If that in itself doesn't instill awe in us, I don't know what will. It really hit home when Joe talked today about mankind's greatest need; of all the things that we lacked, be it money, pleasure, technology, etc., forgiveness was our greatest (to the few Lafayette stragglers who heard it that is ;p ).
10:10 By his will 10 we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
10:23 And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy. 10:24 And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, 27 10:25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day 28 drawing near.
This is a verse every one of us should write upon the tablets of our hearts, for if we think that we can do this on our own, we are failing as Christians. It might not seem a big deal to miss a prayer meeting, or sleep in instead of going to church, but we never know how God may touch us with some spiritual arrow on that day, or use us to bring others closer to him. We can never be sure what may come our way, only by being close to Him can we ever call ourselves 'prepared'.
10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 30 10:27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury 31 of fire that will consume God’s enemies. 32 10:28 Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death 33 without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 34 10:29 How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for 35 the Son of God, and profanes 36 the blood of the covenant that made him holy, 37 and insults the Spirit of grace?
This is a verse I believe pastor Dave was talking about when he came to speak for revival. It is not enough for us to believe, but to continue to do so. If you come across someone who asks you 'Ok, what if someone says they believe in Jesus but continue to live anyway they like?', just show them this verse. God's grace is abundant for sure, but it has its limits ("Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him" Hebrews 11:38). Not to worry, God loves us too much to let us desert him. In this land of milk and money, we need to be sure to continually guard our hearts above all else ("If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake him, He will cast you off forever." I Chronicles 29:9-as told to Solomon!)
I'm finally off tomorrow, and leave the safety of my trip in the Lord's hands. To everyone else like Joe and Jane that are departing, I pray for your safe departure and return. The rest of you, avoid the outside, unless you are a winter cyborg of some sort =)
~God bless!
10:10 By his will 10 we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
10:23 And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy. 10:24 And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, 27 10:25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day 28 drawing near.
This is a verse every one of us should write upon the tablets of our hearts, for if we think that we can do this on our own, we are failing as Christians. It might not seem a big deal to miss a prayer meeting, or sleep in instead of going to church, but we never know how God may touch us with some spiritual arrow on that day, or use us to bring others closer to him. We can never be sure what may come our way, only by being close to Him can we ever call ourselves 'prepared'.
10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 30 10:27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury 31 of fire that will consume God’s enemies. 32 10:28 Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death 33 without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 34 10:29 How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for 35 the Son of God, and profanes 36 the blood of the covenant that made him holy, 37 and insults the Spirit of grace?
This is a verse I believe pastor Dave was talking about when he came to speak for revival. It is not enough for us to believe, but to continue to do so. If you come across someone who asks you 'Ok, what if someone says they believe in Jesus but continue to live anyway they like?', just show them this verse. God's grace is abundant for sure, but it has its limits ("Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him" Hebrews 11:38). Not to worry, God loves us too much to let us desert him. In this land of milk and money, we need to be sure to continually guard our hearts above all else ("If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake him, He will cast you off forever." I Chronicles 29:9-as told to Solomon!)
I'm finally off tomorrow, and leave the safety of my trip in the Lord's hands. To everyone else like Joe and Jane that are departing, I pray for your safe departure and return. The rest of you, avoid the outside, unless you are a winter cyborg of some sort =)
~God bless!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
To those who wait for Him, He will appear a second time...
I've been continuing on with the book of Hebrews, which emphasizes so perfectly the new covenant that is made in Jesus Christ. In Chapter 9 the sacrifice that He has made is illustrated to be far greater than that the which priests performed in sacrificing goats, lambs, etc.
9:13 "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled consecrated them and provided ritual purity, 17 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our 18 consciences from dead works to worship the living God."
I feel at times that we at Cornerstone are too hard on our characters. In truth, God has made each one of us unique in our own talents and understandings, and we should be thankful of that. All the faults that are likewise inherent He will refine and adjust, we just have to have faith that this is so ("Without faith it is impossible to please God..." Hebrews 11:6). That is something no Christian doesn't need to improve upon...and prayer is faith in motion, which is something to be reminded of constantly. I realize that this is something that holds me back big time....when I start to lose faith in God, it carries over to every aspect of my life, like I lose all hope that things are possible. I've been reminded lately that I used to come before God knowing that He had the ability to satisfy me and that reading the Word was always awe-inspiring. How many of us go into a restaurant and think, "Man, what's the point in eating anything, it's not like I'll ever be full...". Never? Then we should have that same attitude when we come before God, because He is our savior, and will fill us over and over again, if we trust and believe in Him. I pray as our team of servants goes off on vacation we keep this in mind, and enjoy the fruits of His gifts with a pure heart.
9:13 "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled consecrated them and provided ritual purity, 17 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our 18 consciences from dead works to worship the living God."
I feel at times that we at Cornerstone are too hard on our characters. In truth, God has made each one of us unique in our own talents and understandings, and we should be thankful of that. All the faults that are likewise inherent He will refine and adjust, we just have to have faith that this is so ("Without faith it is impossible to please God..." Hebrews 11:6). That is something no Christian doesn't need to improve upon...and prayer is faith in motion, which is something to be reminded of constantly. I realize that this is something that holds me back big time....when I start to lose faith in God, it carries over to every aspect of my life, like I lose all hope that things are possible. I've been reminded lately that I used to come before God knowing that He had the ability to satisfy me and that reading the Word was always awe-inspiring. How many of us go into a restaurant and think, "Man, what's the point in eating anything, it's not like I'll ever be full...". Never? Then we should have that same attitude when we come before God, because He is our savior, and will fill us over and over again, if we trust and believe in Him. I pray as our team of servants goes off on vacation we keep this in mind, and enjoy the fruits of His gifts with a pure heart.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
He is a priest forever
Hebrews
7:1 Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him. 1 7:2 To him 2 also Abraham apportioned a tithe 3 of everything. 4 His name first means 5 king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. 7:4 But see how great he must be, if 6 Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe 7 of his plunder. 7:5 And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office 8 have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, 9 although they too are descendants of Abraham. 10 7:6 But Melchizedek 11 who does not share their ancestry 12 collected a tithe 13 from Abraham and blessed 14 the one who possessed the promise. 7:7 Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior, 7:8 and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive. 7:9 And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham. 7:10 For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins 15 when Melchizedek met him.
Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek
7:11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis 16 the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 7:12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come 17 as well. 7:13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to 18 a different tribe, and no one from that tribe 19 has ever officiated at the altar. 7:14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 7:15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 7:16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent 20 but by the power of an indestructible life. 7:17 For here is the testimony about him: 21 “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 22 7:18 On the one hand a former command is set aside 23 because it is weak and useless, 24 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 7:20 And since 25 this was not done without a sworn affirmation – for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 7:21 but Jesus 26 did so 27 with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’” 28 – 7:22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee 29 of a better covenant. 7:23 And the others 30 who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them 31 from continuing in office, 32 7:24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 7:25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 7:26 For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 7:27 He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, 33 but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.
Having chapters like this are essential in letting us see the transition of old covenant (with Israel) vs. new covenant through Jesus (for everyone!). The constant sacrifices of the old testament are no longer necessary, for what Jesus has accomplished is everlasting and incorruptible. Jesus tells us he came not to "do away with the Law, but to complete it", and as verse 19 above explains, the Law was imperfect because it could never eliminate our sins from God's eyes. As chapter 8 goes on to talk about, the Law is insufficient based on the fact that Jesus had to descend from heaven's heights to bring us to forgiveness.
In Jeremiah 31:31-34 God talks about his new Covenant with Isreal and Judah, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." This brings up a point we talked about in my last SG bible study: does God forget our sins? While it seems unfathomable for me to believe that God could forget something, this verse makes clear that God's forgiveness does not include holding our past against us. It is tough when I am confronted with hard questions like this that I cannot answer unto a SG member, but that is why we are continually searching God's Word, that we may be prepared! I really am so gratefull that this blog exists, for the sake of our Lord let us not grow weary in sharing our struggles and triumphs!
7:1 Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him. 1 7:2 To him 2 also Abraham apportioned a tithe 3 of everything. 4 His name first means 5 king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. 7:4 But see how great he must be, if 6 Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe 7 of his plunder. 7:5 And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office 8 have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, 9 although they too are descendants of Abraham. 10 7:6 But Melchizedek 11 who does not share their ancestry 12 collected a tithe 13 from Abraham and blessed 14 the one who possessed the promise. 7:7 Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior, 7:8 and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive. 7:9 And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham. 7:10 For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins 15 when Melchizedek met him.
Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek
7:11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis 16 the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 7:12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come 17 as well. 7:13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to 18 a different tribe, and no one from that tribe 19 has ever officiated at the altar. 7:14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 7:15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 7:16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent 20 but by the power of an indestructible life. 7:17 For here is the testimony about him: 21 “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 22 7:18 On the one hand a former command is set aside 23 because it is weak and useless, 24 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 7:20 And since 25 this was not done without a sworn affirmation – for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 7:21 but Jesus 26 did so 27 with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’” 28 – 7:22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee 29 of a better covenant. 7:23 And the others 30 who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them 31 from continuing in office, 32 7:24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 7:25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 7:26 For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 7:27 He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, 33 but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.
Having chapters like this are essential in letting us see the transition of old covenant (with Israel) vs. new covenant through Jesus (for everyone!). The constant sacrifices of the old testament are no longer necessary, for what Jesus has accomplished is everlasting and incorruptible. Jesus tells us he came not to "do away with the Law, but to complete it", and as verse 19 above explains, the Law was imperfect because it could never eliminate our sins from God's eyes. As chapter 8 goes on to talk about, the Law is insufficient based on the fact that Jesus had to descend from heaven's heights to bring us to forgiveness.
In Jeremiah 31:31-34 God talks about his new Covenant with Isreal and Judah, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." This brings up a point we talked about in my last SG bible study: does God forget our sins? While it seems unfathomable for me to believe that God could forget something, this verse makes clear that God's forgiveness does not include holding our past against us. It is tough when I am confronted with hard questions like this that I cannot answer unto a SG member, but that is why we are continually searching God's Word, that we may be prepared! I really am so gratefull that this blog exists, for the sake of our Lord let us not grow weary in sharing our struggles and triumphs!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Your throne oh God is forever and ever
Moving beyond our past is something we as Christians struggle with. If we are really forgiven of our sins by our loving Saviour, why then do we dwell in a place of unworthiness? We should of course repent from our sins and acknowledge that "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.(Romans 5:8)" But are we not only dwelling in the past but demeaning the sacrifice of our Intercessor when we act as if we are not truly forgiven of our sins? A few passages come to mind:
"Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what his heart approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats for he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:22-23)
"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than us and knows all things." (I John 3:20)
I began to think about this after reading Hebrews 7, which talks about the need for maturity and growth. Using an athlete as an example, how many world class gymnasts are unable to do a somersault? Or how many NBA players can't do a layup? The point is, there should be signs that we are maturing in Christ, one of which is not dwelling in our sinful past but looking to the future and "coming boldly before the throne of grace" asking God to help us leave our stumbling blocks behind. We are forgiven, so please believe it (this is just as much an exhortation to my own heart)! As Jesus says, "Go, and sin no more" to the woman who was to be stoned for adultery.
Something I'm not really sure of is in Hebrews 4:7-
6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 6:5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6:6 and then have committed apostasy, 6 to renew them again to repentance, since 7 they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again 8 and holding him up to contempt
Everything seemed fine and good and then this verse came up on me and really made me take a step back. Is this to say that repenting from one's faith in Jesus is an 'unpardonable sin' and cannot be forgiven? Not that it is territory I want to explore, but it is something we should all consider. When we fully turn from the Lord we are declaring Jesus' sacrifice as unworthy of us, and if were to change our minds we are asking Him to give his life yet again. I know that none of us here have any intention of leaving the presence of our King, but it makes me see how those who have been martyred and then repent of their faith are now no longer saved. It is not enough to believe once, but to believe FOREVER. Let not thankfulness leave our hearts, and give Glory to God for everything, that we come nowhere near this situation!
"Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what his heart approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats for he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:22-23)
"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than us and knows all things." (I John 3:20)
I began to think about this after reading Hebrews 7, which talks about the need for maturity and growth. Using an athlete as an example, how many world class gymnasts are unable to do a somersault? Or how many NBA players can't do a layup? The point is, there should be signs that we are maturing in Christ, one of which is not dwelling in our sinful past but looking to the future and "coming boldly before the throne of grace" asking God to help us leave our stumbling blocks behind. We are forgiven, so please believe it (this is just as much an exhortation to my own heart)! As Jesus says, "Go, and sin no more" to the woman who was to be stoned for adultery.
Something I'm not really sure of is in Hebrews 4:7-
6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 6:5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6:6 and then have committed apostasy, 6 to renew them again to repentance, since 7 they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again 8 and holding him up to contempt
Everything seemed fine and good and then this verse came up on me and really made me take a step back. Is this to say that repenting from one's faith in Jesus is an 'unpardonable sin' and cannot be forgiven? Not that it is territory I want to explore, but it is something we should all consider. When we fully turn from the Lord we are declaring Jesus' sacrifice as unworthy of us, and if were to change our minds we are asking Him to give his life yet again. I know that none of us here have any intention of leaving the presence of our King, but it makes me see how those who have been martyred and then repent of their faith are now no longer saved. It is not enough to believe once, but to believe FOREVER. Let not thankfulness leave our hearts, and give Glory to God for everything, that we come nowhere near this situation!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Let us come boldly to the throne of grace
Hebrews 3:15-"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Looking at this should give any Christian second thought about coming up with excuses for unrighteous behavior. Although it is inevitable that sin will accompany us at some point in our lives, we also make the decision, one way or another, to give in to sin. As pastor Dave had talked about during revival, it is a conscious decision on our part. "The law of the spirit of life in Jesus Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). How can we know that we are in this cycle? Joe has talked about suffering, to do so in the name of righteousness is what is honorable in the eyes of our father. I Peter also declares this " For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." (3:17)
4:8- "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."
Let our hearts be refined by whatever flames come our way. In his suffering, Jesus was able to save the souls of every person who believes he is the living Christ. Why then should we feel that nothing good can come of our misfortunes when they come? Every one of the disciples died a grisly death, except John, and it was because they had a conviction to preach the gospel wherever they were led. God will not forsake you, he hears every cry of anguish in the furrows of our hearts. Let our lives consist then of 'solid food', for "solid food belongs to those who are mature, to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 4:18)
Looking at this should give any Christian second thought about coming up with excuses for unrighteous behavior. Although it is inevitable that sin will accompany us at some point in our lives, we also make the decision, one way or another, to give in to sin. As pastor Dave had talked about during revival, it is a conscious decision on our part. "The law of the spirit of life in Jesus Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). How can we know that we are in this cycle? Joe has talked about suffering, to do so in the name of righteousness is what is honorable in the eyes of our father. I Peter also declares this " For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." (3:17)
4:8- "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."
Let our hearts be refined by whatever flames come our way. In his suffering, Jesus was able to save the souls of every person who believes he is the living Christ. Why then should we feel that nothing good can come of our misfortunes when they come? Every one of the disciples died a grisly death, except John, and it was because they had a conviction to preach the gospel wherever they were led. God will not forsake you, he hears every cry of anguish in the furrows of our hearts. Let our lives consist then of 'solid food', for "solid food belongs to those who are mature, to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 4:18)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
God's promise is an eternal covenant
Hebrews 4:2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in.
One of the pitfalls is being too consumed in the church, is the potential for losing sight of the fact that none of us are any better than even the most despicable outside the body of Christ, but for the fact that we are believers, and thus no longer a part of the world. Sure everyone, at least in our lives, has heard about the gospel, and is aware in some sense of what Christianity is. But hearing and listening are two entirely different concepts, for how many of us hear what our organic chemistry teacher is saying (for example), but how many of us listen with all our focus? Uh, I hope you weren't expecting me to say 'yes!' 'cause far from it!
4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart
This is a gritty verse, but it serves its purpose well. When I come to the word of God with faith, believing that it is Truth from my Father in heaven, I get so much more out of it. When I start to look at it as something 'obligational', or more of a history lesson, my reward is that much more limited.
One of the pitfalls is being too consumed in the church, is the potential for losing sight of the fact that none of us are any better than even the most despicable outside the body of Christ, but for the fact that we are believers, and thus no longer a part of the world. Sure everyone, at least in our lives, has heard about the gospel, and is aware in some sense of what Christianity is. But hearing and listening are two entirely different concepts, for how many of us hear what our organic chemistry teacher is saying (for example), but how many of us listen with all our focus? Uh, I hope you weren't expecting me to say 'yes!' 'cause far from it!
4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart
This is a gritty verse, but it serves its purpose well. When I come to the word of God with faith, believing that it is Truth from my Father in heaven, I get so much more out of it. When I start to look at it as something 'obligational', or more of a history lesson, my reward is that much more limited.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Deliver me oh Lord, for the waters have come into my soul..."
Psalm 25
25:1 O Lord, I come before you in prayer. 2
25:2 My God, I trust in you.
Please do not let me be humiliated;
do not let my enemies triumphantly rejoice over me!
25:3 Certainly none who rely on you will be humiliated.
Those who deal in treachery will be thwarted 3 and humiliated.
25:4 Make me understand your ways, O Lord!
Teach me your paths! 4
25:5 Guide me into your truth 5 and teach me.
For you are the God who delivers me;
on you I rely all day long.
25:6 Remember 6 your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord,
for you have always acted in this manner. 7
25:7 Do not hold against me 8 the sins of my youth 9 or my rebellious acts!
Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord! 10
25:8 The Lord is both kind and fair; 11
that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live. 12
25:9 May he show 13 the humble what is right! 14
May he teach 15 the humble his way!
25:10 The Lord always proves faithful and reliable 16
to those who follow the demands of his covenant. 17
25:11 For the sake of your reputation, 18 O Lord,
forgive my sin, because it is great. 19
25:12 The Lord shows his faithful followers
the way they should live. 20
25:13 They experience his favor; 21
their descendants 22 inherit the land. 23
25:14 The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance, 24
and he reveals his covenantal demands to them. 25
25:15 I continually look to the Lord for help, 26
for he will free my feet from the enemy’s net. 27
25:16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone 28 and oppressed!
25:17 Deliver me from my distress; 29
rescue me from my suffering! 30
25:18 See my pain and suffering!
Forgive all my sins! 31
25:19 Watch my enemies, for they outnumber me;
they hate me and want to harm me. 32
25:20 Protect me 33 and deliver me!
Please do not let me be humiliated,
for I have taken shelter in you!
25:21 May integrity and godliness protect me,
for I rely on you!
25:22 O God, rescue 34 Israel
from all their distress! 35
The first thing that stands out at me in this psalm is the measure of contrast. Words of hope and despair are repeated constantly. Mercy (4 times) vs. ashamed (4 times), sin (3 times) vs. waiting (3 times). David's heart is in such agony, that he reverts every few verses from praising God, to begging for mercy and guidance. In the end though, it is the fate of Israel that remains persistently on his heart, for he knows that without God's guidance, he could never preserve his people and mantain their integrity. We too should follow his example, because we can do nothing if our hearts are not right with God. Even when we feel empty and worthless, I pray that our hearts realize that we need to be redeemed, not only for our peace, but because we cannot serve our brothers and sisters until we stand before the Lord unashamed. As leaders, if we cannot understand this, we have failed (albeit a failure that God is more than pleased to correct!).
David sees that the fate of his soul is in jepoardy. He is asking God to "lift up his soul", I believe because the weight of his sins is burdening it, and he needs our saviour to carry him. My soul has been in travail as of late, but like Christie reminded me, God wants to know even our sighs of distress. It is when we start to harden our hearts and find other "solutions" to our pain that the cracks in our frame of forgiveness start to emerge. May every one of you have a blessed final bible study, and an awesome grad night. Praise our Lord, for He IS worthy!
25:1 O Lord, I come before you in prayer. 2
25:2 My God, I trust in you.
Please do not let me be humiliated;
do not let my enemies triumphantly rejoice over me!
25:3 Certainly none who rely on you will be humiliated.
Those who deal in treachery will be thwarted 3 and humiliated.
25:4 Make me understand your ways, O Lord!
Teach me your paths! 4
25:5 Guide me into your truth 5 and teach me.
For you are the God who delivers me;
on you I rely all day long.
25:6 Remember 6 your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord,
for you have always acted in this manner. 7
25:7 Do not hold against me 8 the sins of my youth 9 or my rebellious acts!
Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord! 10
25:8 The Lord is both kind and fair; 11
that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live. 12
25:9 May he show 13 the humble what is right! 14
May he teach 15 the humble his way!
25:10 The Lord always proves faithful and reliable 16
to those who follow the demands of his covenant. 17
25:11 For the sake of your reputation, 18 O Lord,
forgive my sin, because it is great. 19
25:12 The Lord shows his faithful followers
the way they should live. 20
25:13 They experience his favor; 21
their descendants 22 inherit the land. 23
25:14 The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance, 24
and he reveals his covenantal demands to them. 25
25:15 I continually look to the Lord for help, 26
for he will free my feet from the enemy’s net. 27
25:16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone 28 and oppressed!
25:17 Deliver me from my distress; 29
rescue me from my suffering! 30
25:18 See my pain and suffering!
Forgive all my sins! 31
25:19 Watch my enemies, for they outnumber me;
they hate me and want to harm me. 32
25:20 Protect me 33 and deliver me!
Please do not let me be humiliated,
for I have taken shelter in you!
25:21 May integrity and godliness protect me,
for I rely on you!
25:22 O God, rescue 34 Israel
from all their distress! 35
The first thing that stands out at me in this psalm is the measure of contrast. Words of hope and despair are repeated constantly. Mercy (4 times) vs. ashamed (4 times), sin (3 times) vs. waiting (3 times). David's heart is in such agony, that he reverts every few verses from praising God, to begging for mercy and guidance. In the end though, it is the fate of Israel that remains persistently on his heart, for he knows that without God's guidance, he could never preserve his people and mantain their integrity. We too should follow his example, because we can do nothing if our hearts are not right with God. Even when we feel empty and worthless, I pray that our hearts realize that we need to be redeemed, not only for our peace, but because we cannot serve our brothers and sisters until we stand before the Lord unashamed. As leaders, if we cannot understand this, we have failed (albeit a failure that God is more than pleased to correct!).
David sees that the fate of his soul is in jepoardy. He is asking God to "lift up his soul", I believe because the weight of his sins is burdening it, and he needs our saviour to carry him. My soul has been in travail as of late, but like Christie reminded me, God wants to know even our sighs of distress. It is when we start to harden our hearts and find other "solutions" to our pain that the cracks in our frame of forgiveness start to emerge. May every one of you have a blessed final bible study, and an awesome grad night. Praise our Lord, for He IS worthy!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
He is my rock
Psalm 63 1
A psalm of David, written when he was in the Judean wilderness. 2
63:1 O God, you are my God! I long for you! 3
My soul thirsts 4 for you,
my flesh yearns for you,
in a dry and parched 5 land where there is no water.
63:2 Yes, 6 in the sanctuary I have seen you, 7
and witnessed 8 your power and splendor.
63:3 Because 9 experiencing 10 your loyal love is better than life itself,
my lips will praise you.
63:4 For this reason 11 I will praise you while I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands. 12
63:5 As if with choice meat 13 you satisfy my soul. 14
My mouth joyfully praises you, 15
63:6 whenever 16 I remember you on my bed,
and think about you during the nighttime hours.
63:7 For you are my deliverer; 17
under your wings 18 I rejoice.
63:8 My soul 19 pursues you; 20
your right hand upholds me.
63:9 Enemies seek to destroy my life, 21
but they will descend into the depths of the earth. 22
63:10 Each one will be handed over to the sword; 23
their corpses will be eaten by jackals. 24
63:11 But the king 25 will rejoice in God;
everyone who takes oaths in his name 26 will boast,
for the mouths of those who speak lies will be shut up.
"..In the sanctuary I have seen you"....it is in our quiet times, our moments of humility, that we are able to see God in all his glory. That quiet voice he instills in our spirit comes when we are still and just acknowledge his presence. There is a saying, "If you're going to worry, don't pray. If you're going to pray, don't worry." There is truth in this; we are supposed to "come boldly before the throne of grace."(Hebrews 4:16).
"When I remember you on my bed"...I've been thinking more about slumber lately (probably because it hasn't been exactly abundant this week :) ), and how we submit our hearts to God when we do so. Everyone has to sleep right? It's almost like God's way of saying "Fine, be wicked to your foolish hearts delight, but you still have to sleep sometime!" Scientists aren't even fully aware of how sleep functions, or why REM sleep is so essential, they just know that it is. More to the point, sleep is when we close our eyes and drift away. Thus, as David tells us in another Psalm, "I will not allow my eyes to slumber until I have made a place of habitation for my Lord." Let that shine on our hearts as we rest.
A psalm of David, written when he was in the Judean wilderness. 2
63:1 O God, you are my God! I long for you! 3
My soul thirsts 4 for you,
my flesh yearns for you,
in a dry and parched 5 land where there is no water.
63:2 Yes, 6 in the sanctuary I have seen you, 7
and witnessed 8 your power and splendor.
63:3 Because 9 experiencing 10 your loyal love is better than life itself,
my lips will praise you.
63:4 For this reason 11 I will praise you while I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands. 12
63:5 As if with choice meat 13 you satisfy my soul. 14
My mouth joyfully praises you, 15
63:6 whenever 16 I remember you on my bed,
and think about you during the nighttime hours.
63:7 For you are my deliverer; 17
under your wings 18 I rejoice.
63:8 My soul 19 pursues you; 20
your right hand upholds me.
63:9 Enemies seek to destroy my life, 21
but they will descend into the depths of the earth. 22
63:10 Each one will be handed over to the sword; 23
their corpses will be eaten by jackals. 24
63:11 But the king 25 will rejoice in God;
everyone who takes oaths in his name 26 will boast,
for the mouths of those who speak lies will be shut up.
"..In the sanctuary I have seen you"....it is in our quiet times, our moments of humility, that we are able to see God in all his glory. That quiet voice he instills in our spirit comes when we are still and just acknowledge his presence. There is a saying, "If you're going to worry, don't pray. If you're going to pray, don't worry." There is truth in this; we are supposed to "come boldly before the throne of grace."(Hebrews 4:16).
"When I remember you on my bed"...I've been thinking more about slumber lately (probably because it hasn't been exactly abundant this week :) ), and how we submit our hearts to God when we do so. Everyone has to sleep right? It's almost like God's way of saying "Fine, be wicked to your foolish hearts delight, but you still have to sleep sometime!" Scientists aren't even fully aware of how sleep functions, or why REM sleep is so essential, they just know that it is. More to the point, sleep is when we close our eyes and drift away. Thus, as David tells us in another Psalm, "I will not allow my eyes to slumber until I have made a place of habitation for my Lord." Let that shine on our hearts as we rest.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
"I will give you one heart of real flesh..."
With 2 lab finals tomorrow, and small group cards to fill out, I've got a few things on my plate to do. Coming to prayer meeting today meant a lot to me, for the encouragement of seeing my brothers and sisters who are trying to finish off this semester strong, both spiritually and academically. It also left me with the conviction of just how much more needs to be done, and reading Hebrews chapter 3 made that even more so.
7-11: "Today, if you will hear his voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, proved Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' "
It is amazing how easy it is for me to begin hardening my heart to the Lord, without even realizing it. Once I stop seeing God as my best friend, is when I believe it all starts. For even in his statutes, they are there because he loves us, and does not want us to suffer. Looking back on this year at Cornerstone, I am in awe of the blessing God has put at my doorstep. Yet at the same time I feel like I've had that door shut in so many ways, maybe because of fear, uncertainty, laziness, whatever; all are only excuses at the throne of our God. I feel like I should be even closer to my small group members, rather than just some 'church leader' they see once a week (if that).
13- Exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today", lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
No matter how we conduct our lives as Christians, God is not mocked. If we are lukewarm, so be it, what we sow is what we shall reap. If we do not go that extra mile in showing our members that the love of Christ is in us, we'll only be left with 'coulda-beens'. But hope is not lost; every day is a second chance, and I'm praying that this weekend will have almost all of us together, as our last SG dinner was. This is my prayer God; that I not forget that I came to you because I was in awe of the love you have for us, and that we could not run from it even when we try.
7-11: "Today, if you will hear his voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, proved Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' "
It is amazing how easy it is for me to begin hardening my heart to the Lord, without even realizing it. Once I stop seeing God as my best friend, is when I believe it all starts. For even in his statutes, they are there because he loves us, and does not want us to suffer. Looking back on this year at Cornerstone, I am in awe of the blessing God has put at my doorstep. Yet at the same time I feel like I've had that door shut in so many ways, maybe because of fear, uncertainty, laziness, whatever; all are only excuses at the throne of our God. I feel like I should be even closer to my small group members, rather than just some 'church leader' they see once a week (if that).
13- Exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today", lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
No matter how we conduct our lives as Christians, God is not mocked. If we are lukewarm, so be it, what we sow is what we shall reap. If we do not go that extra mile in showing our members that the love of Christ is in us, we'll only be left with 'coulda-beens'. But hope is not lost; every day is a second chance, and I'm praying that this weekend will have almost all of us together, as our last SG dinner was. This is my prayer God; that I not forget that I came to you because I was in awe of the love you have for us, and that we could not run from it even when we try.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
We must pay close attention to what we heard, so we do not drift away
This is the beginning of Hebrews chapter 2, and is a powerful statement. I find myself constantly praying that we as Christians will become better listeners, we were given two ears and only one mouth for a reason. Obedience would be impossible without this simple but-oh-so technique.
2: For if the message spoken through angels 1 proved to be so firm that every violation 2 or disobedience received its just penalty, 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
Like James mentions in 3:1-"Not many of you should presume to be teachers". Once we know the glory of our Father, there is no excuse for not listening and submitting our hearts unto him. We as leaders are to be judged all the more harshly for what we did/didn't do.
2:10 For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, 14 in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer 15 of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
I admit to finding this a little confusing; does the author of Hebrews mean to say that even Jesus was refined by the trials, temptations, and ultimately death that he endured? If so then we should cherish our sufferings, as meagre as they are in comparison to the author of our salvation.
2:18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
This verse alone should serve as inspiration to each one of us when we feel the resistance from our nature. Everything that we may feel is too burdensome to endure has already been experienced, for we are told that He was tempted in all areas. When we see each other tomorrow, may it be with this in mind, so that we are rejoiceful as we come before the Lord in prayer.
2: For if the message spoken through angels 1 proved to be so firm that every violation 2 or disobedience received its just penalty, 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
Like James mentions in 3:1-"Not many of you should presume to be teachers". Once we know the glory of our Father, there is no excuse for not listening and submitting our hearts unto him. We as leaders are to be judged all the more harshly for what we did/didn't do.
2:10 For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, 14 in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer 15 of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
I admit to finding this a little confusing; does the author of Hebrews mean to say that even Jesus was refined by the trials, temptations, and ultimately death that he endured? If so then we should cherish our sufferings, as meagre as they are in comparison to the author of our salvation.
2:18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
This verse alone should serve as inspiration to each one of us when we feel the resistance from our nature. Everything that we may feel is too burdensome to endure has already been experienced, for we are told that He was tempted in all areas. When we see each other tomorrow, may it be with this in mind, so that we are rejoiceful as we come before the Lord in prayer.
Monday, December 8, 2008
We love because he loved us first
I decided today to start reading Hebrews. I have not finished Jeremiah mind you, but I often like to switch back and forth between old and new Testament books. Hebrews is also ideal for me right now, since a strong theme it carries is abandoning the one's dull and dreary spiritual ways for a vigor that Christ alone provides. I know that is something all of us at Cornerstone can relate to at some point in our lives; no one likes to be lukewarm, above all when it comes to God.
The first chapter proclaims Jesus as above all the angels and prophets, "Through whom he made the worlds" (2).
of 22 the Son he says, 23 “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, 24 and a righteous scepter 25 is the scepter of your kingdom.1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.
So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions 26 with the oil of rejoicing.”
This verse taken from Psalms proclaims Jesus in all his majesty has been anointed to do what we could never do: save ourselves. It reminds me of Luke 4:18:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed 62 me to proclaim good news 63 to the poor. 64 He has sent me 65 to proclaim release 66 to the captives and the regaining of sight 67 to the blind,to set free 68 those who are oppressed, 69 4:19 to proclaim the year 70 of the Lord’s favor.” 71
Although this is a direct claim to the throne that belongs to Jesus, it is one that we should all take to heart. This IS the year of the Lord's favor, and he has anointed every one of us to proclaim the good news! Each day it feels like this nation is indeed the "backsliding, stiff-necked people" that characterized so much of Israel's history. When I begin to feel like I'm not good enough to do much of anything, even in God's kingdom, I need to try and remember this verse. I know I don't want to be one of those "half-hearted yuppies" that pastor Rich talked about being all over the place at his church back home (when he came for Revival last year).
32: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those 33 who will inherit salvation?
All who really matter are on our side! Our Father in heaven and all his heavenly host are watching us from above, aching for us to embrace him in all that we do. God is the wisest of all businessmen; he has invested far too much love in us to give up now! God bless every one of you, and lets keep working to encourage each other!
The first chapter proclaims Jesus as above all the angels and prophets, "Through whom he made the worlds" (2).
of 22 the Son he says, 23 “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, 24 and a righteous scepter 25 is the scepter of your kingdom.1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.
So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions 26 with the oil of rejoicing.”
This verse taken from Psalms proclaims Jesus in all his majesty has been anointed to do what we could never do: save ourselves. It reminds me of Luke 4:18:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed 62 me to proclaim good news 63 to the poor. 64 He has sent me 65 to proclaim release 66 to the captives and the regaining of sight 67 to the blind,to set free 68 those who are oppressed, 69 4:19 to proclaim the year 70 of the Lord’s favor.” 71
Although this is a direct claim to the throne that belongs to Jesus, it is one that we should all take to heart. This IS the year of the Lord's favor, and he has anointed every one of us to proclaim the good news! Each day it feels like this nation is indeed the "backsliding, stiff-necked people" that characterized so much of Israel's history. When I begin to feel like I'm not good enough to do much of anything, even in God's kingdom, I need to try and remember this verse. I know I don't want to be one of those "half-hearted yuppies" that pastor Rich talked about being all over the place at his church back home (when he came for Revival last year).
32: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those 33 who will inherit salvation?
All who really matter are on our side! Our Father in heaven and all his heavenly host are watching us from above, aching for us to embrace him in all that we do. God is the wisest of all businessmen; he has invested far too much love in us to give up now! God bless every one of you, and lets keep working to encourage each other!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
"You shall be my people, and I shall be your God."
Sundays are really such a blessed thing I have been taken for far too granted as of late. We should not be moaning and complaining to have to go out in the cold, but excited to praise God on his most Holy of days! Letting the weekly grind wear me out and having pressing thoughts prevent me from praising Him with all my heart are sorry excuses on my part. To be honest, it is once I go back home and am away from Cornerstone that I am reminded of what a blessing it is to be a part of. "In light of God and his word, the past, present, and the future, what is the wise thing to do?" Heavy question indeed, and the simplest answer I can come up with is...stay in the word, fellowship and prayer!
Continuing on:
Chapter 31:8- "Behold, I will bring them from the North country, and gather them from the ends of the earth."
Here the Lord is talking about the restoration of Israel, after the 70 year reign of Babylon has ended. This indeed took place after the Babylonians were destroyed by the Persians around 559 BC. The Persians then allowed the Jews to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, which is accounted for in all its glorious detail in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. However, I feel that this is also a prophetic calling for the restoration of Israel today. I think that God will ultimately restore this region known for bloodshed and warfare, and call his people from all over the world to re-inhabit it. As I mentioned before, part of the US's prosperity comes from its close alliance with Isreal.
31:33-"I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
This verse reminds me of Proverbs 3:3-"Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them about your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart." God wants the work that he has done in us to be there for all the world to see. One of my biggest problems is in being too much of a 'closet Christian'. I have gotten better then I used to be, but there is still much more progress to be made. Especially after pastor Dave came up for revival, and he talked about how his Dad preached the gospel every holiday season. Even though people were weary of hearing it, eventually God's love broke down all barriers and they believed. How can we not be moved by that kind of testimony? God's power is only limited by our faith; I know I have said to myself, "There's practically no way this person would want to hear anything about God." But I do not know everyone's heart, only God does. Just image the kind of testimony that could arise from those we would least expect!
Continuing on:
Chapter 31:8- "Behold, I will bring them from the North country, and gather them from the ends of the earth."
Here the Lord is talking about the restoration of Israel, after the 70 year reign of Babylon has ended. This indeed took place after the Babylonians were destroyed by the Persians around 559 BC. The Persians then allowed the Jews to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, which is accounted for in all its glorious detail in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. However, I feel that this is also a prophetic calling for the restoration of Israel today. I think that God will ultimately restore this region known for bloodshed and warfare, and call his people from all over the world to re-inhabit it. As I mentioned before, part of the US's prosperity comes from its close alliance with Isreal.
31:33-"I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
This verse reminds me of Proverbs 3:3-"Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them about your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart." God wants the work that he has done in us to be there for all the world to see. One of my biggest problems is in being too much of a 'closet Christian'. I have gotten better then I used to be, but there is still much more progress to be made. Especially after pastor Dave came up for revival, and he talked about how his Dad preached the gospel every holiday season. Even though people were weary of hearing it, eventually God's love broke down all barriers and they believed. How can we not be moved by that kind of testimony? God's power is only limited by our faith; I know I have said to myself, "There's practically no way this person would want to hear anything about God." But I do not know everyone's heart, only God does. Just image the kind of testimony that could arise from those we would least expect!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The Lord our Father
Today I reflected on one of my favorite chapters of the bible, Hosea chapter 11. It is some of the most beautifully written things I've ever read and really reminds of how God's love for is just like that of a father and his child.
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son....I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love...I stooped and fed them."
God's sympathy for his people is put into such a beautiful perspective here, it reminds me of when we sing "Your Grace is Enough." How true it is that God "wrestles with the sinner's heart"! We complain about how difficult it is to balance our lives with work, school, God, friends, etc., and yet how much more painful it must be to endure sin in the lives of those you love when every fiber of your being abhors its presence! There is a quote by St. Augustine that goes something like: "God does not need my lies....All that we need are his grace and an unswerving fidelity to the church." This in itself is truly all we need.
8-9"How can I give you up Ephraim?... My heart churns within me; my sympathy is stirred...For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst."
I tend to be an emotional person, which is not always a good thing. But God's love is as unchanging as everything else about him. I need constant encouragement to keep seeking the type of sympathy that comes from God; our own human sympathy will not carry us the distance necessary. I pray the rest of your week goes well, and know that this race in Jesus Christ is never in vain!
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son....I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love...I stooped and fed them."
God's sympathy for his people is put into such a beautiful perspective here, it reminds me of when we sing "Your Grace is Enough." How true it is that God "wrestles with the sinner's heart"! We complain about how difficult it is to balance our lives with work, school, God, friends, etc., and yet how much more painful it must be to endure sin in the lives of those you love when every fiber of your being abhors its presence! There is a quote by St. Augustine that goes something like: "God does not need my lies....All that we need are his grace and an unswerving fidelity to the church." This in itself is truly all we need.
8-9"How can I give you up Ephraim?... My heart churns within me; my sympathy is stirred...For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst."
I tend to be an emotional person, which is not always a good thing. But God's love is as unchanging as everything else about him. I need constant encouragement to keep seeking the type of sympathy that comes from God; our own human sympathy will not carry us the distance necessary. I pray the rest of your week goes well, and know that this race in Jesus Christ is never in vain!
Friday, December 5, 2008
You can't spell forgiving without 'giv(e)'
Seeing as it is Friday, it seems appropriate to use our bible passage for the week, John 21 as my daily blog. I'm really looking forward to how this will play out with my small group tonight, although it is a kind of confusing example of forgiveness, it offers us an insight into the purity of the type of forgiveness Jesus espouses, and how far short every single one of us falls, yes everyone.
The first thing that stands out to me in this passage is that Jesus does not imply forgiveness with just a few words, he translates this into action, by not only giving the disciples the fish that they had been laboring for, but also by eating breakfast with them. How passively we can say 'I forgive you', but going the extra mile and showing this in our actions can feel like an insurmountable goal. Say for example you took someone you loved to to the top of a bridge to show them the beautiful view and they pushed you off. Assuming you survived, how likely would you be to invite them to that same place again? Offbeat example I know, but sometimes people tend to push our limits constantly, until eventually we want to push back. Finding the path to forgiveness when our patience is beyond tried can be frustrating to say the least.
I've noticed that this is a nation not big on forgiveness. We are gung-ho about suing constantly, and many support the death penalty with a fervor that borders on sick. Pedophilia is prime example of just how hard it can be to forgive someone. Jesus tells us it is better to tie a millstone around our neck than to cause one of these little ones to sin. It is perfectly natural and just to abhor the act of defaming the children of God like this, but is not justice ultimately in the hand of God? I began reading a book about the catholic church over break, and while it disgusts me how perverse its quiet support of pedophilia has become, seeking vengeance without forgiveness will do little to heal scars.
Moving on, the exchange between Jesus and Peter in verses 15-17 is really one of the most touching in all of the new Testament, I feel. As Jesus asks Peter 3 times if his love is really sincere, and not in the cliche-movie style we see everywhere today, you can almost feel Peter's heart breaking, as if his best friend did not believe his words. After the rather cryptic answer in verse 18, Jesus proffers the words that each one of us need to remember, when forgiveness seems like a bankrupt word and we have none of it left; "Follow me."
The first thing that stands out to me in this passage is that Jesus does not imply forgiveness with just a few words, he translates this into action, by not only giving the disciples the fish that they had been laboring for, but also by eating breakfast with them. How passively we can say 'I forgive you', but going the extra mile and showing this in our actions can feel like an insurmountable goal. Say for example you took someone you loved to to the top of a bridge to show them the beautiful view and they pushed you off. Assuming you survived, how likely would you be to invite them to that same place again? Offbeat example I know, but sometimes people tend to push our limits constantly, until eventually we want to push back. Finding the path to forgiveness when our patience is beyond tried can be frustrating to say the least.
I've noticed that this is a nation not big on forgiveness. We are gung-ho about suing constantly, and many support the death penalty with a fervor that borders on sick. Pedophilia is prime example of just how hard it can be to forgive someone. Jesus tells us it is better to tie a millstone around our neck than to cause one of these little ones to sin. It is perfectly natural and just to abhor the act of defaming the children of God like this, but is not justice ultimately in the hand of God? I began reading a book about the catholic church over break, and while it disgusts me how perverse its quiet support of pedophilia has become, seeking vengeance without forgiveness will do little to heal scars.
Moving on, the exchange between Jesus and Peter in verses 15-17 is really one of the most touching in all of the new Testament, I feel. As Jesus asks Peter 3 times if his love is really sincere, and not in the cliche-movie style we see everywhere today, you can almost feel Peter's heart breaking, as if his best friend did not believe his words. After the rather cryptic answer in verse 18, Jesus proffers the words that each one of us need to remember, when forgiveness seems like a bankrupt word and we have none of it left; "Follow me."
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Better is one day in your courts Lord....
than thousands elsewhere! Today has been much smoother than yesterday, and I did well on my phonetics quiz, so that was nice. This is not a blog for me to bore everyone endlessly with my personal ups and downs (lest they be relevant), so I'll continue on with Jeremiah, of which I read chapters 27-
27:11 Things will go better for the nation that submits to the yoke of servitude to 31 the king of Babylon and is subject to him. I will leave that nation 32 in its native land. Its people can continue to farm it and live in it. I, the Lord, affirm it!”’” 33
God tells us he rains on the just and unjust, but it is still quite surprising when I think about how He will use the wicked who clearly are at enmity with God to decimate and humiliate. I will try to keep this verse, and really much of Jeremiah in general, in mind when I reflect on how the wicked manage to make others subservient to them. Just as Babylon's power faded after 70 years, so to is the victory of the wicked short lived. As much as it is painful to see sometimes, his common grace is a glorious thing.
28:9 So if a prophet prophesied 10 peace and prosperity, it was only known that the Lord truly sent him when what he prophesied came true.”
This is a quite interesting verse that really makes me question many end-time prophetic words that religious men and women speak. Of course we are told many times in the new testament, like in I John 4:2 " By this you know the spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God." Every prophet written about in the bible is after the fact, giving them the benefit of posterity. So how should we act accordingly today? It reminds me of men like Todd Bentley, who claim to have seen Jesus, does that mean we should acknowledge his words as God-breathed? Why is it that people are so desperate for prophets that have seen Christ in the flesh and are now converted? Shouldn't we instead long for those who have seen him only in faith and are now living for his name? I for one am praying that I do not become deceived, but instead continue to look to God's word for the answers.
27:11 Things will go better for the nation that submits to the yoke of servitude to 31 the king of Babylon and is subject to him. I will leave that nation 32 in its native land. Its people can continue to farm it and live in it. I, the Lord, affirm it!”’” 33
God tells us he rains on the just and unjust, but it is still quite surprising when I think about how He will use the wicked who clearly are at enmity with God to decimate and humiliate. I will try to keep this verse, and really much of Jeremiah in general, in mind when I reflect on how the wicked manage to make others subservient to them. Just as Babylon's power faded after 70 years, so to is the victory of the wicked short lived. As much as it is painful to see sometimes, his common grace is a glorious thing.
28:9 So if a prophet prophesied 10 peace and prosperity, it was only known that the Lord truly sent him when what he prophesied came true.”
This is a quite interesting verse that really makes me question many end-time prophetic words that religious men and women speak. Of course we are told many times in the new testament, like in I John 4:2 " By this you know the spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God." Every prophet written about in the bible is after the fact, giving them the benefit of posterity. So how should we act accordingly today? It reminds me of men like Todd Bentley, who claim to have seen Jesus, does that mean we should acknowledge his words as God-breathed? Why is it that people are so desperate for prophets that have seen Christ in the flesh and are now converted? Shouldn't we instead long for those who have seen him only in faith and are now living for his name? I for one am praying that I do not become deceived, but instead continue to look to God's word for the answers.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Make it a good day, or not, the choice is yours
When I was in high school (don't ask how long ago that was *_-), my principle used to announce this every morning during homeroom. At the time I used to either blank it out or mumble some pessimistic sentiment to gloss over it. It's a pretty simple thing to say, but it holds a lot of weight too. As Christians we too have a choice, one to either glorify God or not. Not to say that we'll have an eay time of it, but as Gloria even mentioned at tonight's prayer meeting, Jesus was able to die for us because the Lord had imparted his joy upon him.
I myself had a crummy day, for at least most of it. I missed my morning lab and got 0 points for the lab, and 1/2 credit for the previous lab, missed extra credit questions 'cause I was late to class, not to mention being bummed out from all the time and energy expended on last nights disapointing bball game. Prayer meeting helped cheer me up though, just to see almost everyone there put a smile on my face.
Continuing on with Jeremiah, I read chapters 25-26 tonight.
Some thoughts:
Chapter 25: So 38 the Lord, the God of Israel, spoke to me in a vision. 39 “Take this cup from my hand. It is filled with the wine of my wrath. 40 Take it and make the nations to whom I send you drink it. 25:16 When they have drunk it, they will stagger to and fro 41 and act insane. For I will send wars sweeping through them.”
Reading this made me think about nations today such as Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, etc. which are gripped in a state of perpetual violence and riots (not everywhere mind you, but largely). What these nations share is a disdain for the living God and an outright animosity towards Israel. Even when they claim to desire peace, they are far from it. Similarly, the book of Jeremiah carries prophetic omens of doom to nations such as Egypt, Babylon, Syria, Arabia, Moab, and Philistia. But just as he brought destruction upon the Egyptians during the Israeli exodus, so will he not let those who persecute his chosen people go unpunished. I believe that part of America's prosperity lies in her alliance with Israel, but with the new presidency it remains to be seen how long this will be so. I find it such a strange coincidence that America saw such a booming time of prosperity at the same time that Israel became established, in 1948.
I myself had a crummy day, for at least most of it. I missed my morning lab and got 0 points for the lab, and 1/2 credit for the previous lab, missed extra credit questions 'cause I was late to class, not to mention being bummed out from all the time and energy expended on last nights disapointing bball game. Prayer meeting helped cheer me up though, just to see almost everyone there put a smile on my face.
Continuing on with Jeremiah, I read chapters 25-26 tonight.
Some thoughts:
Chapter 25: So 38 the Lord, the God of Israel, spoke to me in a vision. 39 “Take this cup from my hand. It is filled with the wine of my wrath. 40 Take it and make the nations to whom I send you drink it. 25:16 When they have drunk it, they will stagger to and fro 41 and act insane. For I will send wars sweeping through them.”
Reading this made me think about nations today such as Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, etc. which are gripped in a state of perpetual violence and riots (not everywhere mind you, but largely). What these nations share is a disdain for the living God and an outright animosity towards Israel. Even when they claim to desire peace, they are far from it. Similarly, the book of Jeremiah carries prophetic omens of doom to nations such as Egypt, Babylon, Syria, Arabia, Moab, and Philistia. But just as he brought destruction upon the Egyptians during the Israeli exodus, so will he not let those who persecute his chosen people go unpunished. I believe that part of America's prosperity lies in her alliance with Israel, but with the new presidency it remains to be seen how long this will be so. I find it such a strange coincidence that America saw such a booming time of prosperity at the same time that Israel became established, in 1948.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
All we, like sheep, have gone astray....
Before we began doing these blogs, I had been reading the book of Jeremiah, partly because I feel it is a book that is particularly relevant to America's desiccating culture, and partly because I never read it before :) It is written at a dark time in Israel's history (hmm, seems to be a prevalant theme, doesn't it?), and revolves around the prophet Jeremiah, who kneels before the kingdoms of Judah and Israel and warns them of the impending destruction from the Babylonians, and after it came to pass, he continued to extoll God's glory in Egypt. In some sense it reminds me of Job, as it feels like it's written from the perspective of a man who is holding onto his last hope in this world, utterly estranged from the very species he belongs to. It is an awesome book so far, and reminds me of I and II Kings in how careful the reader must be to extract the glimmer of hope that God claims to his throne. I read chapters 19-24 last night (I don't have my bible with me, which I write down my notes and have references, so bear with me). Some standout parts include:
19:4-I will do so because these people 11 have rejected me and have defiled 12 this place. They have offered sacrifices in it to other gods which neither they nor their ancestors 13 nor the kings of Judah knew anything about. They have filled it with the blood of innocent children
The last sentence I find particularly chilling when I think about the election results. I know that Obama is hardly pro-life, and am reminded that you can tell everything from a nation by the way it treats its most vulnerable, the children. In the days before I was walking with the Lord, I used to think abortion wasn't such a bad thing, I mean if a woman wasn't prepared to take care of a child, then it's just one less person who would be miserable, right? Wrong, God is sovereign in his judgement, and righteous in his wrath : "“Before I formed you in your mother’s womb 7 I chose you. 8 Before you were born I set you apart.I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
20:9 Sometimes I think, “I will make no mention of his message.I will not speak as hismessenger 16 any more.”But then 17 his message becomes like a firelocked up inside of me, burning in my heart and soul. 18 I grow weary of trying to hold it in;I cannot contain it.
Every now and then I run across verses that stop me dead in my tracks, and this is one of them. One thing I struggle with, not to make excuses, is an inferiority complex that often keeps me from opening my mouth when I should be talking (of course it doesn't always work this way when my words are less than choice). I, and bet some of you as well, need to keep in mind that it is not ourselves we are representing, but we are here for God's glory. If we remain faithful to God, he will impress on our hearts a desire to preach his name so strong that it will be far more difficult to say nothing (pertaining to God), then to preach the gospel. I can think of more than a few times when I strongly felt the presence of the Lord to say something, but did nothing about it. There's honestly no blanket big enough to cover up my shame at times like that.
Good night everyone, I think I'll go have dinner and swallow my Christian excuses while I'm at it ;)
19:4-I will do so because these people 11 have rejected me and have defiled 12 this place. They have offered sacrifices in it to other gods which neither they nor their ancestors 13 nor the kings of Judah knew anything about. They have filled it with the blood of innocent children
The last sentence I find particularly chilling when I think about the election results. I know that Obama is hardly pro-life, and am reminded that you can tell everything from a nation by the way it treats its most vulnerable, the children. In the days before I was walking with the Lord, I used to think abortion wasn't such a bad thing, I mean if a woman wasn't prepared to take care of a child, then it's just one less person who would be miserable, right? Wrong, God is sovereign in his judgement, and righteous in his wrath : "“Before I formed you in your mother’s womb 7 I chose you. 8 Before you were born I set you apart.I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
20:9 Sometimes I think, “I will make no mention of his message.I will not speak as hismessenger 16 any more.”But then 17 his message becomes like a firelocked up inside of me, burning in my heart and soul. 18 I grow weary of trying to hold it in;I cannot contain it.
Every now and then I run across verses that stop me dead in my tracks, and this is one of them. One thing I struggle with, not to make excuses, is an inferiority complex that often keeps me from opening my mouth when I should be talking (of course it doesn't always work this way when my words are less than choice). I, and bet some of you as well, need to keep in mind that it is not ourselves we are representing, but we are here for God's glory. If we remain faithful to God, he will impress on our hearts a desire to preach his name so strong that it will be far more difficult to say nothing (pertaining to God), then to preach the gospel. I can think of more than a few times when I strongly felt the presence of the Lord to say something, but did nothing about it. There's honestly no blanket big enough to cover up my shame at times like that.
Good night everyone, I think I'll go have dinner and swallow my Christian excuses while I'm at it ;)
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