"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"-John 1:29
Let's just remember the reality of this truth. So often we look for things in our lives to fix problems, ease heartache, and fulfill emptiness. Praise the Lord we can stop looking for "whats" and start casting our eyes on the one and only "who" that is capable of saving us from ourselves and giving us love, hope, and life!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Don't Touch the Hot Stove
"For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints." -Proverbs 2:6-8
The book of Proverbs is all about wisdom and chapter two, fittingly in the beginning of the book, is about the "Value of Wisdom." It's such a dense chapter and I would be remiss to suggest that this post is a summery of it, so read it! Having said this, there is a theme.
#1.) Wisdom comes from God and he willingly provides it to us. Maybe we don't appreciate that as much as we should because we don't understand the purpose of wisdom sometimes. Maybe we think wisdom is just something that old people get over time and it means they can skillfully dial up those old cliches on the spot just when you don't want to hear them. You know, there's always someone "wise" around right when you're about to buy that sweet, new gadget, wagging their wrinkly finger and saying, "a penny saved is a penny earned." Or when something really lame has happened in your life....there they are again, suggesting you "look at both side of the coin." No....Godly, biblical wisdom is far more than the ability to make youngsters roll their eyes at trite verbiage delivered with a plastic smile and prideful tone.
#2.) Wisdom is for our protection. If you go through Proverbs 2 and circle all of the verbs that describe the acitions of the LORD in response to our willingness to accept wisdom, it's quite telling. He is "guarding," "watching," and "delivering."
It's only appropriate I end this post with a cliched analogy. Just like when mom or dad told you back when you were a little tot not to touch the stove because they wanted to protect you, our heavenly Father loves us so much as to offer wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of Him and his commandments....not because he wants us to grow prideful in our ourselves or because he wants us to live boring, risk-less lives, but so that we may be guarded from evil as we carry his name.
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints." -Proverbs 2:6-8
The book of Proverbs is all about wisdom and chapter two, fittingly in the beginning of the book, is about the "Value of Wisdom." It's such a dense chapter and I would be remiss to suggest that this post is a summery of it, so read it! Having said this, there is a theme.
#1.) Wisdom comes from God and he willingly provides it to us. Maybe we don't appreciate that as much as we should because we don't understand the purpose of wisdom sometimes. Maybe we think wisdom is just something that old people get over time and it means they can skillfully dial up those old cliches on the spot just when you don't want to hear them. You know, there's always someone "wise" around right when you're about to buy that sweet, new gadget, wagging their wrinkly finger and saying, "a penny saved is a penny earned." Or when something really lame has happened in your life....there they are again, suggesting you "look at both side of the coin." No....Godly, biblical wisdom is far more than the ability to make youngsters roll their eyes at trite verbiage delivered with a plastic smile and prideful tone.
#2.) Wisdom is for our protection. If you go through Proverbs 2 and circle all of the verbs that describe the acitions of the LORD in response to our willingness to accept wisdom, it's quite telling. He is "guarding," "watching," and "delivering."
It's only appropriate I end this post with a cliched analogy. Just like when mom or dad told you back when you were a little tot not to touch the stove because they wanted to protect you, our heavenly Father loves us so much as to offer wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of Him and his commandments....not because he wants us to grow prideful in our ourselves or because he wants us to live boring, risk-less lives, but so that we may be guarded from evil as we carry his name.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
When the earth quakes....
"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains." -Mark 13:8
Jesus goes on in verse 10 in saying "And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations." Friends, every day we get closer to the return of Jesus....are we ready for it?
Jesus goes on in verse 10 in saying "And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations." Friends, every day we get closer to the return of Jesus....are we ready for it?
Monday, August 22, 2011
A Double Dog Sized Dare
"Then David said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.'" - 1 Chronicles 28:20
The definition of courage according to the dictionary is:
the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear.
Needless to say, the need for courage implies that a situation or task or calling is going to be difficult and even scary. If I told you that someone was drowning and needed rescuing but didn't give you the tools you needed to go save them (location, a boat, a life vest or one of those life saver tubes), just told you to be brave, maybe you wouldn't go. That's not at all what God's asking of us. I love how Solomon goes on immediately after commanding David to be courageous about the God who will accompany him. We're called to be courageous, but are given the ultimate tool....the God of the universe who will go before us and guide our path.
Where is God asking you to be courageous today in your life? Maybe there are new and uncomfortable situations or unreached people who need to hear about Jesus from you. Expect it to be scarier than a double dog sized dare, but realize that you will not be alone, and go where he has called with courage!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Standing in Awe
"On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness"-Psalm 145:5-7a
When was the last time we were stunned by the power and love of our heavenly Father? And what's more, he actually allows us to partake in glorifying him...what an honor. Louie Giglio puts this in perspective:
When was the last time we were stunned by the power and love of our heavenly Father? And what's more, he actually allows us to partake in glorifying him...what an honor. Louie Giglio puts this in perspective:
Saturday, August 20, 2011
What are we really asking?
"For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land." -Psalm 37:9
Have you ever prayed for patience? I got to thinking the other day that when I pray for patience, many times, it's not really a peace about waiting that I want. What my heart is often after is that what I am waiting for comes more quickly. Earnestly seeking patience through prayer means that we rejoice when God makes us wait because it develops that patience further, right? Let's make it our goal to seek God's peace and hope through seasons in our lives wherein he has us waiting on him, that's patience! And patience in the Lord is never fruitless.
While I'm Waiting- John Waller
Have you ever prayed for patience? I got to thinking the other day that when I pray for patience, many times, it's not really a peace about waiting that I want. What my heart is often after is that what I am waiting for comes more quickly. Earnestly seeking patience through prayer means that we rejoice when God makes us wait because it develops that patience further, right? Let's make it our goal to seek God's peace and hope through seasons in our lives wherein he has us waiting on him, that's patience! And patience in the Lord is never fruitless.
While I'm Waiting- John Waller
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Aiming to be Mistaken
"to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."-Ephesians 4:12-13
What a life goal it is to seek to attain to the measure of Christ!! So are we continually maturing in the faith? And is everything that we do best for reflecting Jesus? I think that people who realize that they are ransomed and redeemed aim to "be mistaken for Jesus."
Mistaken by Warren Barfield
What a life goal it is to seek to attain to the measure of Christ!! So are we continually maturing in the faith? And is everything that we do best for reflecting Jesus? I think that people who realize that they are ransomed and redeemed aim to "be mistaken for Jesus."
Mistaken by Warren Barfield
Monday, August 15, 2011
Why Not Submit?
"Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps."-Psalm 135:6
Umm, this is so simply, if we have the option of following either our own plans or the plans of the one who determines all things ultimately anyway, why not submit and be on the same page as God, the creator and controller of all things?
Umm, this is so simply, if we have the option of following either our own plans or the plans of the one who determines all things ultimately anyway, why not submit and be on the same page as God, the creator and controller of all things?
Friday, August 12, 2011
Ransomed
"knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ like that of a lamb without blemish or spot...." -1 Peter 1:18-19
I'm sure we've all seen movies or TV shows where the bad guys are holding one of the good guys captive and they call the other good guys demanding money for that prisoner's release. That's worldly ransom, but seldom do the rescuers even end up paying the money. They come with a fake suitcase of "money" or they come with the money but also with a plan of freeing the captive and getting away without paying. Yes, they value the prisoner enough to put themselves in harm's way on his or her behalf, but often they don't have the money to pay the ransom or if they do, they simply don't want to give it up.
Not the case with Jesus. In fact, he gave up much more than a couple billion dollars, and when it comes to having the ransom, he happens to be the ONLY one who does. Christ, the sinless lamb is the only one capable of paying for our captivity to sin. And he willingly did so, without an escape plan or counterfeit money in the suitcase.
The context to this verse is of course important, but what if we didn't look at the context at all (in fact you might find I awkwardly didn't continue onto verse 20, leaving an incomplete sentence and thought), and simply looked at these two verses? What if we read these truths to a man or women, boy or girl who had never been introduced to the gospel? Assuming they believed them to be true, what type would they think would be the appropriate response "knowing that (they) were ransomed"? When someone pays for us that way, actually, when the only one capable of paying for us that way does so, do we respond with an offering of a life of holiness?
I'm sure we've all seen movies or TV shows where the bad guys are holding one of the good guys captive and they call the other good guys demanding money for that prisoner's release. That's worldly ransom, but seldom do the rescuers even end up paying the money. They come with a fake suitcase of "money" or they come with the money but also with a plan of freeing the captive and getting away without paying. Yes, they value the prisoner enough to put themselves in harm's way on his or her behalf, but often they don't have the money to pay the ransom or if they do, they simply don't want to give it up.
Not the case with Jesus. In fact, he gave up much more than a couple billion dollars, and when it comes to having the ransom, he happens to be the ONLY one who does. Christ, the sinless lamb is the only one capable of paying for our captivity to sin. And he willingly did so, without an escape plan or counterfeit money in the suitcase.
The context to this verse is of course important, but what if we didn't look at the context at all (in fact you might find I awkwardly didn't continue onto verse 20, leaving an incomplete sentence and thought), and simply looked at these two verses? What if we read these truths to a man or women, boy or girl who had never been introduced to the gospel? Assuming they believed them to be true, what type would they think would be the appropriate response "knowing that (they) were ransomed"? When someone pays for us that way, actually, when the only one capable of paying for us that way does so, do we respond with an offering of a life of holiness?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
When Your Kingdom Gets Demolished
"Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar."-Psalm 51:18-19
This is straight from a devotional called "Whiter than Snow" Meditations on Sin and Mercy by Paul David Tripp.....
Why does David pray for prosperity? For one reason, he asks it for the glory and delight of the Lord. When God prospers people who are no longer living for their own little kingdoms but are living for his, the result is the furtherance of his kingdom purposes on earth, which results in his glory...So is it right to pray for prosperity? It is and you should, not for the sake of your kingdom, but for the success of his.
Are we willing to have our own kingdoms, agendas, and comforts,demolished for the sake of the furthering of the name of Jesus? In return, we'll have the deepest of satisfaction!!!
This is straight from a devotional called "Whiter than Snow" Meditations on Sin and Mercy by Paul David Tripp.....
Why does David pray for prosperity? For one reason, he asks it for the glory and delight of the Lord. When God prospers people who are no longer living for their own little kingdoms but are living for his, the result is the furtherance of his kingdom purposes on earth, which results in his glory...So is it right to pray for prosperity? It is and you should, not for the sake of your kingdom, but for the success of his.
Are we willing to have our own kingdoms, agendas, and comforts,demolished for the sake of the furthering of the name of Jesus? In return, we'll have the deepest of satisfaction!!!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Secret Agent
"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."- Matthew 10:16
Jesus is sending out the disciples in this passage, but because he has called us to the same mission of making disciples, his instructions are relevant to us. So I feel like a secret agent being sent out on a mission when I read this.
I had to study Bible this verse (yes, "to study Bible" is indeed a verb) and it said that serpents are a symbol of shrewdness, which is defined as having a keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and a sense of practicality. As ambassadors for Jesus, we have to be smart, maybe a little sneaky (in truth of course, not deceitful), and intentional about when we share the gospel and who we spend our time with along with a bunch of other things. In all of this we must be held blameless. That's a fine line to walk.
This scripture is also a warning. Following Jesus will be dangerous, and that sounds exciting to me. I'm not sure how people can say that biblical Christianity is boring in any way.
Jesus is sending out the disciples in this passage, but because he has called us to the same mission of making disciples, his instructions are relevant to us. So I feel like a secret agent being sent out on a mission when I read this.
I had to study Bible this verse (yes, "to study Bible" is indeed a verb) and it said that serpents are a symbol of shrewdness, which is defined as having a keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and a sense of practicality. As ambassadors for Jesus, we have to be smart, maybe a little sneaky (in truth of course, not deceitful), and intentional about when we share the gospel and who we spend our time with along with a bunch of other things. In all of this we must be held blameless. That's a fine line to walk.
This scripture is also a warning. Following Jesus will be dangerous, and that sounds exciting to me. I'm not sure how people can say that biblical Christianity is boring in any way.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
It's a Win Win Situation
"Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice."-Philippians 1:18
I want to live with Paul's attitude, that regardless of anything (circumstances, methods, attitudes, persecutions) if the name of Jesus Christ is getting out, it's a win in his book. So if we get run over, chewed up, and spit out and people hear about Jesus because of it?......WIN! If our feelings get hurt and our pride destroyed and people hear about Jesus?......WIN! And even as we look ahead to verse 21, if we loose our lives for the sake of the gospel?.....WIN! Live every day for the WINS even if it's uncomfortable!
I want to live with Paul's attitude, that regardless of anything (circumstances, methods, attitudes, persecutions) if the name of Jesus Christ is getting out, it's a win in his book. So if we get run over, chewed up, and spit out and people hear about Jesus because of it?......WIN! If our feelings get hurt and our pride destroyed and people hear about Jesus?......WIN! And even as we look ahead to verse 21, if we loose our lives for the sake of the gospel?.....WIN! Live every day for the WINS even if it's uncomfortable!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Give and Take and Get What We Don't Deserve
"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart"-Psalm 37:4
This scripture is so dense and there are so many ways you can go with it, but let's talk linguistics. According to the dictionary, "delight" has two meanings
1.) to take great pleasure or joy
2.) to give great pleasure or joy
So we are able to be pleased and fulfilled in Jesus.
At the same time, we are to offer pleasure to the Lord by glorifying his name and following his commandments.
When we take great pleasure in the Lord, our desires are taken care of. Our hearts are fulfilled in that alone. I've used this verse as a reminder that the Lord's timing is perfect, and it is, and it is so true that sometimes he has us wait on him, but maybe sometimes, we need to realize that true delight in the Lord meets the desires of our hearts!
This scripture is so dense and there are so many ways you can go with it, but let's talk linguistics. According to the dictionary, "delight" has two meanings
1.) to take great pleasure or joy
2.) to give great pleasure or joy
So we are able to be pleased and fulfilled in Jesus.
At the same time, we are to offer pleasure to the Lord by glorifying his name and following his commandments.
When we take great pleasure in the Lord, our desires are taken care of. Our hearts are fulfilled in that alone. I've used this verse as a reminder that the Lord's timing is perfect, and it is, and it is so true that sometimes he has us wait on him, but maybe sometimes, we need to realize that true delight in the Lord meets the desires of our hearts!
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