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
_

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
_

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
_

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
_

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.

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: 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

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.

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

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!

Sunday: Set Free By Truth

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"     John 8:31-32

These verses begin indicating that Jesus was talking with "Jews who had believed," in other words believers. The previous verse "as he was saying these things, many believed in him," follows Jesus proclaiming who He is to a group of people, then many believed in Him. The next verse is where we pick and Jesus is now talking to those who believed. Leon Morris seems to think that Jesus was talking to people who believed, yet did not believe. Meaning they were inclined to think what Jesus was saying was true, but were not prepared to submit their life to His teaching and trust his Word whole-heartedly. This is the most dangerous spiritual state for man! I think that Morris makes a valid point as we look into what Jesus says to these people.

Jesus states clearly, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples" (v.32b). It is very clear here that as "believers" in Jesus if we abide or act in accordance with His Word then we will TRULY be His disciples. If this is true then the opposite must be false because truth is not relative. Therefore, if we do NOT abide or act in accordance with His Word then we will NOT be His disciples. How can we say we believe the Bible if A: we do not read it, and B: we do not act in accordance with it? Today it is too easy for "Christians" to believe in God and be okay with that. Even the devil and his demons believe in God. James 2:19 says, "you believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder!" Saving faith is not the faith in the existence of God but the faith in living according to His Word.

Secondly, by knowing the truth it will set you free. What this means is that by believing Jesus and being His TRUE disciple, living according to His Word you will know the truth. By knowing this truth and living according to it, it will set you free. For sin cannot bind truth.

I really hope these verses will impact you the same way they impacted me. It is so important that our faith in backed up by a lifestyle. Remember: Saving faith is not the faith in the existence of God but the faith in living according to His Word. Have a great week!

In God's strength,

Jon

Saturday: Speak Lord Your Servant is Listening

"And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.'"  -1 Samuel 3:10

There is much more context to this story which is important that it isn't lost or this verse taken out of context. I encourage you to read this chapter in it's entirety, but I will try to represent what the Bible is saying to the best of my ability, well actually with what I believe God has revealed to me for I have no ability apart from God.

In this passage Samuel, a young boy working in the temple with Eli at this point, is called upon by God. Literally God calls out Samuel's name three times and three times Samuel goes to Eli thinking it was Eli who had called him. Finally, on the third time Eli realizes that it has been God calling Samuel and he instructed Samuel to go lie down and the next time God calls him to respond by saying "speak LORD, your servant hears." So Samuel did so and then God revealed to him a what was going to happen to Eli's family, which Samuel was frighten to tell Eli. This was the beginning of God continuously revealing His plan to Samuel. The important part here that I want us to grasp is the call of God and the response of Samuel. God called out to Samuel a total of four times and finally on the last one Samuel responded by telling God that he was listening.

God still calls us to various positions and directions in life today, however it is done very differently today as God communicates to us through His Spirit. God has a plan for each one of you as He does for me also. It is important that we ask God to reveal to us His plan for our lives. And God will tell you in His timing (this is not always exactly when you want Him to, but He will reveal it to you when you are ready). It is also important that we live in a way that there is no hindrance between us and God such as sin for this can hinder us from hearing is will as we will be distracted in sin. When I was decided where to go to school I asked God to show me and I asked Him to only let me get accepted into one school, that being the place in which I was to attend. However, God has a different way to reveal His will to me as I was accepted to every school I applied to including the Ontario College of Art and Design. This was the school that if I was to pursue art then it was a no brainer to go here because it is extremely hard to get accepted and their art program is head and shoulders above Liberty's. So it was getting close to the time where I need to make a decision so I resorted to my knees day in and day out asking God for direction. Only a couple days later God revealed Himself to me in a way that was unmistakable. He very heavily laid on my heart, "seek me and I will provide." That if I would fully seek God He would provide me with a job exactly where He wants me whatever education I get. Therefore, I came here to Liberty so that I might study graphic design, but above that study the Bible as I have felt a clear calling to ministry sometime in the future.

God will provide!
When in doubt resort to your knees!

God will direct you!
When in doubt seek Him alone!

God will call you!
When in doubt ASK!

Friday: Prayer Changes Everything

As Christians we need to be devoting time to prayer each day. Not simply because it's the "Christian thing to do" but because without prayer we are unable to communicate with God and our relationship with Him will be strained. Prayer is not an issue of trying to change God's mind because simply we as humans are unable to convince God of anything greater then that which He already has planned. Now you may ask then what is the point of praying if God already knows what going to happen? This is a very good question and something that needs to be asked. If we don't know why we pray then are we simply saying words for God to hear? See prayer is a method of communication in which we talk to God. God communicates to us through the Holy Spirit and through His Word. Without communication a relationship struggles for air and eventually stops breathing and living, not that you are no longer a Christian, but that your faith is no longer alive and active.

Prayer consists to not just of calling upon God for various requests, it is so much more then that. Prayer can be broken down into four parts which is commonly remembered by acronym ACTS

1: Adoration- praising, worshiping and uplifting God (worship is not only done in song! In fact corporate worship should reflect your personal worship otherwise you need to check your motives)

2: Confession: We need to be continuously confessing our sins to God not that we need to be "re-saved" but that we need to remove anything that may be hindering our relationship with God and His work within us

3: Thanksgiving: We also need to be daily thanking God for all that He has given to us. Just think you came into this world literally with nothing! Everything that you own God has given to you. He has given you a new day each time you wake up and He has blessed you with food and shelter. We have so much to be thankful for!

4: Supplication: Finally, we need to come to God when we are in need of something. However, when we come to God in asking for something it is important that we are seeking Gods will over our own so that He may be glorified. The Bible says "seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these thing shall be added unto you" (   ). This does not mean God will give you anything you want. This does mean that if you seek God FIRST, then anything you ask for He will give you. Now in seeking God you are seeking to glorify Him and not yourself, therefore in all you ask for will be in line of His will and for His glory. Yes, there are times where we want things and it is not wrong to want things or ask God for them, but we need to be seeking Gods will in it all and be okay if He has other plans because we do not know the big picture as He does, many times He has something better in store for us.

Finally, we are to be in prayer daily in order to submit ourselves to God's will and ask Him to work through us, this is all a process of submitting to Him. God wants His relationship with you to be intimate meaning closely acquainted. To have an intimate relationship with God is to not hide anything from Him and fully rely on Him. Through prayer we become intimate with God. So in a way I guess praying is "the Christian thing to do" because that is what a Christian needs to do in order to have an intimate relationship with God.

"A non-praying Christian carries his or her Christianity, a praying Christian is carried by his or her Christianity" -Ravi Zacharias

Thursday: I Thought God Loved Everyone

If God really loves the world (Jn. 3:16) why doesn't He just fix everything and make it perfect? Why doesn't God just let everyone into Heaven if he truly loves the world?

The reason is that God cannot let everyone into Heaven is because darkness and light cannot coexist and the smallest amount of impurity put into something pure makes the whole unit impure. If the slightest bit of salt is added to fresh water then it is no longer fresh, the salt resulting in saltwater affects all the water. If God allowed sin into Heaven then Heaven would not be perfect and it would be the same as earth is today, full of darkness.

This is why God sent His only Son, Jesus to be a propitiation for our sins. Christ bore our punishment creating a way, the only way to God. This filled the gap that sin created between God and man. Christ did everything, we only need to accept this and be born into a new life with Christ. If not then God cannot allow us into Heaven. He initiated this relationship by providing a way because we alone cannot get to God. But if we do not receive the sanctification that is found in Christ then we cannot enter into Heaven.

Wednesday: A Shadow Proves the Sunshine

"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:19-21

Many people wonder why in fact there is evil in this world. I mean if God says he loves the world (Jn. 3:16) then why does our world consist of war, violence and hatred? Why is there poverty and sickness?

These are all great questions and it something that you should not be content not knowing the answer to because God has revealed the answer to us in His word. Yes, there are many things that are unanswered and God has done that for reasons that we don't know, it may be to build unity, but all we know is that there are some aspects of God that we will never understand on earth because a finite mind cannot grasp the infinite God. Our heads would explode! However, we are to search and understand the answers in which God has revealed to us, these things that are critical to understanding God meaningfully even though we will never understand God exhaustively.

That being said, the fact is that darkness exists because of sin. Sin exists because of the fall of man in the garden, therefore we are  all born with a sinful nature. However, it is not completely Adam's fault that you sin! We sin on our own, by our own choice because that is all we know coming into this world. Sin is as natural to us as breathing, yet no one forces you to breathe. It's the same with sin. Sin is developed from desire and results in death (James 1:15). So we see that all of humanity lives in sin and the world is in darkness. But what makes sin, sin? I mean why are the things that we call sin wrong? The only way something can ever be wrong is when it does not meet a set standard in which make something right. If a 60% is the standard to pass a class then anything short of that is wrong or a fail. If 4 is the correct answer for 2+2 then anything else is wrong! God has set in place a standard in which is perfect and anything short of that is wrong or sin. When Jesus came to earth in the form of flesh He lived a perfect life living up to God's standard and provided a way for us as sinful creatures to be made righteous and be approved by God's standard. He died on the cross.

Now when John, in the above verse, writes about the light has come into the world he is talking about Jesus who is perfect (light) and stepping into a world of darkness (sin and death). When a light shines it always casts a shadow somewhere. The fact that there is evil in our world shows that there is a standard of some kind that makes evil, evil. John writes that people loved the darkness and turned away from the light. Darkness is the absence of light meaning that darkness hates the light because it with light it ceases to exist, therefore anyone in darkness turns from the light because they naturally hate the light because it would expose them. However, anyone who comes to the knowledge to truth and does what is right, John says that he comes into the light because he has been exposed in his darkness.

What I am getting at is that there will always be an opposition to the light, when a light is shining there is dark somewhere and there is always a shadow somewhere because the light exposes the darkness and creates a distinctive line between what is dark and what is light. When God created the heavens and the earth there was darkness over everything and that's all there was, but as soon as God created light there was a very clear difference between light and darkness. In the same way when Jesus came to the earth in light He made very clear what was right and wrong because in His perfect light He exposed the darkness and made clear that everything that was not in the light was wrong. Whenever a shadow is cast it is because it is the opposition of the light in which is shining, not creating the shadow but the shadow is the result of the light. When the sun shines on one side of a house on the opposite side there is a shadow because the darkness cannot coexist with light so it hide behind that which the light cannot reach. The sun doesn't create this shadow, the sun creates the light, but the shadow exists because of the light proving that there is a light shining. The fact that there is evil in this world proves the fact that there is truth that also exists.

A shadow proves the sunshine.

Monday: Another Day Given to Me

Thinking back on my day there was nothing that stood out as making it special, I attended class, did a bit of work, ate dinner with a couple friends, but all in all nothing exceptional happened today. Classes brought both learning and frustration, yet they were again just typical routine classes. Today was a day that I wouldn't say I wasted, yet I wouldn't say I will ever remember. The fact is, today was another day that was given to me by God Almighty. Almost everyday goes by and I forget to simply thank Him for waking up.

It rained hard last night as God watered Lynchburg and today the sun shined down to dry up much of the left over water. It was a beautiful day! Today was actually very special in its own way because God created it uniquely and He had me be apart of it. I just want each of you to stop and think about your day, whether it was great, terrible or of the norm and thank God for the day that has just past. Whether you accomplished something great, learned something new, copped with something tragic or even if the only notable thing was reading this post, causing you to see your day differently, God handcrafted the events and structure of your day for His will. He allowed you to open your eyes this morning once again to breath another breath, taste another meal and take another step. Take this moment to stop flying through life and reflect on what gifts God has given you today. We ought to be thanking God each day simply for another day among other things.

So now, how was your day?

Sunday: One Foot in Front of the Other

Well this year I actually decided to make a new years resolution, this is a new experience for me as I have never seen it as being something other then nonsense. However, this year I saw a need for it as a way to make a pact with myself and with God. I decided that each day I would take one step closer to being more like Christ . Although because God is perfect even if everyday I succeeded in moving one step closer to being more like him I will not be just as far away from perfection as the day I began. Simply this is because God is perfect and anything short of that is imperfect, and let me tell you I am certainly short of that mark!

With each passing day there are many stupid things that I do. Each night I go to bed I always remember those moments as I wish so dearly I could take back those words or actions. This year I have decided to make more then an effort to fix these issue and build up my character. See an image is who you are around others, but character is who you are when no one is around. For example: if we tend to pray a long prayer at meals for others to see yet our personal prayer life struggles then somethings wrong.

Ask yourself this: do I care more about the clothes I wear on Sunday or how much money I put in the offering plate?

There is an endless list of things we can improve upon each day and some things may even take weeks to conclude. But just think where you would be in your walk with Christ if you took one step closer to being like Christ 365 times! I mean it shouldn't stop there but it's a start. Thing seriously about taking this challenge with me.

Remember: "an image is who you are around others, but character is who you are when no one is around"

Saturday: Impressing a Perfect God

1 Peter 5:6-7: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he care for you."

I was reminded yesterday at convocation of a very important truth, God is not looking to see how many mountains we can climb ourselves, he simply is looking for us to reach out for His hand. Many times I find myself trying to prove myself righteous before God, when it comes to theological issues I can often try to figure out what is right and how I can support and prove that what I believe is right. The fact is so many times I reach a conclusion and realize that I forgot to consult God personally. I figure I think I know what God is trying to say in scripture without actually asking Him to reveal this to me. God has not called us to do anything on our own because inevitably we are unable to. God has simply called us to reach out our hand and grab hold of His for He cares for us.

Deism is the belief that God created the world and then abandoned humans to fend for themselves. This goes completely against what Peter is saying in chapter five, verse seven. God wants us to look to Him in times of difficulty and cast our burdens on Him because He loves us. God never expects us to do anything on our own because we are simply unable to. The fact that man is totally deprived proves that we are unable to do any good without His intervention. As sinners there is not way we were able to initiate salvation because of our sinful nature, this is the job of the Holy Spirit through conviction (1Thess. 1:5). If this is true and we are unable to initiate a relationship with God, then how are we able to please Him under our own strength?

James writes that if anyone lack wisdom let him ask of God (Jms. 1:5). This is because any knowledge or wisdom gained apart from God is not of God, therefore it is foolishness. In no way will we ever please or glorify God on our own for our nature is sinful and anything we desire apart from God is sin, as saint who are renewed in Christ Jesus we desire righteousness through the blood of Christ under His power and His strength over sin. You cannot impress a perfect God, for He is perfect, what can you do that He cannot do infinite times greater? However, allowing Him to do things through you bring Him glory.

Remember this: "any knowledge or wisdom gained apart from God is not of God, therefore it is foolishness"

Back At It

Well it's a new year, a new semester and I have sufficient internet again!!! It is my goal and my desire to get back into a daily time of devotion over this blog site for anyone who cares to follow along. As busy as times get I will try my best to post daily.

Jon

Unfortunately I will stop blogging until next semester because I am overwhelmed right now with final assignments and papers. Also during the christmas break I will not be always able to access a computer all the time let alone the internet. See you next semester.

Merry Christmas

Jon

Friday: What Are We Living For?

Just a short thought for today:

Three years ago this winter I was on a snowboard trip with some of my buddies to a big mountain in Quebec, Canada. One morning before we hit the slopes everyone was running around getting things ready for a long day on the mountain when I picked up a well-known book called Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. I quickly flipped through the book hoping to land on a page and get something out of it that I could meditate on for the day. I found a page and slid my finger down about halfway and landed on these words:

"Life on earth will soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last."

Talk about God giving me something to meditate on! I read this phrase over two times and set the book back down to grab my board and went out to ride some powder! Funny thing is that I not only thought about those words all day, but even to this very day I am reminded of these words and I continue to wrestle with this very truth: My life is a vapor, only a short breath and then it will be gone. When I die all my possessions are gone and it's only a matter of time till the things I have done and who I am will be forgotten. The only things that will last are the things I have done for the glory of God. Nothing else will even be remembered. We need to live each day with the purpose of glorifying Christ and store up treasures in heaven where nothing will ever fade.

You Are a Vapor

Thursday: Pass the Salt Please!

Matthew 5: 23- "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt looses its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."

As Christians we are called to be like salt in this world, meaning we are to have an influence in this world and on those around us. If we are Christians yet we aren't impacting those around us by what we say and how we live then we have lost our flavor. Matthew says that salt without flavor is worthless and should be thrown in the dirt. If we have no influence in our world today then what purpose do we have of following Christ. Or are we even following him by this point? Christ called us to go unto the ends of the earth proclaiming the good news, making disciples and baptizing them. If we aren't doing this then we aren't following Christ! We have lost our flavor.

Make a Difference!

Wednesday: Accepted

Today I just want you to stop and meditate on the following passage:

Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.


Ephesians 1:4-8

God loved you before he even made the world! YOU!

Tuesday: Am I Lukewarm?

Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."

We have all heard this verse before and thought to ourselves that we're not lukewarm because we're not on the fence. We have chosen to follow God. However, what many people can miss is that these verses are found in a letter in Revelation that was written to the church in Laodicea. Yes, indeed this is written to Christians such as you and me. God calls us to be either hot or cold, to be either for him or against him, there is no in between. See Francis Chan writes, "Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part."Yes I know that Jesus may be a part of your life but is it just that, only a part? See a relationship with Christ is all you are for all he is! You cannot give him a part of your life and expect all he has to offer, it's a straight up trade.

God says that he would rather you be cold then lukewarm. This is not a figure of speech, God would seriously rather you be cold then lukewarm. If you aren't following God whole heartedly and you don't plan on changing then you are simply an imposter! Get in or get out! This is a difficult truth to swallow sometimes but we must make a decision. Give God ALL that you are!

Hot or Cold?
Choose.
Live it!

I apologize but over the break I am unable to reach this page on my home computer because we have terrible internet connection. I can still access the internet, but for some reason this is the only site that hasn't been able to work! Maybe Satan is fighting against us. Whatever reason this is be sure to remain in the Word and be diligent in prayer! I will probably be able to get back going again later this week because I will be in the city again. I hope and pray that you have enjoyed and benefited from this daily devotional. However, for the thanksgiving break please read any days you may have missed or reread other days that you were unable to spend the appropriate amount of time needed to allow God to show you something. Talk to you again soon I hope!

In the strength of Christ,

Jon