Sometimes going first is a privilege, and other times going first is a curse. Ice cream or getting to ride the Sea-Doo® – that’s a privilege. The first to get fired or go to jail – not so much. However, for some things, it’s important that someone does go first, otherwise the job might not get done.
What about forgiving someone you’re in a dispute with? Who forgives who first? Some would say the one who has wronged should apologize first; others might say the more mature moves first. Either way, someone has to go first.
When it comes to forgiving us of our sins, God demonstrated His maturity by seeking us out “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). But we can see where He’s taken the leadership role in redemption, long before the cross. Consider what happened in the Garden of Eden in Genesis. Adam and Eve chose sin. Knowing the consequence of doing that, they did it anyways. It’s here where we see God take the initiative to redeem by offering the first blood sacrifice. Genesis 3:21, “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” The animal skin didn’t fall off!
But we also see where He led the way out of Egyptian slavery by being the guide for the Israelites in the form of a fiery pillar by night, and a cloudy pillar by day. Later, He led the judges to help lead the Israelites towards solving the problems they faced. Then, King David often called on God to lead them into battle. In 1 Chronicles 14:15, David inquired of God about fighting the Philistines and God said, “…As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”
But we can even see that God moved first in actions of mercy, like in the case with the people of Nineveh when Jonah delivered a message of repentance. Or with the woman caught in adultery (John 8), and especially towards us when He gave His own life on the cross. Jesus said in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!”
Every action of God taking the lead was, in part, to help us know how to do what we need to do. Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
Paul shares the hope of resurrection that believers share because of what Jesus did in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him.” Jesus did it first! But to be where He is, to enjoy His promises, we have to “follow Him.” Who’s comin’ with me?
Friday, May 25, 2018
Sunday, May 20, 2018
His Authority Helps Our Belief!
If you take the time to stop and think about what makes the Good News so good, I think most of us would admit that it’s because God has the ability to offer eternal life. God has the authority to give life, and He has the authority to take life.
Jesus acknowledged that what He spoke, and ultimately what He came to do on earth, was directed by God in John 12:49-50, “I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent Me commanded Me to say all that I have spoken. I know that His command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told Me to say.”
However, many people didn’t accept His statement that He had authority to “forgive sins” or offer eternal life. In fact, today many people have the same issues with His statements of authority. But this is where we have the privilege of reading of more than just Jesus’ words, we also read of His actions while He was here on earth.
When John the Baptist had messengers come to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, Jesus responded in Luke 7:22-23, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.”
His actions would prove that He had authority in life and even over death. When we read about Jesus walking on water (Mark 6:49), or rebuking the wind (Mark 4:39), or feeding 5,000 people (Mark 6:41), or even causing the fig tree to dry up (Mark 11:14), we have to consider the significance those events had on those considering acceptance of His message.
It was the actions of Jesus that compelled many to truly believe in Him. Even Thomas was faced with the reality that Jesus had demonstrated His authority over death after His resurrection, and he too was able to see the evidence and made the choice to trust in God’s power.
As we study God’s word, we should discover how often God asked His followers to trust Him in some kind of action, and the end result was amazement that God truly has all authority – not just in the pages of the Bible but in our own life as well.
Matt 28:18-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus acknowledged that what He spoke, and ultimately what He came to do on earth, was directed by God in John 12:49-50, “I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent Me commanded Me to say all that I have spoken. I know that His command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told Me to say.”
However, many people didn’t accept His statement that He had authority to “forgive sins” or offer eternal life. In fact, today many people have the same issues with His statements of authority. But this is where we have the privilege of reading of more than just Jesus’ words, we also read of His actions while He was here on earth.
When John the Baptist had messengers come to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, Jesus responded in Luke 7:22-23, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.”
His actions would prove that He had authority in life and even over death. When we read about Jesus walking on water (Mark 6:49), or rebuking the wind (Mark 4:39), or feeding 5,000 people (Mark 6:41), or even causing the fig tree to dry up (Mark 11:14), we have to consider the significance those events had on those considering acceptance of His message.
It was the actions of Jesus that compelled many to truly believe in Him. Even Thomas was faced with the reality that Jesus had demonstrated His authority over death after His resurrection, and he too was able to see the evidence and made the choice to trust in God’s power.
As we study God’s word, we should discover how often God asked His followers to trust Him in some kind of action, and the end result was amazement that God truly has all authority – not just in the pages of the Bible but in our own life as well.
Matt 28:18-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Saturday, May 12, 2018
The Prayer of a Mother
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.…” These are the opening lines of God’s word to us; a history of how He created an infrastructure, the perfect environment for His most beloved creation–mankind. Once everything was in place and man had been made, God said in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So, God performed surgery on Adam while he was sleeping; taking a rib from Adam's side, He created a helper for Adam. Eve would bless Adam by giving him descendants to carry on his name, to watch them grow into adulthood, and make a difference in the world.
Although she didn’t do everything right during their stay in Paradise, perhaps we could speculate on her motives in seeking a way to know what God knows. There is within most mothers a desire to know the right way to raise a child, to steer a child, and to love a child through all their victories and failures.
However, it’s when she can see her child grow up to become a person of dignity and respect, someone honored for their integrity and upright character that brings a mother great joy. Proverbs 23:24-25, “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”
Here’s a poem that addresses some of the desires a mother has for her child,
The Prayer Of A Mother
I pray for you every day
for many different things:
I pray for strength, both yours and mine,
that you mount up on eagle’s wings.
I pray for your safety,
and your strength, and character that is true;
so that your faith in God may always be
what carries you through.
I ask that your longing for home
would help you do what’s right,
that by knowing of our constant love
will help you through tough fights.
I pray for your peace of mind
through the trials you may face,
knowing you can always
trust in God’s amazing grace.
I pray you’ll have some kindred spirits
to be there in my stead,
to be my voice of reason
to stay within your head.
I ask our heavenly father
to protect you when you’re alone,
to always follow his loving path
just as you were shown.
Life is not easy,
nor is it fair;
but Jesus made a promise
I hope you’ll always share–
to stand above temptations,
and even love through strife,
so that you’ll hear these words,
“Receive your crown of life!”
God bless all our mothers for being a wonderful voice of truth!
Although she didn’t do everything right during their stay in Paradise, perhaps we could speculate on her motives in seeking a way to know what God knows. There is within most mothers a desire to know the right way to raise a child, to steer a child, and to love a child through all their victories and failures.
However, it’s when she can see her child grow up to become a person of dignity and respect, someone honored for their integrity and upright character that brings a mother great joy. Proverbs 23:24-25, “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”
Here’s a poem that addresses some of the desires a mother has for her child,
The Prayer Of A Mother
I pray for you every day
for many different things:
I pray for strength, both yours and mine,
that you mount up on eagle’s wings.
I pray for your safety,
and your strength, and character that is true;
so that your faith in God may always be
what carries you through.
I ask that your longing for home
would help you do what’s right,
that by knowing of our constant love
will help you through tough fights.
I pray for your peace of mind
through the trials you may face,
knowing you can always
trust in God’s amazing grace.
I pray you’ll have some kindred spirits
to be there in my stead,
to be my voice of reason
to stay within your head.
I ask our heavenly father
to protect you when you’re alone,
to always follow his loving path
just as you were shown.
Life is not easy,
nor is it fair;
but Jesus made a promise
I hope you’ll always share–
to stand above temptations,
and even love through strife,
so that you’ll hear these words,
“Receive your crown of life!”
God bless all our mothers for being a wonderful voice of truth!