Millions of people in Australia are waiting with great anticipation because tonight the winner for "The Voice" Australia will be crowned. Week after week, contestants have competed in the televised show for the title. What made the show intriguing from other talent-based reality shows is the judges first heard the contestants with their backs turned. The focus was on the voice, not on appearance or showmanship. Both judges and the public have weighed in to advance singers to the final four. Tonight the winner will be revealed, and it's a tight race anyone can win.
As I was reading the Bible last night, it occurred to me that as amazing and talented as those four final artists are, they could never be "The Voice." They may sing with power, skill, and beauty, but none of them are deserving of the title. Psalm 68:33-34 reads, "To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.
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Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds." Now THAT is the voice! It is the One who spoke into the void: "Let there be light!" and there was light (Genesis 1:3). Darren Percival or Karise Eden have nothing on God's voice! His voice does not simply invoke emotion or stir the soul: God speaks with power to create worlds and destroy them.
The Voice has been an international reality singing sensation. Every single voice, those who sing beautifully or not, have been created by God. As Creator, God deserves the glory. Man tends to make idols of those he admires, but the idols are not worthy of worship. It is God who has created such beauty and given human beings the capacity to appreciate it. King Herod was a man who received such glory from men. As he gave an oration Acts 12:22-23 says, "And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!"
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Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died." No matter how well someone sings or speaks, we ought to bow the knee only before God Almighty.
Another interesting occurrence is recorded after Jesus Christ was baptised in water by John. Matthew 3:16-17 captures the moment: "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
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And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God the Father spoke from heaven, confirming before many witnesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. If we will tune in on Monday nights at 7:30 on Channel 9 to watch "The Voice," how much more important is it to heed THE Voice of God? Job 37:5 says, "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend."
What is the voice of a man or woman before God? He says in Job 40:7-14: "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me:
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"Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?
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Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?
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Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and array yourself with glory and beauty.
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Disperse the rage of your wrath; look on everyone who is proud, and humble him.
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Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; tread down the wicked in their place.
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Hide them in the dust together, bind their faces in hidden darkness. 14
Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you." Who can be compared to God? There is none like Him, in heaven or on earth. No one can thunder with a voice like God!
How gracious and good is God who put on human flesh so He would have a voice which could be heard and understood. God does not only thunder from the heavens, but gives an invitation of salvation to all people. John 7:37 reads, "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."
Also in Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
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Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Have you heard? Listen to His voice today!
17 June 2012
15 June 2012
What Really Matters
It's funny what we can find important. In the ad, "the whole world" was watching the unblinking woman, pulling for her to claim the world record for the longest time without blinking. People react as she survives close calls. There is an absurd sense that those who watched either won or lost vicariously through this woman's strong effort to keep her eyes open. Though the woman falls short of her goal, to me there was a satisfying conclusion. All this media coverage, hoopla, anticipation, and heartbreak was generated over something that in the light of eternity didn't matter one bit.
We can be caught up in so many things that affect our attitudes, emotions, and outlook that are pointless from an eternal perspective. In rugby, a man who kicks the ball wide of the posts is a failure, but the one who places the ball with downward pressure beyond the try line is a hero. A man who runs the wrong direction on a gridiron pitch is a laughing stock (Jim Marshall once scored a safety for the 49ers with great enthusiasm). A man who hits baseballs over the fence fair will make millions more than one who always hits them just foul. Our lives are full of arbitrary events that can make us laugh, smile, cheer, or get angry with frustration. It's good for us to step back and look at the big picture: what does it really matter if my team wins or loses? Who cares if someone keeps their eyes open for 16 hours without blinking? What does it matter if I secure the big contract at work? Does it really matter if I have the office with a better view of the city? What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
Isaiah 40:8 reads, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." The glory of young men is their strength, but men do not stay young forever. A day will come when that same man will glory in his silver hair and potbelly! An athlete who wins a gold medal in the Olympics one year may not even qualify to return four years later. All-Pro gridiron stars make millions one season, and the next they might be working as a bricklayer. Our lives are constantly changing, but God and His Word will remain unchanged forever. God's love, grace, mercy, and justice will always remain the same. Every year a new Guinness Book of World Records is reprinted because so many changes have occurred. But God's Word and His promises never change.
Instead of placing our attitudes and affections at the mercy of the ebbing tide of worldly affairs, let our lives be founded upon Jesus Christ. Those who hear the words of Christ and heed them are compared to a wise man who built His house upon a rock. When the winds blew, when the rain fell, when his team lost, when the lady blinked, the man who makes Christ his foundation remains steadfast, immovable, always abounding in labour for the glory of God. Christianity is a life built for eternity. Only Jesus provides us with a life that really matters!
13 June 2012
Choose Godly Influences
I was reminded yesterday how important it is for parents to be ever vigilant concerning what their kids are exposed to. It is very easy for us to lower our guard. We might think because of homeschooling, sending kids to a Christian school, or going to church is enough. Nope! If you own a TV, a computer connected to the internet, if your kids have mobile phones or Ipods, if your car has windows which allows a child to see out as you drive, if your kids have family, friends, or acquaintances, if you take them to the shops to buy food or clothes, if they read books, magazines, or listen to music, the potential for ungodly influences on your child is a real threat. The world works tirelessly to indoctrinate our children to accept evil as good.
We send our children to a Christian private school. One of my sons was selected out of his class and he received an invitation to participate in an extra-curricular course geared to inspire bright kids to be authors, actors, and artists by a professional tutor. Our son was keen to go, so we decided it would be a great reward for the hard work he has been putting in. After paying the fees, we received a syllabus for the weekend classes. It was immediately apparent that this class was unsuitable for our son because of the pagan and New Age practices they would be exposed to. Now I'm not an "artsy" person. Maybe I don't understand everything that goes into being an actor or artist. But I don't even need to read between the lines to recognise what this class would be promoting is contrary to God's Word.
The introduction explained how the class would "tune their creative instruments" and by "...using exercises and games from all over the world we will energize and focus in on our journey over the weekend." They would learn a vocal "warm up" to use their voices for their advantage, plus a "physical warm up that will awaken the senses and limbs to the creative flow that we will be developing..." Then it went even further: the children would be taught about the Ogham alphabet for the purpose of discovering their "own personal ogham poem." "We will then explore our oghams, finding which sounds, words, physical actions, images and ideas resonate most within us." I thought this class was about being an author, actor, and an artist - not an introduction for my son to practice divination through pagan customs and New Age techniques. Needless to say, after my wife rang the class there is now an opening in a fully-booked course of classes. So sought after are these courses that we could not transfer our son to an alternate class. (Our fee was kindly refunded, if you're wondering!) The school had no idea this class involved these activities, and I wonder if the same could be said of other parents.
Because he will be disappointed, I feel sorry for my son. On the other hand, I am not sorry at all. As good as the course sounded at first, it became clear that it stood in complete contrast to the biblical values we desire to uphold in our family. Had my wife not carefully read the paperwork, we would have sent our son without a thought. It just showed me again how important it is to know what is being taught at school, what your kids are reading, what music they listen to, what games they play, and who they spend time with. I am not suggesting that a bubble be created around your children, but embrace teaching moments when you can explain why a class or a movie is not beneficial according to God's righteous standard. Take time to dialogue with your children, not just "lay down the law." Once my sons leave my care, I want their lives to be grounded on biblical truth and the teachings of Jesus Christ. That will only happen if we are responsible to lay a good foundation by bringing our lives into subjection to God's Word.
We can choose to go the world's way, or God's way. Maybe my son will someday be an incredible actor or artist. That would be great! I believe he can be an amazing actor or artist and still honour God with his life. As Christians, Christ comes first. Being a Christian may eliminate some acting opportunities, but what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Some people are willing to do anything for fame and earthly glory. My job as a parent is to affirm God's truth, protect my kids from evil influences, and train my children to embrace God's way. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
We send our children to a Christian private school. One of my sons was selected out of his class and he received an invitation to participate in an extra-curricular course geared to inspire bright kids to be authors, actors, and artists by a professional tutor. Our son was keen to go, so we decided it would be a great reward for the hard work he has been putting in. After paying the fees, we received a syllabus for the weekend classes. It was immediately apparent that this class was unsuitable for our son because of the pagan and New Age practices they would be exposed to. Now I'm not an "artsy" person. Maybe I don't understand everything that goes into being an actor or artist. But I don't even need to read between the lines to recognise what this class would be promoting is contrary to God's Word.
The introduction explained how the class would "tune their creative instruments" and by "...using exercises and games from all over the world we will energize and focus in on our journey over the weekend." They would learn a vocal "warm up" to use their voices for their advantage, plus a "physical warm up that will awaken the senses and limbs to the creative flow that we will be developing..." Then it went even further: the children would be taught about the Ogham alphabet for the purpose of discovering their "own personal ogham poem." "We will then explore our oghams, finding which sounds, words, physical actions, images and ideas resonate most within us." I thought this class was about being an author, actor, and an artist - not an introduction for my son to practice divination through pagan customs and New Age techniques. Needless to say, after my wife rang the class there is now an opening in a fully-booked course of classes. So sought after are these courses that we could not transfer our son to an alternate class. (Our fee was kindly refunded, if you're wondering!) The school had no idea this class involved these activities, and I wonder if the same could be said of other parents.
Because he will be disappointed, I feel sorry for my son. On the other hand, I am not sorry at all. As good as the course sounded at first, it became clear that it stood in complete contrast to the biblical values we desire to uphold in our family. Had my wife not carefully read the paperwork, we would have sent our son without a thought. It just showed me again how important it is to know what is being taught at school, what your kids are reading, what music they listen to, what games they play, and who they spend time with. I am not suggesting that a bubble be created around your children, but embrace teaching moments when you can explain why a class or a movie is not beneficial according to God's righteous standard. Take time to dialogue with your children, not just "lay down the law." Once my sons leave my care, I want their lives to be grounded on biblical truth and the teachings of Jesus Christ. That will only happen if we are responsible to lay a good foundation by bringing our lives into subjection to God's Word.
We can choose to go the world's way, or God's way. Maybe my son will someday be an incredible actor or artist. That would be great! I believe he can be an amazing actor or artist and still honour God with his life. As Christians, Christ comes first. Being a Christian may eliminate some acting opportunities, but what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Some people are willing to do anything for fame and earthly glory. My job as a parent is to affirm God's truth, protect my kids from evil influences, and train my children to embrace God's way. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
12 June 2012
Marvelously Helped Until...
The Bible never masks the flaws in people. It confirms to man what his conscience already knows to be true: no one is perfect. Jesus Christ is the only righteous one, the Lamb of God without blemish or spot. There is no "cult of personality" concerning the kings, prophets, and others who placed their faith in God. The Bible reveals weakness, foolish choices, sin, and pride. It shows us that although we can have our sins cleansed through faith and repentance in Jesus by grace, we still live in a body of flesh. The potential for wandering from God is real for us all.
Take the case of King Uzziah, for instance. His fifty-two year reign in Judah taken as a single body of work was good. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Chron. 26:4). 2 Chronicles 26:5 reads, "He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper." God made Uzziah to prosper as long as he sought the LORD. God helped Uzziah defeat the Philistines and the Arabians (2 Chron. 26:7). King Uzziah was given a great reputation and became well established. He strengthened his defenses, dug wells, planted vineyards, and had an army with quality weapons and armour. The Bible says they "...made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy." (2 Chron. 26:13) 2 Chronicles 26:15 tells us, "And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong." King Uzziah was helped by God, Zechariah, his army, servants, workers, and skillful inventors. He was wonderfully helped until he became strong. The strength and might of Uzziah would lead to his downfall.
The Bible doesn't just show us his smiling face like in some propaganda posters of government leaders, where everyone is smiling and happy. It paints the picture of a real man. Because he was flawed, Uzziah is someone I and all other flawed people can identify with. 2 Chronicles 26:16 continues: "But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense." King Uzziah transgressed by performing the role of a priest in violation of the Law. When he was confronted by Azariah the high priest and 80 valiant priests who opposed him, Uzziah was angry. He was a mighty king. He would not be corrected by another man! It was pride in his heart which lifted him up that led to disgrace.
As Uzziah fumed with rage any would oppose him, God struck him with leprosy on his forehead. He would not be corrected by men, so God chastened him. God showed grace in not striking Uzziah dead immediately for his sin! Uzziah fled from the altar of incense and lived the rest of his days in solitude until his death. Was God's hand shortened that He could not restore Uzziah's health as He had Miriam and Namaan the Syrian? No. We do not read of Uzziah repenting or seeking healing from God. He was not buried with the kings, but in a field of the kings because of his leprosy. Instead of being known as "the man God marvelously helped," in death he was "Uzziah the leper." We live in a world that defines us with our faults, but God views us on account of our faith. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Even though we receive this forgiveness, there are often still consequences of sin to be dealt with.
What a great exhortation for humility we see here! Paul learned that when he was weak, then he was strong. He was not strong in himself, but in his weakness God was able to strengthen Him wonderfully. We don't need to try to create an impeccable persona, or pretend we are without faults. Our call is to repent and seek to honour God continually in faith. God loves us because of His grace and goodness. He chastens and corrects those whom He loves. He has sent us the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us to live for His glory. Instead of being lifted up with pride, may we be humble and thankful. Let us live in such a way that the "until" is stricken from our lives so God is free to marvelously help!
Take the case of King Uzziah, for instance. His fifty-two year reign in Judah taken as a single body of work was good. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Chron. 26:4). 2 Chronicles 26:5 reads, "He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper." God made Uzziah to prosper as long as he sought the LORD. God helped Uzziah defeat the Philistines and the Arabians (2 Chron. 26:7). King Uzziah was given a great reputation and became well established. He strengthened his defenses, dug wells, planted vineyards, and had an army with quality weapons and armour. The Bible says they "...made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy." (2 Chron. 26:13) 2 Chronicles 26:15 tells us, "And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong." King Uzziah was helped by God, Zechariah, his army, servants, workers, and skillful inventors. He was wonderfully helped until he became strong. The strength and might of Uzziah would lead to his downfall.
The Bible doesn't just show us his smiling face like in some propaganda posters of government leaders, where everyone is smiling and happy. It paints the picture of a real man. Because he was flawed, Uzziah is someone I and all other flawed people can identify with. 2 Chronicles 26:16 continues: "But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense." King Uzziah transgressed by performing the role of a priest in violation of the Law. When he was confronted by Azariah the high priest and 80 valiant priests who opposed him, Uzziah was angry. He was a mighty king. He would not be corrected by another man! It was pride in his heart which lifted him up that led to disgrace.
As Uzziah fumed with rage any would oppose him, God struck him with leprosy on his forehead. He would not be corrected by men, so God chastened him. God showed grace in not striking Uzziah dead immediately for his sin! Uzziah fled from the altar of incense and lived the rest of his days in solitude until his death. Was God's hand shortened that He could not restore Uzziah's health as He had Miriam and Namaan the Syrian? No. We do not read of Uzziah repenting or seeking healing from God. He was not buried with the kings, but in a field of the kings because of his leprosy. Instead of being known as "the man God marvelously helped," in death he was "Uzziah the leper." We live in a world that defines us with our faults, but God views us on account of our faith. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Even though we receive this forgiveness, there are often still consequences of sin to be dealt with.
What a great exhortation for humility we see here! Paul learned that when he was weak, then he was strong. He was not strong in himself, but in his weakness God was able to strengthen Him wonderfully. We don't need to try to create an impeccable persona, or pretend we are without faults. Our call is to repent and seek to honour God continually in faith. God loves us because of His grace and goodness. He chastens and corrects those whom He loves. He has sent us the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us to live for His glory. Instead of being lifted up with pride, may we be humble and thankful. Let us live in such a way that the "until" is stricken from our lives so God is free to marvelously help!
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