Awhile back I turned on the TV and watched the first 10 minutes of a show called, "Deadliest Roads." During the episode titled "Thin Air," one of the truck drivers was tasked to carry a statue of Buddha to another monastery higher up the Rohtang Pass in India. As the monks carefully placed their golden deity in the back of his truck the driver asked incredulously: "Is that your god?" One of the men answered yes. As he slowly drove up the mountain the idol was shown in the back of the cargo area, shaking with every vibration of the truck. When I saw that golden idol sitting in the dark, carefully wrapped with protective cloths, I thought of Isaiah 40:18-20: "To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him? 19 The workman molds an image, the goldsmith overspreads it with gold, and the silversmith casts silver chains. 20 Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks for himself a skillful workman to prepare a carved image that will not totter."
In this passage, the True Living God points out the folly in those who serve idols. These devout monks took great care to ensure their idol would not tip over and break! Is that a god worthy of worship? Here is another passage that reveals the foolishness of idolatry. Psalm 115:5-8 describes: "They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them." After stating the obvious, this scripture finishes with a stern indictment: everyone who worships an idol is as powerless as their idol. The truth is, man is no more powerful than the god or gods he serves. Man made by God in the image of God can choose to make gods according to his own design. Anything we worship that is not the creator of heaven and earth - whether it be money, fame, power, self, or that which is made - are all idols which are powerless to hear, speak, or save.
Let us take this thought even further. Since scripture has established that man is no greater than his god, what does this say of those who serve the Almighty God, the great I AM? We have not made God, but He has created us. He is the God who created light, water, the heavens the earth, the universe known and unknown, all life, plants, animals, people, speech, and communication. He is a God in whom all the senses originate: sight, hearing, smell, touch, the speaking of words, the ability to move and act. When a person chooses to trust and worship Jesus Christ as LORD, he places his faith in the Living God, the pre-imminent One, the God who has made all things. Jesus did many signs pointing to His divinity: He made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the mute to speak, set the captives free by delivering people from prisons of sin and unclean spirits, made the lame and paralyzed to walk, healed lepers, and raised the dead to life. Now there is a God who will not totter! Crucify Him if you like, but He will rise incorruptible and glorified!
We do not serve a God who reserves all ability for Himself, but a gracious God who empowers us with the Holy Spirit. Jesus says in John 14:12, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." Paul affirms in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This is not an idle boast, but the reality of life revealed in a lifestyle reserved for all who trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour. We do not seek to do things to make a name for ourselves, but for the power of God to be so revealed through our lives that only He receives all the glory. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 says, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." We do not become gods by placing our faith in Christ, but by His grace He makes us like Him: alive and empowered with the Holy Spirit!
Man is no more powerful than the gods he serves. A man may serve a million deities, but if they are all lifeless and powerless he only clutters his life with useless garbage. But if you serve the One and Only True God, you serve a powerful living God who hears, speaks, heals, moves, and answers. False gods are only fit for the fire, for that is where all sin ultimately goes. If we cling to our idols, we bring their judgment upon ourselves. Yet when we repent and place our faith in Christ, He grants us a pardon and gives us eternal life. I choose life! John 14:6 records the immortal truth: "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." He says the same to you today!
11 July 2011
08 July 2011
Blessed Assurance!
When I emptied out our letterbox yesterday, among the junk mail was a advertisement which promised "2 Hours of Heaven - only $79.00." I suppose this could be correct - if a facial, a pedicure, eyebrow shape, and 1/2 of your back massaged is heaven! For me, this promise of heaven was not reassuring. We can pay money for insurance, but we still have little assurance in this world. Even insurance companies who receive goods for services have the skillful knack of wriggling off the hook.
Here's another example: Zed's bunny CJ has a blocked tear duct, apparently a common malady among rabbits. We took her to the vet, and shelled out what I consider to be a ludicrous amount of money for treatment (one could afford nearly 4 hours of heaven with that kind of money!). I might be able to justify it if the treatment actually worked. But after a couple weeks of medicine and careful cleaning, little CJ's eye is not better. The vet wants us to come back for another consulting fee plus treatment costs. I jumped online to learn a little about various remedies. Come to find out that for some bunnies, this is a chronic condition not improved through antibiotics, tooth extraction, or draining with a catheter! I would be more inclined to pay for treatment if the vet would give me assurance they will fix the problem with a set price. But can they offer me such assurance? Not in this world!
The world can offer no assurance like God. What He says He will do. While speaking to the religious people in Athens Paul says this in Acts 17:30-31: "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Through Christ's death and resurrection, God has given us assurance of several things: that He will ultimately judge all people according to righteousness, and has also given assurance that those who repent and trust in Jesus Christ will overcome death and be given eternal life, even as Jesus has. People alive in this world only have assurance of death and judgment. Judgment of sinners according to God's righteousness means certain damnation. But God gives assurance of eternal life through repentance and faith in Christ. How good is God's assurance!
Armed with this knowledge, we receive this exhortation written in Hebrews 10:19-25: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." The Day of Judgment is approaching, of this we are assured. Let us encourage one another and draw nearer to Christ than ever before, holding fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for God is faithful.
Praise God that what He has promised He is able to perform (Rom. 4:21). Thank God that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6)!
Here's another example: Zed's bunny CJ has a blocked tear duct, apparently a common malady among rabbits. We took her to the vet, and shelled out what I consider to be a ludicrous amount of money for treatment (one could afford nearly 4 hours of heaven with that kind of money!). I might be able to justify it if the treatment actually worked. But after a couple weeks of medicine and careful cleaning, little CJ's eye is not better. The vet wants us to come back for another consulting fee plus treatment costs. I jumped online to learn a little about various remedies. Come to find out that for some bunnies, this is a chronic condition not improved through antibiotics, tooth extraction, or draining with a catheter! I would be more inclined to pay for treatment if the vet would give me assurance they will fix the problem with a set price. But can they offer me such assurance? Not in this world!
The world can offer no assurance like God. What He says He will do. While speaking to the religious people in Athens Paul says this in Acts 17:30-31: "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Through Christ's death and resurrection, God has given us assurance of several things: that He will ultimately judge all people according to righteousness, and has also given assurance that those who repent and trust in Jesus Christ will overcome death and be given eternal life, even as Jesus has. People alive in this world only have assurance of death and judgment. Judgment of sinners according to God's righteousness means certain damnation. But God gives assurance of eternal life through repentance and faith in Christ. How good is God's assurance!
Armed with this knowledge, we receive this exhortation written in Hebrews 10:19-25: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." The Day of Judgment is approaching, of this we are assured. Let us encourage one another and draw nearer to Christ than ever before, holding fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for God is faithful.
Praise God that what He has promised He is able to perform (Rom. 4:21). Thank God that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6)!
06 July 2011
The Show Goes On!
Last night I watched the highly-anticipated and fairly anti-climactic finale of the Origin series, a best-of-three rugby league matches between Queensland (Maroons) and New South Wales (Blues). Like the five previous Origin outcomes, the Maroons once again proved they are the team to beat with a trouncing of the Blues 34-24. It was a valiant effort from both sides, but the amazing initial 24-0 run by the Maroons proved too great a mountain to climb.
Compared to American football, most rugby league matches are relatively free from catastrophic or season-ending injuries - which is good! There were two notable injuries in the game, one to Michael Ennis of the Blues who was coughing up blood. The other injury brought the game to a standstill for three minutes when Johnathan Thurston of the Maroons was carted off the field, having suffered a damaged knee. After being carted off the field to applause with his head in his hands, the game promptly resumed. Another player took his place and the game continued as if nothing had happened.
This made me think about all the times I have seen people carted off a field in the NFL: some came back later that season, others missed the rest of the season, and some never played again. In all those hundreds of occasions I have witnessed, the game was never called off. The game always picked right up again. Men rose from their knees, strapped on their helmets, stepped back into the huddle, and lined up to do it again. In show business there is a phrase: "The show must go on!" People have paid to see the show, and they must not be disappointed. I remember a story a drama teacher at my high school told concerning a play in which he acted. During a sword duel, he was slashed badly on his arm. He finished the scene, trying to conceal the laceration which bled heavily. He was convinced: the show must go on!
In sports and entertainment, there will always be people tomorrow to replace the stars who shine so brightly today. The entertainment industry churns out stars as fast as they fall. The industry is bigger than the individual parts. In a way this is similar to how God's plans continues to progress despite the failures or shortcomings of those who make up the Body of Christ. God's will is bigger than the sum of the individual parts. His plans are not dependent on a single person or group to achieve a goal. If the people did not cry out in praise when Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the rocks would have screamed praise.
But in another sense, it is impossible to compare the worldly system to that of God. Instead of His focus being on establishing leaders with charming personalities or incredible natural gifts, God desires to show His glory through simple people unadorned with fame. Every Christian has an equally important part in the Body of Christ. There are no star players in God's kingdom, only Jesus and those who follow Him. If another brother or sister falls, we are to seek for them to be restored to walking, serving and fully-pleasing God. Life does go on, but God never leaves the fallen behind. Those who are hurting, helpless, and hopeless, are the once Jesus came to restore to Himself. When we fall down, Christ does not cast you aside and move on to the next person because your usefulness has ceased to meet His high standards: He will never leave or forsake you. He doesn't make you go through rehab and physical therapy alone because He is our Healer!
What a God we serve! Today we can hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" if we will humble ourselves and diligently seek Him. I read this morning the awe-inspiring promise of God for all who believe: 2 Chronicles 7:14: "...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." God's show does not depend upon me, and it goes on whether we humble ourselves or not. But if we want a role in seeing God's will performed, we must obey Him. We are never too young or too old to serve Him, and His plan is we will glorify Him in service and praise for eternity! How wonderful that God is a Provider, our Healer, and our Peace!
Compared to American football, most rugby league matches are relatively free from catastrophic or season-ending injuries - which is good! There were two notable injuries in the game, one to Michael Ennis of the Blues who was coughing up blood. The other injury brought the game to a standstill for three minutes when Johnathan Thurston of the Maroons was carted off the field, having suffered a damaged knee. After being carted off the field to applause with his head in his hands, the game promptly resumed. Another player took his place and the game continued as if nothing had happened.
This made me think about all the times I have seen people carted off a field in the NFL: some came back later that season, others missed the rest of the season, and some never played again. In all those hundreds of occasions I have witnessed, the game was never called off. The game always picked right up again. Men rose from their knees, strapped on their helmets, stepped back into the huddle, and lined up to do it again. In show business there is a phrase: "The show must go on!" People have paid to see the show, and they must not be disappointed. I remember a story a drama teacher at my high school told concerning a play in which he acted. During a sword duel, he was slashed badly on his arm. He finished the scene, trying to conceal the laceration which bled heavily. He was convinced: the show must go on!
In sports and entertainment, there will always be people tomorrow to replace the stars who shine so brightly today. The entertainment industry churns out stars as fast as they fall. The industry is bigger than the individual parts. In a way this is similar to how God's plans continues to progress despite the failures or shortcomings of those who make up the Body of Christ. God's will is bigger than the sum of the individual parts. His plans are not dependent on a single person or group to achieve a goal. If the people did not cry out in praise when Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the rocks would have screamed praise.
But in another sense, it is impossible to compare the worldly system to that of God. Instead of His focus being on establishing leaders with charming personalities or incredible natural gifts, God desires to show His glory through simple people unadorned with fame. Every Christian has an equally important part in the Body of Christ. There are no star players in God's kingdom, only Jesus and those who follow Him. If another brother or sister falls, we are to seek for them to be restored to walking, serving and fully-pleasing God. Life does go on, but God never leaves the fallen behind. Those who are hurting, helpless, and hopeless, are the once Jesus came to restore to Himself. When we fall down, Christ does not cast you aside and move on to the next person because your usefulness has ceased to meet His high standards: He will never leave or forsake you. He doesn't make you go through rehab and physical therapy alone because He is our Healer!
What a God we serve! Today we can hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" if we will humble ourselves and diligently seek Him. I read this morning the awe-inspiring promise of God for all who believe: 2 Chronicles 7:14: "...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." God's show does not depend upon me, and it goes on whether we humble ourselves or not. But if we want a role in seeing God's will performed, we must obey Him. We are never too young or too old to serve Him, and His plan is we will glorify Him in service and praise for eternity! How wonderful that God is a Provider, our Healer, and our Peace!
04 July 2011
Beautiful Feet
"Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."
John 13:1-5
Humility of this sort is based on love and faith in God. Jesus coming to earth as a man is divine condescension, God made flesh, dwelling among men. Not only did Jesus live as a man, but He humbled Himself in the service of men for the glory of God. Jesus washed the disciple's feet, not to manipulate or to spite them for their inhospitable neglect of washing His feet, but to set an example for every one of His disciples to follow. He washed the filthy feet of those who would run in fear for their own skin in the Garden of Gethsemane and abandon Him. He washed the feet of the man who had already conspired to betray Him. Jesus did not stop even at this point, but went to the cross in obedience to the Father and love for sinful men. Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
John 13:12-16 says, "So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." Jesus entreats us to wash the feet of others. This job is not assigned for certain people in the church, but for all people who are in Christ: a servant is not above his Master. Jesus has placed us in the Body of Christ to fulfill specific purposes and callings, and one purpose for all of us is to wash one another's feet.
In current western culture, washing feet is a foreign concept. But we do not need to work hard to imagine what washing feet is like. For one, most of us have feet! Feet can be stinky, calloused, and even unsightly. In the days of Christ, people tied sandals on their feet and did most of their traveling on foot over dirt roads - if there was a road! If I was in line to have my feet washed, I would want to be in the front of the line because I know that water will quickly turn the color of dirt! But scripture shows us that Jesus took no thought for His life, and did not demand that anyone wash His feet even after washing everyone else's! His request? "You also ought to wash one another's feet." His thoughts were on us, not focused on Himself.
Jesus did not wash feet so He would "have the dirt" on people! When we travel through life with folks at church, sometimes we become aware of struggles or difficulties they have or are currently experiencing. Sometimes we can be treated without respect or care. Biting words, foul tempers, or unsightly attitudes and things all Christians must deal with. Everyone's feet can be smelly! Instead of being put off by other people's dirty feet, we are called to see to restore such a one with a spirit of gentleness, for love covers a multitude of sins. With the wet weather recently, there is an increased need to clean the floors in our house. I can choose to complain loudly to my kids for their carelessness of bringing in mud and grass on their shoes, or I can thank God I have kids and that they can walk! Our attitude in our feet washing makes all the difference, doesn't it?
While we are confronted with dirty feet and a job that never seems to be done (I have to wash my own feet every day in the shower), what should mark my attitude? Ephesians 5:18-21 states, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God." Also it is written in Philippians 2:3-8: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
Can we do this ourselves through effort? No. But it is the will of God to do these things through us, if we will repent and humble ourselves before Him. The joy of the LORD is our strength, for it is His love which compels us! Clean my heart and hands O LORD, wash me in the water of your Word, and fill me with the Holy Spirit so I might wash feet as Jesus did. Thank you Jesus, for washing my heart, mind, and soul! Thank you for your humble example!
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