This semester I am taking Acts (BIBL 364) with Dr. Fowler. One thing that he has challenged me with this semester is how to properly learn from the Bible. He said "In order to learn you must first unlearn." Meaning that we need to let go of all the tradition, baggage and bias view we have on various issues in order to properly study and learn what the Bible has to say in these areas. Is tradition wrong? Not always, but it is important that if we really want to understand what the Bible is saying on any issue we need unlearn the views we already have so that we may see both sides and then look into what the Word of God is says. From there we are able to really search for what the author was intending then just drawing out the verses that we think support our already established view. When are studying or referencing the Bible we need to ask ourselves, "am I looking to interpret what the Bible as a whole is saying or am I looking for verses that support my already established opinion?" Just a thought to keep in mind as you study the Word of God.
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Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday: The Motions
"I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without your all consuming passion
inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking
what if i had given everything
instead of going through the motions"
- matthew west
This song has been on my heart a lot lately as it challenges us whether or not we are giving God all we have or just going through the motions. This is something that we need to be asking ourselves on a daily basis.So often we are in church, convo, prayer groups/bible studies, etc., yet how often are we just mouthing the words to a song or nodding in agreement with a preacher but the truth is we are just going through the motions and all these actions are empty? We need to daily ask ourselves "why am I doing this?" Are our actions and works empty? We may "do" things that please God but if they with are with an empty heart then these things are meaningless. It's not always about what it is we are doing that pleases God, it is that we are serving Him through what we do. We are to serve God in how we live, not just go through motions. A man donating one million dollars to a charity can be less beneficial then a man who gives up five bucks to someone in need. God sees beyond the deed into the heart, if your heart's not in it then your actions are meaningless. We need to search within ourselves to figure whether or not we are giving God everything or merely going through the motions.
I don't wanna go one more day
without your all consuming passion
inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking
what if i had given everything
instead of going through the motions"
- matthew west
This song has been on my heart a lot lately as it challenges us whether or not we are giving God all we have or just going through the motions. This is something that we need to be asking ourselves on a daily basis.So often we are in church, convo, prayer groups/bible studies, etc., yet how often are we just mouthing the words to a song or nodding in agreement with a preacher but the truth is we are just going through the motions and all these actions are empty? We need to daily ask ourselves "why am I doing this?" Are our actions and works empty? We may "do" things that please God but if they with are with an empty heart then these things are meaningless. It's not always about what it is we are doing that pleases God, it is that we are serving Him through what we do. We are to serve God in how we live, not just go through motions. A man donating one million dollars to a charity can be less beneficial then a man who gives up five bucks to someone in need. God sees beyond the deed into the heart, if your heart's not in it then your actions are meaningless. We need to search within ourselves to figure whether or not we are giving God everything or merely going through the motions.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday: The Hardest Call
"For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again." Phillipians 1:19-26
Many times we read stories about people who have been asked whether or not they are a Christian while staring down the barrel of a gun. So many people have died because they would not deny Christ. Now these are stories that when we read we later put ourselves in their shoes and think about how we would respond. It is something that I feel would be difficult to do knowing I was going to die, but in all honesty, I having nothing to loose for there is a better life awaiting me in heave. The real question is not will you die for Christ, rather will you live for Christ? It is much harder for us to live for Christ, walking in His footsteps and pleasing God then it is to simply stand for Him at the end of a gun barrel. I'm not in any way diminishing the courage it takes to die for Christ, but in all honesty if you truly believe that God is your Savor, He is in control and you have eternal life then this should be a no brainer, think about it. What reason would you ever have to deny Christ other then you do not actually have faith in Him. Paul says in Phillipians 1:21 "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Death is not something Paul is worried about because to be absent from the body is to be present with God. The real challenge is living for Christ because we are constantly under trails, temptation and persecution. It is hard sometimes to remain faithful to what God has called you to do when times are tough. Just something to think about. Let me know your thoughts on this.
Is it harder to live or die for Christ? Why?
Remember: "The real question is not will you die for Christ, rather will you live for Christ?"
_
Many times we read stories about people who have been asked whether or not they are a Christian while staring down the barrel of a gun. So many people have died because they would not deny Christ. Now these are stories that when we read we later put ourselves in their shoes and think about how we would respond. It is something that I feel would be difficult to do knowing I was going to die, but in all honesty, I having nothing to loose for there is a better life awaiting me in heave. The real question is not will you die for Christ, rather will you live for Christ? It is much harder for us to live for Christ, walking in His footsteps and pleasing God then it is to simply stand for Him at the end of a gun barrel. I'm not in any way diminishing the courage it takes to die for Christ, but in all honesty if you truly believe that God is your Savor, He is in control and you have eternal life then this should be a no brainer, think about it. What reason would you ever have to deny Christ other then you do not actually have faith in Him. Paul says in Phillipians 1:21 "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Death is not something Paul is worried about because to be absent from the body is to be present with God. The real challenge is living for Christ because we are constantly under trails, temptation and persecution. It is hard sometimes to remain faithful to what God has called you to do when times are tough. Just something to think about. Let me know your thoughts on this.
Is it harder to live or die for Christ? Why?
Remember: "The real question is not will you die for Christ, rather will you live for Christ?"
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday: Who Am I?
"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4
This psalm puts God into perspective and allows us to see the vast difference between our "greatness"and His greatness. I challenge you to read this psalm in its entirety. It only has nine verses so it will take two minutes max, but I challenge you to read it over and over, and slower and slower, spending time dwelling on each word. When you have finished reading it just take some time to be SILENT, no distractions, dwell on what David has written here. Focus on who God is, then think about who man is, who you are. Next time you are outside after a clear, sunny day look up into the sky, take some time to appreciate God's handiwork. Even if you aren't outside take some time right now (as long as you can) to dwell on these thoughts...
... it put things into perspective doesn't it? Take some time to comment on this post and share what was going through your head during that time. It is crazy to think that a God so great and mighty could even be mindful of us let alone love us! God created the universe and the galaxies, he created the beautiful landscape on which we live. The stars in the sky, the leaves in the fall, was all created by a God who loves you and loves me. A God that cares and watches over us. A God who sent His ONLY son to pay the price for OUR sins. A God who walks with us each step of the way as we travel through life. A God who we often reject. A God who sometimes we don't even give Him a moment of our day. A God who we don't trust because we think we have things figured out. Yet He still loves us. To even think that we can come before Him in prayer in absurd. He loves us and sometimes we just need to get back to realizing how great He really is because we often forget this everyday.
Who am I that you are mindful of me?
_
This psalm puts God into perspective and allows us to see the vast difference between our "greatness"and His greatness. I challenge you to read this psalm in its entirety. It only has nine verses so it will take two minutes max, but I challenge you to read it over and over, and slower and slower, spending time dwelling on each word. When you have finished reading it just take some time to be SILENT, no distractions, dwell on what David has written here. Focus on who God is, then think about who man is, who you are. Next time you are outside after a clear, sunny day look up into the sky, take some time to appreciate God's handiwork. Even if you aren't outside take some time right now (as long as you can) to dwell on these thoughts...
... it put things into perspective doesn't it? Take some time to comment on this post and share what was going through your head during that time. It is crazy to think that a God so great and mighty could even be mindful of us let alone love us! God created the universe and the galaxies, he created the beautiful landscape on which we live. The stars in the sky, the leaves in the fall, was all created by a God who loves you and loves me. A God that cares and watches over us. A God who sent His ONLY son to pay the price for OUR sins. A God who walks with us each step of the way as we travel through life. A God who we often reject. A God who sometimes we don't even give Him a moment of our day. A God who we don't trust because we think we have things figured out. Yet He still loves us. To even think that we can come before Him in prayer in absurd. He loves us and sometimes we just need to get back to realizing how great He really is because we often forget this everyday.
Who am I that you are mindful of me?
_
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday: SILENCE!
When is the last time you have been all alone, no one people, no music, no homework, no media, nothing? Are you comfortable being by yourself? Meaning when you're waiting on someone, eating by yourself, waiting for class to start how long does it take for you to flip out you phone to "text" someone, check the time or shove some headphones into your ears? We are surrounded in a world of business, a world of efficiency, doing as much as you can in as little time possible. Not only do we have fast food restaurants so we can eat on the run but to make it even quicker we have made drive-thru's so you don't even have to get out of your car. Most students can hardly do fifteen minutes of homework without flipping to facebook, turning on some music or texting a friend. We are so busy and surrounded by both audio and visual noise.
What we don't realize is how much we need to get away in silence and solitude. In Psalm 46:10a the psalmist writes:
Be still and know that I am God
This is so important that we get away from the noise around us on a regular basis and just be still, know that God is God and that He loves and cares for us. It is in these times where we can hear God direct us and tell us His will for God does not always come in the obvious ways. Just as with Elijah God may come to us in a gentle breeze instead to the mighty fire or earthquake. We come to God daily with many prayers and requests but how often do we listen for an answer? It's good to be reading the Word and be praying, but we also need to take time just to be still in absolute silence thinking, listening and watching for God.
We spend more time complaining about things in our lives then we do praying about them. How many times have you told your friends about something you were concerned about this week? How much time did you spend bringing it before God? We thrive off noise, not many times can a group of people be quiet without someone quickly cracking a joke. Silence makes us uncomfortable and feel awkward. I think this is because silence causes us to think and many of us are afraid to think. We need to learn to thrive off solitude. Jesus spent so much time going off on His own to pray. If something like this was so important for Him then it certainly is important for us! Take some time this week, get away from your everyday routine, go somewhere quiet where you are all alone and spend time in prayer, meditation and just sitting still. It will be awkward at first but if you stay long enough you will begin to realize how much you need solitude and time alone. This is where your character and who you are is developed, when no one is around.
Challenge: Sometime over the next week find ONE HOUR where you can get away from everything around you (go for a walk on liberty mountain, go to the quiet study room in the clab with a coffee, even wake u an hour before your roommates or stay up an hour later) to be in solitude. After you have prayed about everything you can think of and thought about everything on your mind, stay. Be still.
Now go do it! You won't regret it!
What we don't realize is how much we need to get away in silence and solitude. In Psalm 46:10a the psalmist writes:
Be still and know that I am God
This is so important that we get away from the noise around us on a regular basis and just be still, know that God is God and that He loves and cares for us. It is in these times where we can hear God direct us and tell us His will for God does not always come in the obvious ways. Just as with Elijah God may come to us in a gentle breeze instead to the mighty fire or earthquake. We come to God daily with many prayers and requests but how often do we listen for an answer? It's good to be reading the Word and be praying, but we also need to take time just to be still in absolute silence thinking, listening and watching for God.
We spend more time complaining about things in our lives then we do praying about them. How many times have you told your friends about something you were concerned about this week? How much time did you spend bringing it before God? We thrive off noise, not many times can a group of people be quiet without someone quickly cracking a joke. Silence makes us uncomfortable and feel awkward. I think this is because silence causes us to think and many of us are afraid to think. We need to learn to thrive off solitude. Jesus spent so much time going off on His own to pray. If something like this was so important for Him then it certainly is important for us! Take some time this week, get away from your everyday routine, go somewhere quiet where you are all alone and spend time in prayer, meditation and just sitting still. It will be awkward at first but if you stay long enough you will begin to realize how much you need solitude and time alone. This is where your character and who you are is developed, when no one is around.
Challenge: Sometime over the next week find ONE HOUR where you can get away from everything around you (go for a walk on liberty mountain, go to the quiet study room in the clab with a coffee, even wake u an hour before your roommates or stay up an hour later) to be in solitude. After you have prayed about everything you can think of and thought about everything on your mind, stay. Be still.
Now go do it! You won't regret it!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday: Where's My Faith?
Today I don't have a scripture verse to dive into, instead I want to share with you something that I have been battling with lately and I hope you can learn something from this.
The past week has been an interesting experience for me to say the least. I was notified about a week ago that my uncle has bone marrow cancer and he was given six months to live. This has come as a huge shock to both me and my family. Something like this is hard in a very different way because at the moment it doesn't even seem like it's happening partly because I'm in a different country while this is all happening. I am certainly not a stranger when it comes to deaths in my extended family so I have been through this kind of thing several times before, yet each time is very different and each time God is able to teach me something new. With my first experience praying for someone who didn't have long to live, faith that God could heal them came easy. However, faith in God was in control whether or not He chose to heal them was there. This was something that was new to me, trusting God even though His plans don't always result in healing. However, many years later I have been able to grow and trust God in all areas in my life. Finding out that my uncle is sick and was given six months is definitely very hard, but I trust that God will somehow be glorified and He will see His will through even if it means death. I'm okay with that and I trust that God is in control. It took a friend to challenge me on whether or not I believed God could heal him. I mean I definitely believe God is capable of healing him, but do I really believe that God could do so if it be His will? It's embarrassing at the very least for me to say that no I didn't have the faith that if God chose to He could heal him. I guess I was just preparing myself according to what the doctors said. I have certainly been praying both for him and our family, but not for his actual healing. I'm not saying that God will heal him or that he won't. I believe that God is in control and whether he lives or dies I will be okay with it, certainly sad and devastated, but trusting God. However, that when it really came down to it I didn't really believe that God could heal him, I mean the doctors said there was nothing they could do. If God has power of death through the resurrection of Jesus and then He certainly has the power to heal my uncle. Maybe He will, maybe He won't, that's not up to me. My job is to trust God but also not to underestimate God.
God is in control and He has power over everything!
Do you REALLY believe that?
_
The past week has been an interesting experience for me to say the least. I was notified about a week ago that my uncle has bone marrow cancer and he was given six months to live. This has come as a huge shock to both me and my family. Something like this is hard in a very different way because at the moment it doesn't even seem like it's happening partly because I'm in a different country while this is all happening. I am certainly not a stranger when it comes to deaths in my extended family so I have been through this kind of thing several times before, yet each time is very different and each time God is able to teach me something new. With my first experience praying for someone who didn't have long to live, faith that God could heal them came easy. However, faith in God was in control whether or not He chose to heal them was there. This was something that was new to me, trusting God even though His plans don't always result in healing. However, many years later I have been able to grow and trust God in all areas in my life. Finding out that my uncle is sick and was given six months is definitely very hard, but I trust that God will somehow be glorified and He will see His will through even if it means death. I'm okay with that and I trust that God is in control. It took a friend to challenge me on whether or not I believed God could heal him. I mean I definitely believe God is capable of healing him, but do I really believe that God could do so if it be His will? It's embarrassing at the very least for me to say that no I didn't have the faith that if God chose to He could heal him. I guess I was just preparing myself according to what the doctors said. I have certainly been praying both for him and our family, but not for his actual healing. I'm not saying that God will heal him or that he won't. I believe that God is in control and whether he lives or dies I will be okay with it, certainly sad and devastated, but trusting God. However, that when it really came down to it I didn't really believe that God could heal him, I mean the doctors said there was nothing they could do. If God has power of death through the resurrection of Jesus and then He certainly has the power to heal my uncle. Maybe He will, maybe He won't, that's not up to me. My job is to trust God but also not to underestimate God.
God is in control and He has power over everything!
Do you REALLY believe that?
_
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday: Wounds Better Than Kisses?
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." Proverbs 27:6
This verse seems backwards but it is very important that we understand what Solomon is saying. We often think that our friends are to encourage us and build us up. This is true, but it is even more important that our keep us humble and keep us accountable. If have sharp quick responses it is a friend who will confront you on these issues because they want to see you be the best you can be. An enemy in this case will just let it slip because they don't care how you act or who you become. Criticism from a friend is better then a complement from an enemy. The constructive criticism from a friend will build you up, whereas a complement from an enemy at most is thoughtful, but results meaningless. We must not be so unapproachable that when a friends try to help us we get all defensive and see them as trying to take us down. As friends we are to build each other up and confront one another. Think about who your friends are, who are merely people you hang out with. A true friend will lower themselves to build you up and they will confront you about anything.
Remember: "Criticism from a friend is better then a complement from an enemy"
_
This verse seems backwards but it is very important that we understand what Solomon is saying. We often think that our friends are to encourage us and build us up. This is true, but it is even more important that our keep us humble and keep us accountable. If have sharp quick responses it is a friend who will confront you on these issues because they want to see you be the best you can be. An enemy in this case will just let it slip because they don't care how you act or who you become. Criticism from a friend is better then a complement from an enemy. The constructive criticism from a friend will build you up, whereas a complement from an enemy at most is thoughtful, but results meaningless. We must not be so unapproachable that when a friends try to help us we get all defensive and see them as trying to take us down. As friends we are to build each other up and confront one another. Think about who your friends are, who are merely people you hang out with. A true friend will lower themselves to build you up and they will confront you about anything.
Remember: "Criticism from a friend is better then a complement from an enemy"
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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday: Daily Devotion or Daily Feeling?
When we being to talk about a daily devotion many of us cringe because we know that it is an area that we struggle with. We have all been there at one time or another. In fact even when we get into the practice to spending time in God's Word daily it could always be better. Your daily devotion can be very much compared to a workout routine. When starting out you need to set a time in which to do it or it will never get done, same with working out, if you never set a time in your schedule you will never get to the gym. We also need to figure out what it is we will do. If you decide to go at random with a random verse each day you will miss out, just as if you randomly workout on muscle in the gym then you may get one or two muscles developed, but many will be missed. This is why it is important to have a plan for your reading. If you pick random verses many times you will miss the context and therefore misinterpret what the author is saying. Next you need to do it. Some people with reason with themselves and say "I will only do it when I feel like it because I don't want it to become a chore, duty or homework. Yes, we shouldn't do it just to do it because that would be pointless. However, if we only do it when we want to we never will. If you only go to the gym when you want to you then you probably won't actually show up. First you need to be disciplined and create a habit, then you will begin to crave it and be adamant on not missing a day. The word devotion means dedication. We need to dedicate time to spending in God's Word and in prayer.
When we develop a devotion to time with God then we need to watch that we guard that time and not let it become just a chore, but that we commit our heart, soul and mind to it seeking what God has to teach us. Anyone who has spent time in a gym knows that you can't curl the same weight forever, if you do then you will reach a point when it is ineffective. With our devotion we need to be intently studying God's Word and digger deeper each day. This is something that we can talk about all day, but you need to do it. Not just a day here and there, but commit yourself EVERY day where you are in God's Word and prayer. It takes dedication and perseverance but it is the key to living a fulfilled life in Christ Jesus.
Daily devotion or daily feeling?
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When we develop a devotion to time with God then we need to watch that we guard that time and not let it become just a chore, but that we commit our heart, soul and mind to it seeking what God has to teach us. Anyone who has spent time in a gym knows that you can't curl the same weight forever, if you do then you will reach a point when it is ineffective. With our devotion we need to be intently studying God's Word and digger deeper each day. This is something that we can talk about all day, but you need to do it. Not just a day here and there, but commit yourself EVERY day where you are in God's Word and prayer. It takes dedication and perseverance but it is the key to living a fulfilled life in Christ Jesus.
Daily devotion or daily feeling?
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday: An Abundant Life
"The thief comes only to to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10
Jesus is talking to the Pharisees here as He explains to them that He is the Good Shepherd. He explains that anyone who comes in any way other then how the Old Testament prophets proclaimed are thieves and false prophets. Jesus explains that the intentions of thieves, whether it be Satan or false prophets, is to destroy us. Every temptation we are faced with, no matter how good it seems or pretty it looks will result in harming us. This is the only intention of the enemy. Satan wants to destroy all people, especially Christians there is no one that he wants to help. So often we can buy into these lies that look so appealing at first, but eventually turn out to harm us. Jesus says He has come so that we may have life, not just life, but an abundant life. Jesus came to die on the cross to pay for our sins and pay the price. He rose again to conquer death so that we may have life through Him alone. He ascended into Heaven so that He may reign at the right-hand of God and that the Holy Spirit would come down to earth to empower us to complete His will. Jesus prepared not only a way for us to experience eternal life, but an abundant life through God's love. God is the one who blesses us and cares for us. Everything that is good comes from above. When we can submit ourselves to Him and abide in His ways we will experience such life because God does not intend to harm us in any way. God desires goodness for our lives, Satan desires pain and destruction for our lives. Why give into temptation when we know without a shadow of a doubt the it will harm us in the end?
Follow God, for He loves and cares for you.
_
Jesus is talking to the Pharisees here as He explains to them that He is the Good Shepherd. He explains that anyone who comes in any way other then how the Old Testament prophets proclaimed are thieves and false prophets. Jesus explains that the intentions of thieves, whether it be Satan or false prophets, is to destroy us. Every temptation we are faced with, no matter how good it seems or pretty it looks will result in harming us. This is the only intention of the enemy. Satan wants to destroy all people, especially Christians there is no one that he wants to help. So often we can buy into these lies that look so appealing at first, but eventually turn out to harm us. Jesus says He has come so that we may have life, not just life, but an abundant life. Jesus came to die on the cross to pay for our sins and pay the price. He rose again to conquer death so that we may have life through Him alone. He ascended into Heaven so that He may reign at the right-hand of God and that the Holy Spirit would come down to earth to empower us to complete His will. Jesus prepared not only a way for us to experience eternal life, but an abundant life through God's love. God is the one who blesses us and cares for us. Everything that is good comes from above. When we can submit ourselves to Him and abide in His ways we will experience such life because God does not intend to harm us in any way. God desires goodness for our lives, Satan desires pain and destruction for our lives. Why give into temptation when we know without a shadow of a doubt the it will harm us in the end?
Follow God, for He loves and cares for you.
_
Monday, February 15, 2010
Monday: Strength Through Weakness
"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have received your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:10-13
"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." 2 Corinthians 11:30
One of my major goals in these devos is to provide you with context in each verse. It is extremely important that we understand what the writer intended and to whom it was written to. From this we can interpret the application to our own lives in the present day. In the verse above I want to focus on verse 13 ("I can do all things through him who strengthens me"), but understand it within the context in which Paul is writing. Immediately we assume that this verse applies to God strengthening us spiritually, not that this is false, but it is not what Paul intended. When you read the entire chapter, or book for that matter you begin to see that here Paul is talking about God strengthening him physically. Paul endured many things throughout his mission all over Europe. He was beaten five times with forty lashes less one, beaten three times with rods, he was stoned, shipwrecked three times, once being adrift for a full day and night and he was even bitten by a poisonous snake (2 Cor. 11:23-29). And in the end Paul says, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness" (2 Cor. 11:30). Paul boasts in his weakness because it is through his weakness that God makes him strong. In the same way God makes us strong when we are weak. If we think we have it all going on our own then we will fail because God is not our strength. Paul says to the Philippians that whether he is facing plenty or hunger, abundance or need, God is his strength. In the times of good and bad God is what gives strength to Paul. For if we put our strength in material possessions such as money we will have nothing when we face times of need. But God is with us always and He supplies for us both in the good times and the bad times. It's easy for us to run to God when we are in the depths of despair because we have no other option. We need to also run to Him when are are blessed with plenty. For if God is our strength nothing can bring us down, NOTHING. Everything we do should be through the strength of God. For Paul even says that everything he did was through the strength of God and Paul did a lot.
Through our weakness God makes us strong
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"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." 2 Corinthians 11:30
One of my major goals in these devos is to provide you with context in each verse. It is extremely important that we understand what the writer intended and to whom it was written to. From this we can interpret the application to our own lives in the present day. In the verse above I want to focus on verse 13 ("I can do all things through him who strengthens me"), but understand it within the context in which Paul is writing. Immediately we assume that this verse applies to God strengthening us spiritually, not that this is false, but it is not what Paul intended. When you read the entire chapter, or book for that matter you begin to see that here Paul is talking about God strengthening him physically. Paul endured many things throughout his mission all over Europe. He was beaten five times with forty lashes less one, beaten three times with rods, he was stoned, shipwrecked three times, once being adrift for a full day and night and he was even bitten by a poisonous snake (2 Cor. 11:23-29). And in the end Paul says, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness" (2 Cor. 11:30). Paul boasts in his weakness because it is through his weakness that God makes him strong. In the same way God makes us strong when we are weak. If we think we have it all going on our own then we will fail because God is not our strength. Paul says to the Philippians that whether he is facing plenty or hunger, abundance or need, God is his strength. In the times of good and bad God is what gives strength to Paul. For if we put our strength in material possessions such as money we will have nothing when we face times of need. But God is with us always and He supplies for us both in the good times and the bad times. It's easy for us to run to God when we are in the depths of despair because we have no other option. We need to also run to Him when are are blessed with plenty. For if God is our strength nothing can bring us down, NOTHING. Everything we do should be through the strength of God. For Paul even says that everything he did was through the strength of God and Paul did a lot.
Through our weakness God makes us strong
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Sunday, February 14, 2010
Sunday: Grumble Not
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." Philippians 2:14-18
This morning I attended Campus Church for the first time in a while. I found myself very challenged by the best sermon I have heard Johnnie preach in a while. For those of you that weren't there he talked about Philipians 2:14, explaining how we are to do all things without grumbling. This is such a simple topic, but oh so hard to live. For me, especially when it comes to theology. Today people tend to whine and complain about anything they do that is not for themselves. The thing that bothers me is that if someone asks another person to do something, most times they will try to get out of it and if they do it they will whine and complain. It's funny how it takes something tragic like and accident or death in the family for us to help others out. I'm not saying this is always the case, but many times it is. Why don't we offer to do things for other expecting nothing in return? When we do help others, we are not to do so kicking and screaming. Paul instructs the Philippians to do everything without grumbling or questioning. Why? That they may be blameless and innocent children of God in a twisted generation. Today everyone is living for themselves and feels that everyone else owes them something. In fact we deserve nothing and that in which we do have is a blessing. Through this Paul says we will be lights that shine in our generation as we are different, not living for ourselves but for God Almighty. Our wanting to please God should be what drives us, not our selfish ambitions. We are to make the best of the situations we are in instead of grumbling about where we could be.
Also, it is important that we aren't grumbling about theology as there are many things we will never know. Not that studying or discussing theology is wrong, I love doing that. But it becomes wrong when we become divided over issues that aren't of eternal significance.
In all you do, do so without grumbling
_
This morning I attended Campus Church for the first time in a while. I found myself very challenged by the best sermon I have heard Johnnie preach in a while. For those of you that weren't there he talked about Philipians 2:14, explaining how we are to do all things without grumbling. This is such a simple topic, but oh so hard to live. For me, especially when it comes to theology. Today people tend to whine and complain about anything they do that is not for themselves. The thing that bothers me is that if someone asks another person to do something, most times they will try to get out of it and if they do it they will whine and complain. It's funny how it takes something tragic like and accident or death in the family for us to help others out. I'm not saying this is always the case, but many times it is. Why don't we offer to do things for other expecting nothing in return? When we do help others, we are not to do so kicking and screaming. Paul instructs the Philippians to do everything without grumbling or questioning. Why? That they may be blameless and innocent children of God in a twisted generation. Today everyone is living for themselves and feels that everyone else owes them something. In fact we deserve nothing and that in which we do have is a blessing. Through this Paul says we will be lights that shine in our generation as we are different, not living for ourselves but for God Almighty. Our wanting to please God should be what drives us, not our selfish ambitions. We are to make the best of the situations we are in instead of grumbling about where we could be.
Also, it is important that we aren't grumbling about theology as there are many things we will never know. Not that studying or discussing theology is wrong, I love doing that. But it becomes wrong when we become divided over issues that aren't of eternal significance.
In all you do, do so without grumbling
_
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Saturday: Where's My Direction?
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
This is a verse that many people quote and often wonder why if God says He will direct our paths we still don't know our future. It is important to first understand that this promise is dependent on verse 5 and the beginning of verse 6. Solomon writes "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him,..." If does not happen then the rest of the verse can't happen either. Solomon continues, "AND he will make straight your paths." The important word here is "and." Without the beginning there is no end. If we do not trust God will all our hearts and we lean on our own understanding, if we do not acknowledge God in everything we do then He will not, can not direct our paths. If we aren't submitting to Him how is He to direct us? If we want to take part in this promise we must first do our part. If we want God to direct our paths we must let Him be in control of our life.
It is also important that we understand that God does not show us our entire future all at once. If He did this there would be no need to trust Him and rely on Him each day. God often only shows us His will one step at a time. God does not want us to worry about what is ahead, instead we must trust Him and follow Him one step at a time. In this we keep our focus on Him and not what is ahead. Not that we are following Him blindly as we do not ignore the future but we trust God with where He leads us.
Trust and Follow
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This is a verse that many people quote and often wonder why if God says He will direct our paths we still don't know our future. It is important to first understand that this promise is dependent on verse 5 and the beginning of verse 6. Solomon writes "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him,..." If does not happen then the rest of the verse can't happen either. Solomon continues, "AND he will make straight your paths." The important word here is "and." Without the beginning there is no end. If we do not trust God will all our hearts and we lean on our own understanding, if we do not acknowledge God in everything we do then He will not, can not direct our paths. If we aren't submitting to Him how is He to direct us? If we want to take part in this promise we must first do our part. If we want God to direct our paths we must let Him be in control of our life.
It is also important that we understand that God does not show us our entire future all at once. If He did this there would be no need to trust Him and rely on Him each day. God often only shows us His will one step at a time. God does not want us to worry about what is ahead, instead we must trust Him and follow Him one step at a time. In this we keep our focus on Him and not what is ahead. Not that we are following Him blindly as we do not ignore the future but we trust God with where He leads us.
Trust and Follow
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Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday: Train Like An Olympian
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercise self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wealth, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The Olympics are beginning later tonight in me home country of Canada so I thought this verse would appropriate. However, it does have an important message. In fact the Olympics began in 776 BC so it is very possible that it was the Olympic Games that influenced Paul to compare what he had to say to an athlete. Paul compares our Christian lives to that of a race in which we run. Every runner runs in order to receive a material prize. Paul draws the connection that we as Christians also run a race but our prize is imperishable, eternal life. Just as an athlete trains and exercises self-control in order to be the best they can be, we also must exercise self-control as to not become distracted and influenced by earthly pleasures. Paul is not saying that only one receives prize as in a race, but he is saying that we all are running for the prize. No one enters a race without caring to win, just as we are not to run aimlessly (or beat the air) in our Christian lives. We do not follow God's Word just for the heck of it. We do so because we firmly believe He exists and we want to please Him with our lives as we long to be with Him in eternal life. This does not mean that works are the means of Salvation. Salvation is what gets us into the race in a sense. Then we are to run with the goal of pleasing God with our lives in order to exalt Him as we will be held accountable for our works and rewarded accordingly. Every athlete who stands on the podium these next two weeks did not just decide to be there. They each have dedicated their entire lives to training and developing their skills in their one sport. An appearance in the Olympics, let alone a podium finish, is evidence of a lot of discipline, self-control and hard work. It is the same with us, we need to dedicate our whole life to serving and glorifying God, exercising self-control, discipline and dedication.
Beat the air? I'd rather not
The Olympics are beginning later tonight in me home country of Canada so I thought this verse would appropriate. However, it does have an important message. In fact the Olympics began in 776 BC so it is very possible that it was the Olympic Games that influenced Paul to compare what he had to say to an athlete. Paul compares our Christian lives to that of a race in which we run. Every runner runs in order to receive a material prize. Paul draws the connection that we as Christians also run a race but our prize is imperishable, eternal life. Just as an athlete trains and exercises self-control in order to be the best they can be, we also must exercise self-control as to not become distracted and influenced by earthly pleasures. Paul is not saying that only one receives prize as in a race, but he is saying that we all are running for the prize. No one enters a race without caring to win, just as we are not to run aimlessly (or beat the air) in our Christian lives. We do not follow God's Word just for the heck of it. We do so because we firmly believe He exists and we want to please Him with our lives as we long to be with Him in eternal life. This does not mean that works are the means of Salvation. Salvation is what gets us into the race in a sense. Then we are to run with the goal of pleasing God with our lives in order to exalt Him as we will be held accountable for our works and rewarded accordingly. Every athlete who stands on the podium these next two weeks did not just decide to be there. They each have dedicated their entire lives to training and developing their skills in their one sport. An appearance in the Olympics, let alone a podium finish, is evidence of a lot of discipline, self-control and hard work. It is the same with us, we need to dedicate our whole life to serving and glorifying God, exercising self-control, discipline and dedication.
Beat the air? I'd rather not
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday: What To Do With Grey Areas
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
Paul is addressing the issue of being a stumbling block to others. What Paul says earlier in the chapter is that we are not to pass judgment on others and we should not cause others to stumble. In the Jewish custom and the Mosaic Law there was a list of things that were considered unclean and were not to be eaten by the Israelites. However, now though Jesus nothing is unclean in itself (v.14). But Paul says that it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean. This means that if you have a conviction it is wrong for you to give into that conviction even though it may not be scripturally wrong. We are not to do things, say things or consume things that may cause another to stumble. For example if you consume wine socially for formal dinners it is not wrong according to scripture. However, it is wrong to consume wine in front of a newly converted believer who has come from a rough alcoholic past. It is important that we understand that it is not about what we do or don't eat, but about pleasing God (righteousness) and living in peace and experiencing true joy. All of this comes from the Holy Spirit. What this means is that our purpose is to please God and not to debate what the Bible says we can or cannot do. Areas such as "is it okay to drink," the Bible is clear about not getting drunk, but it is not clear about social drinking. When we debate these issues we can become to legalistic and people will say "well the Bible doesn't say it's wrong to drink so I'm going to drink and no one can tell me otherwise," meanwhile they miss the entire principle. The question is are we pleasing God or not? I do not think there will ever be a time where I can drink without causing someone else to struggle unless in the future my wife and I have a romantic dinner with a bit of wine. Am I saying the consumption of alcohol alone is wrong? No, it is what alcohol does that is wrong and there is no one who can argue that alcohol pleases God. It causes people to act totally different. In all we do we are to please God not only with our actions but with our intensions. Is it wrong to have a good time? No. Is it wrong to have a good time that does not please God? Yes. If you aren't sure whether or not something is wrong, it is sin to go against your conviction. For example: American's I find say the word "pissed" a lot. Is this wrong? I don't know. I grew up where this was swearing and used for cursing. Therefore it is wrong for me to say this, but I don't judge those who do.
Just remember:
In all we do we are to please God not only with our actions but with our intensions
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Paul is addressing the issue of being a stumbling block to others. What Paul says earlier in the chapter is that we are not to pass judgment on others and we should not cause others to stumble. In the Jewish custom and the Mosaic Law there was a list of things that were considered unclean and were not to be eaten by the Israelites. However, now though Jesus nothing is unclean in itself (v.14). But Paul says that it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean. This means that if you have a conviction it is wrong for you to give into that conviction even though it may not be scripturally wrong. We are not to do things, say things or consume things that may cause another to stumble. For example if you consume wine socially for formal dinners it is not wrong according to scripture. However, it is wrong to consume wine in front of a newly converted believer who has come from a rough alcoholic past. It is important that we understand that it is not about what we do or don't eat, but about pleasing God (righteousness) and living in peace and experiencing true joy. All of this comes from the Holy Spirit. What this means is that our purpose is to please God and not to debate what the Bible says we can or cannot do. Areas such as "is it okay to drink," the Bible is clear about not getting drunk, but it is not clear about social drinking. When we debate these issues we can become to legalistic and people will say "well the Bible doesn't say it's wrong to drink so I'm going to drink and no one can tell me otherwise," meanwhile they miss the entire principle. The question is are we pleasing God or not? I do not think there will ever be a time where I can drink without causing someone else to struggle unless in the future my wife and I have a romantic dinner with a bit of wine. Am I saying the consumption of alcohol alone is wrong? No, it is what alcohol does that is wrong and there is no one who can argue that alcohol pleases God. It causes people to act totally different. In all we do we are to please God not only with our actions but with our intensions. Is it wrong to have a good time? No. Is it wrong to have a good time that does not please God? Yes. If you aren't sure whether or not something is wrong, it is sin to go against your conviction. For example: American's I find say the word "pissed" a lot. Is this wrong? I don't know. I grew up where this was swearing and used for cursing. Therefore it is wrong for me to say this, but I don't judge those who do.
Just remember:
In all we do we are to please God not only with our actions but with our intensions
_
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday: Far From Home
"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Paul is writing to the Corinthian assembly explaining what it means to walk by faith. He explains that while we are at home in our earthly bodies we are absent from the Lord who is in Heaven. God is not here with us in the physical form that we can see Him. No, we are living a life of faith, not a blind faith because there is evidence that He exists and we know from past experiences that God is real. However, it is still faith because God is not here with us in the flesh, we cannot physically see God. There is some faith involved in believing that God exists because we have never physically seen Him. The reason Paul says we live by faith and not by sight is because if we lived by sight then we would become very quickly discouraged as we not only don't see God, but we don't always see how He is at work in us. Because we live by faith it does not matter whether or not we see the results of our work we continue with good courage because we a doing it solely to please God and for His glory alone.
Paul also says that he would rather be at home with the Lord and away from his body. However, whether we are in our bodies or with the Lord we still have the common purpose to please God. We live with a desire to be with the Lord but remain on earth as long as He has us be here to further His kingdom and complete His will until He calls us home. For one day we will all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive what is due for everything we have done while in our bodies. This includes both good and evil. As Christians we have been forgiven of our sins and therefor they will not be brought up at judgment but we will be held accountable for what we did with our bodies and with what God had given us and we will be rewarded accordingly.
Live by faith
Further God's Kingdom
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Paul is writing to the Corinthian assembly explaining what it means to walk by faith. He explains that while we are at home in our earthly bodies we are absent from the Lord who is in Heaven. God is not here with us in the physical form that we can see Him. No, we are living a life of faith, not a blind faith because there is evidence that He exists and we know from past experiences that God is real. However, it is still faith because God is not here with us in the flesh, we cannot physically see God. There is some faith involved in believing that God exists because we have never physically seen Him. The reason Paul says we live by faith and not by sight is because if we lived by sight then we would become very quickly discouraged as we not only don't see God, but we don't always see how He is at work in us. Because we live by faith it does not matter whether or not we see the results of our work we continue with good courage because we a doing it solely to please God and for His glory alone.
Paul also says that he would rather be at home with the Lord and away from his body. However, whether we are in our bodies or with the Lord we still have the common purpose to please God. We live with a desire to be with the Lord but remain on earth as long as He has us be here to further His kingdom and complete His will until He calls us home. For one day we will all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive what is due for everything we have done while in our bodies. This includes both good and evil. As Christians we have been forgiven of our sins and therefor they will not be brought up at judgment but we will be held accountable for what we did with our bodies and with what God had given us and we will be rewarded accordingly.
Live by faith
Further God's Kingdom
_
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday: Cheerful or Obligated?
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver... For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 12
I encourage you once again to read this entire chapter in order to understand the context. What Paul is addressing here comes just before he is about to come to Corinth to collect their offering. Paul address something very important here that applies to all of us when it comes to giving, especially to God. Paul says that if someone sows sparingly (referring to a farmer planting his crop), then he will also reap sparingly. Like wise if we give little we will receive little. On the other hand he says when we sow bountifully we will also reap bountifully. The whole purpose of giving to God when it comes to tithing is not because God needs our money, for He has already given us everything thing we own. God doesn't need our help, but He wants our lives. When we are giving to God not only are we financially supporting those in ministry and others in need, but we are surrendering our money to God.
However, not only are we called to give as the Corinthian church was we are also called to give with a happy heart. This means that we are not to give under obligation or compulsion but to give because we want to. Yes, we are called to give, but to give with a willing, cheerful heart. Paul also points out that giving is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. Giving is also about pleasing God and thanking Him for blessing us with so much that we are giving a portion of it back for His use. I know it's hard to give as a college student, especially if you have to income during the year, but this shouldn't stop us. Think of how many times you eat out weekly, buy clothing, go see a movie, anything. We all do these things, and no it's not wrong, but we could sacrifice going out to eat once a week to eat at the rot or not buy that t-shirt that I don't really need and give that money to God. Think about it, we can still find ways to give back to God, but the important thing is that we do it willingly and not pridefully or under obligation!
God loves a cheerful giver
_
I encourage you once again to read this entire chapter in order to understand the context. What Paul is addressing here comes just before he is about to come to Corinth to collect their offering. Paul address something very important here that applies to all of us when it comes to giving, especially to God. Paul says that if someone sows sparingly (referring to a farmer planting his crop), then he will also reap sparingly. Like wise if we give little we will receive little. On the other hand he says when we sow bountifully we will also reap bountifully. The whole purpose of giving to God when it comes to tithing is not because God needs our money, for He has already given us everything thing we own. God doesn't need our help, but He wants our lives. When we are giving to God not only are we financially supporting those in ministry and others in need, but we are surrendering our money to God.
However, not only are we called to give as the Corinthian church was we are also called to give with a happy heart. This means that we are not to give under obligation or compulsion but to give because we want to. Yes, we are called to give, but to give with a willing, cheerful heart. Paul also points out that giving is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. Giving is also about pleasing God and thanking Him for blessing us with so much that we are giving a portion of it back for His use. I know it's hard to give as a college student, especially if you have to income during the year, but this shouldn't stop us. Think of how many times you eat out weekly, buy clothing, go see a movie, anything. We all do these things, and no it's not wrong, but we could sacrifice going out to eat once a week to eat at the rot or not buy that t-shirt that I don't really need and give that money to God. Think about it, we can still find ways to give back to God, but the important thing is that we do it willingly and not pridefully or under obligation!
God loves a cheerful giver
_
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday: The Greatest Commandment
"But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'"
Matthew 22:34-40
The Pharisees were a group of people who made laws so they wouldn't break the Old Testament Law. In one sense they built a hedge around the OT Law in order to stay as far away from it as possible. So these men held the OT Law very closely and this is why they asked Jesus which law was the greatest because they believed they were all of the utmost importance and they could not break any of them. They missed the point of God creating the Law in Exodus 20. God made laws in order to protect His people and so they would follow Him alone and experience fulfillment in Him. The intension was not to create a religion to follow a law for the sake of following a law. Anyways, Jesus responds to their surprise with an answer that they didn't think existed. Jesus says, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the greatest commandment because if you can follow this one then all the other commandments will naturally fall into place. The Pharisees were so focused on following the Law that they missed the entire point which is to love God with everything you are and have. The first four commandments deal with loving God, if you love God with your heart, soul and mind then these laws will fall into place. If you love God you will also love man (His creation), for He says, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The last six commandments deal with loving people, if you love people these will never be broken.
The Pharisees had everything backwards. Everything they did including "love God", pray, etc. was to keep the laws. Instead God intended for us to love Him whole-heartedly and gave us the Law as a guide in which to do so. This means that it is not the Law that is important, but loving God with all your heart, soul and mind. However, not that we are to not pay attention to the Law because if we love God then the Law will fall into place.
Today we are not given a Law as was given to Moses. Instead Jesus clarified the two greatest commandments, love God, love people. If we love God does that mean we are proud and arrogant? No because nothing is to be put above God. If we love people does that mean we curse and swear? No because we are cursing God's creation made in His image. Everything falls back to loving God. Not just loving Him, loving Him with ALL you heart, ALL your soul and ALL your mind! Love God with everything you have. In other words the whole purpose for your life should be for God's glory.
love God
love people
_
Matthew 22:34-40
The Pharisees were a group of people who made laws so they wouldn't break the Old Testament Law. In one sense they built a hedge around the OT Law in order to stay as far away from it as possible. So these men held the OT Law very closely and this is why they asked Jesus which law was the greatest because they believed they were all of the utmost importance and they could not break any of them. They missed the point of God creating the Law in Exodus 20. God made laws in order to protect His people and so they would follow Him alone and experience fulfillment in Him. The intension was not to create a religion to follow a law for the sake of following a law. Anyways, Jesus responds to their surprise with an answer that they didn't think existed. Jesus says, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the greatest commandment because if you can follow this one then all the other commandments will naturally fall into place. The Pharisees were so focused on following the Law that they missed the entire point which is to love God with everything you are and have. The first four commandments deal with loving God, if you love God with your heart, soul and mind then these laws will fall into place. If you love God you will also love man (His creation), for He says, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The last six commandments deal with loving people, if you love people these will never be broken.
The Pharisees had everything backwards. Everything they did including "love God", pray, etc. was to keep the laws. Instead God intended for us to love Him whole-heartedly and gave us the Law as a guide in which to do so. This means that it is not the Law that is important, but loving God with all your heart, soul and mind. However, not that we are to not pay attention to the Law because if we love God then the Law will fall into place.
Today we are not given a Law as was given to Moses. Instead Jesus clarified the two greatest commandments, love God, love people. If we love God does that mean we are proud and arrogant? No because nothing is to be put above God. If we love people does that mean we curse and swear? No because we are cursing God's creation made in His image. Everything falls back to loving God. Not just loving Him, loving Him with ALL you heart, ALL your soul and ALL your mind! Love God with everything you have. In other words the whole purpose for your life should be for God's glory.
love God
love people
_
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Saturday: Jars of Clay
" For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." 2 Corinthians 4:5-7
We as humans, as Christians are not to proclaim ourselves to the world for we are to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. For Jesus is Lord and we are merely His servants. Everything that we do for God's glory is through the enablement of the Holy Spirit and not through our own strength. For we are a sinful people and God has allowed light to shine out of darkness, meaning the love of Jesus Christ to shine through us as Christian. The image that Paul uses here is the image of clay pots, he says that we have this treasure in jars of clay, meaning we are weak and easily broken, but all power that comes through us is from God who through is Spirit enables us to do His will. This is something that humbles us and we need to come to terms that we are nothing without God and all we do it through God's strength for His glory alone. God will lift up the humble and suppress the proud.
We as humans, as Christians are not to proclaim ourselves to the world for we are to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. For Jesus is Lord and we are merely His servants. Everything that we do for God's glory is through the enablement of the Holy Spirit and not through our own strength. For we are a sinful people and God has allowed light to shine out of darkness, meaning the love of Jesus Christ to shine through us as Christian. The image that Paul uses here is the image of clay pots, he says that we have this treasure in jars of clay, meaning we are weak and easily broken, but all power that comes through us is from God who through is Spirit enables us to do His will. This is something that humbles us and we need to come to terms that we are nothing without God and all we do it through God's strength for His glory alone. God will lift up the humble and suppress the proud.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Friday: Just Something To Think About
"Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!" Psalm 26:18-19
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thursday: Faith, Works and the Gospel
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10
It is very clear that works are not a means by which we receive salvation, but are works to be ignored when it comes to the gospel? Earlier this week I had the privilege of sitting in on a lecture that Dr. Darrell Bock, a research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, presented on the new perspective. He introduced me to the idea that the point of the gospel is not merely that Jesus died for our sin, the key part is the idea of the provision of the Spirit which gives us a capability of walking in a way that honors God. At first we think, he's wrong because Jesus' death and resurrection is entirely what the gospel is about. However, I ask you to continue to read this post a hear me out. The gospel is in not just about justification, but what justification enables us to do. Yes, the death and resurrection is important and I do not want to remove any focus from that, as it is the heart of the gospel. However, I believe there is more to it then that.
If you have ever had the privilege of leading someone to Christ you have probably followed something similar to the Roman's Road. If you've ever done this and simply rhymed off verses to someone and walked them through a prayer then you have probably thought to yourself afterwards, "I hope they get it." I mean so many Christians today believe in Jesus and that He died and they confessed some sins, prayed and they think they are saved. This is where I think we are missing the point. The gospel does not stop with the acceptance and confession of Jesus, it must continue to the person being born again. This is what Jesus was saying to Nicodemus in John 3. When we decide to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, confess our sins and receive Him we must be born again. Not physically, but spiritually, start a new life in Christ separate from our old life. We are no longer sinners, but through Christ's blood we are saints, forgiven by God Almighty. This is when we receive the Holy Spirit who enables us to do good works, for this is the reason in which we have been created. We are God's workmanship, created to do good works for His glory. The gospel is not just the death and resurrection of Christ, but it is also the ennoblement by the Holy Spirit and becoming a new creation with a new life in Christ. This is the gospel we are to share, this is the gospel that is the Good News! Yes, the gospel is about justification, but also about what justification enables us to do!
What do you think? Do you understand what I am saying? Please let me know if you don't because this is something that we all need to hear and understand!
In Christ's love,
Jon
It is very clear that works are not a means by which we receive salvation, but are works to be ignored when it comes to the gospel? Earlier this week I had the privilege of sitting in on a lecture that Dr. Darrell Bock, a research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, presented on the new perspective. He introduced me to the idea that the point of the gospel is not merely that Jesus died for our sin, the key part is the idea of the provision of the Spirit which gives us a capability of walking in a way that honors God. At first we think, he's wrong because Jesus' death and resurrection is entirely what the gospel is about. However, I ask you to continue to read this post a hear me out. The gospel is in not just about justification, but what justification enables us to do. Yes, the death and resurrection is important and I do not want to remove any focus from that, as it is the heart of the gospel. However, I believe there is more to it then that.
If you have ever had the privilege of leading someone to Christ you have probably followed something similar to the Roman's Road. If you've ever done this and simply rhymed off verses to someone and walked them through a prayer then you have probably thought to yourself afterwards, "I hope they get it." I mean so many Christians today believe in Jesus and that He died and they confessed some sins, prayed and they think they are saved. This is where I think we are missing the point. The gospel does not stop with the acceptance and confession of Jesus, it must continue to the person being born again. This is what Jesus was saying to Nicodemus in John 3. When we decide to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, confess our sins and receive Him we must be born again. Not physically, but spiritually, start a new life in Christ separate from our old life. We are no longer sinners, but through Christ's blood we are saints, forgiven by God Almighty. This is when we receive the Holy Spirit who enables us to do good works, for this is the reason in which we have been created. We are God's workmanship, created to do good works for His glory. The gospel is not just the death and resurrection of Christ, but it is also the ennoblement by the Holy Spirit and becoming a new creation with a new life in Christ. This is the gospel we are to share, this is the gospel that is the Good News! Yes, the gospel is about justification, but also about what justification enables us to do!
What do you think? Do you understand what I am saying? Please let me know if you don't because this is something that we all need to hear and understand!
In Christ's love,
Jon
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday: A Tongue of Praise or Cursing?
"For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." James 3:7-12
I encourage you to read this chapter in it entirety, but for the sake of length I only included the key verses. The tongues has so much potential both to uplift another and to put down another. There are so many people that tell me there is no where in the Bible that says you cannot swear. In fact what make those four letter words the bad ones? Why isn't "belt" a bad word, it has four letters? Well I believe that both these questions are answered here in James chapter three. James compares the tongue to a rudder that steers a ship. James uses the imagery of a spring. For a spring cannot produce both fresh and salt water. In fact if you have a glass of fresh water and add the smallest amount of salt then the whole glass is affected and all the water becomes salt water. In the same way our mouths cannot produce both blessing and cursing. This means that if we are able to praise God on Sunday's but Monday thru Saturday we swear then our praise is in vein for both cannot come from the same mouth. Therefore if you want to have a mouth that brings forth blessing and praise to God then there must be no cursing coming from your mouth or your praise and blessing will be in vein. For you cannot praise God yet curse others, which are His creation. For to love God is to also love people, for these are the two greatest commandments in the New Testament.
As far as what make those four letter words the bad words is not the actual word itself, but what these words mean and are used for. Each time these words are used are for cursing others or something. Now those who try to justify such words by saying they are only using them as an expression and not cursing it is important that you understand how these words are used in society. Anyone who hears someone say the F-bomb does not think, "oh he's just excited." These words are used for cursing and if you really want words for expression then why would you ever consider using the words that anyone who hears you would immediately assume you are not a Christian? For these words are associated in society as cursing, which in fact they are.
I encourage you to read this chapter in it entirety, but for the sake of length I only included the key verses. The tongues has so much potential both to uplift another and to put down another. There are so many people that tell me there is no where in the Bible that says you cannot swear. In fact what make those four letter words the bad ones? Why isn't "belt" a bad word, it has four letters? Well I believe that both these questions are answered here in James chapter three. James compares the tongue to a rudder that steers a ship. James uses the imagery of a spring. For a spring cannot produce both fresh and salt water. In fact if you have a glass of fresh water and add the smallest amount of salt then the whole glass is affected and all the water becomes salt water. In the same way our mouths cannot produce both blessing and cursing. This means that if we are able to praise God on Sunday's but Monday thru Saturday we swear then our praise is in vein for both cannot come from the same mouth. Therefore if you want to have a mouth that brings forth blessing and praise to God then there must be no cursing coming from your mouth or your praise and blessing will be in vein. For you cannot praise God yet curse others, which are His creation. For to love God is to also love people, for these are the two greatest commandments in the New Testament.
As far as what make those four letter words the bad words is not the actual word itself, but what these words mean and are used for. Each time these words are used are for cursing others or something. Now those who try to justify such words by saying they are only using them as an expression and not cursing it is important that you understand how these words are used in society. Anyone who hears someone say the F-bomb does not think, "oh he's just excited." These words are used for cursing and if you really want words for expression then why would you ever consider using the words that anyone who hears you would immediately assume you are not a Christian? For these words are associated in society as cursing, which in fact they are.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday: A Canadian Map is Useless in America!
Today I would like to talk about something that is very near and dear to my heart and something that I believe many people today miss this entirely. Many of you know what verse I am talking about when I say the God knows the plans He has for you, plan to give you a future and a hope. This is Jeremiah 29:11, right? Now what I could do is rhyme off a devotional about how this verse is saying that God has plans for you that will give you a future and a hope. However, I can't because that is not what this verse is saying. It hurts me to say this, but I need to because we cannot be talking verses out of context because in a sense we are adding to the Bible in our own minds and what we think the Bible says. It is very important that we do not take verses out of context when we refer to verses for comfort or council. I hear this verse referenced all the time and frankly what people usually say has nothing to do with what Jeremiah was saying.
I encourage you to read this book, or at the very least the chapter in its entirety before you make any judgment on what the verse is actually saying. See Jeremiah is talking about Judah when it was taken into exile by Babylon for 70 years. The restoration of the exiles to Judah would not be completed until God's 70 years of judgment was finished (Jer. 25:11-12). It was at that time when God would fulfill His promise to restore the exiles to Judah. This 70 Exile was all part of God's master plan and His plan to give Judah a future and hope. This judgment caused Judah to seek God wholeheartedly. Finally when they had turned back to God they were restored from Exile and returned to their land. The entire purpose of the Exile was to force Israel back to their God (Deut. 30:1-10).
Now this verse is in the context of the Babylonian Captivity just as a Canadian map is in the context of Canada. When this map is pulled out of it's context (Canada), it is no longer applies to me. When I come to the states I do not use a Canadian map because the Context is now America. So when we pull verse like this which is in the context of being written to Judah during the Exile we cannot literally apply it to our future career. However, we are still able to seek out the meaning behind how God was working in Judah and apply the principle to our lives that God may cause us to go through rough patches in order to rely on Him. So yes this verse may be used for council, but it may not be used to literally apply to our life by saying God has a plans for us that are not of disaster and we will not experience any disaster like bankruptcy or anything like this because God loves us and gives us a hope. Yes, God loves us, but no this does not mean we will never experience disaster and hardship. In fact the Exile of Judah at the time was a disaster in itself but God had a bigger plan in mind.
My goal was to really stress the importance of context so that we may fully understand what the Bible says and what the author was saying to whom he was writing and how it applies to us today.
In Christ.
J
I encourage you to read this book, or at the very least the chapter in its entirety before you make any judgment on what the verse is actually saying. See Jeremiah is talking about Judah when it was taken into exile by Babylon for 70 years. The restoration of the exiles to Judah would not be completed until God's 70 years of judgment was finished (Jer. 25:11-12). It was at that time when God would fulfill His promise to restore the exiles to Judah. This 70 Exile was all part of God's master plan and His plan to give Judah a future and hope. This judgment caused Judah to seek God wholeheartedly. Finally when they had turned back to God they were restored from Exile and returned to their land. The entire purpose of the Exile was to force Israel back to their God (Deut. 30:1-10).
Now this verse is in the context of the Babylonian Captivity just as a Canadian map is in the context of Canada. When this map is pulled out of it's context (Canada), it is no longer applies to me. When I come to the states I do not use a Canadian map because the Context is now America. So when we pull verse like this which is in the context of being written to Judah during the Exile we cannot literally apply it to our future career. However, we are still able to seek out the meaning behind how God was working in Judah and apply the principle to our lives that God may cause us to go through rough patches in order to rely on Him. So yes this verse may be used for council, but it may not be used to literally apply to our life by saying God has a plans for us that are not of disaster and we will not experience any disaster like bankruptcy or anything like this because God loves us and gives us a hope. Yes, God loves us, but no this does not mean we will never experience disaster and hardship. In fact the Exile of Judah at the time was a disaster in itself but God had a bigger plan in mind.
My goal was to really stress the importance of context so that we may fully understand what the Bible says and what the author was saying to whom he was writing and how it applies to us today.
In Christ.
J
Monday, February 1, 2010
Monday: Never Thought Loving Monday was Possible
I remember the days when I hated Monday's because it was the beginning of a new week meaning, no more sleeping in and it time to go back to school. Nothing ever seemed to go right every single Monday of the Gr. 11 year in high school. Monday's were the worst and I hated them before they even began. What ever happened to being a child and whining about having a bed time and anxiously awaiting a new day to come. I could never seem to burn all my energy before bedtime and always was pumped for the next new day, especially Monday's because that meant I would get to see all my friends at school. Oh the days of elementary school! What is it that changed, what happened. I grew up, thats what!
See not everyone, but many people dread Monday's as they are always the beginning of a new week and everything seems to go wrong on Monday, then slowly we adapt to the routine come Wednesday and by the time Friday rolls around we are anxious for the day to be over as it is the weekend! Then we go through the whole cycle again. What a life we live. Would it not be so much more beneficial if we would just take each day as it comes and live it to the fullest? See every new day that is born is a gift from God and He has handcrafted new mercies for us for this new day. He has developed a new grace (common grace) for us each and every day. As Christians we should see every day as new day to glorify God and further His Kingdom by spreading the gospel. If your outlook on each day is positive and you are looking for opportunity then your day will be much better. However, if you count it as a write-off before you even get out of bed then your day will be miserable and you will only dwell on the low points of your day. Let us make the best out of each day that is given to us and give God all the glory!
See not everyone, but many people dread Monday's as they are always the beginning of a new week and everything seems to go wrong on Monday, then slowly we adapt to the routine come Wednesday and by the time Friday rolls around we are anxious for the day to be over as it is the weekend! Then we go through the whole cycle again. What a life we live. Would it not be so much more beneficial if we would just take each day as it comes and live it to the fullest? See every new day that is born is a gift from God and He has handcrafted new mercies for us for this new day. He has developed a new grace (common grace) for us each and every day. As Christians we should see every day as new day to glorify God and further His Kingdom by spreading the gospel. If your outlook on each day is positive and you are looking for opportunity then your day will be much better. However, if you count it as a write-off before you even get out of bed then your day will be miserable and you will only dwell on the low points of your day. Let us make the best out of each day that is given to us and give God all the glory!
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