Hectic week this week! No excuse to not blog, but . . . that's the best I can do. :0)
I wanted to talk today about the Magi. This will be my only message this week. Let's look at Matthew 2:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (verses 1 - 12)
There are so many topics to cover here, don't you think? First of all, some background: who were the Magi? There's an article about ten years old that I found on the internet at http://ldolphin.org/magi.html that shares a ton of information. I will continue to talk about the Magi next week, but for today, I want to talk about the three gifts they brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
These gifts were prophetic, "speaking of our Lord's offices of king, priest, and savior. Gold speaks of His kingship; frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment anticipating His death."
Which makes me think about the gifts that I bring Him on a daily basis. Do my gifts of my life, my actions, my thoughts . . . do they represent Him as king, as priest, as savior? When I speak of Him, or speak for Him, can He see that He is king of my life? Can others see that He is my priest, my shepherd? Is my heart reflective that Christ is my savior?
As you enter these next two days, exchanging gifts, eating, hanging out, think also of the gifts represented in your heart and life. Are they worthy of the Christ child? The Christ who was and who is and who is to come? Nothing we could ever offer is worthy- no gold or silver, no castles or lands. The only thing He wants . . . is everything. All of us. All we own, all we care about, all we love, all we hate, all we think about . . . all of it. As a King, He could come in and just take it. As a Priest, He could force us into a religious rituals. But as the Savior, He destroys those myths and shows us daily, continually, continuously, that a King is strong enough to serve. That a Priest refutes religion and strives for relationship. And that a Savior loves so passionately, He would humble Himself, be born as a babe, and give the ultimate sacrifice.
So. Hmmmm. All He wants is everything. Are you giving Him everything? Your good stuff, bad stuff, in-between stuff? He wants it more than anything. So this Christmas, give Him the best gift, the only gift - give Him you.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20
The shepherds are an awesome bunch. They didn't have anything to offer Mary and Joseph, didn't come to the manger to show off or measure up. They didn't come out of obligation. They didn't come with phoniness. They came because something spectacular had happened to them, and during that angelic encounter they were given a promise.
God has many promises for us in the Bible. Sometimes we just sit and do nothing and God's promises are revealed. But sometimes His promises are two-fold: do something, and He will do something greater. That's what happened to the shepherds, right? They were told to go and search, and they would find the Christ child. And the angel told them how to find Him: He will be the one who is wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Because they followed the angel's instructions, they were the first of all mankind to witness the Messiah.
What promises does God have in store for you? What has He asked of you? Do you think He asks more of you than He did of the shepherds? (Let me take a second here. I have typed the word shepherds about 50 times over the last three days. Spelled it wrong every single time. What's up with that?) It couldn't have been easy for the shepherds to go into Bethlehem, where they wouldn't have been eagerly embraced, and go door to door looking for a baby! But they went, and when they had seen Jesus, it's easy to imagine they went back to those same homes, and told them what they had seen: "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child." Luke 2:17 The shepherds didn't wait for Jesus to come to them. They got up! They took off! They moved. They acted on the information they were given.
Sometimes moving and acting look different then what we think. Look at the favorite promise of countless Christians, Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength." Waiting isn't a passive thing. Waiting is an active, feet planted, not gonna move, not gonna be swayed, gonna hold onto my God no matter what it takes, kind of thing. The important thing to see here is that our waiting is part of God's promise: once we wait, He renews our strength.
Look at another promise: Psalm 37:4. "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." First, delight in God. Revel in Him, enjoy Him, drink Him in. THEN He will give you the desires of your heart. Why do you think God designed this promise this way? Could it be because He knows that once we are swimming in the sea of His goodness, His love, His life, the desires of our heart could change? The wants and wishes we have could become more like Him and His, setting us up for eternal success instead of failure?
Isn't that what today's verse is all about? The shepherds returned to their fields, praising and glorifying God. They were certainly delighted in Him, weren't they? I'll bet they couldn't sleep that night! Not only did they see the Messiah, but it happened exactly as they were told. God's promises aren't negotiable. What's that old song? "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me!" Think about that - not only did they go exactly as the angel had told them to, but they found exactly what the angel said they would find!
The shepherds (spelled it wrong again!) teach us so much. It doesn't matter who we are, God wants to reach us. God can use us. They didn't let themselves become encumbered with physical, emotional or mental baggage, providing an excuse to not go when God called them. And they took action, believing God's promise to be true.
Who would have thought a seemingly small part of the Christmas story could teach us so much about life?
The shepherds are an awesome bunch. They didn't have anything to offer Mary and Joseph, didn't come to the manger to show off or measure up. They didn't come out of obligation. They didn't come with phoniness. They came because something spectacular had happened to them, and during that angelic encounter they were given a promise.
God has many promises for us in the Bible. Sometimes we just sit and do nothing and God's promises are revealed. But sometimes His promises are two-fold: do something, and He will do something greater. That's what happened to the shepherds, right? They were told to go and search, and they would find the Christ child. And the angel told them how to find Him: He will be the one who is wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Because they followed the angel's instructions, they were the first of all mankind to witness the Messiah.
What promises does God have in store for you? What has He asked of you? Do you think He asks more of you than He did of the shepherds? (Let me take a second here. I have typed the word shepherds about 50 times over the last three days. Spelled it wrong every single time. What's up with that?) It couldn't have been easy for the shepherds to go into Bethlehem, where they wouldn't have been eagerly embraced, and go door to door looking for a baby! But they went, and when they had seen Jesus, it's easy to imagine they went back to those same homes, and told them what they had seen: "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child." Luke 2:17 The shepherds didn't wait for Jesus to come to them. They got up! They took off! They moved. They acted on the information they were given.
Sometimes moving and acting look different then what we think. Look at the favorite promise of countless Christians, Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength." Waiting isn't a passive thing. Waiting is an active, feet planted, not gonna move, not gonna be swayed, gonna hold onto my God no matter what it takes, kind of thing. The important thing to see here is that our waiting is part of God's promise: once we wait, He renews our strength.
Look at another promise: Psalm 37:4. "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." First, delight in God. Revel in Him, enjoy Him, drink Him in. THEN He will give you the desires of your heart. Why do you think God designed this promise this way? Could it be because He knows that once we are swimming in the sea of His goodness, His love, His life, the desires of our heart could change? The wants and wishes we have could become more like Him and His, setting us up for eternal success instead of failure?
Isn't that what today's verse is all about? The shepherds returned to their fields, praising and glorifying God. They were certainly delighted in Him, weren't they? I'll bet they couldn't sleep that night! Not only did they see the Messiah, but it happened exactly as they were told. God's promises aren't negotiable. What's that old song? "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me!" Think about that - not only did they go exactly as the angel had told them to, but they found exactly what the angel said they would find!
The shepherds (spelled it wrong again!) teach us so much. It doesn't matter who we are, God wants to reach us. God can use us. They didn't let themselves become encumbered with physical, emotional or mental baggage, providing an excuse to not go when God called them. And they took action, believing God's promise to be true.
Who would have thought a seemingly small part of the Christmas story could teach us so much about life?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Shepherds Take Off
"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'" Luke 2:15
It's amazing to me that these shepherds, these inconsequential non-members of society, weren't content to sit with what they knew. They might have not been educated or wealthy, but they were smart enough to know that something amazing had happened, and they wanted to be a part of it! They didn't doubt for one minute that they had heard from God. They didn't take time to organize a committee or map out a plan. They took action - look at the verbs that they used. "Go!" "See!" Those are action words!
Perhaps another reason God chose to use shepherds was because they were transient. They were able to spontaneously take off, unworried about the sheep and focused on finding this baby. They didn't have to pack anything - not that they had anything to pack anyway - and all they wanted to do was see what the Lord had told them about.
Are you ready? Are you unhindered by physical, emotional, and mental baggage, so that when God calls you to see, you are able to go? So often we are worried about God calling us to "do" something. Yet what is more likely is that God is calling us to "see" something that He is doing. Yes, many times when we see what God is doing, we are impassioned to get involved. But it's not about our doing. It's about His.
Live today this way. Make a choice to be willing to be unencumbered, so that when God has something for you to see, your eyes will be open to see it. We've got one more day with the shepherds - tomorrow we'll see how they responded to seeing the Christ child.
It's amazing to me that these shepherds, these inconsequential non-members of society, weren't content to sit with what they knew. They might have not been educated or wealthy, but they were smart enough to know that something amazing had happened, and they wanted to be a part of it! They didn't doubt for one minute that they had heard from God. They didn't take time to organize a committee or map out a plan. They took action - look at the verbs that they used. "Go!" "See!" Those are action words!
Perhaps another reason God chose to use shepherds was because they were transient. They were able to spontaneously take off, unworried about the sheep and focused on finding this baby. They didn't have to pack anything - not that they had anything to pack anyway - and all they wanted to do was see what the Lord had told them about.
Are you ready? Are you unhindered by physical, emotional, and mental baggage, so that when God calls you to see, you are able to go? So often we are worried about God calling us to "do" something. Yet what is more likely is that God is calling us to "see" something that He is doing. Yes, many times when we see what God is doing, we are impassioned to get involved. But it's not about our doing. It's about His.
Live today this way. Make a choice to be willing to be unencumbered, so that when God has something for you to see, your eyes will be open to see it. We've got one more day with the shepherds - tomorrow we'll see how they responded to seeing the Christ child.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Who Were the Shepherds?
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke chapter 2
Why did God choose shepherds to be the first to know about the birth of his son? From a marketing standpoint, it doesn't make much sense. Bethlehem was filled with throngs of people at that time, gathering for the census. There were a lot of high and mighty people gathered! Jesus was the Messiah - why not tell the Jewish leaders, who had waited for so long? Jesus was the King - why not send a warning to political leaders? Jesus was, at the very least, the grandchild for Mary and Joseph's families - why not send an angelic messenger to them?
Isn't it just like God to not be concerned with sending political, religious or social messages? Isn't it just like God to be certain that even the lowliest of society would know the Good News? Shepherds, far from being the cute little romanticized caretakers we may think of, were on the outskirts of Jewish society. At that time, many shepherds were either slaves of wealthy families who hired them to care for their herds of sheep or they were gypsy-like vagabonds traveling from region to region selling their sheep. There was a common stereotype that shepherds were thieves and should not be trusted. That is why, most often, shepherds rarely ventured into town.
Doesn't this knowledge just amaze you? Knowing who shepherds were, God chose them. Knowing what society - including the "religious" folks - thought about shepherds didn't stop God from using them in His most powerful plan. And it certainly didn't stop Jesus from referring to Himself as our shepherd in John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Perhaps, if Jesus walked among us today, He would be a janitor or custodian. And perhaps, if Jesus were to be born in today's society, God's equivalent of announcing his birth to the shepherds would be to tell . . . I don't know, the homeless men staying warm under an overpass. Do you understand my point? God had a plan that night, and His plan didn't include making the high and mighty - both religious and non-religious - feel good about themselves!
No, His plan was to use the least of these. The one thing we can say about these men and boys is that as shepherds, they would have been consistently looking to the sky. They knew how to read the stars, they could predict weather by what they saw in the clouds and by the wind, and move their sheep to safer ground. Perhaps that is why God chose them. Perhaps it is because the movers and shakers in Bethlehem never looked up, and wouldn't have noticed an angel in the sky. Shepherds were always watching and listening. Was anyone else watching and listening that night?
How about you? Are you watching for God? Are you listening to His voice? Are you living in an expectant manner, open and available to hear from Him? What good news does He have to share with you, that you are perhaps missing because your eyes are focused on something else?
That's all for today. Tomorrow we will talk about what the shepherds did with once the angels left them. I'm enjoying learning about all of this and sharing it with you!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Angel Witnesses
I also imagine that the angels were so excited for mankind to meet their friend Jesus. They had known him for thousands of years, known him fully as God. They had to have loved him so much, as evidenced in their song of praise, right?
Yesterday, I thought that maybe they didn't know God's plan for Jesus to die. But I've changed my mind. This is strictly my opinion, of course. They surely would have known the prophecies that God had given His people through the centuries. And the prophecies were fairly clear about Jesus' fate. Yet still they were excited! Because they also knew God in a way beyond our understanding, and they surely knew God was the ultimate winner!
Let's look at Luke chapter 2 again:
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (verses 9-14)
We know that one angel delivered the initial message (WOW!! Wouldn't you love to have been picked for this job?). Then he was joined by a great company. They are the heavenly host. We don't know how many angels are in a company. Since angels are God's warriors, let's look at it from a military standpoint. Dictionary.com defines a company as a body of troops consisting of two or three platoons. A platoon is made up of two or more squads. A squad is made of around 12 soldiers. So . . . conservatively speaking . . . two squads of 12=24. Two platoons of 24=48. So 48 soldiers would very conservatively be one company. But Luke refers to a "great" company. So let's just say that a company of heavenly hosts is 100 angels. Now let's look at the type of angels.
First, there are cherubim. Cherubim, despite the earthly depictions as child-like, cupid-type creatures, are said to be guardians. They have four faces: one of a man, an eagle, an ox, and a lion. They also have four wings, and under the wings, human-like hands. They are guardians: they have guarded the Ark of the Covenant, and the Tree of Life in the garden of Eden. Cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24 ; Ezekiel 10:17–20 , 28:14-16; and 1 Kings 6:23–28
The next angels described in the Bible are Seraphim. Seraphim serve as the caretakers of God's throne. In Isaiah 6 they continually shout praises to God: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. All the earth is filled with His Glory." Seraphim have six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their bodies, and two with which they fly. The word "saraph," the singular of Seraphim, is translated as "fiery" or "burning ones", and it is said that they burn eternally with love and zeal for God. Seraphim are mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-7, Revelation 4:8, and Ezekiel 1:27.
The third set of angels are the archangels. There are two archangels mentioned by name in the Bible: Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel appears to be the messenger angel and Michael is the warrior. While no physical descriptions are given of them, both angels are mentioned by name in both the Old and New Testaments. It's quite easy to imagine that Gabriel is the angel who first appeared to the shepherds. Some religions cite references to seven archangels. They are traditionally thought of to be the protectors of nations.
That's a fairly short description . . . but NOW imagine the scene on the hillside where the shepherds lay. Imagine 100 multi-winged creatures streaming through the sky. Imagine guardians, warriors, messengers and caretakers, joyfully singing praises to God, worshiping the fact that His child had finally been born. Imagine their beautiful voices, see their breathtaking flights through the starry sky.
Can you imagine? How wonderful it must have been, how long they must have waited to deliver this good news! Just imagine . . . just imagine . . .
Yesterday, I thought that maybe they didn't know God's plan for Jesus to die. But I've changed my mind. This is strictly my opinion, of course. They surely would have known the prophecies that God had given His people through the centuries. And the prophecies were fairly clear about Jesus' fate. Yet still they were excited! Because they also knew God in a way beyond our understanding, and they surely knew God was the ultimate winner!
Let's look at Luke chapter 2 again:
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (verses 9-14)
We know that one angel delivered the initial message (WOW!! Wouldn't you love to have been picked for this job?). Then he was joined by a great company. They are the heavenly host. We don't know how many angels are in a company. Since angels are God's warriors, let's look at it from a military standpoint. Dictionary.com defines a company as a body of troops consisting of two or three platoons. A platoon is made up of two or more squads. A squad is made of around 12 soldiers. So . . . conservatively speaking . . . two squads of 12=24. Two platoons of 24=48. So 48 soldiers would very conservatively be one company. But Luke refers to a "great" company. So let's just say that a company of heavenly hosts is 100 angels. Now let's look at the type of angels.
First, there are cherubim. Cherubim, despite the earthly depictions as child-like, cupid-type creatures, are said to be guardians. They have four faces: one of a man, an eagle, an ox, and a lion. They also have four wings, and under the wings, human-like hands. They are guardians: they have guarded the Ark of the Covenant, and the Tree of Life in the garden of Eden. Cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24 ; Ezekiel 10:17–20 , 28:14-16; and 1 Kings 6:23–28
The next angels described in the Bible are Seraphim. Seraphim serve as the caretakers of God's throne. In Isaiah 6 they continually shout praises to God: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. All the earth is filled with His Glory." Seraphim have six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their bodies, and two with which they fly. The word "saraph," the singular of Seraphim, is translated as "fiery" or "burning ones", and it is said that they burn eternally with love and zeal for God. Seraphim are mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-7, Revelation 4:8, and Ezekiel 1:27.
The third set of angels are the archangels. There are two archangels mentioned by name in the Bible: Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel appears to be the messenger angel and Michael is the warrior. While no physical descriptions are given of them, both angels are mentioned by name in both the Old and New Testaments. It's quite easy to imagine that Gabriel is the angel who first appeared to the shepherds. Some religions cite references to seven archangels. They are traditionally thought of to be the protectors of nations.
That's a fairly short description . . . but NOW imagine the scene on the hillside where the shepherds lay. Imagine 100 multi-winged creatures streaming through the sky. Imagine guardians, warriors, messengers and caretakers, joyfully singing praises to God, worshiping the fact that His child had finally been born. Imagine their beautiful voices, see their breathtaking flights through the starry sky.
Can you imagine? How wonderful it must have been, how long they must have waited to deliver this good news! Just imagine . . . just imagine . . .
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Witnesses
Over the next several days, I'd like to take time to think about the pronouncements of that first Christmas. What do we really know about those who were a part of this Christmas story? My intent is to focus on the witnesses to this miracle (however, if God leads me elsewhere, I'll follow!) - the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men.
Have you ever thought about the angels who proclaimed Christ's birth to the shepherds. Let's look at Luke chapter 2: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (verses 8 - 14)
I wonder . . . I don't know a lot about angels. Here's what I do know. The word "angel" means "messenger of Yahweh, or messenger of God. Angels are not born or descended from a race of angels (see Luke 20:34-36). However, they are not eternal, as the Bible talks about the creation of angels in Nehemiah 9:5-6: "Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above all blessing and praise! You're the one, God, you alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all angels; The earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; You keep them all alive; heaven's angels worship you!" (See also Psalm 148:2,5 & Colossians 1:16-17).
Angels (or "heavenly hosts") are mentioned at least 108 times in the Old Testament, and 165 times in the New Testament. We also know from the scripture above that angels are heavenly, spiritual beings.
I tell you all this because . . . the conclusion that I draw is that angels had to have known Jesus before He was born as a man. Since there is only one God, one Creator who is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, we can also reasonably conclude that God might not have shared with the hosts of heaven His complete plan for Jesus' earthly mission. Angels might not have been foreseeing Christ's agony which was to come in 33 short years. But even if they had known . . . These angels, messengers of God, had known Jesus Christ for thousands of years.
Today my son was in a Christmas show. Yesterday at dress rehearsal the director chided them a bit as they (wearily) recited the scripture from Luke 2, above: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." She challenged them to think like angels, to proclaim like angels, to imagine how the angels would have really sounded.
Can you imagine what that must have sounded like? Let's use our imaginations and really dream about that for a bit. I can almost see a light show in the sky of angels and shooting stars, dancing and racing through the sky as shared with common beings the best news of eternity. I mean . . . can you imagine? Maybe in our modern terminology, it would be something like: "He's here! He's finally here!! God has done what He promised! God loves you, and His promised one is here! God is so awesome! Praise you, God!"
I found this video on youtube.com. Click on the link to watch it. I imagine it as perhaps 1/100th of the magnificence of that night. We'll talk more about the angels tomorrow, but for today . . . just watch. Tell me what you think! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVrK4fxbsiY (If the link doesn't work I believe you can just copy and paste the web address into your internet browser.)
Have you ever thought about the angels who proclaimed Christ's birth to the shepherds. Let's look at Luke chapter 2: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (verses 8 - 14)
I wonder . . . I don't know a lot about angels. Here's what I do know. The word "angel" means "messenger of Yahweh, or messenger of God. Angels are not born or descended from a race of angels (see Luke 20:34-36). However, they are not eternal, as the Bible talks about the creation of angels in Nehemiah 9:5-6: "Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above all blessing and praise! You're the one, God, you alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all angels; The earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; You keep them all alive; heaven's angels worship you!" (See also Psalm 148:2,5 & Colossians 1:16-17).
Angels (or "heavenly hosts") are mentioned at least 108 times in the Old Testament, and 165 times in the New Testament. We also know from the scripture above that angels are heavenly, spiritual beings.
I tell you all this because . . . the conclusion that I draw is that angels had to have known Jesus before He was born as a man. Since there is only one God, one Creator who is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, we can also reasonably conclude that God might not have shared with the hosts of heaven His complete plan for Jesus' earthly mission. Angels might not have been foreseeing Christ's agony which was to come in 33 short years. But even if they had known . . . These angels, messengers of God, had known Jesus Christ for thousands of years.
Today my son was in a Christmas show. Yesterday at dress rehearsal the director chided them a bit as they (wearily) recited the scripture from Luke 2, above: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." She challenged them to think like angels, to proclaim like angels, to imagine how the angels would have really sounded.
Can you imagine what that must have sounded like? Let's use our imaginations and really dream about that for a bit. I can almost see a light show in the sky of angels and shooting stars, dancing and racing through the sky as shared with common beings the best news of eternity. I mean . . . can you imagine? Maybe in our modern terminology, it would be something like: "He's here! He's finally here!! God has done what He promised! God loves you, and His promised one is here! God is so awesome! Praise you, God!"
I found this video on youtube.com. Click on the link to watch it. I imagine it as perhaps 1/100th of the magnificence of that night. We'll talk more about the angels tomorrow, but for today . . . just watch. Tell me what you think! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVrK4fxbsiY (If the link doesn't work I believe you can just copy and paste the web address into your internet browser.)
Friday, December 11, 2009
The World Needs a Savior, pt. 2
Yesterday we talked about how much the world is drawn to Christmas. We have fallen into a trap of looking down on the fact that Christmas begins early, as early as September. However, I think it's awesome, because I think that it's just an example of how much the world is hungry for Christ.
We are looking at the verse in Isaiah 9:6: " For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
For most of us, Christmas is a fun time, a season of rejoicing. But for others, it can be a painful time, either from bad memories or current hurts. And yet, this season is just as much for the hurting as it is for the rejoicing. Look at the verse above . . . this season, this celebration of Christ's birth, has given us a counselor, a Prince of Peace. As difficult as this time can be, God has promised us more than this. Jeremiah 31 says " I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow (verse 13)."
The promise of the Christ is the same promise that turns our mourning into gladness. Notice that God didn't say He'll make it all better, or you'll feel better next year. He doesn't give a timetable. He simply gives Himself as a promise to comfort us. He'll turn our sorrow to joy.
If you are hurting this Christmas season, or know someone who is, don't sweep it under the rug. Through your tears you can still rejoice in the knowledge that God will comfort you. The same God who promised the Savior thousands of years ago has also promised to bring you comfort and joy. How ironic that one of our most beloved Christmas carols mimics this verse:
"God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day.
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy."
We are looking at the verse in Isaiah 9:6: " For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
For most of us, Christmas is a fun time, a season of rejoicing. But for others, it can be a painful time, either from bad memories or current hurts. And yet, this season is just as much for the hurting as it is for the rejoicing. Look at the verse above . . . this season, this celebration of Christ's birth, has given us a counselor, a Prince of Peace. As difficult as this time can be, God has promised us more than this. Jeremiah 31 says " I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow (verse 13)."
The promise of the Christ is the same promise that turns our mourning into gladness. Notice that God didn't say He'll make it all better, or you'll feel better next year. He doesn't give a timetable. He simply gives Himself as a promise to comfort us. He'll turn our sorrow to joy.
If you are hurting this Christmas season, or know someone who is, don't sweep it under the rug. Through your tears you can still rejoice in the knowledge that God will comfort you. The same God who promised the Savior thousands of years ago has also promised to bring you comfort and joy. How ironic that one of our most beloved Christmas carols mimics this verse:
"God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day.
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The World Needs a Savior
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. " Isaiah 9:6
Christmas is such a wonderful time. Although most Christians recognize that Jesus probably wasn't born on exactly December 25 (many theologians point towards a date sometime in mid-September, there are many citations on the internet), we still have chosen to celebrate His birth on this day. I'm not looking to debate the merits of the celebration today. I'm looking to recognize what a special time it is.
Let's face it, even for Christians,Christmas isn't just about Jesus. It's about spending time with family, Christmas pageants, good food and cool gifts. Sometimes we hear Christians lament the fact that Jesus isn't the ONLY reason for the season. Of course, He is THE reason for the season, but isn't God so awesome? He gives us this time of celebration and allows us to celebrate with family, friends, even strangers sometimes. We don't have to scream and yell and tell the world they are wrong because they celebrate Christmas the wrong way. Because they aren't wrong - not totally.
Christmas advertising begins in the fall, and we've all seen the tinsel and lights and thought, "This is crazy! It's too early!" But this year, I thought something else. I realized that I don't need anymore evidence than Christmas in September to recognize how much the world is hungry for a savior.
They substitute that need with lights, gifts and snowmen and reindeer. But I see what they really want - they want to come home for Christmas. There's a quote from a woman named Carol Nelson who says, "Christmas is a time when you get homesick-even when you're home." I've felt that before, have you?
Now I recognize what I'm homesick for. I'm homesick for my eternal home, with my eternal Father. And so are non-Christians, even though they don't recognize it. During this Christmas season, from September to January, we practically have a written invitation from the world to talk about Jesus. They want to talk about Christmas - so let's talk! They want to advertise and buy gifts - let's show them what the true gift is. Christmas is a time when even the hardest-hearted Scrooge gets mushy and lovey. So let's use that opportunity for Christ. Instead of bemoaning how early Christmas starts, let's celebrate it!!
When you're comparing your gift list with your neighbor tomorrow, remind yourself of the scripture above: For unto us, a Son is given. The greatest gift. The only gift. The eternal gift.
Tomorrow we'll talk about how Christmas is a gift, even when it brings us sadness. Because of Christmas, we have a Wonderful Counselor . . . and more.
Christmas is such a wonderful time. Although most Christians recognize that Jesus probably wasn't born on exactly December 25 (many theologians point towards a date sometime in mid-September, there are many citations on the internet), we still have chosen to celebrate His birth on this day. I'm not looking to debate the merits of the celebration today. I'm looking to recognize what a special time it is.
Let's face it, even for Christians,Christmas isn't just about Jesus. It's about spending time with family, Christmas pageants, good food and cool gifts. Sometimes we hear Christians lament the fact that Jesus isn't the ONLY reason for the season. Of course, He is THE reason for the season, but isn't God so awesome? He gives us this time of celebration and allows us to celebrate with family, friends, even strangers sometimes. We don't have to scream and yell and tell the world they are wrong because they celebrate Christmas the wrong way. Because they aren't wrong - not totally.
Christmas advertising begins in the fall, and we've all seen the tinsel and lights and thought, "This is crazy! It's too early!" But this year, I thought something else. I realized that I don't need anymore evidence than Christmas in September to recognize how much the world is hungry for a savior.
They substitute that need with lights, gifts and snowmen and reindeer. But I see what they really want - they want to come home for Christmas. There's a quote from a woman named Carol Nelson who says, "Christmas is a time when you get homesick-even when you're home." I've felt that before, have you?
Now I recognize what I'm homesick for. I'm homesick for my eternal home, with my eternal Father. And so are non-Christians, even though they don't recognize it. During this Christmas season, from September to January, we practically have a written invitation from the world to talk about Jesus. They want to talk about Christmas - so let's talk! They want to advertise and buy gifts - let's show them what the true gift is. Christmas is a time when even the hardest-hearted Scrooge gets mushy and lovey. So let's use that opportunity for Christ. Instead of bemoaning how early Christmas starts, let's celebrate it!!
When you're comparing your gift list with your neighbor tomorrow, remind yourself of the scripture above: For unto us, a Son is given. The greatest gift. The only gift. The eternal gift.
Tomorrow we'll talk about how Christmas is a gift, even when it brings us sadness. Because of Christmas, we have a Wonderful Counselor . . . and more.
Baby It's Cold Outside
I write this from the 32nd floor of the Marriott Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. It's snowy, cold, and windy. Really windy. I expect to see cows blowing by at any moment. (Remember the movie Twister?)
There are several spiritual lessons I am taking from this weather. First of all, I kind of asked for it. I love winter! I love snow, and I love Chicago, so I'm not going to complain. At least not so anyone can hear me and subsequently throw it back in my face. Just kidding. But seriously, I'm reminded that God doesn't always save us from what we ask for. Sometimes He gives it to us or allows it to happen, even when He knows we'll complain later. Or, He doesn't give us what we do ask for, because - as you know - He's Creator of the Universe and knows a bit more about what's going on then we do.
Secondly, sometimes we have cold seasons in our life spiritually. Times when, though it seems we are doing the same things we have always been doing, we are not having the same experience with God that we always had. Our reaction can be to unravel; unless we are intentional about looking inward and upward, we take this cold season as an excuse to go do our own thing. I love how Paul winds down 1 Corinthians, in chapter 16: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."
Being "on guard" has clear implications of being purposeful and meaningful. If we are not allowing God to change us, we enter a cold season where we slow down spiritually, even reaching the point of death.
Sometimes we also confuse a cold season with a waiting season; or should I say, sometimes a waiting season becomes a cold season. We become frustrated with God, thinking that we should looking for the open door or window. But sometimes God tells us to wait! We all know the Isaiah 40:31 verse: "But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not grow faint." That is the King James version; the NIV says that they who "hope" in the Lord shall renew their strength. Waiting is not a passive activity.
Think of how your children are waiting for Christmas to get here. They are expectant, eyes open, always looking for signs that it's getting closer and closer. That's how we wait for God. It's an awesome thing, and we have to be careful to not look at it as a . . . . bummer. !!!! Waiting on Him is hoping in Him.
Well, speaking of Christmas, I'll be writing about it over the next several days. Hope you'll join me!
There are several spiritual lessons I am taking from this weather. First of all, I kind of asked for it. I love winter! I love snow, and I love Chicago, so I'm not going to complain. At least not so anyone can hear me and subsequently throw it back in my face. Just kidding. But seriously, I'm reminded that God doesn't always save us from what we ask for. Sometimes He gives it to us or allows it to happen, even when He knows we'll complain later. Or, He doesn't give us what we do ask for, because - as you know - He's Creator of the Universe and knows a bit more about what's going on then we do.
Secondly, sometimes we have cold seasons in our life spiritually. Times when, though it seems we are doing the same things we have always been doing, we are not having the same experience with God that we always had. Our reaction can be to unravel; unless we are intentional about looking inward and upward, we take this cold season as an excuse to go do our own thing. I love how Paul winds down 1 Corinthians, in chapter 16: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."
Being "on guard" has clear implications of being purposeful and meaningful. If we are not allowing God to change us, we enter a cold season where we slow down spiritually, even reaching the point of death.
Sometimes we also confuse a cold season with a waiting season; or should I say, sometimes a waiting season becomes a cold season. We become frustrated with God, thinking that we should looking for the open door or window. But sometimes God tells us to wait! We all know the Isaiah 40:31 verse: "But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not grow faint." That is the King James version; the NIV says that they who "hope" in the Lord shall renew their strength. Waiting is not a passive activity.
Think of how your children are waiting for Christmas to get here. They are expectant, eyes open, always looking for signs that it's getting closer and closer. That's how we wait for God. It's an awesome thing, and we have to be careful to not look at it as a . . . . bummer. !!!! Waiting on Him is hoping in Him.
Well, speaking of Christmas, I'll be writing about it over the next several days. Hope you'll join me!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Again . . . love
It's been 12 days since I've posted. Part of the reason is because I have been busy like crazy. But a lot of the reason is that I've been pouting. I've had a bit of a personal . . . well, crisis may be too strong a word, but that's how it felt. I've been under attack, that I know for sure, and though the attack came from a so-called friend, the real battle has been spiritual.
When you find out that those you thought were loyal friends actually aren't, doesn't it cause you to doubt everything? When I learned recently of some harsh things that were said about me, it caused me to doubt myself, my ministry, my ability to lead . . . it caused me to doubt writing this blog. I thought, how can I lead anyone, when I know there are people who think these horrible things about me? That's when I remembered that for me, it's not about leading. It's about serving. Serving God through serving others.
I started this blog because I felt led to do so by my dad. Not my earthly father, but my eternal Father. My Abba Father, my Creator. The one who loves me deeply and passionately and with an all-consuming love. So I write this for Him, and if 9 people see it every day, if a few people get something out of it once in a while, that's great. But it's not for you. It's not for me. It's for Him.
Anyway, I realized that the earthly attack I felt was really only a cover for a spiritual attack, and I failed miserably. One of the groups I am in at church is studying the book, Crazy Love by Francis Chan. So check this out: I learned of this attack last Monday. On Wednesday we were reading the 2nd chapter of the book, where Chan shared his thoughts about stress and worry. He referred to Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Paul didn't say . . . hey, if you are worry-free, have no problems, or maybe when your problems are over . . . rejoice. No, it's not an offer or suggestion. It's a command: REJOICE! When I am overwhelmed with stress, worry, busyness, or feel under attack, and do not rejoice, I am disobeying God. I am telling Him that it's my right to worry, that this commandment doesn't apply to me. In fact, I am telling God that I do not trust His ability to take care of me.
I do not want to tell God that. I want to honor Him in everything I do. And the bottom line is, in my personal situation . . . I need to remember to live for an audience of One. When I keep that at the forefront of my mind and heart, it is easy to rejoice. It's natural, because I am thinking of the One who created me, purposed me, has a plan for me, died for me . . . the One who loves me.
When you find out that those you thought were loyal friends actually aren't, doesn't it cause you to doubt everything? When I learned recently of some harsh things that were said about me, it caused me to doubt myself, my ministry, my ability to lead . . . it caused me to doubt writing this blog. I thought, how can I lead anyone, when I know there are people who think these horrible things about me? That's when I remembered that for me, it's not about leading. It's about serving. Serving God through serving others.
I started this blog because I felt led to do so by my dad. Not my earthly father, but my eternal Father. My Abba Father, my Creator. The one who loves me deeply and passionately and with an all-consuming love. So I write this for Him, and if 9 people see it every day, if a few people get something out of it once in a while, that's great. But it's not for you. It's not for me. It's for Him.
Anyway, I realized that the earthly attack I felt was really only a cover for a spiritual attack, and I failed miserably. One of the groups I am in at church is studying the book, Crazy Love by Francis Chan. So check this out: I learned of this attack last Monday. On Wednesday we were reading the 2nd chapter of the book, where Chan shared his thoughts about stress and worry. He referred to Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Paul didn't say . . . hey, if you are worry-free, have no problems, or maybe when your problems are over . . . rejoice. No, it's not an offer or suggestion. It's a command: REJOICE! When I am overwhelmed with stress, worry, busyness, or feel under attack, and do not rejoice, I am disobeying God. I am telling Him that it's my right to worry, that this commandment doesn't apply to me. In fact, I am telling God that I do not trust His ability to take care of me.
I do not want to tell God that. I want to honor Him in everything I do. And the bottom line is, in my personal situation . . . I need to remember to live for an audience of One. When I keep that at the forefront of my mind and heart, it is easy to rejoice. It's natural, because I am thinking of the One who created me, purposed me, has a plan for me, died for me . . . the One who loves me.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Giving Thanks
Well, the past couple of weeks I have been so sporadic in my posts. I apologize, I don't know what my deal is! I really wanted to talk about lukewarm Christians yesterday, when people were still at work, but I'm going to go ahead and talk about it today, and hopefully those off work who might not check their email at home will still get this next week. NOTE: I probably won't post tomorrow - fair warning! ha ha
Now, we are leaving 1 Corinthians for the day, because I wanted to talk about lukewarmness. If you have not read the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan I urge you to run out and buy it. Now. I'll wait. Oh wait a minute, it's Thanksgiving, and I doubt Wal Mart and Meijer carry it. So I won't wait, but tomorrow when you are out buying Christmas gifts, pick up this book for yourself.
Anyway, there is a point in this book that, when I read it, stopped me dead in my tracks and made me actually think. For days! He said, "there's no such thing as a lukewarm Christian." Huh? It's in the Bible! So I pulled out my handy dandy Word and found this in Revelation 3: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (verses 15-17) And I realized that being spit out of Christ's mouth is not exactly in line with the Christian walk.
Let's not fool ourselves - if you have become lukewarm, I am concerned that you are no longer going to heaven, and you are no longer a Christian. I'm not being judgmental or condemning, I'm just repeating what Christ says! Somewhere along the line we came up with the term "Lukewarm Christian" but it's certainly not scriptural. And we need to get this right, don't you think?
Before you think I am being condemning, let's read the rest of the passage, from verses 18 to 22: "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Jesus, who is talking to the church of Laodicea, doesn't just tell the truth ("I will spit you out of my mouth"), He tells the whole truth! "I stand at the door and knock." In other words, He's not telling the church, you're worthless, get out of my sight. He's saying, you're not on the right path, but I can help you get there. The Message version writes verse 19 this way: "The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!" He tells us the truth because He loves us and wants us to live the best life, and spend eternity with Him. Should we do any less?
When we see Christians stumble, even fall, how often do we act like it's not happening? Do we turn our backs? Or do we come alongside, earnestly and lovingly saying, not that way, this way. Do we let our brothers and sisters stumble all the way to hell because we don't want to get involved? Are we afraid of being judgmental? Or are we just too self-centered and self-focused to get involved in someone else's life?
Let's not let anyone we love fall into the trap of "lukewarmness." It's exactly that, a trap, and we need to recognize it as that. By the way, I definitely know that there's a difference between lukewarmness and spiritual struggles, where we are honestly and earnestly searching for God and His will. I'll talk more about the difference on Monday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Now, we are leaving 1 Corinthians for the day, because I wanted to talk about lukewarmness. If you have not read the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan I urge you to run out and buy it. Now. I'll wait. Oh wait a minute, it's Thanksgiving, and I doubt Wal Mart and Meijer carry it. So I won't wait, but tomorrow when you are out buying Christmas gifts, pick up this book for yourself.
Anyway, there is a point in this book that, when I read it, stopped me dead in my tracks and made me actually think. For days! He said, "there's no such thing as a lukewarm Christian." Huh? It's in the Bible! So I pulled out my handy dandy Word and found this in Revelation 3: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." (verses 15-17) And I realized that being spit out of Christ's mouth is not exactly in line with the Christian walk.
Let's not fool ourselves - if you have become lukewarm, I am concerned that you are no longer going to heaven, and you are no longer a Christian. I'm not being judgmental or condemning, I'm just repeating what Christ says! Somewhere along the line we came up with the term "Lukewarm Christian" but it's certainly not scriptural. And we need to get this right, don't you think?
Before you think I am being condemning, let's read the rest of the passage, from verses 18 to 22: "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Jesus, who is talking to the church of Laodicea, doesn't just tell the truth ("I will spit you out of my mouth"), He tells the whole truth! "I stand at the door and knock." In other words, He's not telling the church, you're worthless, get out of my sight. He's saying, you're not on the right path, but I can help you get there. The Message version writes verse 19 this way: "The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!" He tells us the truth because He loves us and wants us to live the best life, and spend eternity with Him. Should we do any less?
When we see Christians stumble, even fall, how often do we act like it's not happening? Do we turn our backs? Or do we come alongside, earnestly and lovingly saying, not that way, this way. Do we let our brothers and sisters stumble all the way to hell because we don't want to get involved? Are we afraid of being judgmental? Or are we just too self-centered and self-focused to get involved in someone else's life?
Let's not let anyone we love fall into the trap of "lukewarmness." It's exactly that, a trap, and we need to recognize it as that. By the way, I definitely know that there's a difference between lukewarmness and spiritual struggles, where we are honestly and earnestly searching for God and His will. I'll talk more about the difference on Monday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
"Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims." 1 Corinthians 6:12, The Message
It seems in this world, we're all looking for the most we can get away with. How much can we drink, how much can we eat, how much can we say, before it's spiritually, morally and physically trouble?
Why are we like that? Do you ever wonder this? Why do we want to walk so close to the line between heaven and hell? I believe that in reality, though there's the saying "there's a thin line between love and hate," there's a huge chasm between heaven and hell. We like to act as if there's just a line, but it's much more than that.
How do I know? I know this - why would someone who loves God want to walk so close to the one thing He hates - sin? Why would you want to tempt yourself to walk away from God? God hates sin - it's black and white. But God loves us - also black and white. But as Paul says in the passage above, if I do whatever I want to do, I become a slave to whatever I want to do, and Jesus said that man cannot serve two masters. He said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." In this case He was talking about money, but isn't it true with everything?
It could even be true of church. Sometimes we become enslaved with the practices, rituals and piracy of church that have nothing to do with the Bride of Christ. Those are the only things that should color our choices: will the Bride be more radiant if I do this or that? Not, "How much can I get away with and still go to heaven?"
Listen, I'm going to make a bold statement - if you hear me say the above, know this: I can get away with nothing. Because if I am trying to get away with stuff and still make it to heaven, I have lost my first love as the church in Ephesus did in Revelation 2. Jesus said: "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." Revelation 2:2-5 (emphasis mine.)
Not everything is spiritually beneficial, which tells me EVERYTHING we do - what we eat, what we drink, where we go, what we watch and hear - everything should be in line with God's word. We should WANT to do what He wants us to do. Otherwise, we have become lukewarm, and will be spit out of His mouth.
You know, that makes me think of something - lukewarm Christians. And I'll have a whole other blog about that, tomorrow!
It seems in this world, we're all looking for the most we can get away with. How much can we drink, how much can we eat, how much can we say, before it's spiritually, morally and physically trouble?
Why are we like that? Do you ever wonder this? Why do we want to walk so close to the line between heaven and hell? I believe that in reality, though there's the saying "there's a thin line between love and hate," there's a huge chasm between heaven and hell. We like to act as if there's just a line, but it's much more than that.
How do I know? I know this - why would someone who loves God want to walk so close to the one thing He hates - sin? Why would you want to tempt yourself to walk away from God? God hates sin - it's black and white. But God loves us - also black and white. But as Paul says in the passage above, if I do whatever I want to do, I become a slave to whatever I want to do, and Jesus said that man cannot serve two masters. He said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." In this case He was talking about money, but isn't it true with everything?
It could even be true of church. Sometimes we become enslaved with the practices, rituals and piracy of church that have nothing to do with the Bride of Christ. Those are the only things that should color our choices: will the Bride be more radiant if I do this or that? Not, "How much can I get away with and still go to heaven?"
Listen, I'm going to make a bold statement - if you hear me say the above, know this: I can get away with nothing. Because if I am trying to get away with stuff and still make it to heaven, I have lost my first love as the church in Ephesus did in Revelation 2. Jesus said: "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." Revelation 2:2-5 (emphasis mine.)
Not everything is spiritually beneficial, which tells me EVERYTHING we do - what we eat, what we drink, where we go, what we watch and hear - everything should be in line with God's word. We should WANT to do what He wants us to do. Otherwise, we have become lukewarm, and will be spit out of His mouth.
You know, that makes me think of something - lukewarm Christians. And I'll have a whole other blog about that, tomorrow!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Who Is Da Judge?
It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn't mean much. The Master makes that judgment. So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the "Well done!" of God. 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (The Message)
Boy, is it tough for me to not care what people think! I didn't realize until the last year or so just how much of a people pleaser I am. The trouble with pleasing others? There is not way to do that! If you do everything you can to please one person, you've made someone else angry - for whatever reason. I've finally realized, being a people pleaser is an impossible way to live.
That doesn't mean it's an easy habit to break, however. In today's world of polls and politics, everything is driven by public opinion, not absolutes of what is right and what is wrong. Policies are made because of what people think or want, not for reasons of prudence or diligence.
Paul was right on the money when he said, "Comparisons are pointless." Not only in this area, but think of how many opportunities you have each day to compare yourself to someone else. You may look over at the car next to you and see luxury. As you are driving, you pass all these houses with perfect landscaping. You name it, you can compare it - looks, clothing, abilities, even children or spouses.
Why do we care about stuff like that? Is there someone who is the ultimate judge, the one who decides that we are good or bad, right or wrong, because of our clothes or our homes? Is there an eternal Simon Cowell ready to tear our self-esteem to shreds based on his opinion of us?
Not exactly. Paul says in the NIV version of verse 4, "It is the Lord who judges me." If you have a close relationship with God the creator, that's a comforting and worship-worthy verse. But if you don't, well, that's frightening.
Only God can continually weigh our hearts, and only He can move them in His direction. And He does that when we willingly and prayerfully turn to Him with a desire for His ways - only! His Ways, His Thoughts, His Heart. His Only! My desire this week is to pray to receive His opinion, and to put behind me the opinions of others - whether deserved or not, I find that I am much more likely to stray from my Father when His is not the only voice I am listening to.
Boy, is it tough for me to not care what people think! I didn't realize until the last year or so just how much of a people pleaser I am. The trouble with pleasing others? There is not way to do that! If you do everything you can to please one person, you've made someone else angry - for whatever reason. I've finally realized, being a people pleaser is an impossible way to live.
That doesn't mean it's an easy habit to break, however. In today's world of polls and politics, everything is driven by public opinion, not absolutes of what is right and what is wrong. Policies are made because of what people think or want, not for reasons of prudence or diligence.
Paul was right on the money when he said, "Comparisons are pointless." Not only in this area, but think of how many opportunities you have each day to compare yourself to someone else. You may look over at the car next to you and see luxury. As you are driving, you pass all these houses with perfect landscaping. You name it, you can compare it - looks, clothing, abilities, even children or spouses.
Why do we care about stuff like that? Is there someone who is the ultimate judge, the one who decides that we are good or bad, right or wrong, because of our clothes or our homes? Is there an eternal Simon Cowell ready to tear our self-esteem to shreds based on his opinion of us?
Not exactly. Paul says in the NIV version of verse 4, "It is the Lord who judges me." If you have a close relationship with God the creator, that's a comforting and worship-worthy verse. But if you don't, well, that's frightening.
Only God can continually weigh our hearts, and only He can move them in His direction. And He does that when we willingly and prayerfully turn to Him with a desire for His ways - only! His Ways, His Thoughts, His Heart. His Only! My desire this week is to pray to receive His opinion, and to put behind me the opinions of others - whether deserved or not, I find that I am much more likely to stray from my Father when His is not the only voice I am listening to.
Friday, November 20, 2009
I Am What I Am
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." 1 Corinthians 15:10
Today is my birthday. (Thank you, thank you very much. lol) I spent my 30s not enjoying my birthday. I cried every year from 30 to 39. Then last year I changed my attitude. (This year, I honestly forgot about it until my mother reminded me.) There was nothing big that changed my attitude, I just decided that I couldn't really fight aging, so I might as well buy cases of anti-wrinkle cream and get on with it!
But this summer, I heard a wonderful sermon that included a passage on the number 40. Apparently, in the Bible, 40 is the number of preparation - the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, the rain falling on Noah and family in the ark for 40 days, Jesus praying and fasting in the wilderness for 40 days. For the last ten years, I've struggled with the idea of aging and that my best years were behind me. Now I'm thinking, what if the last 40 years were just preparation for the next 40?
What if all the struggles, the victories, the highs and the lows, are to get me ready for what comes next? I know so much more about God now than I used to. I know HIM so much better. I love Him so much more. I can look back over my life and see my failures. Or I can see His grace working on me.
I am what I am. I am what God made me to be. When I am in His will, fully in His grace, living in His love, sharing His life and greatness and creation . . . I am perfect. Those who know me are thinking of lots of teasing to give me right now!! But it's true. I don't want to be anymore, or any less, than He created me to be. And I am what I am because of His grace. No other reason. Just Him.
There's a great song that Amy Grant used to sing called, "All I Ever Have to Be." Some of the lyrics are:
All I ever have to be is what you made me
Any more or less would be a step
Out of your plan.
As you daily recreate me help me always keep in mind
That I only have to do what I can find.
All I ever have to be . . . is what you made me.
I am what I am. I am not great. I am not small. I am His. And that is perfect.
Today is my birthday. (Thank you, thank you very much. lol) I spent my 30s not enjoying my birthday. I cried every year from 30 to 39. Then last year I changed my attitude. (This year, I honestly forgot about it until my mother reminded me.) There was nothing big that changed my attitude, I just decided that I couldn't really fight aging, so I might as well buy cases of anti-wrinkle cream and get on with it!
But this summer, I heard a wonderful sermon that included a passage on the number 40. Apparently, in the Bible, 40 is the number of preparation - the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, the rain falling on Noah and family in the ark for 40 days, Jesus praying and fasting in the wilderness for 40 days. For the last ten years, I've struggled with the idea of aging and that my best years were behind me. Now I'm thinking, what if the last 40 years were just preparation for the next 40?
What if all the struggles, the victories, the highs and the lows, are to get me ready for what comes next? I know so much more about God now than I used to. I know HIM so much better. I love Him so much more. I can look back over my life and see my failures. Or I can see His grace working on me.
I am what I am. I am what God made me to be. When I am in His will, fully in His grace, living in His love, sharing His life and greatness and creation . . . I am perfect. Those who know me are thinking of lots of teasing to give me right now!! But it's true. I don't want to be anymore, or any less, than He created me to be. And I am what I am because of His grace. No other reason. Just Him.
There's a great song that Amy Grant used to sing called, "All I Ever Have to Be." Some of the lyrics are:
All I ever have to be is what you made me
Any more or less would be a step
Out of your plan.
As you daily recreate me help me always keep in mind
That I only have to do what I can find.
All I ever have to be . . . is what you made me.
I am what I am. I am not great. I am not small. I am His. And that is perfect.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sticks and Stones
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" 1 Corinthians 4:20-21
Last night in my small group we talked about standards and rules versus relationships. We listed conventional thinking verses biblical thinking. Conventional thinking instills rules and regulations based on the fact that "we've always done it that way." Biblical thinking is radical, life-changing, love-driven.
Too often we fall into the role of Spiritual Comptroller. We become, as my pastor used to say, the Junior Holy Spirit. We want to let people know - I believe for a genuine loving reason - that they are doing wrong, that they are headed down the wrong path.
Is that wrong? No way! But it's all in your manner, you know? Think of yourself, of how you would like to be dealt with. In love? Or with a whip? It's those verbal whips that break people's hearts. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." We've all heard that. And we all know what baloney that is!
We never want to see anyone go down the wrong path. But instead of standing behind them, yelling at them, why not be strong enough to walk up, take them by the hand, and lovingly remind them: "Not that way, this way. Come on, I'll show you." THAT is Christ's love.
It's easier to stand on the sidelines and scream and yell than it is to get in the game and play. You take a lot of hits when you are in the game. But the only way to win, is to play. So don't stand on the sidelines of someone's life. Get involved. Love them. Earn their respect, so that when it's time to say the tough stuff, you have the right to walk beside them, take their hand, and show them the way, with love and a gentle spirit.
Last night in my small group we talked about standards and rules versus relationships. We listed conventional thinking verses biblical thinking. Conventional thinking instills rules and regulations based on the fact that "we've always done it that way." Biblical thinking is radical, life-changing, love-driven.
Too often we fall into the role of Spiritual Comptroller. We become, as my pastor used to say, the Junior Holy Spirit. We want to let people know - I believe for a genuine loving reason - that they are doing wrong, that they are headed down the wrong path.
Is that wrong? No way! But it's all in your manner, you know? Think of yourself, of how you would like to be dealt with. In love? Or with a whip? It's those verbal whips that break people's hearts. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." We've all heard that. And we all know what baloney that is!
We never want to see anyone go down the wrong path. But instead of standing behind them, yelling at them, why not be strong enough to walk up, take them by the hand, and lovingly remind them: "Not that way, this way. Come on, I'll show you." THAT is Christ's love.
It's easier to stand on the sidelines and scream and yell than it is to get in the game and play. You take a lot of hits when you are in the game. But the only way to win, is to play. So don't stand on the sidelines of someone's life. Get involved. Love them. Earn their respect, so that when it's time to say the tough stuff, you have the right to walk beside them, take their hand, and show them the way, with love and a gentle spirit.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I Know Nothing . . .
1 Corinthians 2:2: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
What do you really know for sure? Have you ever thought about that? In today's world of moral relativity, where even science continually changes and facts are disputed, what do you know for sure?
Can you make a list of ten things? Can you list five? I'm thinking of some short-term things, like, today I know for sure that it is cloudy and cold. But that won't last tomorrow it might be cold and sunny. Or sunny and warm! (A girl can dream, right?) I know my husband loves me and I love him. Yet I also know that my ability to show that love will sometimes fail. Lots of us have known for sure that our marriages would last forever, that friendships will never change, that our families will stay the same . . . only to find all those truths flawed.
There is only ONE thing you can know for sure: Jesus Christ and him crucified! Paul is talking here about what happened when he first came to the Corinthians, how he came not with eloquence and showiness but one simple truth. I like the Message version of this verse, "first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified."
You can only share Jesus when you know him - really know him. If you feel like you are beating your head up against a wall spiritually, like you are getting nowhere and continually living in frustration, it's time to take a good hard look. Do you truly know him? Do you know the power of knowing him? If you know him and you know his crucifixion and resurrection, you will live like it! Right?? When it's 90 degrees outside, I don't live like it's below freezing, wearing a coat and scarf and mittens. I live the truth! It's warm and sunny, so I'm wearing my shorts and tank and flip flops! Why would I want to live in an unreal world?
And yet, when we live spiritually defeated, we are living in an unreal world. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! That's it!!! The devil is defeated. That's it!!! Why live any other way? The only key to spiritual success is to live the truth - accept reality. Stop running away from problems and troubles because you are afraid. You get to know better - you know the truth, because you know Jesus Christ and him crucified.
What do you really know for sure? Have you ever thought about that? In today's world of moral relativity, where even science continually changes and facts are disputed, what do you know for sure?
Can you make a list of ten things? Can you list five? I'm thinking of some short-term things, like, today I know for sure that it is cloudy and cold. But that won't last tomorrow it might be cold and sunny. Or sunny and warm! (A girl can dream, right?) I know my husband loves me and I love him. Yet I also know that my ability to show that love will sometimes fail. Lots of us have known for sure that our marriages would last forever, that friendships will never change, that our families will stay the same . . . only to find all those truths flawed.
There is only ONE thing you can know for sure: Jesus Christ and him crucified! Paul is talking here about what happened when he first came to the Corinthians, how he came not with eloquence and showiness but one simple truth. I like the Message version of this verse, "first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified."
You can only share Jesus when you know him - really know him. If you feel like you are beating your head up against a wall spiritually, like you are getting nowhere and continually living in frustration, it's time to take a good hard look. Do you truly know him? Do you know the power of knowing him? If you know him and you know his crucifixion and resurrection, you will live like it! Right?? When it's 90 degrees outside, I don't live like it's below freezing, wearing a coat and scarf and mittens. I live the truth! It's warm and sunny, so I'm wearing my shorts and tank and flip flops! Why would I want to live in an unreal world?
And yet, when we live spiritually defeated, we are living in an unreal world. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! That's it!!! The devil is defeated. That's it!!! Why live any other way? The only key to spiritual success is to live the truth - accept reality. Stop running away from problems and troubles because you are afraid. You get to know better - you know the truth, because you know Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Face to Face
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Why do you think that Paul spoke at length in this chapter about love and then brought it to a conclusion in this manner? What does perfection have to do with love?
Paul is talking about the maturing, the growth that I have referred to in the previous posts. It's not that WE never fail, it's that LOVE never fails. And as we grow into love, we grow in perfection. These words all go together: growth, maturity, knowledge, perfection, completion. They are found often throughout the Bible. They mean that God has not created us as the already completed. We are born as infants and we act like infants. We grow into children, and we act like children. As we continue to grow, we (hopefully!) mature and act like adults. And even as adults, He is still working to complete His good work in us: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3
The day of Jesus Christ, the day of our completion, is the day we will see face to face. Not in a mirror, or through cloudy glass, but eyeball to eyeball. It's not a figure of speech - it is the truth! Our day of completion is coming - that is the joy Christians have! And as we wait for that day, we keep loving - we grow in our knowledge of love, in our ability to love. Love itself is perfect, though we are not. But imagine how much better we will love - how much our love is perfected - as we allow Love Himself to teach us how to love. That's like having Kobe Bryant teach us the perfect slam dunk, Peyton Manning teach how to throw a perfect spiral. The One who knows how to love perfectly teaches how to love. That's really all I need to know to want to love more people, love them better, and love them completely.
Are you blazing this week? If you don't know what I'm talking about, read 2 Samuel 22. See you tomorrow!
Why do you think that Paul spoke at length in this chapter about love and then brought it to a conclusion in this manner? What does perfection have to do with love?
Paul is talking about the maturing, the growth that I have referred to in the previous posts. It's not that WE never fail, it's that LOVE never fails. And as we grow into love, we grow in perfection. These words all go together: growth, maturity, knowledge, perfection, completion. They are found often throughout the Bible. They mean that God has not created us as the already completed. We are born as infants and we act like infants. We grow into children, and we act like children. As we continue to grow, we (hopefully!) mature and act like adults. And even as adults, He is still working to complete His good work in us: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3
The day of Jesus Christ, the day of our completion, is the day we will see face to face. Not in a mirror, or through cloudy glass, but eyeball to eyeball. It's not a figure of speech - it is the truth! Our day of completion is coming - that is the joy Christians have! And as we wait for that day, we keep loving - we grow in our knowledge of love, in our ability to love. Love itself is perfect, though we are not. But imagine how much better we will love - how much our love is perfected - as we allow Love Himself to teach us how to love. That's like having Kobe Bryant teach us the perfect slam dunk, Peyton Manning teach how to throw a perfect spiral. The One who knows how to love perfectly teaches how to love. That's really all I need to know to want to love more people, love them better, and love them completely.
Are you blazing this week? If you don't know what I'm talking about, read 2 Samuel 22. See you tomorrow!
Friday, November 13, 2009
The End of Love as We Know It
Well . . . it's been a great day here. Friday the 13th, bah ha ha ha!! But, having so much greatness around me, I nearly forgot to write! But I couldn't let it go until Monday, because I'm so excited to finish this love chapter with you.
Yesterday I gave you a few suppositions. First, that love is a verb. Second, that love changes because you change. And third, there are many, many ways to express this love. But let's move on to the most important truth, as found in verse 8: "Love never fails."
Are you like me, squirming in my chair, feeling very uncomfortable right now? Because, just like yesterday's post, I love people . . . but I fail. And therefore my love fails. It's enough to want to make us throw in the towel! But remember, love grows as my knowledge grows. I may make mistakes in my love, but when I am choosing to love in a way that is consistent with shedding yesterday and embracing today, that is patient and kind, all the definitions from the previous paragraph . . . then I know that my love is not failing. My body, my mind, my emotions, my intellect . . . all those things may fail. But love does not.
This is a reminder to us that we can have this kind of love because of God's love. Remember 1 John 4:7-12: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
God gives us the standard for love by His love for us. He's not asking us to do something that He hasn't already done. In fact, He's done it, He's doing it, and He'll continue to do it for eternity! So remember that love never fails, because He never fails. We do. True, God-seeking, heart-driven, soul-searching love? Never fails.
I spent a lot of time on those three little words: Love never fails. So we'll have to finish up the chapter next week. Until then friends!
Yesterday I gave you a few suppositions. First, that love is a verb. Second, that love changes because you change. And third, there are many, many ways to express this love. But let's move on to the most important truth, as found in verse 8: "Love never fails."
Are you like me, squirming in my chair, feeling very uncomfortable right now? Because, just like yesterday's post, I love people . . . but I fail. And therefore my love fails. It's enough to want to make us throw in the towel! But remember, love grows as my knowledge grows. I may make mistakes in my love, but when I am choosing to love in a way that is consistent with shedding yesterday and embracing today, that is patient and kind, all the definitions from the previous paragraph . . . then I know that my love is not failing. My body, my mind, my emotions, my intellect . . . all those things may fail. But love does not.
This is a reminder to us that we can have this kind of love because of God's love. Remember 1 John 4:7-12: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
God gives us the standard for love by His love for us. He's not asking us to do something that He hasn't already done. In fact, He's done it, He's doing it, and He'll continue to do it for eternity! So remember that love never fails, because He never fails. We do. True, God-seeking, heart-driven, soul-searching love? Never fails.
I spent a lot of time on those three little words: Love never fails. So we'll have to finish up the chapter next week. Until then friends!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Let's Make a Deal
OK, so we're trying to figure out what love means. Remember?? Hey, is anyone out there? Do you remember what I'm talking about?? lol
We (by we, I mean "I") decided yesterday that the dictionary definition of love isn't encompassing enough; in fact, it's just plain wrong. So where do we get our truth from? Anyone? Say it with me . . . the Bible. The B-I-B-L-E. You're singing it, aren't you?
So, if the Bible is our truth, then we can rely on it to explain to us what love is. Love is patience. Love is kindness. Love is protection, it is trust. Love is hope. Love is perseverance. Love is NOT jealousy. It's not arrogance or pride. It is not rudeness. It is not self-seeking. Love is not angry. Love is not a scorekeeper.
That's what 1 Corinthians 13 says, doesn't it? Starting in verse 4: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Seems pretty straightforward to me. But wait, we say, I love my kids, but I'm certainly not always patient. Does this mean I don't love my kids? Of course not. It's important to see that love is a verb . . . not a noun. (Well, of course it's a noun too . . . but you know what I mean.) Verbs express existence, they express action. They express movement. Love is always moving, always growing, always encompassing more.
Have you ever noticed that your parents have so much more patience with your kids than you do? Or then they had with you? That's because they're ability to love has grown through the years . . . just as your abilities will change as you grow.
Love is a way of expressing existence, action and movement. Love is a decision to work towards those goals. I just had to apologize to my kid last night for being impatient with him. (He grounded me, by the way. Not sure how I feel about that.) I explained to him that I'm sure not perfect, and I make mistakes, but that I try to work to make fewer and fewer mistakes. That's what love does. If I didn't love him, I would care about growing to become a better parent. I wouldn't care that I was impatient with him in the first place! But I do care. And that's love.
Isn't love awesome? The depth and breadth and width with which we can express love is amazing. What can you tonight to show your loved ones that they are, well, loved? Be creative, think about it, and then - be a verb! Just do it!
We (by we, I mean "I") decided yesterday that the dictionary definition of love isn't encompassing enough; in fact, it's just plain wrong. So where do we get our truth from? Anyone? Say it with me . . . the Bible. The B-I-B-L-E. You're singing it, aren't you?
So, if the Bible is our truth, then we can rely on it to explain to us what love is. Love is patience. Love is kindness. Love is protection, it is trust. Love is hope. Love is perseverance. Love is NOT jealousy. It's not arrogance or pride. It is not rudeness. It is not self-seeking. Love is not angry. Love is not a scorekeeper.
That's what 1 Corinthians 13 says, doesn't it? Starting in verse 4: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Seems pretty straightforward to me. But wait, we say, I love my kids, but I'm certainly not always patient. Does this mean I don't love my kids? Of course not. It's important to see that love is a verb . . . not a noun. (Well, of course it's a noun too . . . but you know what I mean.) Verbs express existence, they express action. They express movement. Love is always moving, always growing, always encompassing more.
Have you ever noticed that your parents have so much more patience with your kids than you do? Or then they had with you? That's because they're ability to love has grown through the years . . . just as your abilities will change as you grow.
Love is a way of expressing existence, action and movement. Love is a decision to work towards those goals. I just had to apologize to my kid last night for being impatient with him. (He grounded me, by the way. Not sure how I feel about that.) I explained to him that I'm sure not perfect, and I make mistakes, but that I try to work to make fewer and fewer mistakes. That's what love does. If I didn't love him, I would care about growing to become a better parent. I wouldn't care that I was impatient with him in the first place! But I do care. And that's love.
Isn't love awesome? The depth and breadth and width with which we can express love is amazing. What can you tonight to show your loved ones that they are, well, loved? Be creative, think about it, and then - be a verb! Just do it!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Love, Love, Baby
Well we have begun a short journey through 1 Corinthians, and at the risk of sounding all mushy - give me some love, baby! It's all about the love! But love is such an overused word in today's language. You know that, I know, it's not a big surprise. We love pizza, we love movies, we love stuff. But true love is nothing like that. Let's check the dictionary for the official meaning of love: there are several definitions, and they almost all use the word, "affection." (Check dictionary.com for reference.)
Do you think this is the kind of love that God is talking about here? A tenderness, affection, a feeling? I have to be honest, I don't think true love has anything to do with these things, because feelings, affection, even tenderness, are all based on me. On how I feel at any given moment.
So how are we to know the true meaning of love, the way God intends? First, let's contrast the hope and joy found in the love chapter with the despondency found in Ecclesiastes: I thought in my heart, "'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:1, 8, 11.
The Ecclesiastes writer shows what happens when we don't have the true value of love. Everything is meaningless! (Don't you think it's awesome that God breathed a book into the hearts of man that allowed for the width and depth, the high and low, the entirety of human experience?) Without love, everything IS meaningless. Love for God, love for each other, and most importantly, His love for us are the driving forces for life as we know it. Don't think so? Just look around today. Love is shown in many forms, we just don't call it that. When you allow a driver at the stop sign to go ahead of you, that's love. When you smile instead of scowl at a mother in the supermarket whose baby is screaming, that's love. We make love choices every day. It's a matter of doing it purposefully.
Tomorrow we will find the perfect definition of love. It's right before our eyes . . .
Keep blazing!
Do you think this is the kind of love that God is talking about here? A tenderness, affection, a feeling? I have to be honest, I don't think true love has anything to do with these things, because feelings, affection, even tenderness, are all based on me. On how I feel at any given moment.
So how are we to know the true meaning of love, the way God intends? First, let's contrast the hope and joy found in the love chapter with the despondency found in Ecclesiastes: I thought in my heart, "'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:1, 8, 11.
The Ecclesiastes writer shows what happens when we don't have the true value of love. Everything is meaningless! (Don't you think it's awesome that God breathed a book into the hearts of man that allowed for the width and depth, the high and low, the entirety of human experience?) Without love, everything IS meaningless. Love for God, love for each other, and most importantly, His love for us are the driving forces for life as we know it. Don't think so? Just look around today. Love is shown in many forms, we just don't call it that. When you allow a driver at the stop sign to go ahead of you, that's love. When you smile instead of scowl at a mother in the supermarket whose baby is screaming, that's love. We make love choices every day. It's a matter of doing it purposefully.
Tomorrow we will find the perfect definition of love. It's right before our eyes . . .
Keep blazing!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
All You Need Is Love
I'm sorry for missing yesterday. I thought the flu bug was catching up to me, I had a lot of symptoms, but I never spiked a fever, and I'm feeling much better so far this morning. It started Sunday afternoon, maybe it was some kind of 24 hour thing. Anyway, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth - gotta lot to do, so I'm ready to move on now!
As I said last week, we are going to look at 1 Corinthians this week. And because the driving force behind the Ten Commandments was love, I thought we'd start in the "love" chapter, chapter 13. For today's musings, I'm using the Message version. (Side note - I love the Message. But remember that the Message is a paraphrase, not a translation. In other words, the author of the Message is simply restating the already-translated-into-English versions of the Bible in modern language. So he might not always get it right. It's important to also use a translation in your studies, so you know it is based on the original Greek or Hebrew. But the Message can also bring something into focus by using modern language, creating an avenue for us to re-think the way we've always thought about certain passages in the Bible.)
Let's start at the beginning of the chapter: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." (verses 1-3)
I love the last sentence: "I'm bankrupt without love." Just as love is the driving force behind God's rules for us, so is love the driving force behind EVERYTHING God does for us. Creation was done for love. Look it - he could have made a few mountains. But He made beautiful mountains, full and majestic, with ranges all over the world. He made the Smokies, where everything looks, well, smoky, and the Blue Ridge, where things appear, well, blue . . . you get my drift. We wouldn't have known any better. He could have made three really high mountains and called it a day. But He didn't. He longs to share His ability to make beauty with us. And why? Because of love.
We cannot have love if we do not know love. And we do not truly know love if we don't know Him. In the above passage, we could substitute God for the word love. Check this out: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love (have God's love), I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love (God's love)."
It's nearly impossible to try to love others on our own power. I love my husband and my child - I know without a doubt I would die for them. But sometimes . . . oh, they drive me crazy! When I'm trying to show them love on my own ability, after awhile, that love falters. I don't have it in me! It's only when our love is drawn from the well of God's love that we can shower it on others.
I think I'm going to end here for today. I have more to say! But I would challenge you to think on those times in your life, those people in your life, who are difficult to love. Are you allowing God's love to pour into your life, so that it can overflow into the lives of others? Remember, this passage says that no matter what else you do - no matter how many Sunday School classes you teach, no matter how many boards and committees you serve on, no matter how much faith you have, without love - it's meaningless. Love is where it all begins.
Tomorrow we are going to compare 1 Corinthians with Ecclesiastes. Fun! ;0) And we are also going to answer the statement I've heard lately: "You think God is love. But God is also judgment." So stay tuned!
As I said last week, we are going to look at 1 Corinthians this week. And because the driving force behind the Ten Commandments was love, I thought we'd start in the "love" chapter, chapter 13. For today's musings, I'm using the Message version. (Side note - I love the Message. But remember that the Message is a paraphrase, not a translation. In other words, the author of the Message is simply restating the already-translated-into-English versions of the Bible in modern language. So he might not always get it right. It's important to also use a translation in your studies, so you know it is based on the original Greek or Hebrew. But the Message can also bring something into focus by using modern language, creating an avenue for us to re-think the way we've always thought about certain passages in the Bible.)
Let's start at the beginning of the chapter: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." (verses 1-3)
I love the last sentence: "I'm bankrupt without love." Just as love is the driving force behind God's rules for us, so is love the driving force behind EVERYTHING God does for us. Creation was done for love. Look it - he could have made a few mountains. But He made beautiful mountains, full and majestic, with ranges all over the world. He made the Smokies, where everything looks, well, smoky, and the Blue Ridge, where things appear, well, blue . . . you get my drift. We wouldn't have known any better. He could have made three really high mountains and called it a day. But He didn't. He longs to share His ability to make beauty with us. And why? Because of love.
We cannot have love if we do not know love. And we do not truly know love if we don't know Him. In the above passage, we could substitute God for the word love. Check this out: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love (have God's love), I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love (God's love)."
It's nearly impossible to try to love others on our own power. I love my husband and my child - I know without a doubt I would die for them. But sometimes . . . oh, they drive me crazy! When I'm trying to show them love on my own ability, after awhile, that love falters. I don't have it in me! It's only when our love is drawn from the well of God's love that we can shower it on others.
I think I'm going to end here for today. I have more to say! But I would challenge you to think on those times in your life, those people in your life, who are difficult to love. Are you allowing God's love to pour into your life, so that it can overflow into the lives of others? Remember, this passage says that no matter what else you do - no matter how many Sunday School classes you teach, no matter how many boards and committees you serve on, no matter how much faith you have, without love - it's meaningless. Love is where it all begins.
Tomorrow we are going to compare 1 Corinthians with Ecclesiastes. Fun! ;0) And we are also going to answer the statement I've heard lately: "You think God is love. But God is also judgment." So stay tuned!
Friday, November 6, 2009
To Put It All In Perspective . . .
Well, we have come to the end of our first series, The Ten Commandments. I hope you got something out of it. You know, I started this because I felt led by God. I'd like these devotionals to touch others and point them back towards God. So please tell your friends, pass them on, whatever . . . also, feel free to leave me a comment at any time! I worry about being too long . . . if you think so, just let me know! I can handle it, sniff sniff. Just kidding! I value your input.
Anyway, I hope you have learned, as I have, that the purpose, the value, and the result of the Ten Commandments is the same thing - love. God loved us enough to give them to us in the first place. We show our love for Him by honoring and obeying. Our love for each other grows as we obey God and honor each commandment. Isn't that amazing? God knew when he gave these Commandments to us how much better, fuller and richer our lives would be by obeying ten simple rules.
And yet, we fight God on this. We even resist the thought that God did it for love's sake, as opposed to doing it for the sake of rules. We throw out the Old Testament, viewing it as antiquated, the old law, not relevant in today's society. I hope you have seen just how wrong we have been. I'm confessing myself that in my walk I have not spent much time thinking about the Ten Commandments. Now that I've studied them, they are always in my mind!
You would think I'd have them memorized by now, but I don't. That is my next goal. To memorize them, in order. We should constantly be memorizing scripture so that we can pray and meditate on it throughout the day. I know for myself, Exodus 20 is my next goal!
Just remember, it's all about love. It's never about rules. It's about seeing and living a love so passionate and fiery that everyone will see it.
Next week, I'm going to start a series on 1 Corinthians. I'm not going verse by verse or even chapter by chapter; in fact, I'm going to start in chapter 13, the "love" chapter. Fitting, don't you think? So I'll be jumping around a bit. Will you join me next week? Hope to see you here!
Keep blazing for God!
Anyway, I hope you have learned, as I have, that the purpose, the value, and the result of the Ten Commandments is the same thing - love. God loved us enough to give them to us in the first place. We show our love for Him by honoring and obeying. Our love for each other grows as we obey God and honor each commandment. Isn't that amazing? God knew when he gave these Commandments to us how much better, fuller and richer our lives would be by obeying ten simple rules.
And yet, we fight God on this. We even resist the thought that God did it for love's sake, as opposed to doing it for the sake of rules. We throw out the Old Testament, viewing it as antiquated, the old law, not relevant in today's society. I hope you have seen just how wrong we have been. I'm confessing myself that in my walk I have not spent much time thinking about the Ten Commandments. Now that I've studied them, they are always in my mind!
You would think I'd have them memorized by now, but I don't. That is my next goal. To memorize them, in order. We should constantly be memorizing scripture so that we can pray and meditate on it throughout the day. I know for myself, Exodus 20 is my next goal!
Just remember, it's all about love. It's never about rules. It's about seeing and living a love so passionate and fiery that everyone will see it.
Next week, I'm going to start a series on 1 Corinthians. I'm not going verse by verse or even chapter by chapter; in fact, I'm going to start in chapter 13, the "love" chapter. Fitting, don't you think? So I'll be jumping around a bit. Will you join me next week? Hope to see you here!
Keep blazing for God!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Covet Covet Covet
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17
As always, I think the place to start is at the very beginning - defining the word. What does covet mean? According to dictionary.com, the verb "covet" means "to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others." To me, that's more than simply envy - to covet is to disregard someone else. In other words, it's to have the attitude that "I'll do whatever it takes to have that!"
Like a lot of women, I love to look at homes and decorations, books and magazines, etc. I like to drive around and look at homes. One of these days I'm going to get up the nerve to stop at a house by the reservoir and ask if I can look inside! I like to go to home shows, parades of homes, open houses . . . are you getting the picture? I love to see how people represent themselves through their homes. And I love to represent my family through our home.
I might go somewhere and say, oh that's a great idea. I have GOT to do that! So what do you think? Is that coveting? Is that envy? Is that sin?
Maybe I'm hiding my head in the sand, but I don't think so. I like it when others have something for me to look at! I don't wish that they didn't have it so that I could. Coveting involves much more than that.
To covet someone's home, spouse, servant, animals . . . what God is really saying there is that the OBJECT of your desire is more important than anything. Say I go to my friend's house and all I can see is the stuff she has that I don't. Then I go home and look around and think about how nice her stuff would like in my house. If I don't resolve those emotions, can you see what's going to happen?
Folks, God really saved the best for last. Breaking this commandment truly leads to breaking the others. People steal because they covet. People kill because they covet. People lie because they covet. Lives are ruined, marriages shattered, churches destroyed, friendships are broken because of not honoring this simple commandment.
And most importantly . . . when you want something else so bad that it's all you can think about, it becomes your god. It takes over your list. And obviously, that destroys your relationship with God. The first and last commandment begin and end at the same place. When all you think about is what you don't have, you are saying that God is not taking care of you. You are saying you don't trust Him. When you plan and scheme to get what you want, you are trying to take control out of God's hands (as if that's possible!).
It's not wrong to want things. It's not even wrong to feel a twinge of envy once in a while. Just don't bury those feelings. You've probably heard me say before, you've got to name it to claim it! Admit that you are having an envy problem, before it becomes coveting. Ask God to replace your desires with His, and you'll be able to see a difference in your attitude.
See you tomorrow!
As always, I think the place to start is at the very beginning - defining the word. What does covet mean? According to dictionary.com, the verb "covet" means "to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others." To me, that's more than simply envy - to covet is to disregard someone else. In other words, it's to have the attitude that "I'll do whatever it takes to have that!"
Like a lot of women, I love to look at homes and decorations, books and magazines, etc. I like to drive around and look at homes. One of these days I'm going to get up the nerve to stop at a house by the reservoir and ask if I can look inside! I like to go to home shows, parades of homes, open houses . . . are you getting the picture? I love to see how people represent themselves through their homes. And I love to represent my family through our home.
I might go somewhere and say, oh that's a great idea. I have GOT to do that! So what do you think? Is that coveting? Is that envy? Is that sin?
Maybe I'm hiding my head in the sand, but I don't think so. I like it when others have something for me to look at! I don't wish that they didn't have it so that I could. Coveting involves much more than that.
To covet someone's home, spouse, servant, animals . . . what God is really saying there is that the OBJECT of your desire is more important than anything. Say I go to my friend's house and all I can see is the stuff she has that I don't. Then I go home and look around and think about how nice her stuff would like in my house. If I don't resolve those emotions, can you see what's going to happen?
Folks, God really saved the best for last. Breaking this commandment truly leads to breaking the others. People steal because they covet. People kill because they covet. People lie because they covet. Lives are ruined, marriages shattered, churches destroyed, friendships are broken because of not honoring this simple commandment.
And most importantly . . . when you want something else so bad that it's all you can think about, it becomes your god. It takes over your list. And obviously, that destroys your relationship with God. The first and last commandment begin and end at the same place. When all you think about is what you don't have, you are saying that God is not taking care of you. You are saying you don't trust Him. When you plan and scheme to get what you want, you are trying to take control out of God's hands (as if that's possible!).
It's not wrong to want things. It's not even wrong to feel a twinge of envy once in a while. Just don't bury those feelings. You've probably heard me say before, you've got to name it to claim it! Admit that you are having an envy problem, before it becomes coveting. Ask God to replace your desires with His, and you'll be able to see a difference in your attitude.
See you tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Out of our Mouths, Into the Record
Yesterday, I was confronted so many times with the opportunity to put my feet to my faith, so to speak. We talked about the ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." If you recall, I wrote about how we should dig deeper into that commandment, making our word golden, not entering into record anything as fact unless we knew it for sure.
I cannot believe how many times I talked yesterday! I was constantly being checked. Coffee with friends, lunch with coworkers, telephone conversations . . . all start off so sincerely and genuinely. Yet it's not long before little comments - unneeded, unnecessary, and sometimes unkindly - begin to enter in. In almost every conversation, I had to offer my opinion! I kept trying to stop myself, and sometimes I was successful. But more often than not, I talked.
I don't believe I said an unkind or an untrue word yesterday. But I said many unnecessary ones. Words that didn't need to be spoken, especially when a friend was in tears and needed someone to listen. You know, I'm starting to think that technology, and the different opportunities we have to communicate, have done nothing but tear down true communication. Everyone knows I hate to talk on the phone and I would rather text. But I truly believe that that form of "talking" is destroying my ability to talk face to face (or mouthpiece to mouthpiece).
I assume I'm not the only one with this problem! That's why I'm taking today to talk about this again. The book of James, especially the third chapter is full of warnings about what comes out of our mouths: "This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!" verses 7-10, the Message.
Tomorrow we will finish the Ten Commandments, and Friday we'll do a summary of the whole series. Next week I'll be writing out of 1 Corinthians!
Will you join me today in focusing and praying on keeping our mouths, our talk, even our thoughts holy and pure? I wonder just how much God can do with Christians like that!
I cannot believe how many times I talked yesterday! I was constantly being checked. Coffee with friends, lunch with coworkers, telephone conversations . . . all start off so sincerely and genuinely. Yet it's not long before little comments - unneeded, unnecessary, and sometimes unkindly - begin to enter in. In almost every conversation, I had to offer my opinion! I kept trying to stop myself, and sometimes I was successful. But more often than not, I talked.
I don't believe I said an unkind or an untrue word yesterday. But I said many unnecessary ones. Words that didn't need to be spoken, especially when a friend was in tears and needed someone to listen. You know, I'm starting to think that technology, and the different opportunities we have to communicate, have done nothing but tear down true communication. Everyone knows I hate to talk on the phone and I would rather text. But I truly believe that that form of "talking" is destroying my ability to talk face to face (or mouthpiece to mouthpiece).
I assume I'm not the only one with this problem! That's why I'm taking today to talk about this again. The book of James, especially the third chapter is full of warnings about what comes out of our mouths: "This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!" verses 7-10, the Message.
Tomorrow we will finish the Ten Commandments, and Friday we'll do a summary of the whole series. Next week I'll be writing out of 1 Corinthians!
Will you join me today in focusing and praying on keeping our mouths, our talk, even our thoughts holy and pure? I wonder just how much God can do with Christians like that!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
What Do Your Words Say?
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16
Note: I'm losing my mind here in Muncie! Totally forgot to post yesterday - forgive me! I'll get this right eventually!
This is yet another of God's commandments that we as Christians could be tempted to easily check off our list. We have learned this commandments as "do not lie" and we don't lie, right? You ask me how old I am, I'll choke out the real number. (You didn't ask, so I'm not telling!) However, I believe that we are called to dig a bit deeper in our understanding of what God wants us to do.
Remember, we keep saying that everything that involves the Ten Commandments is about love. They are driven by God's love for us, motivating our love for God in return, and inspiring our love for others. So let's look closely here. The word "testimony" means "evidence in support of a fact or statement." Do you think that's a little different than lying?
What about when you repeat a rumor that you do not know to be true? Anything, any words that you say, you are offering into evidence. I mean ANYTHING!! "This food is cold." "It's sunny out today." "I don't feel well." You are stating those words as fact.
The same thing is true when you say, "Did you hear that Jack and Jill are getting a divorce?" You are offering those words as a fact, whether you know it for a fact or not. Even prefacing your statements with, "Now, I'm not sure if this is true or not, but did you know . . .?" Hedging your bets on the truth does not make your statement right.
Any kind of gossip is wrong. If you don't know something as a FACT, you are offering into your life's testimony a false witness. I would even go so far as to say that there are words that do NOT need to be said, factual or not.
Have you been hurt by gossip, true or untrue? And yet, we have to admit we've all done it. In fact, our society today is driven by gossip! I get so frustrated with so-called legitimate news sources who offer gossip as factual news, or who use their air time to perpetuate rumor instead of truth. Lives are ruined by rumor and innuendo. Jesus said, "Simply let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37) Read the Message version of Matthew 5:36-38: "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." WOOOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
In other words . . . "I'm only telling you this so you can pray about it . . ." How many times have we done that? JUST as wrong as out and out lying about someone. Let your yes be yes. If I say to you, "Do you know anything about Stephen?" and you do, say yes. Then if I say, "Will you tell me about it?" say, no. You don't need to embellish and explain. Yes means yes and no means no. Too many words get us in trouble! Proverbs 10:18-20 says, "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."
I know that I am a talker (some of you are shocked, I know). This verse makes me want to speak a little less. I want to be wise, and hold my tongue, not just regarding gossip or lies, but also with advice that I am just sure someone needs to hear, or words I think need spoken. Sometimes silence is golden.
This is an area in my life that I am pledging to work on, and I am thankful that God has brought this to my attention today. Thanks for digging a little deeper with me today. Will you trust God with your words? Or perhaps the question should be, Can God trust you?
Keep Blazing!
Note: I'm losing my mind here in Muncie! Totally forgot to post yesterday - forgive me! I'll get this right eventually!
This is yet another of God's commandments that we as Christians could be tempted to easily check off our list. We have learned this commandments as "do not lie" and we don't lie, right? You ask me how old I am, I'll choke out the real number. (You didn't ask, so I'm not telling!) However, I believe that we are called to dig a bit deeper in our understanding of what God wants us to do.
Remember, we keep saying that everything that involves the Ten Commandments is about love. They are driven by God's love for us, motivating our love for God in return, and inspiring our love for others. So let's look closely here. The word "testimony" means "evidence in support of a fact or statement." Do you think that's a little different than lying?
What about when you repeat a rumor that you do not know to be true? Anything, any words that you say, you are offering into evidence. I mean ANYTHING!! "This food is cold." "It's sunny out today." "I don't feel well." You are stating those words as fact.
The same thing is true when you say, "Did you hear that Jack and Jill are getting a divorce?" You are offering those words as a fact, whether you know it for a fact or not. Even prefacing your statements with, "Now, I'm not sure if this is true or not, but did you know . . .?" Hedging your bets on the truth does not make your statement right.
Any kind of gossip is wrong. If you don't know something as a FACT, you are offering into your life's testimony a false witness. I would even go so far as to say that there are words that do NOT need to be said, factual or not.
Have you been hurt by gossip, true or untrue? And yet, we have to admit we've all done it. In fact, our society today is driven by gossip! I get so frustrated with so-called legitimate news sources who offer gossip as factual news, or who use their air time to perpetuate rumor instead of truth. Lives are ruined by rumor and innuendo. Jesus said, "Simply let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37) Read the Message version of Matthew 5:36-38: "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." WOOOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
In other words . . . "I'm only telling you this so you can pray about it . . ." How many times have we done that? JUST as wrong as out and out lying about someone. Let your yes be yes. If I say to you, "Do you know anything about Stephen?" and you do, say yes. Then if I say, "Will you tell me about it?" say, no. You don't need to embellish and explain. Yes means yes and no means no. Too many words get us in trouble! Proverbs 10:18-20 says, "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."
I know that I am a talker (some of you are shocked, I know). This verse makes me want to speak a little less. I want to be wise, and hold my tongue, not just regarding gossip or lies, but also with advice that I am just sure someone needs to hear, or words I think need spoken. Sometimes silence is golden.
This is an area in my life that I am pledging to work on, and I am thankful that God has brought this to my attention today. Thanks for digging a little deeper with me today. Will you trust God with your words? Or perhaps the question should be, Can God trust you?
Keep Blazing!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
"You shall not steal." Exodus 20:15
Yet another concise, to the point directive from God. What I love about God is that there's no ambiguity here. That's it. No stealing. Enough said.
Or is it? This is another commandment where we Christians can feel like we can automatically cross this off our list. Of course we wouldn't steal. Number one, God says so. Number two, how embarrassing it would be if we would get caught. And number three, I'd never make it in prison. I bruise too easily!
How funny and easily those thoughts can come to us. Lots of adults have stories about how they learned their lessons about stealing as children. They stole a piece of candy at the drugstore, and had to take it back and look the owner in the eye and tell them what they did. That's all it took to not steal again.
So ok, let's not focus on stealing stuff. Let's talk about other ways we may be allowing theft to creep into our lives. Here are some examples from the book, "The Liberating Law:"
-You go out to lunch with friends and have such a good time that you stay an extra 30 minutes past your designated lunch time.
-Last summer you borrowed your neighbor's electric hedge trimmer and never returned it. In fact, you have no plans to return it.
-You had some unexpected medical expenses this month and decide not to pay your tithe so that you can pay these bills.
-It's such a gorgeous day that you decide you'd rather go fishing than go to work. So you call your boss, say you're sick, and head for the lake.
Honoring God means adhering to the spirit, not just the letter of the law. We've all done some of the things mentioned above. We've probably done it and not thought twice about it! But as we examine how the Ten Commandments are designed to enhance our love for God, we must think twice. We must find any and all ways to show our absolute honesty in the things that we do. As Christians, we are called to a higher standard! In Romans chapter 2, verses 12-13, The Message version says, "If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God."
Now that we have heard the truth, we must DO the truth. We MUST do what He commands in order to receive all He has for us. Look at your life, closely. Are you robbing God? If so . . . where? This is a tough pill to swallow, but not only for our sake, but those who look at us, we must do so!
Before I leave you tonight (sorry for the late post, by the way), I felt like sharing a beautiful piece of scripture from Isaiah 52:
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the LORD returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
9 Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Yet another concise, to the point directive from God. What I love about God is that there's no ambiguity here. That's it. No stealing. Enough said.
Or is it? This is another commandment where we Christians can feel like we can automatically cross this off our list. Of course we wouldn't steal. Number one, God says so. Number two, how embarrassing it would be if we would get caught. And number three, I'd never make it in prison. I bruise too easily!
How funny and easily those thoughts can come to us. Lots of adults have stories about how they learned their lessons about stealing as children. They stole a piece of candy at the drugstore, and had to take it back and look the owner in the eye and tell them what they did. That's all it took to not steal again.
So ok, let's not focus on stealing stuff. Let's talk about other ways we may be allowing theft to creep into our lives. Here are some examples from the book, "The Liberating Law:"
-You go out to lunch with friends and have such a good time that you stay an extra 30 minutes past your designated lunch time.
-Last summer you borrowed your neighbor's electric hedge trimmer and never returned it. In fact, you have no plans to return it.
-You had some unexpected medical expenses this month and decide not to pay your tithe so that you can pay these bills.
-It's such a gorgeous day that you decide you'd rather go fishing than go to work. So you call your boss, say you're sick, and head for the lake.
Honoring God means adhering to the spirit, not just the letter of the law. We've all done some of the things mentioned above. We've probably done it and not thought twice about it! But as we examine how the Ten Commandments are designed to enhance our love for God, we must think twice. We must find any and all ways to show our absolute honesty in the things that we do. As Christians, we are called to a higher standard! In Romans chapter 2, verses 12-13, The Message version says, "If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God."
Now that we have heard the truth, we must DO the truth. We MUST do what He commands in order to receive all He has for us. Look at your life, closely. Are you robbing God? If so . . . where? This is a tough pill to swallow, but not only for our sake, but those who look at us, we must do so!
Before I leave you tonight (sorry for the late post, by the way), I felt like sharing a beautiful piece of scripture from Isaiah 52:
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the LORD returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
9 Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
What is Adultery?
"You shall not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14
What is adultery? Random House Dictionary defines it as "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse." Yet Jesus defined it even more concretely: "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:26-28. Don't think that this is just a man looking at woman thing - women can do it too! Adultery is an equal opportunity sin.
As we have stated over and over again, the purpose of this commandment is love. The consequence of this commandment is love. The problem with this commandment begins when our love is misplaced. Did you know that there are many kinds of affairs in a marriage? Basically, anything that takes the place of your spouse - anything that occupies that space in your heart that God designed for the man or woman you committed to - is an affair. The Amplified Bible says in Ephesians 5:3: "But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity (of lustful, rich, wasteful living) or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God's consecrated people)."
There are many things that can cause lustful, rich, wasteful living or greediness. For example?? How about career? Sports? Friendships? There are so many things that, if we are not guarding our hearts and our relationships with ferocity, can become major problems. When was the last time your spouse knew - really knew - that they were worth guarding? When was the last time you vowed that nothing and no one would come between you? More specifically, when was the last time you made a choice to put your spouse first, not last in a long line?
With kids, work, church, activities, it's so easy to begin to take our spouses for granted. That's all the room Satan needs to make a move on our families and destroy them. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Absolutely no good comes from Satan; things that feel good at the moment wreak a lifetime of destruction if we are not listening to God and following His ways! (say amen, somebody!)
Get rid of ANYTHING in your life that compromises your relationship. According to Adam Clarke, author of The Holy Bible with a Commentary, "Not only is adultery forbidden here(in Exodus 20:14), but also fornication and all kinds of mental and sensual uncleanness. All impure books, songs, pictures, etc., which tend to inflame and debauch the mind are against this law." Don't walk the dangerous line close to sin to see how close you can get. Make a stand for purity - in your life, in your marriage, in your relationship with God!
Maybe you are stuck in an unloving marriage relationship right now. Remember the first commandment, when I said that often we make the mistake of feeling like we are doing the right thing by putting God first on our priority list? The truth is, He doesn't want to be on the list, He wants to be the list! When you don't feel like loving your spouse, remember the list: Serve Jesus by honoring your spouse. It's not about your spouse - it's about God! Pray - fall on your face before God, beg Him, weep before Him, BEG Him to renew the love you once felt! If you've never felt love? Beg God to give it to you now! Tell Him that you want to honor Him with your marriage relationship. Ask Him for forgiveness, and affirm to Him your desire to do this right!
Do you think that there's nothing left, nothing to fight for, nothing in this relationship anymore? Do you feel like your marriage is meaningless? It's not - IT MEANS EVERYTHING! It's NOT nothing, and your marriage is the most important earthly relationship in your life. God protects you and your family by instructing you to honor your marriage. It's not a suggestion, it's a command - for you, and for the future generations of your family.
Come one, somebody say Amen!!
What is adultery? Random House Dictionary defines it as "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse." Yet Jesus defined it even more concretely: "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:26-28. Don't think that this is just a man looking at woman thing - women can do it too! Adultery is an equal opportunity sin.
As we have stated over and over again, the purpose of this commandment is love. The consequence of this commandment is love. The problem with this commandment begins when our love is misplaced. Did you know that there are many kinds of affairs in a marriage? Basically, anything that takes the place of your spouse - anything that occupies that space in your heart that God designed for the man or woman you committed to - is an affair. The Amplified Bible says in Ephesians 5:3: "But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity (of lustful, rich, wasteful living) or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God's consecrated people)."
There are many things that can cause lustful, rich, wasteful living or greediness. For example?? How about career? Sports? Friendships? There are so many things that, if we are not guarding our hearts and our relationships with ferocity, can become major problems. When was the last time your spouse knew - really knew - that they were worth guarding? When was the last time you vowed that nothing and no one would come between you? More specifically, when was the last time you made a choice to put your spouse first, not last in a long line?
With kids, work, church, activities, it's so easy to begin to take our spouses for granted. That's all the room Satan needs to make a move on our families and destroy them. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Absolutely no good comes from Satan; things that feel good at the moment wreak a lifetime of destruction if we are not listening to God and following His ways! (say amen, somebody!)
Get rid of ANYTHING in your life that compromises your relationship. According to Adam Clarke, author of The Holy Bible with a Commentary, "Not only is adultery forbidden here(in Exodus 20:14), but also fornication and all kinds of mental and sensual uncleanness. All impure books, songs, pictures, etc., which tend to inflame and debauch the mind are against this law." Don't walk the dangerous line close to sin to see how close you can get. Make a stand for purity - in your life, in your marriage, in your relationship with God!
Maybe you are stuck in an unloving marriage relationship right now. Remember the first commandment, when I said that often we make the mistake of feeling like we are doing the right thing by putting God first on our priority list? The truth is, He doesn't want to be on the list, He wants to be the list! When you don't feel like loving your spouse, remember the list: Serve Jesus by honoring your spouse. It's not about your spouse - it's about God! Pray - fall on your face before God, beg Him, weep before Him, BEG Him to renew the love you once felt! If you've never felt love? Beg God to give it to you now! Tell Him that you want to honor Him with your marriage relationship. Ask Him for forgiveness, and affirm to Him your desire to do this right!
Do you think that there's nothing left, nothing to fight for, nothing in this relationship anymore? Do you feel like your marriage is meaningless? It's not - IT MEANS EVERYTHING! It's NOT nothing, and your marriage is the most important earthly relationship in your life. God protects you and your family by instructing you to honor your marriage. It's not a suggestion, it's a command - for you, and for the future generations of your family.
Come one, somebody say Amen!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Sixth Sense
"You shall not murder." Exodus 20:13
I love how these next few commandments are so direct, to the point. No promises of a good life; rather, it's more of a "just do it" kind of attitude from God. This seems so black and white, doesn't it? But today's sinful world has managed to make even murder wishy washy and all kinds of shades of grey.
I assume if you are reading this blog, you are a Christian. And if you are a Christian, I assume (although I'm not sure I should) that you are pro-life. I believe that life begins at conception. I believe that because the Bible says so. We all know the wonderful verse in Psalms 139: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." But did you know those words, that attitude, is scattered throughout the Bible? Look at Job 10:10-12: "Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese, clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit." Therefore if we are Christians, and we believe that the Bible is wholly true, we cannot for a moment doubt that life begins at conception.
Nor can we doubt that only God can choose the time of our death. Ecclesiastes 3:2 says there is "a time to be born and a time to die." It is God who saves us from death or allows death to take us. Job is full of those examples - he was urged to beg God for death, and did in fact do so, but God was not ready for that yet. Therefore if we are Christians, and we believe that the Bible is wholly true, we cannot for a moment doubt that it is not our decision to take life from another, or even from ourselves.
Seems as if life, murder, death are pretty clear cut for Christians then, huh? But have you ever thought about reckless behavior being a sin? Speeding, distracted or impaired driving, road rage - those are all behaviors that at times could push us to the brink of death, or create someone else's death because of our actions. So when is the behavior wrong - when death occurs, or when life is put in danger?
OUCH!! Lead foot, right here. Texting while driving? Uh-huh. Road rage? I'd prefer not to answer that question. As I'm writing, and thinking over things, I'm realizing how many times I have put myself and others in danger by not being in control of my behavior while driving.
It's not just driving obstacles that cause danger. Have you thought about the angry words you have spoken before you stormed away from someone? Did you kill someone's feelings, someone's love, or worse - someone's desire for Christ because of your selfish and sinful actions and attitudes?
Boy oh boy. Not a fun topic to ponder on, huh? My point is that without even realizing it, we can kind of check off this commandment as a no-brainer. But maybe we should take a closer look. Taking responsibility for our actions before there is danger is the key to making this commandment a priority in our lives. There can be physical danger, verbal danger, emotional, mental, or spiritual danger. The point of God's sixth commandment, to me, is to have self-control. This of course lines up with scripture, such as the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galations 5: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (verses 22-23.)
Make a special effort today to utilize self-control in all areas of your life! Keep Blazing, will ya?
I love how these next few commandments are so direct, to the point. No promises of a good life; rather, it's more of a "just do it" kind of attitude from God. This seems so black and white, doesn't it? But today's sinful world has managed to make even murder wishy washy and all kinds of shades of grey.
I assume if you are reading this blog, you are a Christian. And if you are a Christian, I assume (although I'm not sure I should) that you are pro-life. I believe that life begins at conception. I believe that because the Bible says so. We all know the wonderful verse in Psalms 139: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." But did you know those words, that attitude, is scattered throughout the Bible? Look at Job 10:10-12: "Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese, clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit." Therefore if we are Christians, and we believe that the Bible is wholly true, we cannot for a moment doubt that life begins at conception.
Nor can we doubt that only God can choose the time of our death. Ecclesiastes 3:2 says there is "a time to be born and a time to die." It is God who saves us from death or allows death to take us. Job is full of those examples - he was urged to beg God for death, and did in fact do so, but God was not ready for that yet. Therefore if we are Christians, and we believe that the Bible is wholly true, we cannot for a moment doubt that it is not our decision to take life from another, or even from ourselves.
Seems as if life, murder, death are pretty clear cut for Christians then, huh? But have you ever thought about reckless behavior being a sin? Speeding, distracted or impaired driving, road rage - those are all behaviors that at times could push us to the brink of death, or create someone else's death because of our actions. So when is the behavior wrong - when death occurs, or when life is put in danger?
OUCH!! Lead foot, right here. Texting while driving? Uh-huh. Road rage? I'd prefer not to answer that question. As I'm writing, and thinking over things, I'm realizing how many times I have put myself and others in danger by not being in control of my behavior while driving.
It's not just driving obstacles that cause danger. Have you thought about the angry words you have spoken before you stormed away from someone? Did you kill someone's feelings, someone's love, or worse - someone's desire for Christ because of your selfish and sinful actions and attitudes?
Boy oh boy. Not a fun topic to ponder on, huh? My point is that without even realizing it, we can kind of check off this commandment as a no-brainer. But maybe we should take a closer look. Taking responsibility for our actions before there is danger is the key to making this commandment a priority in our lives. There can be physical danger, verbal danger, emotional, mental, or spiritual danger. The point of God's sixth commandment, to me, is to have self-control. This of course lines up with scripture, such as the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galations 5: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (verses 22-23.)
Make a special effort today to utilize self-control in all areas of your life! Keep Blazing, will ya?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Fifth Commandment
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12
This, the fifth commandment, is one that has an awesome promise attached to it. For some, this commandment might bring a sense of joy. But for others, the concept of honoring our parents brings with it a sense of dread, even fear. But perhaps we do not truly understand what it means to honor.
The verb "honor" has several definitions (look at dictionary.com for explanation). Several of them can be applied here. One is, obviously, to show respect. There's also to "show a courteous regard for." And another: "to accept as valid and conform to the requests or demands of."
Notice, that in this command God does not tell us to love our parents. Some with dysfunctional parental relationships might be thankful for that realization! However, we know that love is the driving force behind everything God does, including giving us these commandments. Can we also say that love is a natural by-product of obeying the Ten Commandments? What did Jesus say about the commandments? Matthew 22 records this exchange between Jesus and one of the Pharisees: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (See also Mark 12 and Luke 10.)
One of the natural consequences of following the commandments of God is that love will follow. No one's parents are perfect people. Somehow, we decide that it is ok to hold them extra-responsible; in other words, as we grow into adulthood, we find ways to blame our upbringing or our parents' ways for our actions. Never mind that there is NO biblical justification for that, that we are each accountable for our own ways - no, we decide that the reason we cannot commit to anything is because our parents took away our favorite blankie when we were ten years old! OK, that's a ridiculous example, but look deeply into your life. What justifications are you holding onto, blaming your parents for what could actually be sin in your own life?
Honoring your parents in not always easy, and may mean different things to different people. For some, it's spending every Sunday dinner together. But for others, it may be not talking trash about their parents. It can be buying your parents a lavish Christmas gift. Or it can mean sending your parents a heartfelt note of thanks at Christmas time. There are many ways to honor our parents, and God in His wisdom never spelled out a hard and fast ritual way of doing so. That's because He knows, better than anyone, that parental relationships can be difficult, and honor comes in many fashions.
Having said all that, be cautious about holding your parents to a higher or different standard than you hold yourself - or that you want to be held to. Almost always, we do the best we can with the information and the abilities we have. So did your parents. Honoring them might be deciding to not hate them this time. Deciding not to hate can lead to acceptance. Acceptance leads to affection, and affection to love.
It's a process, is it not? It's a one-step-at-a-time kind of thing. Decide today to find a way to honor your parents - whether they are dead or alive! You can honor their memories and lives as well as the current relationship. Not only will you find yourself in God's favor, but obeying this commandment and honoring your parents will soothe your heart and troubles, like a balm of favor that will quiet inner turmoil. One day at a time.
Keep Blazing! Never forget.
Jenn
P.S. I believe my son has the flu. So if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, that's why!
This, the fifth commandment, is one that has an awesome promise attached to it. For some, this commandment might bring a sense of joy. But for others, the concept of honoring our parents brings with it a sense of dread, even fear. But perhaps we do not truly understand what it means to honor.
The verb "honor" has several definitions (look at dictionary.com for explanation). Several of them can be applied here. One is, obviously, to show respect. There's also to "show a courteous regard for." And another: "to accept as valid and conform to the requests or demands of."
Notice, that in this command God does not tell us to love our parents. Some with dysfunctional parental relationships might be thankful for that realization! However, we know that love is the driving force behind everything God does, including giving us these commandments. Can we also say that love is a natural by-product of obeying the Ten Commandments? What did Jesus say about the commandments? Matthew 22 records this exchange between Jesus and one of the Pharisees: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (See also Mark 12 and Luke 10.)
One of the natural consequences of following the commandments of God is that love will follow. No one's parents are perfect people. Somehow, we decide that it is ok to hold them extra-responsible; in other words, as we grow into adulthood, we find ways to blame our upbringing or our parents' ways for our actions. Never mind that there is NO biblical justification for that, that we are each accountable for our own ways - no, we decide that the reason we cannot commit to anything is because our parents took away our favorite blankie when we were ten years old! OK, that's a ridiculous example, but look deeply into your life. What justifications are you holding onto, blaming your parents for what could actually be sin in your own life?
Honoring your parents in not always easy, and may mean different things to different people. For some, it's spending every Sunday dinner together. But for others, it may be not talking trash about their parents. It can be buying your parents a lavish Christmas gift. Or it can mean sending your parents a heartfelt note of thanks at Christmas time. There are many ways to honor our parents, and God in His wisdom never spelled out a hard and fast ritual way of doing so. That's because He knows, better than anyone, that parental relationships can be difficult, and honor comes in many fashions.
Having said all that, be cautious about holding your parents to a higher or different standard than you hold yourself - or that you want to be held to. Almost always, we do the best we can with the information and the abilities we have. So did your parents. Honoring them might be deciding to not hate them this time. Deciding not to hate can lead to acceptance. Acceptance leads to affection, and affection to love.
It's a process, is it not? It's a one-step-at-a-time kind of thing. Decide today to find a way to honor your parents - whether they are dead or alive! You can honor their memories and lives as well as the current relationship. Not only will you find yourself in God's favor, but obeying this commandment and honoring your parents will soothe your heart and troubles, like a balm of favor that will quiet inner turmoil. One day at a time.
Keep Blazing! Never forget.
Jenn
P.S. I believe my son has the flu. So if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, that's why!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday the Sabbath?
Last week I promised that we would discuss the rationale for our (modern day Christians) Sabbath rest taking place on Sunday, instead of Saturday, as the Jewish nation was taught by God. This is not the easiest question to answer, and in fact, has caused me to do some real soul searching! There are lots of places on the web to do research; Bibles with commentaries and Bible commentaries themselves all have opinions.
However, the Bible itself is silent as to the right-ness or the wrong-ness of the decision by early Christians to worship on Sunday. The Bible simply refers to those Christians worshiping on Sunday. Period. According to kencollins.com, "In the early centuries, Christians everywhere worshiped on Sunday. We know that from Christian writers who described ancient worship, such as Justin Martyr, who died in 157. All ancient churches, from Gaul to Armenia, had their main worship service on Sunday."
He goes on to say, "Sunday was the universal day of Christian worship because it is the day of the Resurrection, the day after the Sabbath, and the Feast of Firstfruits—which is why Paul calls Jesus’ resurrection the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). Since it is the first day of the week, it is also the eighth day of the previous week, the day of the new creation (the allusion in 2 Corinthians 5:17)."
Interestingly, Collins points out something I had not noticed before. The Sabbath commandment does not require worship, it prohibits work. Let's look at the commandment again: 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
Synagogues (Jewish houses of worship) were originally created for instruction, not worship. This was during the Babylonian captivity (again, according to Ken Collins). In the first century, many Christians, both Jews and Gentiles, continued to attend synagogue instruction on the Sabbath and then attended Christian worship on Sunday. Later, Jewish leaders excommunicated the Christians and inserted wording into the synagogue liturgy that would make Christians very uncomfortable, even if they did attend. So we were left with just Sunday.
The Sabbath, of course, is Saturday and only Saturday. Although Christians sometimes refer to Sunday as the Sabbath, it is clear the the declaration can only be made about Saturdays. However, Sunday is often referred to as the Lord's Day, because Jesus rested in the tomb on the Sabbath and rose on Sunday. Therefore the principal day of Christian worship has always been Sunday.
So, in a way, our way of life can be an argument for both the Sabbath and the Lord's Day. A typical work week (those of you who work weekends - sorry that this argument does not apply!) is Monday through Friday. On Saturday we refrain from work and on Sunday we worship God. Now, I'm not telling those of you with non-typical hours (is there such a thing anymore?) to tell your employers that working on Saturday is against your religious beliefs! But I do see the benefit of a truly restful weekend, where we cut back on our busy-ness, focus on the love of the one who created us, and direct our energies toward overflowing God's love to others.
Finally, let me quote from Ken Collins once again: "There is no day of the week on which you must NOT worship!" In other words, worship isn't a church thing, it's a life thing! It's always appropriate to worship God, your creator, your everything. God wants you to do it, you NEED to do it! Your heart longs to sing His praises every day of the week!
However, the Bible itself is silent as to the right-ness or the wrong-ness of the decision by early Christians to worship on Sunday. The Bible simply refers to those Christians worshiping on Sunday. Period. According to kencollins.com, "In the early centuries, Christians everywhere worshiped on Sunday. We know that from Christian writers who described ancient worship, such as Justin Martyr, who died in 157. All ancient churches, from Gaul to Armenia, had their main worship service on Sunday."
He goes on to say, "Sunday was the universal day of Christian worship because it is the day of the Resurrection, the day after the Sabbath, and the Feast of Firstfruits—which is why Paul calls Jesus’ resurrection the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). Since it is the first day of the week, it is also the eighth day of the previous week, the day of the new creation (the allusion in 2 Corinthians 5:17)."
Interestingly, Collins points out something I had not noticed before. The Sabbath commandment does not require worship, it prohibits work. Let's look at the commandment again: 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
Synagogues (Jewish houses of worship) were originally created for instruction, not worship. This was during the Babylonian captivity (again, according to Ken Collins). In the first century, many Christians, both Jews and Gentiles, continued to attend synagogue instruction on the Sabbath and then attended Christian worship on Sunday. Later, Jewish leaders excommunicated the Christians and inserted wording into the synagogue liturgy that would make Christians very uncomfortable, even if they did attend. So we were left with just Sunday.
The Sabbath, of course, is Saturday and only Saturday. Although Christians sometimes refer to Sunday as the Sabbath, it is clear the the declaration can only be made about Saturdays. However, Sunday is often referred to as the Lord's Day, because Jesus rested in the tomb on the Sabbath and rose on Sunday. Therefore the principal day of Christian worship has always been Sunday.
So, in a way, our way of life can be an argument for both the Sabbath and the Lord's Day. A typical work week (those of you who work weekends - sorry that this argument does not apply!) is Monday through Friday. On Saturday we refrain from work and on Sunday we worship God. Now, I'm not telling those of you with non-typical hours (is there such a thing anymore?) to tell your employers that working on Saturday is against your religious beliefs! But I do see the benefit of a truly restful weekend, where we cut back on our busy-ness, focus on the love of the one who created us, and direct our energies toward overflowing God's love to others.
Finally, let me quote from Ken Collins once again: "There is no day of the week on which you must NOT worship!" In other words, worship isn't a church thing, it's a life thing! It's always appropriate to worship God, your creator, your everything. God wants you to do it, you NEED to do it! Your heart longs to sing His praises every day of the week!
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