I may not know you, but I know you're out there.
You're hurting. Betrayed, disillusioned, confused, you don't know who to trust. Perhaps you suffered abuse at the hands of people you trusted as a child. Your body no longer shows the bruises and the bleeding has stopped, but inside the wounds are fresh. Just as painful was the fact no one knew how you suffered as you stuffed your hurt deep inside.
You're afraid. You carry fear that gnaws you from the inside. Sometimes you feel like a child, alone in the dark. You fear rejection and the thought of being all alone. You fear your spouse. You fear for your life. And you are very afraid to die.
But in a perverse way you would welcome death, given your experiences of life. The weight of sorrows, disappointments, grief, and anger is more than you can bear. The anger inside of you has a grip you can't escape. It breaks your heart when you hurt others with fists and words. You don't want to be like this anymore, but you are helpless, adrift, and living without life. Your body is alive, but you are dead inside.
You're hooked. Things you used to find exciting and fun have brought you under bondage. You are a slave to alcohol, to pornography, to lying, drugs, selling your body, and giving away pieces of your heart and soul. You feel like a fish sometimes, hooked through the nose and pulled along by Satan himself. You hear voices and you fight to resist them. But inevitably you lose. When they win, you do things you hate. The shame is unbearable but the cycle continues. You hate everything, yourself - and even God.
You're miserable. You long for true love, but it has always evaded you. Financial security and outward success have left you empty. You have discovered many different ways to cope, various numbing agents to avoid the pain, darkness, and poverty within. Is this all there is? Hopeless and helpless, you desperately are seeking a way out but are afraid to take it. You have decided you will never be vulnerable again. You secretly cut yourself to feel something. You desire release and think of taking your life. How hard would it be to cut a little deeper? Would anyone care?
I know you're out there. God prompted me this morning to think about you and pray for you. He moved me to tell you that there is help and hope for you in Jesus Christ. You might be looking for God, you might not. But God is not lost. He is the One who seeks after the helpless, the sick, the hopeless, and sinners - people who aren't perfect - regular people like you and me. He knows your pain. He understands. Jesus was betrayed by a friend, forsaken by His friends, abused, tortured, and killed by sinners even though He did nothing wrong. He did only good. Yet He suffered and died on the cross because He loves all people: the broken, the wounded, abused, and addicted. He died for you.
During His life, Jesus did many miracles and signs pointing to His deity. He healed the blind, lame, cleansed lepers, and raised the dead to life. But the greatest portrait of His love is when He stretched out His arms and His hands were nailed to the cross. Naked, ashamed, and humiliated, He bore the punishment for your sins and mine on that cross. Sin came into the world and death through sin. Sin also is the cause for all sickness, sadness, crying, and suffering. Jesus embraced all those things for you because He loves you. He did not fear death because He knew He would rise again the third day and prove His power over sin, death, the devil, and hell. Glory to God, Jesus Christ DID rise from the dead. He's alive to this day and will ever be.
I know you're out there, and I don't even know you. But God does. He created you, knit you together in the womb of your mother. He sees through the facade; His eyes pierce the masks we wear. He knows your fear, doubts, anger, and hate. He knows you are wounded and all the injustices you have endured. God demonstrated His love for you through the greatest injustice ever committed on this earth when Jesus was crucified on the cross. God redeemed that grave tragedy, and God can redeem your life too. He invites you to come to Him. He gently speaks words of peace. He coaxes you to trust Him. People may have abused, betrayed, and forsaken you, but He will not. He offers you everlasting love, life, redemption, forgiveness, and hope. Christ offers you Himself. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Come to Him today as a frightened child. Confess your sin and admit your great need for forgiveness and salvation. Trust in Christ and He will wash you clean. He will break your bonds and open your eyes. He will give you new life and unfailing love. He will hug you close as a daddy you never had.
If you choose to repent and follow Christ, Revelation 21:3-4 paints a picture of your certain future: "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
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And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Our God makes all things new. Apart from God you are without hope. If you will trust in Him, He will set you free and give you a fresh start to a new life through Him. Won't you trust Him?
08 July 2013
07 July 2013
Time to Start Sewing!
While reading through Revelation this week, the LORD showed me a wonderful analogy of how our position of righteousness in Christ and good works are knit seamlessly together. It is written in Revelation 19:7-8, "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
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And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." Scripture tells us there is none righteous, no not one. The righteousness which comes through the law is as filthy rags. The law was like a schoolmaster, taking us by the hand and leading us to faith in Christ. The law revealed to our conscience our sinful stains, and the blood of Christ through faith in the Gospel washes us clean and imputes His righteousness to us.
The picture God gave me is one of a groom and his future bride in ancient Israel. During the betrothal period, the bride and groom would not see each other whist the groom was building an addition onto his father's house. But the groom would often supply gifts such as fine linen for her wedding garment. It was the bride's responsibility to wisely design, cut, sew, and alter the garment to fit properly. She needed to be ready at a moment's notice so at the sound of the trumpet heralding the wedding procession she would be dressed and ready.
In the Bible, the church of Christ is often referred to as the bride of Christ. Christ has supplied us with His righteousness, and the onus is upon us to walk therein. We are His betrothed, legally married together even now, for He is the Head of the Body of which we are many members. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." It would be sad if the groom at great expense provided expensive, flawless linen for his future wife to wear on their wedding day - and she never bothered to unwrap it! If she loves her future husband and is happily awaiting the big day, the wife would tackle the project earnestly, rejoicing in the fact that her husband loved her so much to provide linen she never could have afforded. We should be like that faithful bride, diligently working to craft a wedding garment worthy of royalty adorned with love.
The church is only as faithful as each individual member. Instead of leaving the fine linen wrapped up until we trim down our figure, let's labour to put on His righteousness today in humility for God's glory. Jesus has given us the pattern to follow through the instruction and wisdom of His example and Word. May we walk worthily of Christ's sacrifice, having payed the bride price with His own blood. Let us labour to be ready for His return, for He comes quickly. Time to sew!
The picture God gave me is one of a groom and his future bride in ancient Israel. During the betrothal period, the bride and groom would not see each other whist the groom was building an addition onto his father's house. But the groom would often supply gifts such as fine linen for her wedding garment. It was the bride's responsibility to wisely design, cut, sew, and alter the garment to fit properly. She needed to be ready at a moment's notice so at the sound of the trumpet heralding the wedding procession she would be dressed and ready.
In the Bible, the church of Christ is often referred to as the bride of Christ. Christ has supplied us with His righteousness, and the onus is upon us to walk therein. We are His betrothed, legally married together even now, for He is the Head of the Body of which we are many members. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." It would be sad if the groom at great expense provided expensive, flawless linen for his future wife to wear on their wedding day - and she never bothered to unwrap it! If she loves her future husband and is happily awaiting the big day, the wife would tackle the project earnestly, rejoicing in the fact that her husband loved her so much to provide linen she never could have afforded. We should be like that faithful bride, diligently working to craft a wedding garment worthy of royalty adorned with love.
The church is only as faithful as each individual member. Instead of leaving the fine linen wrapped up until we trim down our figure, let's labour to put on His righteousness today in humility for God's glory. Jesus has given us the pattern to follow through the instruction and wisdom of His example and Word. May we walk worthily of Christ's sacrifice, having payed the bride price with His own blood. Let us labour to be ready for His return, for He comes quickly. Time to sew!
04 July 2013
Give Accordingly
The example of giving generously has been demonstrated by God to all people. There is nothing we are or possess which did not first pass through His hands graciously to us. The question which can stump people is, "How much should I give?" When I read Deuteronomy 16:17 this morning, it answers the question well: "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you." The question then becomes, "How much has God blessed me?" We are to give cheerfully to God according to the blessing which He has given us. We humans are funny creatures: we want blessings with no end in sight, but we set limits on giving unto God.
Jesus says in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." This is commonly called the "Golden Rule." Long before that in Deuteronomy, God had established what could be called the golden rule of giving: according to the blessing you have received, give as you are able. We know that when God calls us to do something, it is He who will provide the strength and means to accomplish His purposes. Therefore God would never call us to give unless we are able to do so. As long as we have life, we are called to give unto God as we are able according to the blessing God has given us.
All throughout scripture we see examples of this cheerful giving. When Abram and his servants defeated four kings, he gave tithes of the spoil to the King and High Priest Melchizedek. David refused to give unto God what cost him nothing. The poor woman put her two mites into the treasury in the Temple, giving more than even the most wealthy because she gave all she had. Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, broke an alabaster box filled with precious oil - the value of roughly a year's wages - and poured it over the head of Jesus. The greatest gift was when Jesus gave Himself freely into the hands of sinners and embraced the cross in obedience to the Father. He gave Himself according to the will of the Father so that all might be saved through His atoning sacrifice.
Take some time to count your blessings and consider what great things God has done for you. May those who recognise the blessings God has given us say with the Psalmist in Psalm 116:12, "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?" Those who have been blessed much should give much. Instead of feeling guilty for the blessings God has graciously provided, choose to give to God as you are able according to the blessing which He has given you. The Holy Spirit will guide you to give according to His perfect will. All you can give has already been given you by God! Whoever said, "You can't out-give God!" was right. It's not a contest, but it should be a daily practice as we give unto God the glory due His name.
Jesus says in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." This is commonly called the "Golden Rule." Long before that in Deuteronomy, God had established what could be called the golden rule of giving: according to the blessing you have received, give as you are able. We know that when God calls us to do something, it is He who will provide the strength and means to accomplish His purposes. Therefore God would never call us to give unless we are able to do so. As long as we have life, we are called to give unto God as we are able according to the blessing God has given us.
All throughout scripture we see examples of this cheerful giving. When Abram and his servants defeated four kings, he gave tithes of the spoil to the King and High Priest Melchizedek. David refused to give unto God what cost him nothing. The poor woman put her two mites into the treasury in the Temple, giving more than even the most wealthy because she gave all she had. Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, broke an alabaster box filled with precious oil - the value of roughly a year's wages - and poured it over the head of Jesus. The greatest gift was when Jesus gave Himself freely into the hands of sinners and embraced the cross in obedience to the Father. He gave Himself according to the will of the Father so that all might be saved through His atoning sacrifice.
Take some time to count your blessings and consider what great things God has done for you. May those who recognise the blessings God has given us say with the Psalmist in Psalm 116:12, "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?" Those who have been blessed much should give much. Instead of feeling guilty for the blessings God has graciously provided, choose to give to God as you are able according to the blessing which He has given you. The Holy Spirit will guide you to give according to His perfect will. All you can give has already been given you by God! Whoever said, "You can't out-give God!" was right. It's not a contest, but it should be a daily practice as we give unto God the glory due His name.
03 July 2013
God's Word Stands
Yesterday I was afforded the very rare privilege to watch a San Diego Padres baseball game. I set the DVR to record and watched bits and pieces during the day. It had been years since I actually watched a Padres game. When I lived in San Diego I would watch a majority of the games (or bits of them) on Channel 4. Even though the Padres lost to the Red Sox, it was fun and nostalgic to see the many new faces of a team I have followed since 1984.
Now I always smile to myself when people are sympathetic to sports teams who have historically been doomed to defeat. Not once have I heard commentators mention the San Diego faithful. Neither the San Diego Padres or Chargers won a world championship on the biggest stage. The Chargers were smashed in the 1994 Super Bowl, and the Padres were whooped in the MLB World Series in 1984 and 1998. Man, it's been a long time since we were even that good - or bad, however you want to look at it. Maybe, just maybe, the Padres or Chargers will win it all. If recent seasons are any indication, I could be waiting awhile. But that's OK. If I have endured this long as a die-hard fan, won't the wait make it that much sweeter?
It's a funny thing how people are deeply affected by their team winning or losing the "big" game. After all, it is a game. After I turned off the game yesterday I thought to myself, "How would my life be different if the Padres had beat the Red Sox?" I might have been happy for a few minutes, but that's about it. I thought back to San Diego's playoff losses: "How would my life be different if the Chargers won the Super bowl in 1994 or the Padres won in 1998?" Absolutely nothing! I might have some good memories, but that would be it. As it is, I still have some very fond memories of Dave Jordan's hot wings I ate during the Charger's loss. In the grand scheme of things, what does it matter? In time my memories will fade, and when I go the way of the earth they will be lost forever.
There are an innumerable amount of things that seem so important to us that in the light of eternity are trite and passing away. Take politics, for example. Some people are as rabid over party policies and legislation as the most faithful cricket or rugby supporter. When a bill is approved, flags are waving and cheers erupt to commemorate the victory. The "losing" side grits their teeth and wonders what the world is coming to. The fact is, God is the ultimate Judge who only does right. Man can never legislate righteousness, for God has already ordained and established it. The straying of men to the right or left cannot alter God's perfect standard. Let us stand for righteousness; let us stand for what the Bible says is right. But as this world waxes worse and worse, may it confirm to our hearts we are indeed in the last days. As legislation is passed around the world that stands in direct opposition to scriptural truth, a Christian still can rejoice that God's truth stands regardless. God's Word is untouched by the accusations, ravings, or legislation of men.
Paul sums it up well in 2 Timothy 3:1-17: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Now I always smile to myself when people are sympathetic to sports teams who have historically been doomed to defeat. Not once have I heard commentators mention the San Diego faithful. Neither the San Diego Padres or Chargers won a world championship on the biggest stage. The Chargers were smashed in the 1994 Super Bowl, and the Padres were whooped in the MLB World Series in 1984 and 1998. Man, it's been a long time since we were even that good - or bad, however you want to look at it. Maybe, just maybe, the Padres or Chargers will win it all. If recent seasons are any indication, I could be waiting awhile. But that's OK. If I have endured this long as a die-hard fan, won't the wait make it that much sweeter?
It's a funny thing how people are deeply affected by their team winning or losing the "big" game. After all, it is a game. After I turned off the game yesterday I thought to myself, "How would my life be different if the Padres had beat the Red Sox?" I might have been happy for a few minutes, but that's about it. I thought back to San Diego's playoff losses: "How would my life be different if the Chargers won the Super bowl in 1994 or the Padres won in 1998?" Absolutely nothing! I might have some good memories, but that would be it. As it is, I still have some very fond memories of Dave Jordan's hot wings I ate during the Charger's loss. In the grand scheme of things, what does it matter? In time my memories will fade, and when I go the way of the earth they will be lost forever.
There are an innumerable amount of things that seem so important to us that in the light of eternity are trite and passing away. Take politics, for example. Some people are as rabid over party policies and legislation as the most faithful cricket or rugby supporter. When a bill is approved, flags are waving and cheers erupt to commemorate the victory. The "losing" side grits their teeth and wonders what the world is coming to. The fact is, God is the ultimate Judge who only does right. Man can never legislate righteousness, for God has already ordained and established it. The straying of men to the right or left cannot alter God's perfect standard. Let us stand for righteousness; let us stand for what the Bible says is right. But as this world waxes worse and worse, may it confirm to our hearts we are indeed in the last days. As legislation is passed around the world that stands in direct opposition to scriptural truth, a Christian still can rejoice that God's truth stands regardless. God's Word is untouched by the accusations, ravings, or legislation of men.
Paul sums it up well in 2 Timothy 3:1-17: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
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