No one likes the idea of confinement. No one thinks, "I'd really like to see more restrictions placed upon my life." But there is one Person who willingly accepted personal restrictions beyond anything we could ever imagine: the Infinite, Almighty God took the form of a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was in a human sense free to do anything He wanted, yet He voluntarily chose to take upon Himself the form of a servant and was obedient to His Heavenly Father in everything.
Jesus is the Creator of all, for without Him nothing was made that is made (John 1:1-2). He existed from eternity past and had previously no date of birth. But all that changed about 2,000 years ago when He was conceived in the virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit (Is. 7:14) and was born in the city of Bethlehem (Matt. 2:5-6). For the first time, God entered the confines of time. God was also confined within a human body as Immanuel, God with us. God become a human being, crying and wailing as a helpless infant after being born, wrapped in cloth, and laid in a manger (Luke 2:16). Jesus was brought into a family where He put into practice the Law of God, and honoured His father and mother. Though He was without sin and in Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead (Col. 2:9), He learned obedience by the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8).
Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38). He healed the sick, delivered those oppressed by unclean spirits, cleansed lepers, and raised the dead to life. Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for sinners. Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and was falsely accused of blasphemy. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter and did not resist evil, for He walked in obedience to the will of the Father. Think of it: God allowed sinful men to bind him, scourge, and strip Him. God allowed His body to be nailed to a cross and took upon Himself our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). After the death of His body, God allowed Himself to be wrapped in graveclothes and confined in a tomb. Glory to God in the highest, for He broke free from the bonds of death and rose glorified!
If we will repent and be born again through faith in Christ, we too can have freedom whilst being confined in these bodies. His victory over sin and death has become our own. Our regenerated souls long for God, drawn by His love, mercy, and grace. It is a paradox that in confinement we can discover true freedom and salvation from within. May we follow the example of Christ, seeking to serve and save others through the Gospel. Thank God for His wondrous gift and the victory we have through His atoning blood! (Acts 20:28)
23 December 2013
20 December 2013
In Time of Need
I was riding back from lunch with a couple of mates when the car started making an odd noise. The sound began a running commentary among all in the vehicle about the source of the sound. As it persisted and grew worse, a passing driver honked and quickly ended the discussion. We pulled over and found we had a flat rear tyre. It turned out that my fellow passenger knew personally a tyre shop owner close by and directed the driver to the entrance. True to his claims of good service, the process of the inspection and replacement was handled immediately. This was a case of knowing where to go because you know someone you trust.
The situation had me thinking. My mate who directed us to the tyre shop performed a role similar to that a Christian who leads others to Christ in time of need. Had we been without his aid, it would have taken us a long while to locate the jack, remove the spare, and possibly find the spare too was flat! Because my mate knew the tyre shop owner and the exact location of the shop, we were able to have prompt, quality service and be back safely on the road. As a Christian, one who had taken refuge in Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour, I know He is able to help in time of need. He is able to redeem lives destroyed by sin, marriages broken through infidelity, break addictions, give beauty for our ashes, and freely give us eternal life.
It takes recognition of our need before we will do anything about it. We would have kept on driving with that weird noise until we were riding the rim had someone outside the vehicle not alerted us to the trouble! It is one thing to know you have a problem, but it is another thing altogether to know what to do about it or where to go! Having responded to Christ's offer of salvation through the Gospel, Christians are called to lead others to experience the new life, joy, and rest He provides. In one sense, churches are intended to be hospitals where sick people are nursed back to spiritual health. Church is like a smash repair shop, not a showroom. We are all damaged through sin, battered through our foolish choices, and victims of living in a perverse world. It is Christ who not only restores us to His intended calling and purpose to glorify Him, but transforms us from within.
Hebrews 4:16 reads, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Because God put on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, He knows exactly what it means to be human in this world polluted by sin. He understands what it feels like to be misunderstood, rejected, hurt by family members who didn't believe in Him, arrested, falsely accused, tortured, and even killed by envious men. Praise God Jesus did not remain in the grave, but rose alive three days later as He said. He has ascended to heaven and intercedes for us even now. He invites us into His throne room of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Do you see your need for mercy and grace? Do you come boldly and humbly to Christ in time of need or do you look elsewhere? Just like we inspect our tyres to ensure they are filled with air before we drive on them, we ought to inspect our attitudes and feelings to see if they are upright according to God's standards. When we catch a glimpse of God in His glory, we see how far we are from walking in righteousness. Our great lack becomes increasingly evident as we mature in faith. Let us respond to Christ's loving invitation to find mercy and grace to help in time of need. Let us lead others to Him, because we trust Him!
The situation had me thinking. My mate who directed us to the tyre shop performed a role similar to that a Christian who leads others to Christ in time of need. Had we been without his aid, it would have taken us a long while to locate the jack, remove the spare, and possibly find the spare too was flat! Because my mate knew the tyre shop owner and the exact location of the shop, we were able to have prompt, quality service and be back safely on the road. As a Christian, one who had taken refuge in Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour, I know He is able to help in time of need. He is able to redeem lives destroyed by sin, marriages broken through infidelity, break addictions, give beauty for our ashes, and freely give us eternal life.
It takes recognition of our need before we will do anything about it. We would have kept on driving with that weird noise until we were riding the rim had someone outside the vehicle not alerted us to the trouble! It is one thing to know you have a problem, but it is another thing altogether to know what to do about it or where to go! Having responded to Christ's offer of salvation through the Gospel, Christians are called to lead others to experience the new life, joy, and rest He provides. In one sense, churches are intended to be hospitals where sick people are nursed back to spiritual health. Church is like a smash repair shop, not a showroom. We are all damaged through sin, battered through our foolish choices, and victims of living in a perverse world. It is Christ who not only restores us to His intended calling and purpose to glorify Him, but transforms us from within.
Hebrews 4:16 reads, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Because God put on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, He knows exactly what it means to be human in this world polluted by sin. He understands what it feels like to be misunderstood, rejected, hurt by family members who didn't believe in Him, arrested, falsely accused, tortured, and even killed by envious men. Praise God Jesus did not remain in the grave, but rose alive three days later as He said. He has ascended to heaven and intercedes for us even now. He invites us into His throne room of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Do you see your need for mercy and grace? Do you come boldly and humbly to Christ in time of need or do you look elsewhere? Just like we inspect our tyres to ensure they are filled with air before we drive on them, we ought to inspect our attitudes and feelings to see if they are upright according to God's standards. When we catch a glimpse of God in His glory, we see how far we are from walking in righteousness. Our great lack becomes increasingly evident as we mature in faith. Let us respond to Christ's loving invitation to find mercy and grace to help in time of need. Let us lead others to Him, because we trust Him!
18 December 2013
LORD, Open My Eyes!
One character I find most interesting in scripture is that of Balaam the prophet. When King Balak sent prestigious nobles a second time to entreat him to return with them, they promised honour and advancement should he curse Israel. God told him to go with them if the men came in the morning and called him. In the morning, the text says Balaam rose, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. It does not say that Balaam waited to be called, but presumed he was free to go anyway. Numbers 22:22 reads, "Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him." When opposition to God makes Him our adversary, that is a bad thing indeed!
As the Angel of the LORD stood in the way with a sword drawn, Balaam was completely clueless to the mortal danger he was in. The donkey, however, was able to see the imposing angelic warrior. Upon seeing the Angel, she quickly turned aside into a field. Balaam was irritated by this unusual occurrence and struck the donkey. Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow place and when the donkey moved to avoid him she crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. The searing pain only irritated him more, and he struck her again. Finally, the Angel of the LORD stood in a place so narrow the donkey could not veer to the side and turn around. She simply dropped to the ground, prompting Balaam to strike her with his staff.
Numbers 22:28-33 reads, "Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!" 30 So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?" And he said, "No." 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live."
More than a donkey enabled to speak by God, I am struck by the irony of the scene. The donkey saved Balaam three times from the sword of the Angel of the LORD. When confronted by the donkey after hitting her three times, Balaam raged he wished he had a sword in his hand so he could kill her! She was three times his saviour, but Balaam's blindness saw her as wayward, careless, and lazy. Then the LORD opened his eyes and he saw the peril that he unknowingly faced. He looked into the austere face of grace. No donkey could possibly outwit or outmaneuver the Angel of the LORD. God allowed Balaam to be spared, even though he deserved to die for his sin and the donkey deserved to live.
How important it is for God to open our eyes so we can see how He has worked in our lives to preserve and protect us! The irritations, annoyances, and side-tracks He allows work to advance and accomplish His glorious purposes. May our eyes be open to see the glory of God so we might fear Him, falling down before Him in worship and reverence, submitted fully to Him. In a moment man can be cut off from the land of the living, or even destroyed eternally for our rebellion. Even as God spared Balaam for a purpose, may we be those who bless and refuse to curse. When God opens our eyes, for the first time we see clearly. Praise God that He opens the mouths of brute beasts to speak wisdom, causes our eyes to see Him in glory, and chastens us to walk uprightly so we might fulfill His perfect will.
As the Angel of the LORD stood in the way with a sword drawn, Balaam was completely clueless to the mortal danger he was in. The donkey, however, was able to see the imposing angelic warrior. Upon seeing the Angel, she quickly turned aside into a field. Balaam was irritated by this unusual occurrence and struck the donkey. Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow place and when the donkey moved to avoid him she crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. The searing pain only irritated him more, and he struck her again. Finally, the Angel of the LORD stood in a place so narrow the donkey could not veer to the side and turn around. She simply dropped to the ground, prompting Balaam to strike her with his staff.
Numbers 22:28-33 reads, "Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!" 30 So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?" And he said, "No." 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live."
More than a donkey enabled to speak by God, I am struck by the irony of the scene. The donkey saved Balaam three times from the sword of the Angel of the LORD. When confronted by the donkey after hitting her three times, Balaam raged he wished he had a sword in his hand so he could kill her! She was three times his saviour, but Balaam's blindness saw her as wayward, careless, and lazy. Then the LORD opened his eyes and he saw the peril that he unknowingly faced. He looked into the austere face of grace. No donkey could possibly outwit or outmaneuver the Angel of the LORD. God allowed Balaam to be spared, even though he deserved to die for his sin and the donkey deserved to live.
How important it is for God to open our eyes so we can see how He has worked in our lives to preserve and protect us! The irritations, annoyances, and side-tracks He allows work to advance and accomplish His glorious purposes. May our eyes be open to see the glory of God so we might fear Him, falling down before Him in worship and reverence, submitted fully to Him. In a moment man can be cut off from the land of the living, or even destroyed eternally for our rebellion. Even as God spared Balaam for a purpose, may we be those who bless and refuse to curse. When God opens our eyes, for the first time we see clearly. Praise God that He opens the mouths of brute beasts to speak wisdom, causes our eyes to see Him in glory, and chastens us to walk uprightly so we might fulfill His perfect will.
16 December 2013
Guest Post by Amy Lambert: Generous Faith
The following was originally posted on the blog called "The Mustard Seed" by Amy Lambert. Years ago we attended the same church fellowship. Amy is currently living and serving the LORD in New Zealand.
The thing about learning to hear the voice of God is that He will often ask you to do some extreme things, things that we wouldn't normally do because they require more faith and trusting in Him alone. Now, before I tell this story, I want you to know that I have been praying for a while about how much detail to share. However, God challenged me to be transparent because people in the western world need to see examples of faith in the areas of materialism and finances. So, please know that my aim is to glorify God, not myself, and hopefully inspire others to surrender all to Jesus and trust in His provision alone. He is worth everything!
On a Wednesday night, my sister Anna (her actual name will be kept anonymous) came to me and handed me an envelope containing all of her money. She told me that God had asked her to give it away 2 weeks prior, but she had been holding on to it because she was afraid that she wouldn't have what she needed. She said that God told her to give it to me and that night with tears in her eyes, she handed me the envelope and chose to be obedient no matter what the cost. I thanked her, comforted her and took the money, wanting to support her obedience to the Lord. I then prayed and asked God what He wanted me to do with it because I actually didn't need it, I have more money than most of my younger missionary sisters and brothers here because I worked for 4 years saving up. I felt like the Lord told me to hold onto it for 3 days and then double the amount and return it to her.
The following day during worship night our leaders wrote on a whiteboard how much students and staff still owed for outreach funds and we were to ask God if He wanted us to support each other financially. Anna's name was on the board needing $3,000NZD. During worship I asked God what He wanted me to give and I felt like He was telling me to pay the full amount for her. While I prayed for confirmation (silently with my eyes closed) suddenly Anna came over and held me in a big hug. She had no idea that I was praying about what to give her and at this point she didn't even know that I would be giving her the money back that she gave to me. I started weeping in her arms because I knew this was God thanking me through her for my obedience to Him. So, I silently agreed to pay for her full outreach costs. The funny thing is that in my mind $3000 seemed like so much money when I thought about what else I could do with it, but once I agreed to give it away, it felt like mere pennies (this is God's grace in sacrificial circumstances).
About 20 minutes later, still in worship, I asked God if that was all He wanted me to give, I didn't want to hold anything back from Him because everything I have He gave to me in the first place. You see, I confess that I had been relying on finances as my security for the sake of what I called "being responsible." The more money I had saved in the bank, the more secure my future seemed. But, God revealed to me that it had become an idol in my life because I was placing my confidence in something other than the almighty God. I have learned repeatedly on this DTS that my Heavenly Father wants to provide for me and when I am fully trusting in Him, not leaning on my own resources, He ends up getting all the glory when the provision comes. Freely I have received, so freely I should give. I would rather be rich in faith than have financial security. So, I had a thought that I should give Bob (again, his real name will be kept anonymous) $2000. The more I tried to worship and pray, this thought persisted and I finally figured it was the Lord's prompting. Again, my brain tried to reason its way out of giving this huge amount of money but the Spirit persisted with the truth that we can't out give God and He always blesses generosity and He will provide for me in whatever His future plans are for me. There is no better investment for my savings than for my brother and sister to go spread the Gospel on outreach because this will reep eternal rewards! Besides, I told myself, I have a car at home I can sell so I can continue as a missionary next year, if God calls me back. The Lord told me again that it is a good thing to rely on the support of others because it is a blessing for them to join in His work in my life; I am blessed and they get the rewards of giving as well as attributed to the fruit of the ministry through me. So, I agreed to give the additional $2000 to Bob. This was an amazing night because I gave out of my abundance, but other students gave even though they had nothing to give, they just obeyed the voice of the Lord to them without questioning how He would provide (living example of 2 Corinthians 8:1-15). At the end of the night I had so much joy, freedom, and peace through being obedient to the Lord and the $5000 felt like pennies.
The next day it was time to give Anna her envelope of cash back. I wrote her a little note, put in the double portion, and left it on her bed. At lunch she came with tears and hugged me telling me how she felt like Abraham sacrificing Issac and God provided in the last moment for her when he saw that she had been faithful. That evening I was washing dishes and a brother (who had just returned from snowboarders DTS outreach so he didn't know me) said God gave him a word for me. The Lord told him that I worship in extravagance, like Mary in the Bible who poured out her costly perfume on Jesus feet, pouring out my inheritance to Him. He said it might look crazy to other people, but to me I am just expressing my love for the One whom I am so in love with. Now, everything I had given was in secret, so I took his word as direct confirmation from the Lord that He was pleased with my obedience. Anna and Bob don't know that those donations were from me. Also, the financial support I received from others before I came was enough to cover my outreach costs this year, as well as my flight home. So, thank you to those of you who partnered with me in this way.
This week's lectures are on the topic of the Holy Spirit and one point that our speaker made is that life in a Spirit-filled community is very generous and characterised by giving (Acts 4:34-no needy persons among them). God has definitely confirmed this truth through my experience in the YWAM community this season. So, all glory to God for His awesome economy where the more we give away to others, the greater the blessing we receive. He is the ultimate example of this principal by giving the most costly gift of His Son Jesus in order to save humanity. I hope this testimony challenges you and results in a greater faith/trust in God.
You can read more from Amy Lambert by following this link.
The thing about learning to hear the voice of God is that He will often ask you to do some extreme things, things that we wouldn't normally do because they require more faith and trusting in Him alone. Now, before I tell this story, I want you to know that I have been praying for a while about how much detail to share. However, God challenged me to be transparent because people in the western world need to see examples of faith in the areas of materialism and finances. So, please know that my aim is to glorify God, not myself, and hopefully inspire others to surrender all to Jesus and trust in His provision alone. He is worth everything!
On a Wednesday night, my sister Anna (her actual name will be kept anonymous) came to me and handed me an envelope containing all of her money. She told me that God had asked her to give it away 2 weeks prior, but she had been holding on to it because she was afraid that she wouldn't have what she needed. She said that God told her to give it to me and that night with tears in her eyes, she handed me the envelope and chose to be obedient no matter what the cost. I thanked her, comforted her and took the money, wanting to support her obedience to the Lord. I then prayed and asked God what He wanted me to do with it because I actually didn't need it, I have more money than most of my younger missionary sisters and brothers here because I worked for 4 years saving up. I felt like the Lord told me to hold onto it for 3 days and then double the amount and return it to her.
The following day during worship night our leaders wrote on a whiteboard how much students and staff still owed for outreach funds and we were to ask God if He wanted us to support each other financially. Anna's name was on the board needing $3,000NZD. During worship I asked God what He wanted me to give and I felt like He was telling me to pay the full amount for her. While I prayed for confirmation (silently with my eyes closed) suddenly Anna came over and held me in a big hug. She had no idea that I was praying about what to give her and at this point she didn't even know that I would be giving her the money back that she gave to me. I started weeping in her arms because I knew this was God thanking me through her for my obedience to Him. So, I silently agreed to pay for her full outreach costs. The funny thing is that in my mind $3000 seemed like so much money when I thought about what else I could do with it, but once I agreed to give it away, it felt like mere pennies (this is God's grace in sacrificial circumstances).
About 20 minutes later, still in worship, I asked God if that was all He wanted me to give, I didn't want to hold anything back from Him because everything I have He gave to me in the first place. You see, I confess that I had been relying on finances as my security for the sake of what I called "being responsible." The more money I had saved in the bank, the more secure my future seemed. But, God revealed to me that it had become an idol in my life because I was placing my confidence in something other than the almighty God. I have learned repeatedly on this DTS that my Heavenly Father wants to provide for me and when I am fully trusting in Him, not leaning on my own resources, He ends up getting all the glory when the provision comes. Freely I have received, so freely I should give. I would rather be rich in faith than have financial security. So, I had a thought that I should give Bob (again, his real name will be kept anonymous) $2000. The more I tried to worship and pray, this thought persisted and I finally figured it was the Lord's prompting. Again, my brain tried to reason its way out of giving this huge amount of money but the Spirit persisted with the truth that we can't out give God and He always blesses generosity and He will provide for me in whatever His future plans are for me. There is no better investment for my savings than for my brother and sister to go spread the Gospel on outreach because this will reep eternal rewards! Besides, I told myself, I have a car at home I can sell so I can continue as a missionary next year, if God calls me back. The Lord told me again that it is a good thing to rely on the support of others because it is a blessing for them to join in His work in my life; I am blessed and they get the rewards of giving as well as attributed to the fruit of the ministry through me. So, I agreed to give the additional $2000 to Bob. This was an amazing night because I gave out of my abundance, but other students gave even though they had nothing to give, they just obeyed the voice of the Lord to them without questioning how He would provide (living example of 2 Corinthians 8:1-15). At the end of the night I had so much joy, freedom, and peace through being obedient to the Lord and the $5000 felt like pennies.
The next day it was time to give Anna her envelope of cash back. I wrote her a little note, put in the double portion, and left it on her bed. At lunch she came with tears and hugged me telling me how she felt like Abraham sacrificing Issac and God provided in the last moment for her when he saw that she had been faithful. That evening I was washing dishes and a brother (who had just returned from snowboarders DTS outreach so he didn't know me) said God gave him a word for me. The Lord told him that I worship in extravagance, like Mary in the Bible who poured out her costly perfume on Jesus feet, pouring out my inheritance to Him. He said it might look crazy to other people, but to me I am just expressing my love for the One whom I am so in love with. Now, everything I had given was in secret, so I took his word as direct confirmation from the Lord that He was pleased with my obedience. Anna and Bob don't know that those donations were from me. Also, the financial support I received from others before I came was enough to cover my outreach costs this year, as well as my flight home. So, thank you to those of you who partnered with me in this way.
This week's lectures are on the topic of the Holy Spirit and one point that our speaker made is that life in a Spirit-filled community is very generous and characterised by giving (Acts 4:34-no needy persons among them). God has definitely confirmed this truth through my experience in the YWAM community this season. So, all glory to God for His awesome economy where the more we give away to others, the greater the blessing we receive. He is the ultimate example of this principal by giving the most costly gift of His Son Jesus in order to save humanity. I hope this testimony challenges you and results in a greater faith/trust in God.
You can read more from Amy Lambert by following this link.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)