04 August 2010
Freedom in Obedience
Here is a great maxim from Dietrich Bonhoffer in his book The Cost of Discipleship: "Only those who obey can believe, and only those who believe can obey." Jesus calls everyone to discipleship. We cannot blame our disobedience on Him. On page 73 he says concerning the rich young ruler who approached Jesus, "Only the devil has an answer for our moral difficulties, and he says: "Keep on posing problems, and you will escape the necessity of obedience"...There is one thing only which Jesus takes seriously, and that is that it is high time the young man began to hear the commandment and obey it. Where moral difficulties are taken so seriously, where they torment and enslave man, because they do not leave him open to the freeing activity of obedience, it is there that his total godlessness is revealed. All his difficulties are shown to be ungodly, frivolous, and the proof of sheer disobedience. The one thing that matters is practical obedience. That will solve his difficulties and make him (and all of us) free to become the child of God."
29 July 2010
Into the Furnace!
How often are God's ways different than ours! We are always looking and praying to avoid difficulties while God intends we endure them! I don't see things the way God sees them from the onset. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego has taught me much. These Hebrew men stood resolutely in the face of certain death believing God could deliver them out of King Nebuchadnezzar's hands. When the music played they refused to bow before the image he set up, and he commanded the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual so their death would be certain.
If I had been in their shoes, I suppose I would have prayed the wrong things from the start. I would have prayed something like, "God, help us not to be caught when we refuse to bow down." Well, they were caught. Then, "LORD, please keep us out of that fiery furnace." They were thrown into the furnace. Only THEN would I have thought to pray as clothes caught fire, "God, please use this situation for your glory." It was only once inside the furnace that God's glory could be revealed. God used that furnace to refine the faith of the Hebrew men and all the children of God since. When I would have been dodging that furnace, God wanted to meet His children INSIDE of it!
Inside the fiery trial is not only where we will have the closest, sweetest fellowship with Jesus, but that is where the eyes of others will be opened to His reality. It was amazing that the Hebrew men walked around unharmed in the fire, and a fourth man appeared with them likened unto the Son of God! It was then that King Nebuchadnezzar called them out of the furnace as servants of the Most High God! Even in the middle of that raging furnace the men were completely unharmed and had to be invited out. But I can assure you they were as profoundly affected as Nebuchadnezzar - perhaps not with shock and amazement, but a deep strengthening of their faith.
God does not refine His children in a vacuum, but out in the open (even in the furnace!) so others may see. The furnace is not a wonderful place, but God makes wonderful use of it. Though we may squirm at the thought of trials and difficulties, it is in that place where God has us right where He wants us. This way we trust in Him alone, and all the world will know there IS a God who is real, mighty, and good. It is in the furnace His Word is proven and our faith strengthened. Our God is able to deliver us from the hottest furnace and willing to meet us in the most severe trial. Will we trust Him?
If I had been in their shoes, I suppose I would have prayed the wrong things from the start. I would have prayed something like, "God, help us not to be caught when we refuse to bow down." Well, they were caught. Then, "LORD, please keep us out of that fiery furnace." They were thrown into the furnace. Only THEN would I have thought to pray as clothes caught fire, "God, please use this situation for your glory." It was only once inside the furnace that God's glory could be revealed. God used that furnace to refine the faith of the Hebrew men and all the children of God since. When I would have been dodging that furnace, God wanted to meet His children INSIDE of it!
Inside the fiery trial is not only where we will have the closest, sweetest fellowship with Jesus, but that is where the eyes of others will be opened to His reality. It was amazing that the Hebrew men walked around unharmed in the fire, and a fourth man appeared with them likened unto the Son of God! It was then that King Nebuchadnezzar called them out of the furnace as servants of the Most High God! Even in the middle of that raging furnace the men were completely unharmed and had to be invited out. But I can assure you they were as profoundly affected as Nebuchadnezzar - perhaps not with shock and amazement, but a deep strengthening of their faith.
God does not refine His children in a vacuum, but out in the open (even in the furnace!) so others may see. The furnace is not a wonderful place, but God makes wonderful use of it. Though we may squirm at the thought of trials and difficulties, it is in that place where God has us right where He wants us. This way we trust in Him alone, and all the world will know there IS a God who is real, mighty, and good. It is in the furnace His Word is proven and our faith strengthened. Our God is able to deliver us from the hottest furnace and willing to meet us in the most severe trial. Will we trust Him?
28 July 2010
What does it mean?
I saw a viral video the other day which caught my attention. I actually read about the video "Double Rainbow" before I saw it because people were curious about the man who shot the footage. What was the story of the man behind the camera who was so excited about a double rainbow? Was he on drugs? A follow-up interview on youtube was very insightful into the mind and life of the man overcome by emotion at seeing the glory of God's creation.
As Paul Vasquez responds in ecstasy to the beautiful rainbow, he asks a question a couple of times: "What does it mean?" Humans are distinct from all creation in that we appreciate beauty. Beauty is linked with significance. Whether we see a gorgeous painting, a masterful sculpture in a gallery, catch the scent of a gently perfumed rose, or drink in a majestic sunset, we are naturally filled with appreciation and delight. Works of art do not randomly occur, and the beauty of nature is no accident. Good books and movies always have a reason they were made, a particular point the director or author desires to artistically bring forth. In a similar way, God has created the earth and all living things for a singular purpose: His glory! Psalm 19:1-3 teaches us, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. [2] Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. [3] There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."
Rainbows can be explained as a "natural phenomenon," but never forget that it is God who has perfectly tuned and sustains nature for life to exist. The beauty alone of a rainbow or the science which attempts to explain it cannot touch the significance. Thankfully God explains the meaning of the rainbow in the Bible! After the destruction of the great flood Genesis 9:13-16 reads, "I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. [14] It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; [15] and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. [16] The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
I was delighted to hear the emotion of Mr. Vasquez and I have no doubt God relished it as well. It was so natural, so genuine. I do not know of his personal beliefs concerning God, and no doubt some would cringe at the repetition of "Oh my G-d!" as blasphemous. Interestingly enough, that particular phrase is used some 20 times in scripture during occasions of prayer or worship. That phrase has become flippant, common, and when used without reverence would indeed be blasphemous. But how can I judge a man overcome with tears while witnessing the beauty of God's creation on account of his verbiage? People assume someone so excited about a double-rainbow must be on drugs. I only wish us Christians had that kind of excitement about the God who made those rainbows!
Every rainbow in the sky is placed there by God. He takes ownership of every one. When "I set My rainbow in the cloud...I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." That curved band of color is a sign of God's promise to all who live that He will never destroy all flesh with a flood again. The significance has not changed since the beginning. As God creates every rainbow and looks upon it, I cannot help but consider He looks upon all people He has made to see if they glory in His handiwork. If we will shout for a sport team, how much more should we cheer on the Creator of all things! In this God is pleased.
As Paul Vasquez responds in ecstasy to the beautiful rainbow, he asks a question a couple of times: "What does it mean?" Humans are distinct from all creation in that we appreciate beauty. Beauty is linked with significance. Whether we see a gorgeous painting, a masterful sculpture in a gallery, catch the scent of a gently perfumed rose, or drink in a majestic sunset, we are naturally filled with appreciation and delight. Works of art do not randomly occur, and the beauty of nature is no accident. Good books and movies always have a reason they were made, a particular point the director or author desires to artistically bring forth. In a similar way, God has created the earth and all living things for a singular purpose: His glory! Psalm 19:1-3 teaches us, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. [2] Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. [3] There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."
Rainbows can be explained as a "natural phenomenon," but never forget that it is God who has perfectly tuned and sustains nature for life to exist. The beauty alone of a rainbow or the science which attempts to explain it cannot touch the significance. Thankfully God explains the meaning of the rainbow in the Bible! After the destruction of the great flood Genesis 9:13-16 reads, "I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. [14] It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; [15] and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. [16] The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
I was delighted to hear the emotion of Mr. Vasquez and I have no doubt God relished it as well. It was so natural, so genuine. I do not know of his personal beliefs concerning God, and no doubt some would cringe at the repetition of "Oh my G-d!" as blasphemous. Interestingly enough, that particular phrase is used some 20 times in scripture during occasions of prayer or worship. That phrase has become flippant, common, and when used without reverence would indeed be blasphemous. But how can I judge a man overcome with tears while witnessing the beauty of God's creation on account of his verbiage? People assume someone so excited about a double-rainbow must be on drugs. I only wish us Christians had that kind of excitement about the God who made those rainbows!
Every rainbow in the sky is placed there by God. He takes ownership of every one. When "I set My rainbow in the cloud...I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." That curved band of color is a sign of God's promise to all who live that He will never destroy all flesh with a flood again. The significance has not changed since the beginning. As God creates every rainbow and looks upon it, I cannot help but consider He looks upon all people He has made to see if they glory in His handiwork. If we will shout for a sport team, how much more should we cheer on the Creator of all things! In this God is pleased.
24 July 2010
Glory in Jesus
Job 9:2-3 reads, "Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God? [3] If one wished to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand." When we read this verse tonight during our family Bible reading, my mind instantly thought of the game show "Jeopardy!". I haven't watched the show in years, but during my teen years I enjoyed trying to answer the questions before the contestants. Occasionally I would know the correct answer, and rarely I would give the right answer twice in a row! I can't say that I have ever correctly answered a final Jeopardy! question, and I certainly never could have qualified to appear on the show.
In 2004, Ken Jennings appeared on 75 consecutive shows, winning 74 times in a row. He amassed over 2.5 million dollars during these games. Even though he was absolutely dominant, even he did not answer every question correctly. It's amazing to consider that even someone as smart as Jennings concerning trivia could not answer God one time of a thousand concerning his righteousness. No man or woman who walks the earth can justify themselves before God either by their works, intentions, possessions, or by any means. No one has the power or ability to contend with God or "shut Him down." God will not "talk to the hand:" He created the hand, and has the power and right to incinerate every one of them with the fires of hell.
Romans 3:19 says, "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." All mankind is condemned under God's perfect law, and He has offered atonement and salvation through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This is how God's great love for us has been manifested: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! If our salvation from sin could be obtained through knowledge alone, Ken Jennings and many Pharisees would have fared quite well. But the fact remains that repentance and faith in Jesus is the narrow gate through we must stoop to enter eternal rest in Heaven. We are qualified not through information but the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the remission of sins and His imputed righteousness toward us. 1 Cor. 1:30-31 affirms: "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." Young men boast in their strength, and the learned might glory in their knowledge, but may we live to glorify Christ alone.
In 2004, Ken Jennings appeared on 75 consecutive shows, winning 74 times in a row. He amassed over 2.5 million dollars during these games. Even though he was absolutely dominant, even he did not answer every question correctly. It's amazing to consider that even someone as smart as Jennings concerning trivia could not answer God one time of a thousand concerning his righteousness. No man or woman who walks the earth can justify themselves before God either by their works, intentions, possessions, or by any means. No one has the power or ability to contend with God or "shut Him down." God will not "talk to the hand:" He created the hand, and has the power and right to incinerate every one of them with the fires of hell.
Romans 3:19 says, "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." All mankind is condemned under God's perfect law, and He has offered atonement and salvation through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This is how God's great love for us has been manifested: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! If our salvation from sin could be obtained through knowledge alone, Ken Jennings and many Pharisees would have fared quite well. But the fact remains that repentance and faith in Jesus is the narrow gate through we must stoop to enter eternal rest in Heaven. We are qualified not through information but the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the remission of sins and His imputed righteousness toward us. 1 Cor. 1:30-31 affirms: "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." Young men boast in their strength, and the learned might glory in their knowledge, but may we live to glorify Christ alone.
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