The Bible has proven to be a great mystery for mankind. A glimpse into the mind of the one who created all. His story isn’t always pleasant to read; it's not always logical from a human standpoint, but it is a book that—to those who seriously meditate on it—is a powerful ray of hope. As one poet said, “The Holy Scriptures are like the veil that separates a beautiful paradise from a world of survival and pain. To those who venture into its pages will peak underneath to catch a glimpse of the glory of God.”
Yet, Scriptures are full of mysteries that will ONLY be revealed at God’s return. In the meantime, we strain to better understand God’s way of thinking and quickly realize that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). But that’s why we need to do as God tells the Israelites in Isaiah 1:18-20, “Come now, and let us reason together, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.”
It’s in the reasoning together that we better understand what God is looking for in His followers, in His children, in His people. Scriptures reveal that what He’s looking for is not about self, it's not about greed, it's not about revenge, it's not about fear…but that He can cleanse us from all unrighteousness, from all of the internal turmoil that many of us struggle with daily.
An example of His paradoxical (seemingly contradictory) teaching is in Proverbs 11:24, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” But that’s just the beginning, because the deeper we get into who God is and what He wants to see in us, the more we see the genius and liberating nature of God. Think about who Jesus told the Apostles would be the greatest in the kingdom of God: “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)! Time after time, Jesus turned the common way of thinking about relationships, faith, charity, and even God upside down. This mysterious telescope into the throne room of heaven reveals that humility is a key ingredient to being able to understand God’s nature (Philippians 2:5-11, James 4:6-10, Matthew 18:2-5).
Are we humble enough to meditate on God’s word to better see how to live, how to find purpose and meaning in life, how to succeed, and how to find peace? God “has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Passing the Torch
Every generation has a fear of passing the torch to the next generation because what they may, or may not, do with what they’ve been given. So, how does a “young person” view the future? One survey taken on Linked-in showed some of their fears about the future…
(1) Weak Connectivity. But it’s not just about WiFi. They are concerned about the growing number of people who struggle with weak connectivity in their relationship, or parents who have issues relating to their children. Or those waiting to find that special someone to connect with. Or people who feel alone and unconnected to community. Connection, or the lack of it, is a huge issue in our lives today.
(2) The annoying buffering symbol. The wait for something good to download can seem like an eternity, but you can look beyond YouTube or a stubborn website and see how the fear you’re only getting half a story and not seeing the full picture, because seeing the full picture explains so many things: it gives us perspective, understanding and meaning. The fact of “not being able to get to that” can be a real fear for folks.
(3) Low Battery is not only a smartphone or computer problem. It symbolizes the stress of limited resources, not enough money or time to do what you want to do in a day or in life, or lack of health or strength keeping you back. The worry about not having enough of what we need affects us, young people in the workforce, or looking to get into it, older retirees, and families with children. It’s even a problem for the governments. We want to do and accomplish so much but need the resources to be able to do it.
These fears may be real, but they shouldn’t keep us out of the game. Instead, we read godly instructions in God’s word like Psalms 119:9-10, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!” These, and many like it can help us find purpose and meaning in life and help us avoid chasing after things that don’t matter, or things that cloud our view of life.
The better our grasp on the reality of this life the more we can face tomorrow with confidence. 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
(1) Weak Connectivity. But it’s not just about WiFi. They are concerned about the growing number of people who struggle with weak connectivity in their relationship, or parents who have issues relating to their children. Or those waiting to find that special someone to connect with. Or people who feel alone and unconnected to community. Connection, or the lack of it, is a huge issue in our lives today.
(2) The annoying buffering symbol. The wait for something good to download can seem like an eternity, but you can look beyond YouTube or a stubborn website and see how the fear you’re only getting half a story and not seeing the full picture, because seeing the full picture explains so many things: it gives us perspective, understanding and meaning. The fact of “not being able to get to that” can be a real fear for folks.
(3) Low Battery is not only a smartphone or computer problem. It symbolizes the stress of limited resources, not enough money or time to do what you want to do in a day or in life, or lack of health or strength keeping you back. The worry about not having enough of what we need affects us, young people in the workforce, or looking to get into it, older retirees, and families with children. It’s even a problem for the governments. We want to do and accomplish so much but need the resources to be able to do it.
These fears may be real, but they shouldn’t keep us out of the game. Instead, we read godly instructions in God’s word like Psalms 119:9-10, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!” These, and many like it can help us find purpose and meaning in life and help us avoid chasing after things that don’t matter, or things that cloud our view of life.
The better our grasp on the reality of this life the more we can face tomorrow with confidence. 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Faith of Our Fathers
Frederick Faber was an Anglican priest and hymn writer that made many efforts to bridge the gap between the Catholic church and the Church of England (Anglican) during the mid-19th century.
His hope, in his poetry and songwriting, was to help express the Saxon thought to the Catholic church, and even broader goal was to influence the “church” to recognize how desperately people everywhere need to hear and understand the message of God’s power, love, and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7), and by doing so, highlighting the power of unity from the non-believer’s perspective.
As Jesus prayed in John 17:23 expressing the power of unity, “[I pray] that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Frederick was a devout Englishman and a loyalist to the English traditions, but he wanted his love for his tradition to positively influence his ever-changing world. His most famous hymn, Faith of Our Fathers, acknowledges the legacy of Catholic martyrs in England who had died since and during the time of Henry VIII.
While this may not have a lot of deep meaning to those living outside of the realm of Catholicism, it does show his efforts to “bridge the gap” between his generation and the previous ones. Perhaps, we could learn from his desire and ask the question, “What are some qualities about your generation that you feel others could learn from?”
Faith of Our Fathers
By Frederick Faber
Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children’s fate,
If they, like them should die for thee:
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
His hope, in his poetry and songwriting, was to help express the Saxon thought to the Catholic church, and even broader goal was to influence the “church” to recognize how desperately people everywhere need to hear and understand the message of God’s power, love, and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7), and by doing so, highlighting the power of unity from the non-believer’s perspective.
As Jesus prayed in John 17:23 expressing the power of unity, “[I pray] that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Frederick was a devout Englishman and a loyalist to the English traditions, but he wanted his love for his tradition to positively influence his ever-changing world. His most famous hymn, Faith of Our Fathers, acknowledges the legacy of Catholic martyrs in England who had died since and during the time of Henry VIII.
While this may not have a lot of deep meaning to those living outside of the realm of Catholicism, it does show his efforts to “bridge the gap” between his generation and the previous ones. Perhaps, we could learn from his desire and ask the question, “What are some qualities about your generation that you feel others could learn from?”
Faith of Our Fathers
By Frederick Faber
Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children’s fate,
If they, like them should die for thee:
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Friday, March 15, 2019
The Beauty of God's Love
Throughout the centuries, people have gravitated towards a particular Psalm of David, and it's quite easily the most famous of the Psalms. I’m sure many folks reading this can quote Psalm 23, but have you ever wondered why this Psalm in particular? Plenty of Psalms reflect on the beauty of God or His kingdom, His mighty power or infinite love, so why this one? Perhaps it's because of the hope through trials that we can connect with it so strongly.
Psalms 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Jesus compared Himself to a good shepherd and reassured His followers that Satan could never pull them away from God, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one." (John 10:29-30)
Some have used this verse to describe 'once saved always saved,' but when you look at it closely, He's not saying that we can't walk away from the sheep pin; He's saying Satan doesn't have power to force you out of it. God doesn't want anyone to perish, but He wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The God we serve has the power to save, but He won't force you to be saved. Instead, He'll lead us by His love to quiet waters of refreshment, just like He offered living water to the woman at the well (John 4). When I drink from His well, when I eat the good food He has prepared for me, when I follow Him, I find amazing hope for the future.
Satan works diligently at trying to destroy that hope and cause us to abandon Christ. One powerful way he does that is through guilt, shame, embarrassment. Every time we give in to temptation and compromise our faith for some trick of the Devil, we can feel worthless before God. The beauty is God loves us more than we could ever know. The more we recognize that, the more compelling His guidance is to our life. And that brings amazing hope to our lives.
1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
Psalms 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Jesus compared Himself to a good shepherd and reassured His followers that Satan could never pull them away from God, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one." (John 10:29-30)
Some have used this verse to describe 'once saved always saved,' but when you look at it closely, He's not saying that we can't walk away from the sheep pin; He's saying Satan doesn't have power to force you out of it. God doesn't want anyone to perish, but He wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The God we serve has the power to save, but He won't force you to be saved. Instead, He'll lead us by His love to quiet waters of refreshment, just like He offered living water to the woman at the well (John 4). When I drink from His well, when I eat the good food He has prepared for me, when I follow Him, I find amazing hope for the future.
Satan works diligently at trying to destroy that hope and cause us to abandon Christ. One powerful way he does that is through guilt, shame, embarrassment. Every time we give in to temptation and compromise our faith for some trick of the Devil, we can feel worthless before God. The beauty is God loves us more than we could ever know. The more we recognize that, the more compelling His guidance is to our life. And that brings amazing hope to our lives.
1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
Sunday, March 10, 2019
God's Dumb Ways?
Sometimes God’s plans look a little…dumb. At least they don’t always make sense to us. As we look at the people He selected, to the places He took them, to the way He would save us—well, we wouldn’t do that! But God’s okay with our inability to comprehend His ways and ideas. Just as Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"
In fact, He may enjoy showing up in ways we never would have expected; as Habakkuk discovered in Habakkuk 1:5, "Look among the nations and watch—be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you."
We never would believe that the weakest, the smallest, the poorest, the least sophisticated would have what it takes to be the kind of people God would use to bring about an eternal change to the world, but He does. From Gideon to David, or Thomas to Zacchaeus, God has picked people to reveal His power and His nature.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe…."
Don’t ever mistake the silence of God on an issue that you think He should step up and take care of as a sign that He doesn’t exist or doesn’t care. But in those moments of silence, reflect on what many other people we read about in scriptures had to learn how to do: "Be still and know that I am God!" (Psalms 46:10).
Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
In fact, He may enjoy showing up in ways we never would have expected; as Habakkuk discovered in Habakkuk 1:5, "Look among the nations and watch—be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you."
We never would believe that the weakest, the smallest, the poorest, the least sophisticated would have what it takes to be the kind of people God would use to bring about an eternal change to the world, but He does. From Gideon to David, or Thomas to Zacchaeus, God has picked people to reveal His power and His nature.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe…."
Don’t ever mistake the silence of God on an issue that you think He should step up and take care of as a sign that He doesn’t exist or doesn’t care. But in those moments of silence, reflect on what many other people we read about in scriptures had to learn how to do: "Be still and know that I am God!" (Psalms 46:10).
Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Running with God
When I was a kid, I wanted to run because my dad started running. It wasn’t until junior high that I actually joined track and then cross country. Through the years I participated in lots of different style of races. However, the most exciting race was the first race I participated in with my kids. Back in 2013 when my daughter finished her first 5K, I was so proud of her. Since then, time and my knees don’t let me run quite as much as I want to, but I still try to get out there occasionally to do it with my kids. It’s a passion of mine that my children would share my love for running and working out.
I can’t help but think that God really likes to see His children take up running the race that He’s involved in – the race to save the world. John said in 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that My children walk (or run) in truth.” (also 2 John 4).
Our journey with God here on earth is truly a race (Hebrews 12:1, 2 Timothy 4:7). A physical feat of persevering through the pain and frustrations of failures and setbacks. It doesn’t take long to realize how much sin trips us up, making it impossible to run perfectly. But God has given us His spirit to be our motivator and coach.
Galatians 5:16-17, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
Our opponent in this race could really be ourselves. We allow doubt, fear, pride, lust, etc. get in the way of what we know is right and true. 2 Peter 3:3-4; 14, “Know this, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation....” (14) ...beloved, looking forward to the Day of the Lord, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless….”
Unlike us, God won’t get tired or broken down in the race, but like us, He wants to encourage us to keep going, push through the setbacks, and to remember the goal, the purpose for our running.
Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Our focus may be the determining factor as to our faithfulness, our perseverance, and ultimately our growing love for God.
I can’t help but think that God really likes to see His children take up running the race that He’s involved in – the race to save the world. John said in 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that My children walk (or run) in truth.” (also 2 John 4).
Our journey with God here on earth is truly a race (Hebrews 12:1, 2 Timothy 4:7). A physical feat of persevering through the pain and frustrations of failures and setbacks. It doesn’t take long to realize how much sin trips us up, making it impossible to run perfectly. But God has given us His spirit to be our motivator and coach.
Galatians 5:16-17, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
Our opponent in this race could really be ourselves. We allow doubt, fear, pride, lust, etc. get in the way of what we know is right and true. 2 Peter 3:3-4; 14, “Know this, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation....” (14) ...beloved, looking forward to the Day of the Lord, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless….”
Unlike us, God won’t get tired or broken down in the race, but like us, He wants to encourage us to keep going, push through the setbacks, and to remember the goal, the purpose for our running.
Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Our focus may be the determining factor as to our faithfulness, our perseverance, and ultimately our growing love for God.