Here we are again! The season is changing ... tonight, this week. I am SO thankful that God never changes and that His promises are always, "Yes, and Amen!" in Christ. Here is one of those promises: "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22). As long as the earth endures ...
I was thinking of God's promises as I listened to the news the last few days. What's going on in our world?! While I certainly don't claim to understand every event that is going on, I CAN tell you that God has a plan and that you and I are part of it. I can also tell you that Israel is part of God's plan. As the seasons change, God says that's part of His plan. As the events in the Middle East change, God says that's part of His plan. HE controls both!
Listen to the words of God through the prophet Jeremiah, written during a time when God was bringing judgment on the Jewish nation - a judgment that would bring death to thousands, the destruction of the temple and 70 years of captivity in Babylon. That would certainly mean the extinction of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ... or so it appeared. But listen to God's promise: "This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - the LORD Almighty is his name ... 'Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,' declares the LORD, 'will the descendants of Israel EVER cease to be a nation before ME!" (Jeremiah 31:35-36).
God brought a remnant back to the land He had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and through them the Savior, the Christ ... JESUS came into the world. And He has a remnant yet today. Once again, God has restored the descendants of Abraham to their land - to THEIR land. Israel's God is "the LORD," the Almighty, the Holy One, the Great "I AM" - Yahweh, Jehovah!! And through Jesus Christ, He is YOUR God and mine. When you trust in Jesus for forgiveness you become an integral part of God's plan for the world, and this promise comes with it: "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to HIS purpose" (Romans 8:28).
What is bothering, worrying you today? What is weighing heavily upon your heart? You are not the first to wonder about God's plans - to wonder if He even notices what is going on in your life. But the words of Isaiah remind us who God is and that He DOES have a plan - in case you are wondering: "Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God'? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. he gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:27-31).
The seasons will change, but GOD will not! "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!"
Monday, September 17, 2012
"The WORD ..."
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Mark 13:31).
The Bible is a remarkable book ... remarkable because you can read and study it your whole life and continue to discover more of God's truth with the turn of every page. There are doctrines, teachings, in the Bible that are difficult to grasp. Even the Apostle Peter wrote, " ... just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (II Peter 3:15-16). Some have used these words to declare that the Bible is too hard for most people to understand, but that's not what Peter says. He says, "ignorant and unstable people distort" some of the things Paul writes, "as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."
One of the most beautiful things about the Bible is that while there are always more treasures of truth to mine from it's depths, a little child can grasp gems of truth that will feed and nourish their souls as they grow up into Christ. The words Paul spoke to his young friend, Timothy, come to mind: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:14-15). The Scriptures, the "writings," the Bible, the very Word of God is for everybody. It is for people of all ages, of all "levels" on the scale of spiritual life and growth. Whether you are just beginning or have studied the Bible all your life, GOD SPEAKS through His Word to those "who have ears to hear!"
Today made me think of all this as I watched children going to what we have traditionally called, "Sunday School." I remember Sunday School like it was yesterday. I remember learning Bible verses; in fact, I remember going over them at home so we would know them on Sunday morning. I remember studying the Bible in our catechism class. Some years ago as I sat at a meeting of Elders and Deacons in another congregation I was serving at the time, as we had a discussion about how much children and youth should be "required" to memorize. Quite a few of the men around the table lamented about memories of having to memorize and how they didn't like it. Now they had children of their own and they were wondering if it was good to "force them" to memorize Bible verses.
As I listened, I prayed for wisdom. Knowing that I could quote several verses to prove my point that such memorizing was valuable, that it was profitable, that it was pleasing to God, I felt led to go a different direction. I looked at my brothers who were sitting around the table and made a statement and then asked a question: "You were 'forced' to memorize God's Word as you grew up. Some of you even 'had to' memorize questions and answers from the catechism ... and yet, here you are - leaders in Christ's body.... Do you think the things you learned by memorizing verses of Scripture had anything to do with your being here today??" As you might imagine, it was pretty quiet around the table. I then asked another question: "Would you deprive your children of the opportunity to experience spiritual growth through the reading, studying AND memorizing of God's Word?"
I have to confess that in the silence that followed I was tempted to say, "I rest my case," but it wasn't really "my" case, it was GOD's case. Psalm 119, for all its 176 verses, lays out such a powerful case for the necessity of knowing God's Word that it is easy to find verses in this Psalm to support an ongoing study of this marvelous book. One of my favorite is verse 9: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." And verse 11 follows: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." In case you didn't catch it, hiding God's word in your heart means reading it, understanding it, accepting it as God's Word AND memorizing it so that it is THERE when you need it, pointing you to God for guidance and direction. Verse 105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." I encourage you to read through this entire Psalm - even to make it the subject of a week or two of devotional readings.
Are YOU depriving yourself and/or your children the joy, peace and power of God's Word? When you go to worship, do you carry your Bible with you (or your iPad with a Bible "ap"?). Personally, I still encourage people to bring their Bible and a pen to jot down notes or underline. I know you can do that with electronics today, but there is truly something about holding your own Bible and becoming so familiar with it that it is like a close friend. I have been studying it since I was in grade school, and in earnest for more than forty years. I still discover new insights into the God I love and His work of establishing His kingdom. You will not be disappointed as you make this your lifelong study. Get involved today in "eating" regularly from God's Word, and your soul will never go hungry!
The Bible is a remarkable book ... remarkable because you can read and study it your whole life and continue to discover more of God's truth with the turn of every page. There are doctrines, teachings, in the Bible that are difficult to grasp. Even the Apostle Peter wrote, " ... just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (II Peter 3:15-16). Some have used these words to declare that the Bible is too hard for most people to understand, but that's not what Peter says. He says, "ignorant and unstable people distort" some of the things Paul writes, "as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."
One of the most beautiful things about the Bible is that while there are always more treasures of truth to mine from it's depths, a little child can grasp gems of truth that will feed and nourish their souls as they grow up into Christ. The words Paul spoke to his young friend, Timothy, come to mind: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:14-15). The Scriptures, the "writings," the Bible, the very Word of God is for everybody. It is for people of all ages, of all "levels" on the scale of spiritual life and growth. Whether you are just beginning or have studied the Bible all your life, GOD SPEAKS through His Word to those "who have ears to hear!"
Today made me think of all this as I watched children going to what we have traditionally called, "Sunday School." I remember Sunday School like it was yesterday. I remember learning Bible verses; in fact, I remember going over them at home so we would know them on Sunday morning. I remember studying the Bible in our catechism class. Some years ago as I sat at a meeting of Elders and Deacons in another congregation I was serving at the time, as we had a discussion about how much children and youth should be "required" to memorize. Quite a few of the men around the table lamented about memories of having to memorize and how they didn't like it. Now they had children of their own and they were wondering if it was good to "force them" to memorize Bible verses.
As I listened, I prayed for wisdom. Knowing that I could quote several verses to prove my point that such memorizing was valuable, that it was profitable, that it was pleasing to God, I felt led to go a different direction. I looked at my brothers who were sitting around the table and made a statement and then asked a question: "You were 'forced' to memorize God's Word as you grew up. Some of you even 'had to' memorize questions and answers from the catechism ... and yet, here you are - leaders in Christ's body.... Do you think the things you learned by memorizing verses of Scripture had anything to do with your being here today??" As you might imagine, it was pretty quiet around the table. I then asked another question: "Would you deprive your children of the opportunity to experience spiritual growth through the reading, studying AND memorizing of God's Word?"
I have to confess that in the silence that followed I was tempted to say, "I rest my case," but it wasn't really "my" case, it was GOD's case. Psalm 119, for all its 176 verses, lays out such a powerful case for the necessity of knowing God's Word that it is easy to find verses in this Psalm to support an ongoing study of this marvelous book. One of my favorite is verse 9: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." And verse 11 follows: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." In case you didn't catch it, hiding God's word in your heart means reading it, understanding it, accepting it as God's Word AND memorizing it so that it is THERE when you need it, pointing you to God for guidance and direction. Verse 105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." I encourage you to read through this entire Psalm - even to make it the subject of a week or two of devotional readings.
Are YOU depriving yourself and/or your children the joy, peace and power of God's Word? When you go to worship, do you carry your Bible with you (or your iPad with a Bible "ap"?). Personally, I still encourage people to bring their Bible and a pen to jot down notes or underline. I know you can do that with electronics today, but there is truly something about holding your own Bible and becoming so familiar with it that it is like a close friend. I have been studying it since I was in grade school, and in earnest for more than forty years. I still discover new insights into the God I love and His work of establishing His kingdom. You will not be disappointed as you make this your lifelong study. Get involved today in "eating" regularly from God's Word, and your soul will never go hungry!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
"Hate what is evil, cling to what is good!"
Throughout the Arab / Muslim world hatred toward America is being expressed by thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands. While the blame for the anger is being placed on a foolish, disgustingly ignorant film which presents the Muslim's prophet, Mohammed, and Islam in a bad light, the truth is that Islam, as a religion, proclaims and promotes the conquering of the world by the followers of Mohammed. America is hated for many reasons, but the hatred and violence being expressed is not of God, certainly not a god who is worthy to be worshiped. The hatred and violence is the result of a failure to acknowledge the God of the Bible and to draw near to Him through Jesus Christ. The human heart without the Spirit is filled with violence. America is even hated from within by those who benefit from the freedoms God has granted us by His grace. They don't know any better because they are so self-absorbed that the only "good" they see is what THEY want, and when they don't get it, hatred is the result and at any moment, violence may show itself in small or large ways, from angry words to murder.
This brings up an interesting and necessary question: How do you determine what is good and what is evil? What standard should we use to decide what qualifies as good or acceptable behavior and what isn't? Is it purely subjective - up to each individual? More and more people today seem to believe that there is no objective standard by which we can judge any behavior. "Anything goes," is more than a slogan in our culture and in many places in the world today; it is the motto many people have adopted as their motivation for being tolerant of all sorts of behavior. But "anything goes" gives no guidance in determining what is good or what is evil; in fact, it denies that there is any difference between the two!
As Christians, we hear God's voice saying, "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9). God Himself defines what is evil and what is good. In the commandments and throughout His Word God draws a distinction between behavior that pleases Him, that glorifies Him and that is "good," and that which is evil. Every word, every thought, every action can be "judged" by this unchangeable standard. When God says, "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good," He is talking about His revealed will - the things He has said we should DO and the things He has said we should NOT Do. It's really not that difficult. God's standard was revealed in the Garden of Eden, and then more fully in the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai - the Ten Commandments, and then by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and by the apostles as they expounded on God's Word and were inspired by His Spirit.
Why is all this important? Let's let Solomon tell us: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Every person ... every human being who has ever lived, who is living now, or who will live must stand before God one day. God will pronounce His just judgment on all who do evil ... and the ONLY escape ... ... ... ... the ONLY escape is faith in Jesus Christ. Muslims do not know Jesus Christ, but they are not alone. People all around us are living "without God and without hope in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). That is why there is so much evil in our world. That is why there is so much hatred in our world.
WE must be careful not to be engaged in evil ourselves. As followers of Jesus, we know we are not yet perfect, but that is our goal. The Spirit of God is at work within us producing "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). But even these do not take away our sins. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can do that and by receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord we are covered by His blood, justified (declared innocent) in God's sight, forgiven! Then we are called to proclaim this good news. To do that we must point out evil, and we must also proclaim what is good. Too often we are good at pointing out evil, but we don't point people to God's standard OR to the cross of Jesus as the answer for evil.
God says, "Hate what is evil" AND "cling to what is good!!" We need to do BOTH!
This brings up an interesting and necessary question: How do you determine what is good and what is evil? What standard should we use to decide what qualifies as good or acceptable behavior and what isn't? Is it purely subjective - up to each individual? More and more people today seem to believe that there is no objective standard by which we can judge any behavior. "Anything goes," is more than a slogan in our culture and in many places in the world today; it is the motto many people have adopted as their motivation for being tolerant of all sorts of behavior. But "anything goes" gives no guidance in determining what is good or what is evil; in fact, it denies that there is any difference between the two!
As Christians, we hear God's voice saying, "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9). God Himself defines what is evil and what is good. In the commandments and throughout His Word God draws a distinction between behavior that pleases Him, that glorifies Him and that is "good," and that which is evil. Every word, every thought, every action can be "judged" by this unchangeable standard. When God says, "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good," He is talking about His revealed will - the things He has said we should DO and the things He has said we should NOT Do. It's really not that difficult. God's standard was revealed in the Garden of Eden, and then more fully in the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai - the Ten Commandments, and then by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and by the apostles as they expounded on God's Word and were inspired by His Spirit.
Why is all this important? Let's let Solomon tell us: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Every person ... every human being who has ever lived, who is living now, or who will live must stand before God one day. God will pronounce His just judgment on all who do evil ... and the ONLY escape ... ... ... ... the ONLY escape is faith in Jesus Christ. Muslims do not know Jesus Christ, but they are not alone. People all around us are living "without God and without hope in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). That is why there is so much evil in our world. That is why there is so much hatred in our world.
WE must be careful not to be engaged in evil ourselves. As followers of Jesus, we know we are not yet perfect, but that is our goal. The Spirit of God is at work within us producing "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). But even these do not take away our sins. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can do that and by receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord we are covered by His blood, justified (declared innocent) in God's sight, forgiven! Then we are called to proclaim this good news. To do that we must point out evil, and we must also proclaim what is good. Too often we are good at pointing out evil, but we don't point people to God's standard OR to the cross of Jesus as the answer for evil.
God says, "Hate what is evil" AND "cling to what is good!!" We need to do BOTH!
Friday, September 14, 2012
"The Essential Commandment"
The Jews have a phrase from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy that they repeat over and over. It is called the Shema (from the Hebrew word "to hear"), and it is found in Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one." Moses, the writer of the book of Deuteronomy, follows this declaration with these words, in verse 5, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Jesus was asked by a teacher of the law to declare what HE considered to be the greatest commandment. He responded, "'Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.' This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 22:37-40).
Most people who claim to be Christians have heard these words and have some understanding of what they mean. We are supposed to love God and love others. So, we try to do that, right? Jesus summarized all of the commandments into these two: love God and love others. That's what disciples of Jesus do. We try ... and we fail. Then we try some more ... and we may actually feel successful for a little while. But then we fail again ... and again ... and again. We keep on trying because we don't really know what else to do. We are thankful that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross, because we know we are sinners in need of God's grace. Thank you, Father, for your forgiveness!!
So that's it?! Living the Christian life means trying to obey these two commandments? Is that what Moses was talking about? Is that what JESUS was teaching His disciples?? Or was there more in these words? As I was preparing to teach the first lesson in a study we are doing in our adult class on Sunday mornings, I was struck by something the author of our study book wrote ("The Essential Commandment" by Greg Ogden). He rightly explained that Jesus wasn't giving us a "higher law" to try to obey. Rather, He was calling people into a relationship of love with the living God!!
God had chosen Israel to be His special people. He had set His love, His affection, on these people. They were His treasure, the "apple of His eye." So why the Shema? What does it mean? And what does it have to do with loving God? Listen to it again: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one." The Jews and others interpret this to be a statement that contradicts the teaching of the Trinity - one God in three persons. After all, it says, "The LORD our God, the LORD is ONE." But it actually teaches the same thing that we learn later in the New Testament, that within the Godhead there is relationship: Father, Son and Spirit! AND, it explains why Moses follows it with the words, "Love the LORD your God ... " The word, "ONE," refers to the fellowship, the love, the unity, the relationship within what we have come to call "the Godhead" - the one, true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is like saying, "God is oneness."
If the Bible didn't teach this, I would be guessing, but it DOES. Actually, JESUS does!! In John 14:11, Jesus says, "Believe me when i say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." Then in chapter 17, verses 21-23, Jesus explains what the Shema means ... here is what Jesus is praying for:
" ... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ... that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me." And He goes on in verse 26: " ... in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." Do you get it???
Jesus brings His children INTO the relationship that He has with the Father! The "essential commandment" is this: enter into God's love, receiving the love of the Father through Jesus as His Spirit works within you ... receive His love and then LOVE HIM BACK!! The Shema declares the beautiful oneness of God, the perfect love that only God Himself knows, and then invites us to share in that love, to join God in loving Him AND others. Some are already part of His family with us - our brothers and sisters in Christ. And we have the privilege and responsibility to invite others into the circle of God's love.
Do you see why THIS is the "essential commandment," or, as Jesus put it, the "greatest commandment"? If you're not busy on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m., come join us at the Oakwood Intermediate School in Allendale every week for the next few months. If you don't live in the area and are reading this blog, I will be sharing some thoughts as we look at God's Word concerning how to enter into this relationship of love with God and to find joy unspeakable! "Hear!! The LORD our God is ONE," and through His Son Jesus, He has invited YOU to be part of His "circle of love!"
Most people who claim to be Christians have heard these words and have some understanding of what they mean. We are supposed to love God and love others. So, we try to do that, right? Jesus summarized all of the commandments into these two: love God and love others. That's what disciples of Jesus do. We try ... and we fail. Then we try some more ... and we may actually feel successful for a little while. But then we fail again ... and again ... and again. We keep on trying because we don't really know what else to do. We are thankful that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross, because we know we are sinners in need of God's grace. Thank you, Father, for your forgiveness!!
So that's it?! Living the Christian life means trying to obey these two commandments? Is that what Moses was talking about? Is that what JESUS was teaching His disciples?? Or was there more in these words? As I was preparing to teach the first lesson in a study we are doing in our adult class on Sunday mornings, I was struck by something the author of our study book wrote ("The Essential Commandment" by Greg Ogden). He rightly explained that Jesus wasn't giving us a "higher law" to try to obey. Rather, He was calling people into a relationship of love with the living God!!
God had chosen Israel to be His special people. He had set His love, His affection, on these people. They were His treasure, the "apple of His eye." So why the Shema? What does it mean? And what does it have to do with loving God? Listen to it again: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one." The Jews and others interpret this to be a statement that contradicts the teaching of the Trinity - one God in three persons. After all, it says, "The LORD our God, the LORD is ONE." But it actually teaches the same thing that we learn later in the New Testament, that within the Godhead there is relationship: Father, Son and Spirit! AND, it explains why Moses follows it with the words, "Love the LORD your God ... " The word, "ONE," refers to the fellowship, the love, the unity, the relationship within what we have come to call "the Godhead" - the one, true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is like saying, "God is oneness."
If the Bible didn't teach this, I would be guessing, but it DOES. Actually, JESUS does!! In John 14:11, Jesus says, "Believe me when i say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." Then in chapter 17, verses 21-23, Jesus explains what the Shema means ... here is what Jesus is praying for:
" ... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ... that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me." And He goes on in verse 26: " ... in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." Do you get it???
Jesus brings His children INTO the relationship that He has with the Father! The "essential commandment" is this: enter into God's love, receiving the love of the Father through Jesus as His Spirit works within you ... receive His love and then LOVE HIM BACK!! The Shema declares the beautiful oneness of God, the perfect love that only God Himself knows, and then invites us to share in that love, to join God in loving Him AND others. Some are already part of His family with us - our brothers and sisters in Christ. And we have the privilege and responsibility to invite others into the circle of God's love.
Do you see why THIS is the "essential commandment," or, as Jesus put it, the "greatest commandment"? If you're not busy on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m., come join us at the Oakwood Intermediate School in Allendale every week for the next few months. If you don't live in the area and are reading this blog, I will be sharing some thoughts as we look at God's Word concerning how to enter into this relationship of love with God and to find joy unspeakable! "Hear!! The LORD our God is ONE," and through His Son Jesus, He has invited YOU to be part of His "circle of love!"
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Religion, Hate, Killing ... What did Jesus do?
Is the world unraveling into one gigantic religious war? What are Christians to think of the turmoil in the Middle East and the part that Islam plays in what is happening? How should we respond? Are we, as Christians, partly to blame? What about the God of the Old Testament? Didn't He tell Joshua and some of the kings to wipe out whole cities and peoples - men, women and children?? How do we sort all of this out?
I'm not going to attempt to give complete answers to all of these questions, but I believe Christians need a response, an answer to these and other questions regarding "religion" that are being asked by many in our nation and around the world. Is our testimony concerning the God of the Bible relevant to our world - even to Muslims? Can we really expect people to understand the God who reveals Himself as just and holy, and at the same time compassionate and merciful? Where do we begin?
We need to begin where we should always begin - with God. The entire Bible is God's revelation of Himself. We cannot pick and choose which parts we are going to use to "define" a god that we will like. God is who He reveals Himself to be. He is the same God in the New Testament as He was in the Old Testament. His character never changes. He IS God!!
When God destroyed all those living on the earth by sending the flood in the days of Noah, we tend to think that all the people who died were unbelievers, but the Bible doesn't say that. The truth is, Noah and his family deserved to die as much as some of those who were swept away by the flood. So it is today, "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). From the beginning God CHOSE some to receive His grace. God made His covenant with Abraham and established the descendants of Abraham as His chosen people. For two thousand years they would be the focus of God's attention on the earth and the Savior would come from the line of Judah.
To make sure that happened, God gave His law, established the tabernacle, then the temple, the sacrifices, the ceremonies - all pointing to the One who would come to be the perfect sacrifice. To protect a godly line, a remnant who would believe in Him, God "isolated" His chosen people by commanding them to destroy their enemies from the land of Canaan, the land God gave to Abraham and his descendants. Remember, ALL people, including those who believe, deserve God's judgment. This is what most people miss or simply refuse to believe. God would be perfectly just if He were to wipe the human race off the face of the earth. In fact, God's judgment WILL come upon the WHOLE earth. God has not changed!
BUT, God determined from before the world began to save SOME ... and so He ultimately brought Jesus, the promised Savior, into the world. God deals with sinners differently during this "time of grace." Paul writes in II Corinthians 6:2 that "this is the day of salvation." There will be a time for God's vengeance, but now is a time when God is calling repent, for He has set a day for judgment (Acts 17:30-31). Jesus Christ, and thus true Christianity, offers life and forgiveness through faith in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, because of His sacrifice on the cross. Sadly, the popes and the crusades in the Middle Ages conquered and killed in the sign of the cross. But this was a perversion of all that Jesus taught. We live in the age of grace, the time of salvation. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us.
Islam is a false religion. It teaches hate and violence. While it is Islamic extremists who carry out violent acts, and there are kind and loving Muslims, ultimately, only true Christians, who know and love Jesus and who are filled by His Spirit, offer grace and forgiveness through the cross. Christians need to be careful how we act and what we say. Too many fail to show mercy, grace and love to all people, offering the Gospel to all who will hear. One day God will deal with all who reject His testimony, but until then, may we understand that we have a calling to tell the world about the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the God of salvation. When Jesus returns, may we be found so doing!
I'm not going to attempt to give complete answers to all of these questions, but I believe Christians need a response, an answer to these and other questions regarding "religion" that are being asked by many in our nation and around the world. Is our testimony concerning the God of the Bible relevant to our world - even to Muslims? Can we really expect people to understand the God who reveals Himself as just and holy, and at the same time compassionate and merciful? Where do we begin?
We need to begin where we should always begin - with God. The entire Bible is God's revelation of Himself. We cannot pick and choose which parts we are going to use to "define" a god that we will like. God is who He reveals Himself to be. He is the same God in the New Testament as He was in the Old Testament. His character never changes. He IS God!!
When God destroyed all those living on the earth by sending the flood in the days of Noah, we tend to think that all the people who died were unbelievers, but the Bible doesn't say that. The truth is, Noah and his family deserved to die as much as some of those who were swept away by the flood. So it is today, "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). From the beginning God CHOSE some to receive His grace. God made His covenant with Abraham and established the descendants of Abraham as His chosen people. For two thousand years they would be the focus of God's attention on the earth and the Savior would come from the line of Judah.
To make sure that happened, God gave His law, established the tabernacle, then the temple, the sacrifices, the ceremonies - all pointing to the One who would come to be the perfect sacrifice. To protect a godly line, a remnant who would believe in Him, God "isolated" His chosen people by commanding them to destroy their enemies from the land of Canaan, the land God gave to Abraham and his descendants. Remember, ALL people, including those who believe, deserve God's judgment. This is what most people miss or simply refuse to believe. God would be perfectly just if He were to wipe the human race off the face of the earth. In fact, God's judgment WILL come upon the WHOLE earth. God has not changed!
BUT, God determined from before the world began to save SOME ... and so He ultimately brought Jesus, the promised Savior, into the world. God deals with sinners differently during this "time of grace." Paul writes in II Corinthians 6:2 that "this is the day of salvation." There will be a time for God's vengeance, but now is a time when God is calling repent, for He has set a day for judgment (Acts 17:30-31). Jesus Christ, and thus true Christianity, offers life and forgiveness through faith in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, because of His sacrifice on the cross. Sadly, the popes and the crusades in the Middle Ages conquered and killed in the sign of the cross. But this was a perversion of all that Jesus taught. We live in the age of grace, the time of salvation. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us.
Islam is a false religion. It teaches hate and violence. While it is Islamic extremists who carry out violent acts, and there are kind and loving Muslims, ultimately, only true Christians, who know and love Jesus and who are filled by His Spirit, offer grace and forgiveness through the cross. Christians need to be careful how we act and what we say. Too many fail to show mercy, grace and love to all people, offering the Gospel to all who will hear. One day God will deal with all who reject His testimony, but until then, may we understand that we have a calling to tell the world about the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the God of salvation. When Jesus returns, may we be found so doing!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
"Our God reigns!"
As I listened to the news this morning I heard about the United States embassies in Libya and Egypt being attacked, and four people, including the American ambassador to Libya, dying. When the "Arab Spring" earlier this year produced new governments in these two troubled areas of the world many were hopeful of a more peaceful region being the result. Such does not appear to be the case. There are some obvious reasons for that and I won't get into those in this post. What I DO want to talk about is GOOD NEWS!
The events of any twenty-four hour period display for all to see the evil that lies within each of us. By nature we are bent towards evil. The human race is headed towards self-destruction. It is inevitable. You see it in our environment and you see it in human relationships, whether on a personal level or on a national level. But there IS good news. God says that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13). Saved from what? Saved from self, from sin, from God's wrath against sin and from eternal death. HOW??
Paul goes on in Romans 10:14-15 to say that people need to believe in Jesus Christ, but first they must be told. Someone must bring the good news to the world. He quotes Isaiah 52:7 and says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" In the days of Isaiah there were many battles being fought and in the midst of the battle it was often difficult to know who would win. Messengers were sent from the battle to the king or to those waiting to hear. They were swift runners who could carry the message quickly and deliver it accurately.
We need some swift runners today. We need some committed messengers who will deliver the good news to those who are waiting to hear. There are people who are fighting battles with their health, their finances, their families ... people with addictions and overwhelming struggles that have weighed them down to the point where they have given up on life. They have no hope. They are ready to throw in the towel. Maybe you have been there. Maybe you're there now. Maybe you know someone who is. There IS good news.
Going back to Isaiah 52:7, we read, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" "Zion" referred to Jerusalem, to God's chosen people, to the ones who had heard about Him and who had trusted in Him. Do you know this God? He has revealed Himself in His Word, from beginning to end. He is Almighty and just, but He is also compassionate and merciful, eager to forgive, abounding in love. He so loved the world that He gave His own Son - He GAVE His Son to pay your penalty for sin and mine. Oh, amazing grace!!!
THIS God reigns and is able to work all things together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). When I hear news like I did this morning, I inevitably turn to the God who has revealed Himself to me through His Word and Spirit. I know Him. I love Him. I know He can be trusted because I know He is reigning from His throne in heaven. Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, is ruling over all things at my Father's right hand. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to HIM!! I am safe in His arms, no matter what is happening in the world or what happens in my life.
This is good news and it can be yours today. If you know it, share it with others. We can't always explain why things happen the way they do or predict how certain things are going to work out. But this much we know: "Our God reigns!" If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, remind your brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing hard times: "Be strong! Your God reigns!!" And then be ready always to give an answer to those who ask you the reason for your hope (I Peter 3:15). Tell them, "MY God reigns ... and He can be YOUR God, too."
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news!!"
The events of any twenty-four hour period display for all to see the evil that lies within each of us. By nature we are bent towards evil. The human race is headed towards self-destruction. It is inevitable. You see it in our environment and you see it in human relationships, whether on a personal level or on a national level. But there IS good news. God says that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13). Saved from what? Saved from self, from sin, from God's wrath against sin and from eternal death. HOW??
Paul goes on in Romans 10:14-15 to say that people need to believe in Jesus Christ, but first they must be told. Someone must bring the good news to the world. He quotes Isaiah 52:7 and says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" In the days of Isaiah there were many battles being fought and in the midst of the battle it was often difficult to know who would win. Messengers were sent from the battle to the king or to those waiting to hear. They were swift runners who could carry the message quickly and deliver it accurately.
We need some swift runners today. We need some committed messengers who will deliver the good news to those who are waiting to hear. There are people who are fighting battles with their health, their finances, their families ... people with addictions and overwhelming struggles that have weighed them down to the point where they have given up on life. They have no hope. They are ready to throw in the towel. Maybe you have been there. Maybe you're there now. Maybe you know someone who is. There IS good news.
Going back to Isaiah 52:7, we read, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" "Zion" referred to Jerusalem, to God's chosen people, to the ones who had heard about Him and who had trusted in Him. Do you know this God? He has revealed Himself in His Word, from beginning to end. He is Almighty and just, but He is also compassionate and merciful, eager to forgive, abounding in love. He so loved the world that He gave His own Son - He GAVE His Son to pay your penalty for sin and mine. Oh, amazing grace!!!
THIS God reigns and is able to work all things together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). When I hear news like I did this morning, I inevitably turn to the God who has revealed Himself to me through His Word and Spirit. I know Him. I love Him. I know He can be trusted because I know He is reigning from His throne in heaven. Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, is ruling over all things at my Father's right hand. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to HIM!! I am safe in His arms, no matter what is happening in the world or what happens in my life.
This is good news and it can be yours today. If you know it, share it with others. We can't always explain why things happen the way they do or predict how certain things are going to work out. But this much we know: "Our God reigns!" If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, remind your brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing hard times: "Be strong! Your God reigns!!" And then be ready always to give an answer to those who ask you the reason for your hope (I Peter 3:15). Tell them, "MY God reigns ... and He can be YOUR God, too."
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news!!"
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
"I have installed MY King on Zion!"
Another 9/11 goes by and all of the pictures bring back the feelings and emotions of 9/11/01. It's a sickening feeling, an overwhelming feeling, a disheartening feeling. So much has been said, so much is being said, so much could be said about the events of that day and the days since. Eleven years have already passed - those who are 15 or 16 and younger don't have any memory of that day. People my age remember where we were when JFK (that's President John F. Kennedy) was assassinated. So what can we learn from such events? Is there anything that is relevant for ALL generations at all times? As Christians, how do we respond? Where is our hope?
I love Psalm 2. It was written during a time when God had established His rule through King David and the armies of Israel had defeated most of the nations around them. But God had more in mind. Just as the nations gathered together against Israel, there would be - there will be - another battle. That battle will take place at some time in the future, perhaps the near future, but even now the nations of the world are in turmoil. Memories of this day remind us of the hate and the evil that is in our world. We are still at war in Afghanistan and just yesterday another leader of the enemies of freedom was killed in Yemen. That there is evil in the world is plain. That there are powers fighting against the establishment of God's kingdom is obvious. BUT, Psalm 2 brings assurance to those who know the one true God.
"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed One. 'Let us break their chains,' they say, 'and throw off their fetters.'" What in the world are "fetters"? They are used to keep animals from moving. God is restricting the nations, preventing them from being as evil as they otherwise would be. As he speaks to the men of Athens, Paul says, "From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live" (Acts 17:26). God sets the rulers in place and guides the events of this world toward His appointed purpose: judgment for those who do not believe, but salvation for those who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
What is God's reaction to those who fight so hard against Him and His kingdom? "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, 'I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.'" Remember, God knows the future as He does the present and the past. God speaks as though it had already happened ... as though Jesus were already ruling from His throne in Jerusalem, as He will be in the future. God says it WILL happen, in spite of the efforts of the nations to deny God - the one true God, the God who has revealed Himself in His Word.
That's how GOD responds to the nations; so how do WE respond? Speaking in the voice of Jesus the Psalmist says, "I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." Jesus will reign over all the earth. Read Zechariah 14 and Isaiah 2:1-4. God is at work in our world, as He was at work in the days when the Psalmist wrote - 3,000 years ago! The Savior has come; He has paid the sacrifice for sin on the cross, and He has risen from the dead and has been exalted to His throne at the right hand of the Father above every power and authority!
The Psalmist comes to this conclusion: "Therefore, you kings be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in you way; for His wrath can flare up in a moment." Jesus Christ is God's anointed. The Gospel is good news - IF you believe it ... IF you receive Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as King. "Kiss the Son," means LOVE the Son. Believers love Jesus because He FIRST loved us! Our hope is in Him and our purpose in life is telling others about Him.
As we witness the evil of those who stand opposed to God, opposed to good, opposed to life, we need to be about our Father's business! "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
I love Psalm 2. It was written during a time when God had established His rule through King David and the armies of Israel had defeated most of the nations around them. But God had more in mind. Just as the nations gathered together against Israel, there would be - there will be - another battle. That battle will take place at some time in the future, perhaps the near future, but even now the nations of the world are in turmoil. Memories of this day remind us of the hate and the evil that is in our world. We are still at war in Afghanistan and just yesterday another leader of the enemies of freedom was killed in Yemen. That there is evil in the world is plain. That there are powers fighting against the establishment of God's kingdom is obvious. BUT, Psalm 2 brings assurance to those who know the one true God.
"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed One. 'Let us break their chains,' they say, 'and throw off their fetters.'" What in the world are "fetters"? They are used to keep animals from moving. God is restricting the nations, preventing them from being as evil as they otherwise would be. As he speaks to the men of Athens, Paul says, "From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live" (Acts 17:26). God sets the rulers in place and guides the events of this world toward His appointed purpose: judgment for those who do not believe, but salvation for those who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
What is God's reaction to those who fight so hard against Him and His kingdom? "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, 'I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.'" Remember, God knows the future as He does the present and the past. God speaks as though it had already happened ... as though Jesus were already ruling from His throne in Jerusalem, as He will be in the future. God says it WILL happen, in spite of the efforts of the nations to deny God - the one true God, the God who has revealed Himself in His Word.
That's how GOD responds to the nations; so how do WE respond? Speaking in the voice of Jesus the Psalmist says, "I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." Jesus will reign over all the earth. Read Zechariah 14 and Isaiah 2:1-4. God is at work in our world, as He was at work in the days when the Psalmist wrote - 3,000 years ago! The Savior has come; He has paid the sacrifice for sin on the cross, and He has risen from the dead and has been exalted to His throne at the right hand of the Father above every power and authority!
The Psalmist comes to this conclusion: "Therefore, you kings be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in you way; for His wrath can flare up in a moment." Jesus Christ is God's anointed. The Gospel is good news - IF you believe it ... IF you receive Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as King. "Kiss the Son," means LOVE the Son. Believers love Jesus because He FIRST loved us! Our hope is in Him and our purpose in life is telling others about Him.
As we witness the evil of those who stand opposed to God, opposed to good, opposed to life, we need to be about our Father's business! "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
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