Psalm 86:13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave
Psalm 86 starts out with these words. . .
Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
This is our condition in life - poor and needy.
Not poor in a financial sense, although there are those that are.
Not needy in a material sense, although there are those that are.
But, poor and needy, in an universal spiritual condition affecting the entire human race.
When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, we all became poor and needy souls, in desperate need of rescue from our depraved state.
That depraved state brought down the death sentence for all of us by God's perfect judgment.
Thank God for a loving God, big enough to save us from the death sentence.
Thank God for His One and Only Son who obediently came down to this earth and took on all the sins, of all of humanity, on his shoulders in payment for us.
He redeemed us! He bought us back from Satan! He delivered us from the grave!
For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave!
A LOVE like that requires a response from us.
Zealousness for his Word, for a relationship with Him, for doing his Work.
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Human Judges: What should Their Agenda Be?
It's election time!
I've heard so many people comment on how this upcoming election is the most important election they have ever been a part of in their lifetime. There are many reasons why it's important but what should we be looking for in our elected leaders at this critical time?
Psalm 82:3-4 gave me some insight.
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Let's break those points down a little bit and see what, or who, might fall in each of these categories. This is just my quick glance. I'm sure you can connect the dots or add more of your own.
DEFEND THE CAUSE OF THE WEAK AND FATHERLESS:
1. Unborn Babies
2. Children without Fathers
3. Children, in general
4. Single Moms or Single Dads
5. Young Adults (18-24 yrs. of age)
6. Elderly
7. Disabled/Sick
8. Workers
9. Victims
10. Widows
11. Aliens
MAINTAIN THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR AND OPPRESSED:
1. Minorities
2. Unskilled/Uneducated
3. Disabled/Sick
4. Elderly
5. Uninsured
6. The people of other nations who live under oppressive governments, or are in war torn areas, or are living in severe situations like famines.
RESCUE THE WEAK AND NEEDY; DELIVER THEM FROM THE HAND OF THE WICKED:
1. Alcoholics/Drug Abusers
2. Depression/Suicidal Persons
3. Identity or Sexual Orientation Issues
4. Pornography
5. Adultery/Infidelity
6. Prisoners
7. False Religions
8. Fame seekers
9. Greed
10. Pride
Jeremiah 22:15-17
15 "Does it make you a king
to have more and more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
He did what was right and just,
so all went well with him.
16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?"
declares the LORD.
17 "But your eyes and your heart
are set only on dishonest gain,
on shedding innocent blood
and on oppression and extortion."
The men and women we should elect into office should have a heart for God!
Their constitution should be one of subject to a higher power, God in heaven; and their motives should be to carry out the heart and agenda of God, to the best of their ability.
So, as we examine the issues at hand; the economy, jobs, budgets, health care, immigration, definition and right to life, defining the family, parental rights, education, etc., how do the representatives you have to choose from in your area sit on these issues; and how does their stance line up with God's Word?
Do your own values and perspectives line up with God's Word?
We will never find a perfect person to fill the roles of our government here on earth but we serve society best by choosing imperfect men and women who understand their position under heavenly authority.
May God give us all wisdom to discern God's heart and may his will be played out in our own lives and in the earthly nation we temporarily reside in.
I've heard so many people comment on how this upcoming election is the most important election they have ever been a part of in their lifetime. There are many reasons why it's important but what should we be looking for in our elected leaders at this critical time?
Psalm 82:3-4 gave me some insight.
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Let's break those points down a little bit and see what, or who, might fall in each of these categories. This is just my quick glance. I'm sure you can connect the dots or add more of your own.
DEFEND THE CAUSE OF THE WEAK AND FATHERLESS:
1. Unborn Babies
2. Children without Fathers
3. Children, in general
4. Single Moms or Single Dads
5. Young Adults (18-24 yrs. of age)
6. Elderly
7. Disabled/Sick
8. Workers
9. Victims
10. Widows
11. Aliens
MAINTAIN THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR AND OPPRESSED:
1. Minorities
2. Unskilled/Uneducated
3. Disabled/Sick
4. Elderly
5. Uninsured
6. The people of other nations who live under oppressive governments, or are in war torn areas, or are living in severe situations like famines.
RESCUE THE WEAK AND NEEDY; DELIVER THEM FROM THE HAND OF THE WICKED:
1. Alcoholics/Drug Abusers
2. Depression/Suicidal Persons
3. Identity or Sexual Orientation Issues
4. Pornography
5. Adultery/Infidelity
6. Prisoners
7. False Religions
8. Fame seekers
9. Greed
10. Pride
Jeremiah 22:15-17
15 "Does it make you a king
to have more and more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
He did what was right and just,
so all went well with him.
16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?"
declares the LORD.
17 "But your eyes and your heart
are set only on dishonest gain,
on shedding innocent blood
and on oppression and extortion."
The men and women we should elect into office should have a heart for God!
Their constitution should be one of subject to a higher power, God in heaven; and their motives should be to carry out the heart and agenda of God, to the best of their ability.
So, as we examine the issues at hand; the economy, jobs, budgets, health care, immigration, definition and right to life, defining the family, parental rights, education, etc., how do the representatives you have to choose from in your area sit on these issues; and how does their stance line up with God's Word?
Do your own values and perspectives line up with God's Word?
We will never find a perfect person to fill the roles of our government here on earth but we serve society best by choosing imperfect men and women who understand their position under heavenly authority.
May God give us all wisdom to discern God's heart and may his will be played out in our own lives and in the earthly nation we temporarily reside in.
Monday, October 4, 2010
A Lesson for Parents
1 Samuel 3:13 (NIV)
For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them.
In 1 Samuel, Eli had two sons that were doing wrong. They were idolaters and immoral people although they were of a priestly family. The disobeyed God openly and Eli knew about it. According to the law at the time, Eli should have called for their deaths due to their sin but instead he only mildly rebuked them. The rebuke was not strong enough to turn them from their ways and they continued to do as they pleased. Eli became a party to the sin by failing to stop it and God deals harshly with them.
Eli's two sons are killed in battle, many more descendants were massacred at Nob, and the priesthood is later transferred from his family to the family of Zadok by Solomon (The Bible Reader's Companion).
Scary stuff, huh?
Parents are responsible for their children's behavior. We have a God given responsibility to teach them right and wrong. Right and wrong according to God's Word, not the ever-changing value system of the world.
This means, as parents, we need to first know what God's Word says about right and wrong. As situations arise, we need to search the scriptures for what to do or how to handle. It needs to be our moral compass, our guidebook in all things, the truth we hold up against the lies of the world.
We need to be in prayer, asking God to help us discern and navigate all the situations that arise, and to ask for faith, trust, and strength to adhere to biblical principles even when the rest of the world seems to be going a different direction.
I'm concerned that most of my peers would say that if their son or daughter wanted to have sex before marriage, they would advise them to use birth control. If the son or daughter is a minor, they might even take them to the doctor to help them procure birth control.
I've heard comments like "if you are going to do it, at least be smart about it", or "Don't ruin my life or yours by getting pregnant".
This is defeated parenting and does nothing to address to root of the sin.
However, the reason parents go this route is varied but includes: being too busy, succumbing to the pressures of society and it's ever-changing morals, not having a good grasp of God's Word on the matter, not wanting any sort of discomfort for themselves or their child, not wanting to give up a lifestyle or a reputation, or just a plain inability to deny their child anything, even if it's bad for them.
Do we as Christians acknowledge that sex outside of marriage is wrong according to the standard set by God? Do we acknowledge that God's standards are good and pure and meant for our own good, not as a means to limit us, or somehow deny us something good? Do we understand that sin left unchecked is very hazardous to our souls and can be life ending? Not just here but for eternity? Do we realize that when we look the other way, try to eliminate the consequence, or blatantly participate in allowing it to continue we become party to the sin and party to the destruction.
We need to take this seriously, parents! Not just in this scenario but in all things related to our children, to parenting, and to our own self discipline and character. You can apply this to anything.
If underage drinking is illegal, and we are called to obey the laws of the land and the leaders of the land, then it is wrong in God's eyes to permit your child to drink while he/she is underage. It is wrong for you to host an underage drinking party (even if you blindly think you are protecting them by having it in your home instead of somewhere else), and it is wrong to supply the alcohol for them.
We must tow the line ourselves and be a good example to follow. We must expect a higher behavior and character then the rest of society. We must teach God's Word and adhere to it ourselves.
Our children will make mistakes and we can love them through their consequences and continue to teach and hold them accountable without destroying them.
For it is in allowing sin to go unchecked that destroys, not the consequence. We must be willing to allow the consequence in the hopes of saving the soul. It is our duty to allow God to work in their lives. If we lead them to believe God doesn't care what they do, they will never see the need to turn to him for help, for repentance, or for salvation.
I pray we make time to do the necessary things to be the kind of parents God expects us to be. We can start today. We can make a commitment today to begin reading God's Word daily. We can begin praying for God to show us where we are failing or where we need to step it up. We can begin to spend more time with our kids so we can understand where they might be in trouble. We can talk openly with our kids about what God expects.
I am not perfect as a person or as a parent but I know One who is, and I trust in Him to the best of my ability to lead me.
For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them.
In 1 Samuel, Eli had two sons that were doing wrong. They were idolaters and immoral people although they were of a priestly family. The disobeyed God openly and Eli knew about it. According to the law at the time, Eli should have called for their deaths due to their sin but instead he only mildly rebuked them. The rebuke was not strong enough to turn them from their ways and they continued to do as they pleased. Eli became a party to the sin by failing to stop it and God deals harshly with them.
Eli's two sons are killed in battle, many more descendants were massacred at Nob, and the priesthood is later transferred from his family to the family of Zadok by Solomon (The Bible Reader's Companion).
Scary stuff, huh?
Parents are responsible for their children's behavior. We have a God given responsibility to teach them right and wrong. Right and wrong according to God's Word, not the ever-changing value system of the world.
This means, as parents, we need to first know what God's Word says about right and wrong. As situations arise, we need to search the scriptures for what to do or how to handle. It needs to be our moral compass, our guidebook in all things, the truth we hold up against the lies of the world.
We need to be in prayer, asking God to help us discern and navigate all the situations that arise, and to ask for faith, trust, and strength to adhere to biblical principles even when the rest of the world seems to be going a different direction.
I'm concerned that most of my peers would say that if their son or daughter wanted to have sex before marriage, they would advise them to use birth control. If the son or daughter is a minor, they might even take them to the doctor to help them procure birth control.
I've heard comments like "if you are going to do it, at least be smart about it", or "Don't ruin my life or yours by getting pregnant".
This is defeated parenting and does nothing to address to root of the sin.
However, the reason parents go this route is varied but includes: being too busy, succumbing to the pressures of society and it's ever-changing morals, not having a good grasp of God's Word on the matter, not wanting any sort of discomfort for themselves or their child, not wanting to give up a lifestyle or a reputation, or just a plain inability to deny their child anything, even if it's bad for them.
Do we as Christians acknowledge that sex outside of marriage is wrong according to the standard set by God? Do we acknowledge that God's standards are good and pure and meant for our own good, not as a means to limit us, or somehow deny us something good? Do we understand that sin left unchecked is very hazardous to our souls and can be life ending? Not just here but for eternity? Do we realize that when we look the other way, try to eliminate the consequence, or blatantly participate in allowing it to continue we become party to the sin and party to the destruction.
We need to take this seriously, parents! Not just in this scenario but in all things related to our children, to parenting, and to our own self discipline and character. You can apply this to anything.
If underage drinking is illegal, and we are called to obey the laws of the land and the leaders of the land, then it is wrong in God's eyes to permit your child to drink while he/she is underage. It is wrong for you to host an underage drinking party (even if you blindly think you are protecting them by having it in your home instead of somewhere else), and it is wrong to supply the alcohol for them.
We must tow the line ourselves and be a good example to follow. We must expect a higher behavior and character then the rest of society. We must teach God's Word and adhere to it ourselves.
Our children will make mistakes and we can love them through their consequences and continue to teach and hold them accountable without destroying them.
For it is in allowing sin to go unchecked that destroys, not the consequence. We must be willing to allow the consequence in the hopes of saving the soul. It is our duty to allow God to work in their lives. If we lead them to believe God doesn't care what they do, they will never see the need to turn to him for help, for repentance, or for salvation.
I pray we make time to do the necessary things to be the kind of parents God expects us to be. We can start today. We can make a commitment today to begin reading God's Word daily. We can begin praying for God to show us where we are failing or where we need to step it up. We can begin to spend more time with our kids so we can understand where they might be in trouble. We can talk openly with our kids about what God expects.
I am not perfect as a person or as a parent but I know One who is, and I trust in Him to the best of my ability to lead me.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Answer to Prayer
Our family is working through a difficult time. One day I broke down before my Lord and asked why. Why our family? Why now? Why us? I poured my heart out to him and laid my burden at his feet but I still wanted answers. I still wanted to know if there was a purpose in all of this. If there was a reason the circumstances will play out this particular way.
God was faithful and provided an answer to my prayer in the story of the blind man found in the book of John, chapter 9, of the bible. It came to me in two parts. The first part was for me. I knew it was God's answer as soon as I read it.
The second part was for another person in my family and it came as I read this story to a family member out loud. As I read, I expected the same revelation of understanding to be given (found in verses 1-3) that gave me so much peace but it wasn't until the end of the story that the revelation of peace came to the other person. I knew, too, as soon as I read verses 35-38 that this is the part of the message God wanted this person to have.
John 9:1-3
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
There was a purpose! God was going to take a life and change it through these circumstances! As a result, God's work would be displayed in this person's life for others to see and marvel at the transformation. This process may be quick, but I am more inclined to think, it will be a long process. But, it started here, in this circumstance, at this point in time. This is the defining moment that will bring about the work of God in this life.
I, also, believe how I handle the situation will display the work of God already taken place in my own life. He has prepared me for this time. He gives me strength now. He holds me up and gives me joy and peace in the midst of the difficult time. The work of God in me will be evident to those around me as they see me rise above the circumstance with hope and grace. Thank you Lord.
John 9:35-38
35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
I believe that Jesus wants to reveal himself through these circumstances in a very intimate way to some who have never thought to look for him or have not yet found him. I don't believe he caused the situation but he allowed it, and there is heavenly purpose. Souls will meet the life source of our Living Lord and Savior and be saved and transformed! These very souls, made alive in Christ, will testify to the goodness of God's grace to others. It's all part of the great story of how God draws men onto himself.
How can I rebel against the work of God? I can't. I must rely on him for strength and continued grace to see us through. I trust in his promises and his love, but more importantly, in his power to turn this around for his purpose.
God was faithful and provided an answer to my prayer in the story of the blind man found in the book of John, chapter 9, of the bible. It came to me in two parts. The first part was for me. I knew it was God's answer as soon as I read it.
The second part was for another person in my family and it came as I read this story to a family member out loud. As I read, I expected the same revelation of understanding to be given (found in verses 1-3) that gave me so much peace but it wasn't until the end of the story that the revelation of peace came to the other person. I knew, too, as soon as I read verses 35-38 that this is the part of the message God wanted this person to have.
John 9:1-3
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
There was a purpose! God was going to take a life and change it through these circumstances! As a result, God's work would be displayed in this person's life for others to see and marvel at the transformation. This process may be quick, but I am more inclined to think, it will be a long process. But, it started here, in this circumstance, at this point in time. This is the defining moment that will bring about the work of God in this life.
I, also, believe how I handle the situation will display the work of God already taken place in my own life. He has prepared me for this time. He gives me strength now. He holds me up and gives me joy and peace in the midst of the difficult time. The work of God in me will be evident to those around me as they see me rise above the circumstance with hope and grace. Thank you Lord.
John 9:35-38
35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
I believe that Jesus wants to reveal himself through these circumstances in a very intimate way to some who have never thought to look for him or have not yet found him. I don't believe he caused the situation but he allowed it, and there is heavenly purpose. Souls will meet the life source of our Living Lord and Savior and be saved and transformed! These very souls, made alive in Christ, will testify to the goodness of God's grace to others. It's all part of the great story of how God draws men onto himself.
How can I rebel against the work of God? I can't. I must rely on him for strength and continued grace to see us through. I trust in his promises and his love, but more importantly, in his power to turn this around for his purpose.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Kingdom of God Is Now
The Kingdom of God is not a far off place I wish to live in someday - I live in it now!
The King Jesus is not a King I will worship and serve someday when I get to heaven - I worship and serve Him today!
The laws of His kingdom are not laws I will obey later in heaven - I obey them now!
The ways of His kingdom are not the ways I will follow once I live in heaven - I follow them now!
The inheritance of the kingdom is not an inheritance I wait to inherit - I claim it today!
The army of the kingdom is not one I wait to be protected by - I am protected now!
I believe, therefore, the kingdom of God is within me - now!
It has come for me, I do not wait for it, it lives in me, and I in it.
I serve Christ and walk in His ways which are contrary to the ways of this worldly kingdom here on earth.
I trust in my perfect King that He knows best what I should do, where I should go, and how I should live. I strive to do as He says.
I understand to live this way among a people of a different kingdom will bring me ridicule, rejection, judgement, suffering, and persecution because the world does not know the Lord I love.
I rest in His promises and faithfulness and trust His Word to be true.
On Judgement Day, He will separate the sheep from the goats. He will take the sheep home and relieve their suffering and reward their faithfulness and allegiance to Him as their King.
I want to be a sheep, His child, called home to rest in His love and provision for all eternity.
In the meantime, I want to be a worker in furthering His kingdom here on earth. I don't always know what that looks like but I trust He will show me.
I depend of my King for strength, wisdom, guidance, and approval. It's His approval and His version of success that I seek!
If I am found faithful in His eyes then my life was well spent.
The King Jesus is not a King I will worship and serve someday when I get to heaven - I worship and serve Him today!
The laws of His kingdom are not laws I will obey later in heaven - I obey them now!
The ways of His kingdom are not the ways I will follow once I live in heaven - I follow them now!
The inheritance of the kingdom is not an inheritance I wait to inherit - I claim it today!
The army of the kingdom is not one I wait to be protected by - I am protected now!
I believe, therefore, the kingdom of God is within me - now!
It has come for me, I do not wait for it, it lives in me, and I in it.
I serve Christ and walk in His ways which are contrary to the ways of this worldly kingdom here on earth.
I trust in my perfect King that He knows best what I should do, where I should go, and how I should live. I strive to do as He says.
I understand to live this way among a people of a different kingdom will bring me ridicule, rejection, judgement, suffering, and persecution because the world does not know the Lord I love.
I rest in His promises and faithfulness and trust His Word to be true.
On Judgement Day, He will separate the sheep from the goats. He will take the sheep home and relieve their suffering and reward their faithfulness and allegiance to Him as their King.
I want to be a sheep, His child, called home to rest in His love and provision for all eternity.
In the meantime, I want to be a worker in furthering His kingdom here on earth. I don't always know what that looks like but I trust He will show me.
I depend of my King for strength, wisdom, guidance, and approval. It's His approval and His version of success that I seek!
If I am found faithful in His eyes then my life was well spent.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Noble Men
But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. Isaiah 32:8
What does it mean to be a noble man?
What are noble plans?
What are noble deeds?
I believe a noble man is a Godly man.
I believe noble plans are plans in accordance with God's will.
I believe noble deeds are the acts we do in the name of Jesus to serve others and to glorify God. It's the living out of God's will for us in our lives.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ is not a noble man. He has not gained nobility yet by becoming an adopted son and co-heir to the kingdom of heaven. He has not entered the royal line.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot, therefore, make noble plans because he will not be seeking the will of his Father in heaven. Instead, he will make plans out of the desires of his evil heart and in accordance with worldly measures. To the world, his plans will look very good but they are not noble plans flowing from the King of Kings.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot do noble deeds because he has no idea who Jesus is, what Jesus would want him to do, nor how to glorify the living God.
A man who does not have a saving faith in Jesus Christ will not understand a noble man, his plans, or his deeds. To follow someone God's will, to go against worldly standards, or to put others ahead of yourself will be foreign concepts to him who does not know Christ.
The saved should act like noble men making noble plans and doing noble deeds. We should be bringing glory to our Father in heaven who saved us through the blood of his Son, Jesus. We should be seeking God's will and doing it.
To those who are not yet noble men, do you know God loves you, and wants to bring you into his Kingdom as co-heirs, as well?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
Noble men take heart when the world does not understand your plans and deeds for our God who saves will also redeem and reward those who walk in His ways. Your actions may also work with the Holy Spirit to draw others into a life of nobility.
What does it mean to be a noble man?
What are noble plans?
What are noble deeds?
I believe a noble man is a Godly man.
I believe noble plans are plans in accordance with God's will.
I believe noble deeds are the acts we do in the name of Jesus to serve others and to glorify God. It's the living out of God's will for us in our lives.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ is not a noble man. He has not gained nobility yet by becoming an adopted son and co-heir to the kingdom of heaven. He has not entered the royal line.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot, therefore, make noble plans because he will not be seeking the will of his Father in heaven. Instead, he will make plans out of the desires of his evil heart and in accordance with worldly measures. To the world, his plans will look very good but they are not noble plans flowing from the King of Kings.
A man without a saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot do noble deeds because he has no idea who Jesus is, what Jesus would want him to do, nor how to glorify the living God.
A man who does not have a saving faith in Jesus Christ will not understand a noble man, his plans, or his deeds. To follow someone God's will, to go against worldly standards, or to put others ahead of yourself will be foreign concepts to him who does not know Christ.
The saved should act like noble men making noble plans and doing noble deeds. We should be bringing glory to our Father in heaven who saved us through the blood of his Son, Jesus. We should be seeking God's will and doing it.
To those who are not yet noble men, do you know God loves you, and wants to bring you into his Kingdom as co-heirs, as well?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
Noble men take heart when the world does not understand your plans and deeds for our God who saves will also redeem and reward those who walk in His ways. Your actions may also work with the Holy Spirit to draw others into a life of nobility.
Monday, March 8, 2010
2010 Earthquakes - Do You Wonder, Too?
Matthew 24:7-8 (New International Version)
7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
2010 Earthquake list as of 3/8/10
1/3/10 Solomon Islands 7.2
1/10/10 Offshore of Northern California 6.5
1/12/10 Haiti 7.0
2/10/10 Illinois 3.8
2/27/10 Offshore Maule, Chile 8.8
3/8/10 Eastern Turkey 6.0
Are we in the end times? Read Matthew 24:1-35 for signs of the end of the age.
I believe we are nearing the end but only God knows for sure when our Lord will return and the prophesy of the end times will play out.
Are we preparing for his return? Will the Master find us ready when He returns? Will we recognize the Good Shepherd's voice?
Luke 12:40 (New International Version)
40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Have you made a decisive decision on whom you will follow - Jesus or Satan?
There are only two sides you can be on - the side of good or the side of evil.
I fear too many are on the fence. Too many are waiting to commit to the Lord because they are trying to enjoy the offerings of the world and satisfy selfish desires, so they delay doing what they know is the only good decision to make. They want it all but you can't have it both ways. You can't live as the world and follow Jesus. The two don't mix.
1 Kings 18:21 (New International Version)
21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
2010 Earthquake list as of 3/8/10
1/3/10 Solomon Islands 7.2
1/10/10 Offshore of Northern California 6.5
1/12/10 Haiti 7.0
2/10/10 Illinois 3.8
2/27/10 Offshore Maule, Chile 8.8
3/8/10 Eastern Turkey 6.0
Are we in the end times? Read Matthew 24:1-35 for signs of the end of the age.
I believe we are nearing the end but only God knows for sure when our Lord will return and the prophesy of the end times will play out.
Are we preparing for his return? Will the Master find us ready when He returns? Will we recognize the Good Shepherd's voice?
Luke 12:40 (New International Version)
40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Have you made a decisive decision on whom you will follow - Jesus or Satan?
There are only two sides you can be on - the side of good or the side of evil.
I fear too many are on the fence. Too many are waiting to commit to the Lord because they are trying to enjoy the offerings of the world and satisfy selfish desires, so they delay doing what they know is the only good decision to make. They want it all but you can't have it both ways. You can't live as the world and follow Jesus. The two don't mix.
1 Kings 18:21 (New International Version)
21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
Who have you decided is God? Satan, Man, Money, Fame, Comfort, etc., or God?
Who are you following? The answer to that question will reveal to you who or what you have elevated as God in your life.
Is it the God who truly saves?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Taking Our Cue From the Birds
In Luke 12 verses 22-34 Jesus talks about replacing worry with faith. He says do not worry about what you will eat or what you will wear.
Verse 23 says, "Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
He then gives an example of the ravens and how they do not sow or reap, yet God feeds them.
Question: If life is not about working for food or clothes, what is it about?
I contemplated the life of a bird this morning and this is what I saw.
A bird is born and is first cared for by its' bird parents. The parents teach the bird what it means to be a bird and how to live and act like a bird. Eventually, the bird goes off on his own, mates, and they reproduce. They then care for their offspring and teach them how to live like birds. They also fly and soar peacefully in the sky for others to see and be in awe of their beauty and ease. Basically, their life is about relationships, caring and teaching their young, and bringing glory to their Creator by staying within the framework of who God created them to be.
A couple of quick differences between birds and man I noted were:
1. A bird doesn't say he would prefer a bigger nest and thus decide not to reproduce so he has more time to work on getting and keeping the bigger nest.
2. A bird doesn't say he doesn't have the time, the resources, or the know how to raise a child and so then decide to kill their own baby bird out of convenience for them.
3. A bird doesn't care what the other birds say about them. They just keep on being who they are.
4. A bird doesn't try to be something their not. I've never seen a bird trying to be a giraffe. I don't see them envying what others have or wanting to be different.
5. I don't see birds sending their children off to someone else to be taught how to live as a bird. A bird doesn't send their offspring to a fox to learn how to be a bird. They take the responsibility on themselves knowing the best way for the little birds to become adult birds is to teach them themselves.
The question was, if life is not about food and clothes, what is it about?
If we take our cue from the birds, maybe it's about relationships, caring and teaching our offspring, being content with who God created us to be, and bringing glory to him in all we do.
Are we living the life God created us to live? Are we soaring in the sky? Are we content, peaceful, and beautiful because we are resting in his providence for us and being obedient to his way and plans?
Doesn't that sound like an awesome way to live? I desire to soar today! I hope you do too!
Verse 23 says, "Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
He then gives an example of the ravens and how they do not sow or reap, yet God feeds them.
Question: If life is not about working for food or clothes, what is it about?
I contemplated the life of a bird this morning and this is what I saw.
A bird is born and is first cared for by its' bird parents. The parents teach the bird what it means to be a bird and how to live and act like a bird. Eventually, the bird goes off on his own, mates, and they reproduce. They then care for their offspring and teach them how to live like birds. They also fly and soar peacefully in the sky for others to see and be in awe of their beauty and ease. Basically, their life is about relationships, caring and teaching their young, and bringing glory to their Creator by staying within the framework of who God created them to be.
A couple of quick differences between birds and man I noted were:
1. A bird doesn't say he would prefer a bigger nest and thus decide not to reproduce so he has more time to work on getting and keeping the bigger nest.
2. A bird doesn't say he doesn't have the time, the resources, or the know how to raise a child and so then decide to kill their own baby bird out of convenience for them.
3. A bird doesn't care what the other birds say about them. They just keep on being who they are.
4. A bird doesn't try to be something their not. I've never seen a bird trying to be a giraffe. I don't see them envying what others have or wanting to be different.
5. I don't see birds sending their children off to someone else to be taught how to live as a bird. A bird doesn't send their offspring to a fox to learn how to be a bird. They take the responsibility on themselves knowing the best way for the little birds to become adult birds is to teach them themselves.
The question was, if life is not about food and clothes, what is it about?
If we take our cue from the birds, maybe it's about relationships, caring and teaching our offspring, being content with who God created us to be, and bringing glory to him in all we do.
Are we living the life God created us to live? Are we soaring in the sky? Are we content, peaceful, and beautiful because we are resting in his providence for us and being obedient to his way and plans?
Doesn't that sound like an awesome way to live? I desire to soar today! I hope you do too!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
State of the Nation 2
State of the Nation 2
Our family gathered around the computer last night to listen to this web cast live.
I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend EVERY CHRISTIAN to watch this.
It's about the spiritual state of our nation, how we got here, and what we must do about it.
Mr. Ken Ham talks about how the 'church' has been duped into believing things that aren't true and I have seen that first hand. This is the very reason we left our old church.
I know everyone is busy but this is just so, so important! Please take the time to watch and then ACT!
Our family gathered around the computer last night to listen to this web cast live.
I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend EVERY CHRISTIAN to watch this.
It's about the spiritual state of our nation, how we got here, and what we must do about it.
Mr. Ken Ham talks about how the 'church' has been duped into believing things that aren't true and I have seen that first hand. This is the very reason we left our old church.
I know everyone is busy but this is just so, so important! Please take the time to watch and then ACT!
Monday, February 1, 2010
First Love
Question: Who or what do you love more than anything else in the world?
The answer to this question reveals where your heart lies and whom or what is your greatest influence. It also shows who or what you will never deny in your life.
I have always known that God commanded us to have no other gods before him, to love Him above all else. From little on this concept was taught to me. Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom but is not wisdom. Knowing the truth and understanding the truth is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
This past week knowledge sparked into a bit of wisdom for me in this area. A bible study I was doing talked about denying self as part of the committed Christian way. The study led me to see that 'self' is all about self and will ALWAYS reject Jesus Christ, thus it must be denied.
Self includes what is within as well as what is around it. Unless we deny all of self and love self less than Jesus, self will always lead us away from Jesus and his way.
God told us in the bible that we are a people prone to wander, to forget about him. Our wanderings and forgetfulness happen when we fail to deny all of self and allow something else to be elevated above our love for Jesus.
I saw a first hand example of this concept in my family this week. As parents, we want our children to love us and our ways above the world and its ways. We want to be the main influence of our children's hearts and souls and be the teacher of what it right and true. For most of their younger years we have their attention and their hearts but then the world starts to pull harder.
For us the world came to our daughter in the form of a 'boyfriend". An unbeliever, from an unbelieving family, with very different views of what is right and true. She allowed her love for us to be diminished as she elevated this boyfriend in her heart. She began to love him more and he was becoming her influence. She began to wander from her parents and her upbringing and she began to forget why she loved us and what we had done for her.
As her mother, I desperately want her to come back, to remember, to return - before it's too late! If you wander too far, forget for too long, you run the risk of never returning or remembering how to get back. Bad things could happen on this path. Parents know because they traveled the same path once themselves and know how hard it is to get back.
How much more does our Father in heaven desperately want us to return and remember because He knows what lies ahead for us if we don't. How much more does He know what a love of self will do to our souls, where it will lead us, and the lies it will get us to believe. How much more does he know that to love him above all else is the most important thing in the world.
It's so important that he will warn us. It's so important that he will punish us if necessary so we learn. It is so important that he will let us go in the hopes that we will return but will grieve to see us go and be waiting patiently for us to come back.
This is why we warn and punish our kids - it's that important. This is why sometimes we have to let them go and find out for themselves-when they are so rebellious that they won't listen to you. We do this because this is what our Heavenly Father does for us.
So, as I see how the love of self distorts the teachings and values we have given our daughter, and how it is leading her away from us, I am given a concrete example of what the love of self does to lead me away from Jesus. I understand now why Jesus says to put him first in our hearts, to love him best, to let nothing come between us.
As a daughter to the King, I need to work on denying my own self and keeping out all that would reject him in my own heart as my Father and King. As I try to bring my daughter back to our way of thinking, God is working on me - to bring me back to His way of thinking, his truth, and his ways in everything!
May you remember who our first love should be and elevate that truth to be the most important thing in the world to you. May you heed God's warnings and return quickly when you do wander or forget!
The answer to this question reveals where your heart lies and whom or what is your greatest influence. It also shows who or what you will never deny in your life.
I have always known that God commanded us to have no other gods before him, to love Him above all else. From little on this concept was taught to me. Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom but is not wisdom. Knowing the truth and understanding the truth is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
This past week knowledge sparked into a bit of wisdom for me in this area. A bible study I was doing talked about denying self as part of the committed Christian way. The study led me to see that 'self' is all about self and will ALWAYS reject Jesus Christ, thus it must be denied.
Self includes what is within as well as what is around it. Unless we deny all of self and love self less than Jesus, self will always lead us away from Jesus and his way.
God told us in the bible that we are a people prone to wander, to forget about him. Our wanderings and forgetfulness happen when we fail to deny all of self and allow something else to be elevated above our love for Jesus.
I saw a first hand example of this concept in my family this week. As parents, we want our children to love us and our ways above the world and its ways. We want to be the main influence of our children's hearts and souls and be the teacher of what it right and true. For most of their younger years we have their attention and their hearts but then the world starts to pull harder.
For us the world came to our daughter in the form of a 'boyfriend". An unbeliever, from an unbelieving family, with very different views of what is right and true. She allowed her love for us to be diminished as she elevated this boyfriend in her heart. She began to love him more and he was becoming her influence. She began to wander from her parents and her upbringing and she began to forget why she loved us and what we had done for her.
As her mother, I desperately want her to come back, to remember, to return - before it's too late! If you wander too far, forget for too long, you run the risk of never returning or remembering how to get back. Bad things could happen on this path. Parents know because they traveled the same path once themselves and know how hard it is to get back.
How much more does our Father in heaven desperately want us to return and remember because He knows what lies ahead for us if we don't. How much more does He know what a love of self will do to our souls, where it will lead us, and the lies it will get us to believe. How much more does he know that to love him above all else is the most important thing in the world.
It's so important that he will warn us. It's so important that he will punish us if necessary so we learn. It is so important that he will let us go in the hopes that we will return but will grieve to see us go and be waiting patiently for us to come back.
This is why we warn and punish our kids - it's that important. This is why sometimes we have to let them go and find out for themselves-when they are so rebellious that they won't listen to you. We do this because this is what our Heavenly Father does for us.
So, as I see how the love of self distorts the teachings and values we have given our daughter, and how it is leading her away from us, I am given a concrete example of what the love of self does to lead me away from Jesus. I understand now why Jesus says to put him first in our hearts, to love him best, to let nothing come between us.
As a daughter to the King, I need to work on denying my own self and keeping out all that would reject him in my own heart as my Father and King. As I try to bring my daughter back to our way of thinking, God is working on me - to bring me back to His way of thinking, his truth, and his ways in everything!
May you remember who our first love should be and elevate that truth to be the most important thing in the world to you. May you heed God's warnings and return quickly when you do wander or forget!
Friday, January 8, 2010
WORLDmag.com | Community | Blog Archive | Proclaiming Christ on Fox News
WORLDmag.com | Community | Blog Archive | Proclaiming Christ on Fox News
Here is a man who is willing to risk his career and public image to speak truth to millions of viewers BECAUSE of what Jesus Christ has done for him.
May we all be so affected by the Jesus of our Christian faith that truth will spill from our lips regardless of the consequences. May we all love with such abandon.
To Christ be the glory!
Here is a man who is willing to risk his career and public image to speak truth to millions of viewers BECAUSE of what Jesus Christ has done for him.
May we all be so affected by the Jesus of our Christian faith that truth will spill from our lips regardless of the consequences. May we all love with such abandon.
To Christ be the glory!
Friday, December 11, 2009
God Glorify Yourself Through Your People Again!
Daniel 9:17-19
"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
When Daniel prayed for God to restore Jerusalem he didn't pray for it because it was his desire or because it would be better for him. Sure, a restored Jerusalem would end the captivity of God's people and allow them to move home. This would most certainly be of great benefit to the people, making their life easier, more familiar, and granting them once again status among nations. It would mean they no longer lived under a curse but once again would be blessed by God. I wouldn't blame Daniel for wanting this to happen for what it would mean for the people.
However, Daniel's prayer, as recorded in Daniel chapter 9, shows his plea is for God's glory to once again be displayed. With words like 'for your sake' and 'your city and your people' he portrays a humble spirit before the Lord. Restoring the city and the people would bring glory and attention to the God of those people. Daniel is aware that the city belongs to God, the people belong to God, and the events that happen are all to bring glory to Himself.
If America could be compared to Jerusalem, we can see a nation that belongs to God and once was known to the whole world as a Christian nation serving the One True God, but now has lost her luster and status among the nations. Just as the sins of Jerusalem brought judgement and punishment, so has America's sins. Just as the people forgot their God, so has America. Just as Daniel recognized the times in which he lived, we, too, recognize we are living under judgement.
I know many people who are afraid of where America is headed and what the future will look life for our children. I know many who recognize that we have gone astray from our Christian roots and heritage. I know many who pray for things to be restored to their former glory. I am one of those who long for how things use to be.
The words in Daniel's prayer hit me hard this morning when I realized I have been praying for these things in my own desire, for my own comfort, for my own gain. I have not had Daniel's perspective that all of this is God's. It's his nation, his people, his story.
His nation and people USE to bring him a glory that reached to the ends of the entire earth when they understood their place under God, relied on him for everything, ruled according to his Word, and displayed a love of God through love for his creation and for all his people in the world. His nation and his people USE to point to him as the King of Kings, as the Creator of all, as the Redeemer, as the Sustainer and Giver of Life, as the Ruler over all.
How grieved God must be at how we have hidden his light in the world. How we have distorted and misrepresented who he is as the rest of the world has watched. Today we are a Christian nation who kills it's own, is greedy and proud, and are found seeking our own glory. It has become all about us and not about him at all. There is no glory to God in the highest coming from our nation.
Daniel desired God to restore Jerusalem and God's people to bring glory back to God. His heart was not seeking anything for himself but rather for the God he so faithfully served. Daniel knew their sins caused the judgement but he also knew God loved his people, was a merciful God, and that God wanted to restore them to their former glory because doing so would bring Glory to Himself.
When we pray for healing and restoration for America or for the Christian Church is it for our comfort and for our glory or is it to once again bring glory to God?
Do we desire for God's people to rise up to make a name for ourselves or so God might glorify Himself through us?
What is the condition of our heart in the matter? Arrogance or Humility? Self-seeking or God-seeking? Taker or Servant?
When we seek God's will, God's glory, God's purpose we align ourselves with his plan for the situation. When our heart and motives are right and pure, THEN God will display his glory through us once again, and by default we will be a blessed people again. We are His people and he desires for us to live for him and when we do he is glorified and we are blessed.
Lord, change my heart to align with yours. Let mine no longer seek for my own gain but for yours. Let me humbly serve and seek to honor you and trust that you will work out everything according to your perfect plan. Amen
"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
When Daniel prayed for God to restore Jerusalem he didn't pray for it because it was his desire or because it would be better for him. Sure, a restored Jerusalem would end the captivity of God's people and allow them to move home. This would most certainly be of great benefit to the people, making their life easier, more familiar, and granting them once again status among nations. It would mean they no longer lived under a curse but once again would be blessed by God. I wouldn't blame Daniel for wanting this to happen for what it would mean for the people.
However, Daniel's prayer, as recorded in Daniel chapter 9, shows his plea is for God's glory to once again be displayed. With words like 'for your sake' and 'your city and your people' he portrays a humble spirit before the Lord. Restoring the city and the people would bring glory and attention to the God of those people. Daniel is aware that the city belongs to God, the people belong to God, and the events that happen are all to bring glory to Himself.
If America could be compared to Jerusalem, we can see a nation that belongs to God and once was known to the whole world as a Christian nation serving the One True God, but now has lost her luster and status among the nations. Just as the sins of Jerusalem brought judgement and punishment, so has America's sins. Just as the people forgot their God, so has America. Just as Daniel recognized the times in which he lived, we, too, recognize we are living under judgement.
I know many people who are afraid of where America is headed and what the future will look life for our children. I know many who recognize that we have gone astray from our Christian roots and heritage. I know many who pray for things to be restored to their former glory. I am one of those who long for how things use to be.
The words in Daniel's prayer hit me hard this morning when I realized I have been praying for these things in my own desire, for my own comfort, for my own gain. I have not had Daniel's perspective that all of this is God's. It's his nation, his people, his story.
His nation and people USE to bring him a glory that reached to the ends of the entire earth when they understood their place under God, relied on him for everything, ruled according to his Word, and displayed a love of God through love for his creation and for all his people in the world. His nation and his people USE to point to him as the King of Kings, as the Creator of all, as the Redeemer, as the Sustainer and Giver of Life, as the Ruler over all.
How grieved God must be at how we have hidden his light in the world. How we have distorted and misrepresented who he is as the rest of the world has watched. Today we are a Christian nation who kills it's own, is greedy and proud, and are found seeking our own glory. It has become all about us and not about him at all. There is no glory to God in the highest coming from our nation.
Daniel desired God to restore Jerusalem and God's people to bring glory back to God. His heart was not seeking anything for himself but rather for the God he so faithfully served. Daniel knew their sins caused the judgement but he also knew God loved his people, was a merciful God, and that God wanted to restore them to their former glory because doing so would bring Glory to Himself.
When we pray for healing and restoration for America or for the Christian Church is it for our comfort and for our glory or is it to once again bring glory to God?
Do we desire for God's people to rise up to make a name for ourselves or so God might glorify Himself through us?
What is the condition of our heart in the matter? Arrogance or Humility? Self-seeking or God-seeking? Taker or Servant?
When we seek God's will, God's glory, God's purpose we align ourselves with his plan for the situation. When our heart and motives are right and pure, THEN God will display his glory through us once again, and by default we will be a blessed people again. We are His people and he desires for us to live for him and when we do he is glorified and we are blessed.
Lord, change my heart to align with yours. Let mine no longer seek for my own gain but for yours. Let me humbly serve and seek to honor you and trust that you will work out everything according to your perfect plan. Amen
Understood and Yet. . .
Take note of what comes after the two times the word 'yet' is used in Daniel 9:13-14.
13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet
we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.
14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does;
yet
we have not obeyed him.
Christians who are praying for revival and restoration in the Church today, hopefully, are also seeking God's favor by turning away from our sins, giving attention to God's truth, and practicing obedience to God's commands and laws.
Daniel pleads with God for the restoration of Jerusalem through prayer and fasting and confesses the sins of the nation. He used words like...
1. Done Wrong
2. Been Wicked
3. Rebelled
4. Have turned away from your commands and laws
5. Not listened to your servants the prophets
6. Been Unfaithful to God
7. Sinned against God
8. Not Obeyed
Do we recognize all the ways we have been wicked and turned away from God's way? Are we making a concerted effort to do good in God's eyes and seek his truth on a regular basis? Are we humbling ourselves to the way of God or do we continue to pursue our own selfish desires?
Sometimes we understand the times we live in as being God's judgement but neglect to understand how to properly seek the mercy of God in bringing restoration. In Daniel, God's people understood the desolation of Jerusalem was a judgement of God and YET they continued as they were.
Are Christians today doing the same?
13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet
we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.
14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does;
yet
we have not obeyed him.
Christians who are praying for revival and restoration in the Church today, hopefully, are also seeking God's favor by turning away from our sins, giving attention to God's truth, and practicing obedience to God's commands and laws.
Daniel pleads with God for the restoration of Jerusalem through prayer and fasting and confesses the sins of the nation. He used words like...
1. Done Wrong
2. Been Wicked
3. Rebelled
4. Have turned away from your commands and laws
5. Not listened to your servants the prophets
6. Been Unfaithful to God
7. Sinned against God
8. Not Obeyed
Do we recognize all the ways we have been wicked and turned away from God's way? Are we making a concerted effort to do good in God's eyes and seek his truth on a regular basis? Are we humbling ourselves to the way of God or do we continue to pursue our own selfish desires?
Sometimes we understand the times we live in as being God's judgement but neglect to understand how to properly seek the mercy of God in bringing restoration. In Daniel, God's people understood the desolation of Jerusalem was a judgement of God and YET they continued as they were.
Are Christians today doing the same?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Why I Signed the Manhattan Declaration
Daniel 3:16-18 (New International Version)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
My daily bible study was on Daniel 3 this morning. When I read these words it summed up for me the reason why I signed the Manhattan Declaration earlier this week. These three men resolved to not bow down or serve any other god other then their God even if that meant defying the King's command and facing his judgement of being thrown into a fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:28-29 (New International Version)
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
The New Testament chapter I read today was Mark 15, which recalls the events of the day Jesus Christ was crucified dead and buried. This ties perfectly into the last sentence of Daniel 3 - "for no other god can save in this way."
No earthly idol or man made god can save us from our sin and certain eternal destruction. Only the God of heaven and earth, the Creator of the Universe, the Christ Jesus can save us in this way.
The idols of our day include:
Money - Sex - Material Possessions - Physical Appearances - Fame - Power - Drugs - Security - Status
People compromise or conform every day in order to hang onto these false gods that do not save! Even those who call themselves Christians.
Why?
If we really knew the Christ who truly saves, we would all resolve not to conform or compromise our loyalty to our Lord.
This includes conforming to the government policy of the day, if it is evil and contrary to God's Word. This is why I signed the Manhattan Declaration!
The God I serve is able to save us from this situation, but even if He doesn't, I want the Government to know I resolve not to serve their gods or bow down to any other god.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
My daily bible study was on Daniel 3 this morning. When I read these words it summed up for me the reason why I signed the Manhattan Declaration earlier this week. These three men resolved to not bow down or serve any other god other then their God even if that meant defying the King's command and facing his judgement of being thrown into a fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:28-29 (New International Version)
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
The New Testament chapter I read today was Mark 15, which recalls the events of the day Jesus Christ was crucified dead and buried. This ties perfectly into the last sentence of Daniel 3 - "for no other god can save in this way."
No earthly idol or man made god can save us from our sin and certain eternal destruction. Only the God of heaven and earth, the Creator of the Universe, the Christ Jesus can save us in this way.
The idols of our day include:
Money - Sex - Material Possessions - Physical Appearances - Fame - Power - Drugs - Security - Status
People compromise or conform every day in order to hang onto these false gods that do not save! Even those who call themselves Christians.
Why?
If we really knew the Christ who truly saves, we would all resolve not to conform or compromise our loyalty to our Lord.
This includes conforming to the government policy of the day, if it is evil and contrary to God's Word. This is why I signed the Manhattan Declaration!
The God I serve is able to save us from this situation, but even if He doesn't, I want the Government to know I resolve not to serve their gods or bow down to any other god.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Manhattan Declaration
The Manhattan Declaration
Please take the time to read this document. It is so very important!
Please, also, go to focusonthefamily.com to listen to today's program titled: A Manifesto for Righteousness which discusses the Manhattan Declaration.
I heard Dr. Dobson say that if taxpayers are forced to pay to fund abortions, he and his wife cannot participate, even if that means they have to live in another country for the rest of their lives. Are we as committed? I pray it does not come to that but what would you do if it did? What are we doing to prevent our leaders from taking us down that road.
I signed this document today and I pray you do as well.
Please take the time to read this document. It is so very important!
Please, also, go to focusonthefamily.com to listen to today's program titled: A Manifesto for Righteousness which discusses the Manhattan Declaration.
I heard Dr. Dobson say that if taxpayers are forced to pay to fund abortions, he and his wife cannot participate, even if that means they have to live in another country for the rest of their lives. Are we as committed? I pray it does not come to that but what would you do if it did? What are we doing to prevent our leaders from taking us down that road.
I signed this document today and I pray you do as well.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Be Fruitful. . .
I have been searching the scriptures for information of education recently. I want to see what education looks like from a biblical perspective, What did the first glimpses of education look like for Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, etc.? I suspect we have gotten off track along the way and I just had a desire to look into it a little deeper.
I didn't get far into the chapter of Genesis before I came to a few verses that took me down a rabbit trail.
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
I had always glossed over that 'be fruitful' phrase assuming it meant the same as multiplying and filling the earth. However, when I got to the story of Noah, I noticed that God used this same phrase with Noah. In fact, he says it three times. It must be pretty important.
Genesis 8:15-17 Then God said to Noah, "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it."
Genesis 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.
Genesis 9:7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."
These were the first commands given by God to Adam and then to Noah. Did he only want them, including the animals, just to multiply and fill the earth or is there more to the command?
I looked up other verses in the bible that talk about fruit or being fruitful in the hope of understanding this better. If I had a bible with the Greek meanings of the words, I would have used that, too. But I don't, so you go with what you have.
Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
God is often called the living water. We often talk about being rooted in God's Word. Fruit is often referred to as Godly characteristics or works. Is this verse to describe a person who draws life from God, is rooted in God's Word, is maturing and growing in their faith, becoming ready, to be and do what God has assigned, sustaining and persevering his whole life in the faith, and is successful because he does the will of God? Is this what God meant about being 'fruitful'?
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
This verse looks like evangelizing; rooting others in God's Word and leading others to eternal life.
So far, we have a picture of 'fruitful' being both personal growth and helping other to grow in the knowledge of God.
Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Authentic, life saving fruit cannot be produced if the life source is anything other than the Godhead himself. So, 'be fruitful' is also telling us the source of life, and of fruit, is God and nothing else.
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.
God is the Gardener who perfects us and our fruit! We can rest in His work in us because it has a perfect purpose, although painful at times.
Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These are characteristics a fallen world cannot produce on their own without first having known such shown toward them and then having been transformed by God himself.
I never noticed the last line of this verse before. What does it mean against such thing there is no law? I wondered if before the fall - when there was yet no need for the law - did these things come naturally to Adam and Eve because of their intimate relationship with God? Which led me to the next verse.
Rev. 22:2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Adam and Eve had access to the Tree of Life until sin entered the world. We will once again have access to the Tree of Life when Jesus restores all things back to their former eternal characteristics.
Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
Wives have children (increase and multiply). A Christian Mother who raises her children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord is being 'fruitful'. In fact, she must first be drawing life from God herself. She must first be rooted in God's Word. She is then able to show her children where to draw life from and how to stay rooted in God's Word for themselves. She understands who the perfecter of her faith is, and the faith of her children, and she diligently teaches her children to walk in God's ways and to rest in his will. By doing so, she fulfills both Psalm 1:3 and Proverbs 11:30. Mothers have suck a divine priviledge!
The first instruction of education is to know God!
The second instruction is to always walk with him and in His will!
The third instruction is to teach your children to do the same through example and diligent teaching!
How do the three commands given to Adam and then to Noah conflict with what the world teaches?
The world teaches there is no God or that you are your own god. The world teaches no Creator but rather chance. The world doesn't acknowledge a divine life source because they don't believe in a heaven or hell. The world doesn't value children or the call for mothers to raise them in God's Word. The feminist movement puts a womans value elsewhere. The U.N. and agencies like Planned Parenthood would rather control the population and limit it's growth. A generation who isn't drawing from the authentic eternal life source isn't able to teach their children to do so either.
If no one heeds God's command in this area, the next generation may be similar to the one of Noah's generation. However, I know there are Christian families all over the world who do heed God's command, although we are in the minority. We must be even more diligent and reliant on God so that our children may be a beacon of light to the world. May God bless the efforts of those who obey.
I will continue to look up what education looks like in the bible, but the first and most important aspect to knowledge and wisdom is the fear and knowledge of God.
I didn't get far into the chapter of Genesis before I came to a few verses that took me down a rabbit trail.
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
I had always glossed over that 'be fruitful' phrase assuming it meant the same as multiplying and filling the earth. However, when I got to the story of Noah, I noticed that God used this same phrase with Noah. In fact, he says it three times. It must be pretty important.
Genesis 8:15-17 Then God said to Noah, "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it."
Genesis 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.
Genesis 9:7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."
These were the first commands given by God to Adam and then to Noah. Did he only want them, including the animals, just to multiply and fill the earth or is there more to the command?
I looked up other verses in the bible that talk about fruit or being fruitful in the hope of understanding this better. If I had a bible with the Greek meanings of the words, I would have used that, too. But I don't, so you go with what you have.
Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
God is often called the living water. We often talk about being rooted in God's Word. Fruit is often referred to as Godly characteristics or works. Is this verse to describe a person who draws life from God, is rooted in God's Word, is maturing and growing in their faith, becoming ready, to be and do what God has assigned, sustaining and persevering his whole life in the faith, and is successful because he does the will of God? Is this what God meant about being 'fruitful'?
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
This verse looks like evangelizing; rooting others in God's Word and leading others to eternal life.
So far, we have a picture of 'fruitful' being both personal growth and helping other to grow in the knowledge of God.
Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Authentic, life saving fruit cannot be produced if the life source is anything other than the Godhead himself. So, 'be fruitful' is also telling us the source of life, and of fruit, is God and nothing else.
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.
God is the Gardener who perfects us and our fruit! We can rest in His work in us because it has a perfect purpose, although painful at times.
Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These are characteristics a fallen world cannot produce on their own without first having known such shown toward them and then having been transformed by God himself.
I never noticed the last line of this verse before. What does it mean against such thing there is no law? I wondered if before the fall - when there was yet no need for the law - did these things come naturally to Adam and Eve because of their intimate relationship with God? Which led me to the next verse.
Rev. 22:2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Adam and Eve had access to the Tree of Life until sin entered the world. We will once again have access to the Tree of Life when Jesus restores all things back to their former eternal characteristics.
Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
Wives have children (increase and multiply). A Christian Mother who raises her children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord is being 'fruitful'. In fact, she must first be drawing life from God herself. She must first be rooted in God's Word. She is then able to show her children where to draw life from and how to stay rooted in God's Word for themselves. She understands who the perfecter of her faith is, and the faith of her children, and she diligently teaches her children to walk in God's ways and to rest in his will. By doing so, she fulfills both Psalm 1:3 and Proverbs 11:30. Mothers have suck a divine priviledge!
The first instruction of education is to know God!
The second instruction is to always walk with him and in His will!
The third instruction is to teach your children to do the same through example and diligent teaching!
How do the three commands given to Adam and then to Noah conflict with what the world teaches?
The world teaches there is no God or that you are your own god. The world teaches no Creator but rather chance. The world doesn't acknowledge a divine life source because they don't believe in a heaven or hell. The world doesn't value children or the call for mothers to raise them in God's Word. The feminist movement puts a womans value elsewhere. The U.N. and agencies like Planned Parenthood would rather control the population and limit it's growth. A generation who isn't drawing from the authentic eternal life source isn't able to teach their children to do so either.
If no one heeds God's command in this area, the next generation may be similar to the one of Noah's generation. However, I know there are Christian families all over the world who do heed God's command, although we are in the minority. We must be even more diligent and reliant on God so that our children may be a beacon of light to the world. May God bless the efforts of those who obey.
I will continue to look up what education looks like in the bible, but the first and most important aspect to knowledge and wisdom is the fear and knowledge of God.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Nehemiah - How One Man Made a Difference - Part 6
As the wall neared completion, the opposition stepped up its tactics, this time trying to distract and draw away from the work. Four times the opposition attempts to draw Nehemiah away from the city and his work and four times Nehemiah says no.
On the fifth attempt they send along an unsealed letter (anyone could have read it before it got to Nehemiah)for him to read. The letter points out the presence of a 'rumor' that Nehemiah and the people are planning a revolt and that Nehemiah is positioning himself to become King. They are in essence saying either come out here and meet with us OR we will pass this information along to the King (Blackmail).
The fact that the letter was unsealed, and most likely leaked out to the general population, was a ploy to undermine Nehemiah to the people with the intent of entangling them in "What if" thinking and become so burdened by questions they lose their resolve, commitment, and allegiance to Nehemiah's lead on this project and thus stop working.
I love Nehemiah's response in verse 8...I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head." He recognizes the tactics being used and what their objective is.
Nehemiah turns to God and prays, "Now, strength my hands." He doesn't succumb to the pressure. He doesn't allow an ounce of weakness or fear to set in but rather turns to God and ask for the strength to be given to work harder to overcome these new obstacles.
Later, a man named Shemaiah suggest that he and Nehemiah meet inside the temple and lock themselves in inside in order to save Nehemiah's life. He informs him there are men coming to kill him. But Nehemiah discerns that this man is not his friend but rather has been hired to intimidate him into sin so they could discredit him to the people. Divide and conqueror tactic. The lesson we can learn from Nehemiah here is that those who appear to be our friends are not always so and we should use discernment. What looks like truth isn't always truth.
Nehemiah again prays to God. This time he asks God to remember the deeds these guys are doing against him. Nehemiah knows he can't waste time seeking vengeance or getting wrapped up in this game playing. Plus, he knows it's not his to seek. He gives it back to God to handle. He trust that God sees, God knows, and that God will handle it. He shows his trust by simply saying 'remember'.
The wall is built in 52 days!
What is the response of the opposition upon hearing of the walls completion? Fear and loss of self-confidence. Nothing like God to shut up the scoffers. Why was this their response? They knew this was done in the strength of God. God brought testimony to Himself through the success of this project. Even those who won't bow down and worship the Lord are aware of his presence and his deeds!
Well, even though the wall is done, the power struggle continues. Posturing for the hearts of the people continues. The opposition sees their need to be elevated in the eyes of the people in order to gain influence. They realize the only way to elevate themselves is to in fact discredit Nehemiah. They stay close to Nehemiah (keep your enemies close mentality) in order to try to trip him up or hear him make a mistake that they can use against him and to their favor.
The lesson here is to always be on guard, never trust the enemy, and do not give the enemy a foothold to use against you or to accuse you. Unrepentant sin in our lives allows a foothold for Satan into our hearts and he only needs a little to take an inch. Protect yourself and don't buy into the lies he wants you to believe!
In summary, Nehemiah shows us the opposition gets stronger as you get closer to completing God's work and we must always be on our guard, discerning, trusting God, praying to God, and living a righteous life in order to protect ourselves from the enemies attacks.
Trust God to take care of those scheming against you and God's people. Their day of judgement will come.
On the fifth attempt they send along an unsealed letter (anyone could have read it before it got to Nehemiah)for him to read. The letter points out the presence of a 'rumor' that Nehemiah and the people are planning a revolt and that Nehemiah is positioning himself to become King. They are in essence saying either come out here and meet with us OR we will pass this information along to the King (Blackmail).
The fact that the letter was unsealed, and most likely leaked out to the general population, was a ploy to undermine Nehemiah to the people with the intent of entangling them in "What if" thinking and become so burdened by questions they lose their resolve, commitment, and allegiance to Nehemiah's lead on this project and thus stop working.
I love Nehemiah's response in verse 8...I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head." He recognizes the tactics being used and what their objective is.
Nehemiah turns to God and prays, "Now, strength my hands." He doesn't succumb to the pressure. He doesn't allow an ounce of weakness or fear to set in but rather turns to God and ask for the strength to be given to work harder to overcome these new obstacles.
Later, a man named Shemaiah suggest that he and Nehemiah meet inside the temple and lock themselves in inside in order to save Nehemiah's life. He informs him there are men coming to kill him. But Nehemiah discerns that this man is not his friend but rather has been hired to intimidate him into sin so they could discredit him to the people. Divide and conqueror tactic. The lesson we can learn from Nehemiah here is that those who appear to be our friends are not always so and we should use discernment. What looks like truth isn't always truth.
Nehemiah again prays to God. This time he asks God to remember the deeds these guys are doing against him. Nehemiah knows he can't waste time seeking vengeance or getting wrapped up in this game playing. Plus, he knows it's not his to seek. He gives it back to God to handle. He trust that God sees, God knows, and that God will handle it. He shows his trust by simply saying 'remember'.
The wall is built in 52 days!
What is the response of the opposition upon hearing of the walls completion? Fear and loss of self-confidence. Nothing like God to shut up the scoffers. Why was this their response? They knew this was done in the strength of God. God brought testimony to Himself through the success of this project. Even those who won't bow down and worship the Lord are aware of his presence and his deeds!
Well, even though the wall is done, the power struggle continues. Posturing for the hearts of the people continues. The opposition sees their need to be elevated in the eyes of the people in order to gain influence. They realize the only way to elevate themselves is to in fact discredit Nehemiah. They stay close to Nehemiah (keep your enemies close mentality) in order to try to trip him up or hear him make a mistake that they can use against him and to their favor.
The lesson here is to always be on guard, never trust the enemy, and do not give the enemy a foothold to use against you or to accuse you. Unrepentant sin in our lives allows a foothold for Satan into our hearts and he only needs a little to take an inch. Protect yourself and don't buy into the lies he wants you to believe!
In summary, Nehemiah shows us the opposition gets stronger as you get closer to completing God's work and we must always be on our guard, discerning, trusting God, praying to God, and living a righteous life in order to protect ourselves from the enemies attacks.
Trust God to take care of those scheming against you and God's people. Their day of judgement will come.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Nehemiah - How One Man Made A Difference - Part 5
In Chapter 4, we saw God frustrate the plans of the opposition and the work on the wall continued. In Chapter 5, another problem arises, this time though it's not an external threat but rather an internal one.
Nehemiah learns that some wealthy Jews are taking advantage of their poor neighbors by charging them high interest rates. This practice is putting undue pressure on the people to the point that some are being forced to sell their children into slavery.
The people bring their complaints to Nehemiah. Now, Nehemiah is in Jerusalem because God placed the rebuilding of the wall project on his heart, and in the process of rebuilding this wall, the people begin to trust him, and they start to look to him for leadership in other areas, too.
This may or may not be more than he bargained for but the people seem to be looking to him for help. Again, he hears of a situation that makes him angry, just like when he heard the initial report of the destruction in Jerusalem that led him to be even be here in the city. So, Nehemiah once again steps up to the challenge.
He calls a meeting, inviting the people responsible, and lets them know that he knows what they are doing and that it will stop immediately. I think this takes courage on his behalf. These people have been there longer than he, are probably in a higher position than he, and most likely more financially secure. To have the humble new guy rock the boat seems pretty brave to me. Nehemiah can stand firm and courageously because he has both truth and God on his side. Who can stand against that?
It says in verse 8, ... They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. There was not defense or rhetorical response because they knew for themselves what they were doing was wrong. These were learned men, they knew the law. Nothing like a public airing out to shame you into changing your ways.
Nehemiah demands them to not only stop the practice but to give back what they took as collateral. He makes them swear not to do it again and asks God to shake out any that do not keep his promise.
I find it interesting that their is no list of consequences given. It you do this...then this will happen. It's not a man made punishment Nehemiah is looking for here. He is invoking God to determine the punishment and carry it out. I don't know about you but I would be very fearful of trying to get away with doing this again.
Later, when Nehemiah is Governor, he is careful to set a good example for others in the way he behaves. It says that he didn't use his stature or position or the resources available to him as Governor to Lord it over the people or at their expense like previous Governors had done. Verse 15 says ... But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, he and his men were devoted to serving the people rather than prospering themselves.
The rebuilding of the wall is a perfect example of Nehemiah concerned for the whole of the people instead of a few. A rebuilt wall would protect and secure all the people.
Nehemiah was also generous with his resources and with his time with others. What he had was less than other governors but he shared more with the people than his predecessors. Verse 19 reads, Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.
Thoughts after reading this chapter:
1. Has sin in our own lives caused an internal threat to our life? Sometimes it's the enemy within that brings down the house. What might be in our hearts that is manifesting itself in outward sin that maybe we have been ignoring or naively thinking doesn't matter? It would be wise for all of us to examine our own hearts and put to death the internal enemy before it destroys us.
2. How might the actions of wealthy Christians in American or Europe be harshly affecting the poor Christians in other parts of the world? How does our sense of entitlement and our materialistic/consumption lifestyles put undue pressure on poorer Christian countries? How has our greed affected the world economy tied to our dollar or our markets? How does cutting the rain forest in South America affect the weather pattern in Africa (droughts)? Are we hurting 'our own' through our greed and consumption? Are we an internal threat in today's Jerusalem to our poorer neighbors? Would Nehemiah call us out publicly today and insist that we stop, and those who don't be shook out by God?
3. What if the greedy financial guys on wall street and the greedy politicians in Washington had to give back all of the money they lost on our behalf by their scheming? What if they had to vow before God to never do it again? You wouldn't have retirees with an empty retirement account or homeowners with no home to live in.
4. What if our elected officials followed Nehemiah's example by being a leader that works to improve the collective situation of the people versus trying to protect their own coffers or agendas? Where does our 'wall' today need to be repaired or rebuilt? What is broken in our security front that must be repaired to ensure our safety? Debt?
5. What if we were all more generous with what God has given us to use? Do we understand that what we have belongs to God and not us? The answer to that question usually determines how generous you are with your resources.
6. How might God remember us? With favor or Judgement? Nehemiah did what he did because he loved God and wanted to please him. He didn't do it because he was just a nice guy or someone with a desire to elevate himself through self-sacrifice. He truly loved the Lord and wanted to serve him. He is looking for his reward in heaven when he sits in the presence of the Lord. He wants to hear from his master that He remembered his faithfulness and is pleased with him.
Nehemiah learns that some wealthy Jews are taking advantage of their poor neighbors by charging them high interest rates. This practice is putting undue pressure on the people to the point that some are being forced to sell their children into slavery.
The people bring their complaints to Nehemiah. Now, Nehemiah is in Jerusalem because God placed the rebuilding of the wall project on his heart, and in the process of rebuilding this wall, the people begin to trust him, and they start to look to him for leadership in other areas, too.
This may or may not be more than he bargained for but the people seem to be looking to him for help. Again, he hears of a situation that makes him angry, just like when he heard the initial report of the destruction in Jerusalem that led him to be even be here in the city. So, Nehemiah once again steps up to the challenge.
He calls a meeting, inviting the people responsible, and lets them know that he knows what they are doing and that it will stop immediately. I think this takes courage on his behalf. These people have been there longer than he, are probably in a higher position than he, and most likely more financially secure. To have the humble new guy rock the boat seems pretty brave to me. Nehemiah can stand firm and courageously because he has both truth and God on his side. Who can stand against that?
It says in verse 8, ... They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. There was not defense or rhetorical response because they knew for themselves what they were doing was wrong. These were learned men, they knew the law. Nothing like a public airing out to shame you into changing your ways.
Nehemiah demands them to not only stop the practice but to give back what they took as collateral. He makes them swear not to do it again and asks God to shake out any that do not keep his promise.
I find it interesting that their is no list of consequences given. It you do this...then this will happen. It's not a man made punishment Nehemiah is looking for here. He is invoking God to determine the punishment and carry it out. I don't know about you but I would be very fearful of trying to get away with doing this again.
Later, when Nehemiah is Governor, he is careful to set a good example for others in the way he behaves. It says that he didn't use his stature or position or the resources available to him as Governor to Lord it over the people or at their expense like previous Governors had done. Verse 15 says ... But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, he and his men were devoted to serving the people rather than prospering themselves.
The rebuilding of the wall is a perfect example of Nehemiah concerned for the whole of the people instead of a few. A rebuilt wall would protect and secure all the people.
Nehemiah was also generous with his resources and with his time with others. What he had was less than other governors but he shared more with the people than his predecessors. Verse 19 reads, Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.
Thoughts after reading this chapter:
1. Has sin in our own lives caused an internal threat to our life? Sometimes it's the enemy within that brings down the house. What might be in our hearts that is manifesting itself in outward sin that maybe we have been ignoring or naively thinking doesn't matter? It would be wise for all of us to examine our own hearts and put to death the internal enemy before it destroys us.
2. How might the actions of wealthy Christians in American or Europe be harshly affecting the poor Christians in other parts of the world? How does our sense of entitlement and our materialistic/consumption lifestyles put undue pressure on poorer Christian countries? How has our greed affected the world economy tied to our dollar or our markets? How does cutting the rain forest in South America affect the weather pattern in Africa (droughts)? Are we hurting 'our own' through our greed and consumption? Are we an internal threat in today's Jerusalem to our poorer neighbors? Would Nehemiah call us out publicly today and insist that we stop, and those who don't be shook out by God?
3. What if the greedy financial guys on wall street and the greedy politicians in Washington had to give back all of the money they lost on our behalf by their scheming? What if they had to vow before God to never do it again? You wouldn't have retirees with an empty retirement account or homeowners with no home to live in.
4. What if our elected officials followed Nehemiah's example by being a leader that works to improve the collective situation of the people versus trying to protect their own coffers or agendas? Where does our 'wall' today need to be repaired or rebuilt? What is broken in our security front that must be repaired to ensure our safety? Debt?
5. What if we were all more generous with what God has given us to use? Do we understand that what we have belongs to God and not us? The answer to that question usually determines how generous you are with your resources.
6. How might God remember us? With favor or Judgement? Nehemiah did what he did because he loved God and wanted to please him. He didn't do it because he was just a nice guy or someone with a desire to elevate himself through self-sacrifice. He truly loved the Lord and wanted to serve him. He is looking for his reward in heaven when he sits in the presence of the Lord. He wants to hear from his master that He remembered his faithfulness and is pleased with him.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Nehemiah - How One Man Made A Difference - Part 4
Chapter 4 of Nehemiah begins with opposition. The opposition in this case were greatly incensed that progress was being made on the rebuilding of the wall.
Here's are some truths I learned from reading this chapter that can apply to our lives today.
1. Success should expect opposition.
When we are doing God's work, you can bet Satan will be incensed at any progress we make. We should expect then that Satan and his hosts will oppose, ridicule, and prey on our fears and inadequacies in every attempt to get us sidetracked or to stop altogether. He will do anything to prevent us from being successful and furthering God's Kingdom. It should be of no surprise to us when we sense these things beginning to happen nor of where they come from and why. So, what are you to do about it?
2. Appeal to God for protection and judgement
Nehemiah didn't waste time fighting the battles with the opposition himself. He prayed to God for help and for judgement on those working against him. He trusted God to remove the obstacles and do what was necessary to keep them moving forward. He stayed focused on the task and kept the people focused as well, allowing God to handle the big stuff. This is a very important point. Let God! Don't try to fight all the battles yourself. God is bigger and better at doing that then we are. When we stop to fight against Satan, we stop working on our task, and Satan is more than happy to engage in battle with us because it keeps us distracted from doing the work of God. It is better to let God handle the battle with Satan because he is capable of winning and we are not.
3. Take counter action
Nehemiah prayed but he also did something to counter the attacks. He didn't ignore that there was a problem or potential problems. He took inventory of what was happening and then implemented counter plans to head off trouble. He was aware and prepared. He didn't hide his head in the sand and just pray for God to remove the obstacles and sit and wait for that to happen. They kept moving forward but with a knowledge and preparedness for what might occur.
4. Don't give into Fear
The people were working very hard and were becoming exhausted. Exhaustion limited their coping and internal resolve and fear set in. Fear can have a very crippling effect. It can cause inaction, freezing you, and preventing you from going on. Fear in this case had the power to stop this project all together. Nehemiah had to recognize what was happening and counter this problem as well. If he would have ignored what was happening within the spirit of the people, the project would have died. He would have lost the peoples ability to continue on. However, he took inventory of the collective spirit of the people and took it seriously. By acknowledging it he was able to counter the direction they were headed and turn them around. How did he do this?
5. Remember who God is
Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your bothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and you homes."
REMEMBER the things God has already done for you and KNOW that he will do them again. Be strong in the Lord and trust in him.
6. Adjust when necessary
Nehemiah now had to change the work load to help counter the attacks. Again, he didn't just sit and wait for God to stop the opposition they continue on but with an adjusted plan. Half the people worked and the other help served as armed guards. The worked slowed down but it did not stop. The people doing the work felt more secure knowing they were protected.
7. Stay connected as a unit.
Nehemiah 4:19-20 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us."
Nehemiah got the group together from time to time probably to keep them cohesive, understand the issues they were facing, keep their spirits up, review progress being made, etc. It's important to keep the whole end goal in mind. In life we sometimes think only about our little portion of work and neglect to understand how it fits into the big picture. It's important to not let our little section become more important than the whole. Sometimes we have to sacrifice our part in order to help someone else be successful in their part so the overall project and people are successful. I;m finding this is a key concept in mothering.
8. Work Hard to the End
Just because they had to adjust and make half the men guards didn't mean they slowed down. They just worked harder and longer. They didn't adjust the timeline for completion because of a few obstacles. They buckled down and kept the urgency in tack.
9. Stay alert for trouble
The men understood the plans of the opposition and were alert and diligently watched for the attacks and were prepared! If we know the enemy is coming we should be always watching for him to arrive and be preparing and ready when he comes. Don't be taken off guard and unprepared. This is why being in the Word on a daily basis is so important. It prepares us for battle.
10. All are to be both watchmen and workers
Too often we think of ourselves as workers and that it is not our duty to be watchmen too. Or, we view ourselves has watchmen and we don't empower the workers to to help identify threats. By pigeonholing the people into specific categories you create a weakness that can be penetrated. By expecting each to do both you are more fortified, quicker to identify threats and problems, and quicker to respond to danger. To be successful we all need to be both working and watching out for the best interest of the project.
Finally, here are a few thought provoking follow up questions for you to consider.
1. Where are you letting fear or inadequacy prevent you from starting or finishing a project (especially one God had called you to)?
2. Are you able to identify the threats/dangers and counteract them? Do you turn them over to God and at the same time stay prepared and focused, not giving up or slowing down?
3. How might you apply these principals in your daily life (Work, Family, Church, Community)?
Lord, Thank you for giving us such rich wisdom and Godly examples in your Word so that we may learn to live a Godly life centered on you. Amen
Here's are some truths I learned from reading this chapter that can apply to our lives today.
1. Success should expect opposition.
When we are doing God's work, you can bet Satan will be incensed at any progress we make. We should expect then that Satan and his hosts will oppose, ridicule, and prey on our fears and inadequacies in every attempt to get us sidetracked or to stop altogether. He will do anything to prevent us from being successful and furthering God's Kingdom. It should be of no surprise to us when we sense these things beginning to happen nor of where they come from and why. So, what are you to do about it?
2. Appeal to God for protection and judgement
Nehemiah didn't waste time fighting the battles with the opposition himself. He prayed to God for help and for judgement on those working against him. He trusted God to remove the obstacles and do what was necessary to keep them moving forward. He stayed focused on the task and kept the people focused as well, allowing God to handle the big stuff. This is a very important point. Let God! Don't try to fight all the battles yourself. God is bigger and better at doing that then we are. When we stop to fight against Satan, we stop working on our task, and Satan is more than happy to engage in battle with us because it keeps us distracted from doing the work of God. It is better to let God handle the battle with Satan because he is capable of winning and we are not.
3. Take counter action
Nehemiah prayed but he also did something to counter the attacks. He didn't ignore that there was a problem or potential problems. He took inventory of what was happening and then implemented counter plans to head off trouble. He was aware and prepared. He didn't hide his head in the sand and just pray for God to remove the obstacles and sit and wait for that to happen. They kept moving forward but with a knowledge and preparedness for what might occur.
4. Don't give into Fear
The people were working very hard and were becoming exhausted. Exhaustion limited their coping and internal resolve and fear set in. Fear can have a very crippling effect. It can cause inaction, freezing you, and preventing you from going on. Fear in this case had the power to stop this project all together. Nehemiah had to recognize what was happening and counter this problem as well. If he would have ignored what was happening within the spirit of the people, the project would have died. He would have lost the peoples ability to continue on. However, he took inventory of the collective spirit of the people and took it seriously. By acknowledging it he was able to counter the direction they were headed and turn them around. How did he do this?
5. Remember who God is
Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your bothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and you homes."
REMEMBER the things God has already done for you and KNOW that he will do them again. Be strong in the Lord and trust in him.
6. Adjust when necessary
Nehemiah now had to change the work load to help counter the attacks. Again, he didn't just sit and wait for God to stop the opposition they continue on but with an adjusted plan. Half the people worked and the other help served as armed guards. The worked slowed down but it did not stop. The people doing the work felt more secure knowing they were protected.
7. Stay connected as a unit.
Nehemiah 4:19-20 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us."
Nehemiah got the group together from time to time probably to keep them cohesive, understand the issues they were facing, keep their spirits up, review progress being made, etc. It's important to keep the whole end goal in mind. In life we sometimes think only about our little portion of work and neglect to understand how it fits into the big picture. It's important to not let our little section become more important than the whole. Sometimes we have to sacrifice our part in order to help someone else be successful in their part so the overall project and people are successful. I;m finding this is a key concept in mothering.
8. Work Hard to the End
Just because they had to adjust and make half the men guards didn't mean they slowed down. They just worked harder and longer. They didn't adjust the timeline for completion because of a few obstacles. They buckled down and kept the urgency in tack.
9. Stay alert for trouble
The men understood the plans of the opposition and were alert and diligently watched for the attacks and were prepared! If we know the enemy is coming we should be always watching for him to arrive and be preparing and ready when he comes. Don't be taken off guard and unprepared. This is why being in the Word on a daily basis is so important. It prepares us for battle.
10. All are to be both watchmen and workers
Too often we think of ourselves as workers and that it is not our duty to be watchmen too. Or, we view ourselves has watchmen and we don't empower the workers to to help identify threats. By pigeonholing the people into specific categories you create a weakness that can be penetrated. By expecting each to do both you are more fortified, quicker to identify threats and problems, and quicker to respond to danger. To be successful we all need to be both working and watching out for the best interest of the project.
Finally, here are a few thought provoking follow up questions for you to consider.
1. Where are you letting fear or inadequacy prevent you from starting or finishing a project (especially one God had called you to)?
2. Are you able to identify the threats/dangers and counteract them? Do you turn them over to God and at the same time stay prepared and focused, not giving up or slowing down?
3. How might you apply these principals in your daily life (Work, Family, Church, Community)?
Lord, Thank you for giving us such rich wisdom and Godly examples in your Word so that we may learn to live a Godly life centered on you. Amen
Friday, November 6, 2009
Update on Spiritual Battle
The young man I wrote about yesterday has voluntarily checked himself back into a treatment facility.
He shared that he was too ashamed to tell anyone how he was still feeling and he was thankful that the one person he confided in both HEARD him and ACTED on his behalf.
Friends, there is great shame associated with depression. A person doesn't want to feel the way they do but they don't know how to feel anything different. They compare themselves to others who seemingly have no difficulty in their lives and consider themselves failures. It is very difficult to admit that you can't help yourself and even more difficult to ask someone for help when you are feeling so low and worthless. You can convince yourself that no one cares or would understand, so it becomes easier to drown then to reach out for a lifeline.
Again, I believe both of these individuals to have been very brave. I, also, believe God is working in both of their lives and is interceding on their behalf. I can't wait to see how God continues to touch on their lives and what they will do in service to God because of his abundant provision in their lives.
Continue to pray for them and for all those that suffer.
He shared that he was too ashamed to tell anyone how he was still feeling and he was thankful that the one person he confided in both HEARD him and ACTED on his behalf.
Friends, there is great shame associated with depression. A person doesn't want to feel the way they do but they don't know how to feel anything different. They compare themselves to others who seemingly have no difficulty in their lives and consider themselves failures. It is very difficult to admit that you can't help yourself and even more difficult to ask someone for help when you are feeling so low and worthless. You can convince yourself that no one cares or would understand, so it becomes easier to drown then to reach out for a lifeline.
Again, I believe both of these individuals to have been very brave. I, also, believe God is working in both of their lives and is interceding on their behalf. I can't wait to see how God continues to touch on their lives and what they will do in service to God because of his abundant provision in their lives.
Continue to pray for them and for all those that suffer.
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