John 21:4-6, "Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."
For the longest time, the magnitude of this scripture was lost on me but now that I have been in the working world awhile it has really come to light.
To set the stage: these were professional fishermen, it was their life. They were probably taught by their parents and if so, were just working the family business, nothing glamorous. It was hard work and they worked all night. Why did they work all night? Because fish can see during the daytime! Nowadays the fishermen on the Sea of Galilee use transparent fishing line but in Bible days, there was only rope. Thus, you fish at night. This brings us to the moment Jesus walks up to the beach.
Essentially, Jesus is asking a bunch of professionals (people who would have known better than to do what he was asking) to fish during the day. Their obedience defied simple, life-tested logic and their reward was breathtaking. They had never seen anything like it in all their years and they knew it was God.
Jesus may ask me to do something that doesn't make any sense, but he knows what he's doing.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Jesus' strange requests
Mark 1:44, “See that you [the guy I just cured of leprosy], don’t tell this to anyone.”
Jesus asks me to do strange things sometimes. Sometimes it’s to cast my net on the other side of the boat (I mean, those guys were professionals, right? They knew how to fish – duh). And in this case, I would think Jesus wanted his message to get out. But he told this guy to go to the priests and then to shut up, ‘don’t tell a soul what I’ve done for you.’
Jesus had a reason. Once this guy ran off at his mouth, “Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.” (v45). Now, he didn’t do this exclusively because in chapter 2, he’d gone back home to Capernaum. Nonetheless, it changed Jesus’ strategy. It wasn’t a minor strategy change either, in verse 38 and 39, ““Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”” (Emphasis mine).
Of course, still Jesus mission on earth was accomplished, but I wonder how many people lost direct contact with Jesus because this guy though he knew best. Sure they could have gone out to see him in the wilderness or punch a hole through his roof (Mark 2:4) but Jesus still had to conduct himself differently.
Jesus asks me to do strange things sometimes. Sometimes it’s to cast my net on the other side of the boat (I mean, those guys were professionals, right? They knew how to fish – duh). And in this case, I would think Jesus wanted his message to get out. But he told this guy to go to the priests and then to shut up, ‘don’t tell a soul what I’ve done for you.’
Jesus had a reason. Once this guy ran off at his mouth, “Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.” (v45). Now, he didn’t do this exclusively because in chapter 2, he’d gone back home to Capernaum. Nonetheless, it changed Jesus’ strategy. It wasn’t a minor strategy change either, in verse 38 and 39, ““Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”” (Emphasis mine).
Of course, still Jesus mission on earth was accomplished, but I wonder how many people lost direct contact with Jesus because this guy though he knew best. Sure they could have gone out to see him in the wilderness or punch a hole through his roof (Mark 2:4) but Jesus still had to conduct himself differently.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Totally Submitted
2 Kings 5:2, “Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." “
Aram was basically at war with Israel and Naaman was the commander of their army. Naaman (or his wife) might have been a very nice person but this Israeli girl was a slave. Add to that, we never learn her name, it is lost in history.
She wasn’t born into slavery – she was captured. Capture in that day was not pretty. How many of her friends and or family were killed when she was captured. How had this captive been mistreated?
Whatever the case, she was a foreign household slave. She wasn’t likely doing the fun housework. Suffice it to say – she had it worse than I’ve ever had it. But what does she do when her owner gets an incurable disease? (personally, I’d leap up and down inside) She LAMENTS! She says, “If only my master would see the prophet…”
At some level, this girl was giving her heart and soul into service. She must have known God was GOD and He was with her. She knew who she was and did not need to rejoice in the suffering of others. She wanted to see her master healed.
This is a girl (woman) who found her healing and identity in God. I know it’s a great speculation to assume her life and her circumstances but in captivity, how good could it have been? She was perfectly submitted and perfectly aligned with the place God had placed (or allowed her to be).
How much more in a working environment would God want me to be submitted and in service to the people I work for?
Aram was basically at war with Israel and Naaman was the commander of their army. Naaman (or his wife) might have been a very nice person but this Israeli girl was a slave. Add to that, we never learn her name, it is lost in history.
She wasn’t born into slavery – she was captured. Capture in that day was not pretty. How many of her friends and or family were killed when she was captured. How had this captive been mistreated?
Whatever the case, she was a foreign household slave. She wasn’t likely doing the fun housework. Suffice it to say – she had it worse than I’ve ever had it. But what does she do when her owner gets an incurable disease? (personally, I’d leap up and down inside) She LAMENTS! She says, “If only my master would see the prophet…”
At some level, this girl was giving her heart and soul into service. She must have known God was GOD and He was with her. She knew who she was and did not need to rejoice in the suffering of others. She wanted to see her master healed.
This is a girl (woman) who found her healing and identity in God. I know it’s a great speculation to assume her life and her circumstances but in captivity, how good could it have been? She was perfectly submitted and perfectly aligned with the place God had placed (or allowed her to be).
How much more in a working environment would God want me to be submitted and in service to the people I work for?
Friday, June 15, 2007
Take some good advice
1 Kings 12:11, “My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.' "
I’ve been thinking about Rehoboam all week. After he said these words, he lost 4/5 of his country, they rebelled against him. Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon and grandson of King David. No doubt, Rehoboam even knew David. Solomon was the wisest man in all the earth. David was “a man after God’s own heart”. How did Rehoboam turn out like this?
The answer lies three verses back in vs 8, “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.”
He rejected the wisdom of his fathers. Good advice is of no use to the proud. I don’t think I can count the number of times I have heard good advice, or even Godly direction and due to the pride of my life, and rejected it. I did my own thing, to my detriment.
One of satan’s (not capitalized on purpose) greatest weapons is to get me to believe God’s laws are only there to make me unhappy.
I think of it like this: Suppose I buy a car and the guy at the dealership tells me, “Change the oil every 3000 miles.” Well after 3000 miles, I don’t feel like changing the oil – it’s expensive, I don’t have the time and off I go. I keep driving. I get out to 5000 miles, 6000 miles, nothing bad has happened? I get to 10,000 miles. Other people tell me, “you really need to change your oil.” What? Why do I need to take YOUR advice? Nothing bad has happened at all, “all you want to do is make me unhappy!”
I might even get to 20,000 miles. One day, however, I will have to pay the piper. One day, my engine will seize up. The cost of the repair will be well more than the five oil changes I missed. It will be half the price of the car. It will be too expensive to pay.
Lord, help me to trust your Laws are for my benefit. Help me to be humble enough to take your advice.
I’ve been thinking about Rehoboam all week. After he said these words, he lost 4/5 of his country, they rebelled against him. Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon and grandson of King David. No doubt, Rehoboam even knew David. Solomon was the wisest man in all the earth. David was “a man after God’s own heart”. How did Rehoboam turn out like this?
The answer lies three verses back in vs 8, “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.”
He rejected the wisdom of his fathers. Good advice is of no use to the proud. I don’t think I can count the number of times I have heard good advice, or even Godly direction and due to the pride of my life, and rejected it. I did my own thing, to my detriment.
One of satan’s (not capitalized on purpose) greatest weapons is to get me to believe God’s laws are only there to make me unhappy.
I think of it like this: Suppose I buy a car and the guy at the dealership tells me, “Change the oil every 3000 miles.” Well after 3000 miles, I don’t feel like changing the oil – it’s expensive, I don’t have the time and off I go. I keep driving. I get out to 5000 miles, 6000 miles, nothing bad has happened? I get to 10,000 miles. Other people tell me, “you really need to change your oil.” What? Why do I need to take YOUR advice? Nothing bad has happened at all, “all you want to do is make me unhappy!”
I might even get to 20,000 miles. One day, however, I will have to pay the piper. One day, my engine will seize up. The cost of the repair will be well more than the five oil changes I missed. It will be half the price of the car. It will be too expensive to pay.
Lord, help me to trust your Laws are for my benefit. Help me to be humble enough to take your advice.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Whom do you Trust
The question of the day is: Do I trust me or do I trust Him? The answer should be obvious. But to me, it isn’t always perfectly clear. God wants me to trust HIM, to trust HIS heart, to trust He will do what He wants to do. He wants me to be okay with His methods, His timing, His patience, His gifts, or His judgment. God does not prefer me to get an idea in my head and then run with it.
Sometimes, my ideas do “come from God”. By that I mean, even though they are smeared with my own prejudices, God initiated them. Example: God led me to my wife. God initiated it, but just because He set it up, doesn’t mean that I will treat her perfectly or she will do likewise.
This is where I stumble often: The attitude of trying to accomplish things (no matter how godly or great) in my own strength just because I think God is leading me to do it.
I have realized I have an over-emphasis in MY ability to follow God rather than on God’s ability to lead me. He’s the Good Shepherd. That means, NOT ONLY is he a loving, caring shepherd, but that Jesus is very GOOD at leading.
When a sheep is lost, it’s LOST. That means it cannot find it’s way back. That is the time the sheep needs a good shepherd to find it. The humble heart sees itself in this light. Most of the time I am lost in one way or another and I am dependent on God to reach me and get me back to His will and His ways.
See, one attitude says, “I’m going to follow God and do right.” And the other says, “I’m lost without Him, I’m going to trust that He can find a way to lead me and get me to his will.” Both want to do God’s best but the second is not confused about the source of that ability.
Sometimes, my ideas do “come from God”. By that I mean, even though they are smeared with my own prejudices, God initiated them. Example: God led me to my wife. God initiated it, but just because He set it up, doesn’t mean that I will treat her perfectly or she will do likewise.
This is where I stumble often: The attitude of trying to accomplish things (no matter how godly or great) in my own strength just because I think God is leading me to do it.
I have realized I have an over-emphasis in MY ability to follow God rather than on God’s ability to lead me. He’s the Good Shepherd. That means, NOT ONLY is he a loving, caring shepherd, but that Jesus is very GOOD at leading.
When a sheep is lost, it’s LOST. That means it cannot find it’s way back. That is the time the sheep needs a good shepherd to find it. The humble heart sees itself in this light. Most of the time I am lost in one way or another and I am dependent on God to reach me and get me back to His will and His ways.
See, one attitude says, “I’m going to follow God and do right.” And the other says, “I’m lost without Him, I’m going to trust that He can find a way to lead me and get me to his will.” Both want to do God’s best but the second is not confused about the source of that ability.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Putting Myself on the Altar
Romans 12.1 , “ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your reasonable act of worship.”
There are a lot of things I do which I would consider “not sin” or “no big deal” but they are things I like to do. What if some of those things I do are actually separating me from God and His best for me? Again, these are not sinful things, just things I fill up my time with (God give us all things for our enjoyment, right?)
My own personal example is the XBOX.
What if all my playing of XBOX (or eating out at dinner, or this certain hobby, or reading the sports page) was taking me away from God? I think this is where the “Living Sacrifice” thing comes in. I’m not going to earn more of God’s love if I give up more things but I ask myself again: Am doing God’s best thing right now? This is a difficult discipline to maintain.
As a Living Sacrifice, I put myself on that Altar.
I’m not one of these people who things that to please God you have to be on a street corner preaching. Indeed this may be the worst thing depending on the circumstances, in my opinion. We go where we are led.
The question I am driving towards is this: Am I open to not doing the things I want to do, so I can do the things He wants me to do?
I might also aks: Am I open to not NUMBING myself (on all the good things of life) so I can feel a little of God’s pain for this world?
Lord help me to stop and listen. Help me to not just do the “next thing”. Help me to be open to your interruptions.
There are a lot of things I do which I would consider “not sin” or “no big deal” but they are things I like to do. What if some of those things I do are actually separating me from God and His best for me? Again, these are not sinful things, just things I fill up my time with (God give us all things for our enjoyment, right?)
My own personal example is the XBOX.
What if all my playing of XBOX (or eating out at dinner, or this certain hobby, or reading the sports page) was taking me away from God? I think this is where the “Living Sacrifice” thing comes in. I’m not going to earn more of God’s love if I give up more things but I ask myself again: Am doing God’s best thing right now? This is a difficult discipline to maintain.
As a Living Sacrifice, I put myself on that Altar.
I’m not one of these people who things that to please God you have to be on a street corner preaching. Indeed this may be the worst thing depending on the circumstances, in my opinion. We go where we are led.
The question I am driving towards is this: Am I open to not doing the things I want to do, so I can do the things He wants me to do?
I might also aks: Am I open to not NUMBING myself (on all the good things of life) so I can feel a little of God’s pain for this world?
Lord help me to stop and listen. Help me to not just do the “next thing”. Help me to be open to your interruptions.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Taken to Captivity
2 Chronicles 6:36-38 "When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent … and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity … hear their prayer …And forgive your people, who have sinned against you.
Sin is captivity, plain and simple. Sin separates me from God. When I sin, I am carried off to captivity. I get to stay there until I turn my heart around (literally: repent). While I am there, I get to suffer in my sin, separated (in a way) from God. This is where Satan eats your lunch. The point of being taken to captivity is to get me to realize I don’t want to be away from God. If I repent, God will bring me back to the good land, to his presence.
There is nothing like living in the Presence of God. He is my strength, He is my hope.
Sin is captivity, plain and simple. Sin separates me from God. When I sin, I am carried off to captivity. I get to stay there until I turn my heart around (literally: repent). While I am there, I get to suffer in my sin, separated (in a way) from God. This is where Satan eats your lunch. The point of being taken to captivity is to get me to realize I don’t want to be away from God. If I repent, God will bring me back to the good land, to his presence.
There is nothing like living in the Presence of God. He is my strength, He is my hope.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Authority
1 Samuel 26:17, Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?" David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king."
I don’t know of anyone who has more disrespected than David was disrespected by King Saul. (I saw this because these days it is very popular to disrespect your leadership: President, managers, Senators…) King Saul was hunting David day and night. David had already spared his life once (Saul had promised to cut off the pursuit) and now Saul was hunting him again.
After all this, not only would David not kill him, he wouldn’t even disrespect him, referring to Saul as “my lord the king.”
David saw the king’s title and position came from God. David knew he wasn’t going to change that. David had amazing and total faith in God to the point that he said, “if it was the Lord who incited you against me, then may he accept [my sparing your life as] an offering.”
David knew no matter the circumstances God could be trusted and could do no wrong even if it was God HIMSELF who was causing Saul to hunt him.
I’m sure David did not like being hunted but he knew God was the one who was in control and whatever He chose was best. He didn’t need to dishonor a wicked king when that would actually dishonor the authority God had set up. I certainly would be very tempted to at least talk a little smack. (which David DID do, but only to the kings guard and not the king; See verse 16)
This is the example for me. Last month my Senator voted for something that complete drove me nuts, so I wrote her a letter. I told her what I thought but never disrespected her position. I’m certain because of this she will send me a box of candy. Well, more to the point, everything I do is before the Lord and I desire to honor Him first.
I don’t know of anyone who has more disrespected than David was disrespected by King Saul. (I saw this because these days it is very popular to disrespect your leadership: President, managers, Senators…) King Saul was hunting David day and night. David had already spared his life once (Saul had promised to cut off the pursuit) and now Saul was hunting him again.
After all this, not only would David not kill him, he wouldn’t even disrespect him, referring to Saul as “my lord the king.”
David saw the king’s title and position came from God. David knew he wasn’t going to change that. David had amazing and total faith in God to the point that he said, “if it was the Lord who incited you against me, then may he accept [my sparing your life as] an offering.”
David knew no matter the circumstances God could be trusted and could do no wrong even if it was God HIMSELF who was causing Saul to hunt him.
I’m sure David did not like being hunted but he knew God was the one who was in control and whatever He chose was best. He didn’t need to dishonor a wicked king when that would actually dishonor the authority God had set up. I certainly would be very tempted to at least talk a little smack. (which David DID do, but only to the kings guard and not the king; See verse 16)
This is the example for me. Last month my Senator voted for something that complete drove me nuts, so I wrote her a letter. I told her what I thought but never disrespected her position. I’m certain because of this she will send me a box of candy. Well, more to the point, everything I do is before the Lord and I desire to honor Him first.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Greatness
I am not a great man but there is something about greatness that draws me. I suspect I would know it when I see it. No doubt Jesus was great. But does He want me to be great? I think he does, but not in the same sense as this world might define “greatness”. A sports star might be “great” but if he uses steroids, cheats on his wife and beats his kids he loses his title in my eyes – just as an example.
My working definition of Greatness as I believe God would define it: “The highest level of excellence that you can personally achieve in all areas of your life at all times.” This must be stated with one caveat: no one could be “great” at everything possible in their lives, the Olympic athlete will not also be a concert pianist but these are not what I am talking about. God has not called me to be a Concert Pianist but to the things He HAS called me to, I can be great IN them.
And who is better enabled to do just that than a Christian? My eternal questions have all been answered: God has already said I am significant in HIS eyes, He has already told me that HE is my very great reward in this life and in the life to come. God has promised to watch over me and be my rear guard. He will neither slumber nor sleep. He also promised me I will have trouble but he has overcome the world.
I read something this week that stirred me and challenged me on my view of my own excellence and greatness. In the movie “300” the Spartans are in incredible shape. There are many opinions about how these men got to be this big and some of them are discussed on this link below. This is the gym that got them that way in a matter of 16 weeks in some cases. Their outlook on excellence is portable into many areas of life. There are some photos as well and the change can be seen in their eyes.
http://www.gymjones.com/knowledge.php?id=36
My working definition of Greatness as I believe God would define it: “The highest level of excellence that you can personally achieve in all areas of your life at all times.” This must be stated with one caveat: no one could be “great” at everything possible in their lives, the Olympic athlete will not also be a concert pianist but these are not what I am talking about. God has not called me to be a Concert Pianist but to the things He HAS called me to, I can be great IN them.
And who is better enabled to do just that than a Christian? My eternal questions have all been answered: God has already said I am significant in HIS eyes, He has already told me that HE is my very great reward in this life and in the life to come. God has promised to watch over me and be my rear guard. He will neither slumber nor sleep. He also promised me I will have trouble but he has overcome the world.
I read something this week that stirred me and challenged me on my view of my own excellence and greatness. In the movie “300” the Spartans are in incredible shape. There are many opinions about how these men got to be this big and some of them are discussed on this link below. This is the gym that got them that way in a matter of 16 weeks in some cases. Their outlook on excellence is portable into many areas of life. There are some photos as well and the change can be seen in their eyes.
http://www.gymjones.com/knowledge.php?id=36
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Careful what you ask for
1 Samuel 7:5, “Now give us a king, to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
1 Samues 7:7. [God said], “it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”
I used to think the Israelites were so stupid. Why did they constantly reject God? Why did they always do the wrong thing? Then I realized I WAS the Israelites. Almost every time I look at them now, all I see is me. To me, they are a mirror of the human heart.
I can’t count how many times I have looked to the world around me to give me some “standard” of how to measure or conduct myself. “How does the world invest it’s money and it’s time?”, “How does that person define themselves?”, “How should I define myself?”, “What has value?”, “How valuable is that person?”, “What does it mean to contribute?” This is all exactly same as the above verses.
The Israelites were so busy trying to be like the people around them, they were rejecting the God who loved them and saved them. They wanted to look like the other nations because they were a little “weird” having no king. God WANTED them to look different so that HE could get the credit. God WANTED the rest of the world to look at and marvel at Israel – a nation who’s KING is GOD not whose king ACTS like he’s God.
From now on the question should be, “God, what do you think about this?” May God’s be the first opinion I look to.
1 Samues 7:7. [God said], “it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”
I used to think the Israelites were so stupid. Why did they constantly reject God? Why did they always do the wrong thing? Then I realized I WAS the Israelites. Almost every time I look at them now, all I see is me. To me, they are a mirror of the human heart.
I can’t count how many times I have looked to the world around me to give me some “standard” of how to measure or conduct myself. “How does the world invest it’s money and it’s time?”, “How does that person define themselves?”, “How should I define myself?”, “What has value?”, “How valuable is that person?”, “What does it mean to contribute?” This is all exactly same as the above verses.
The Israelites were so busy trying to be like the people around them, they were rejecting the God who loved them and saved them. They wanted to look like the other nations because they were a little “weird” having no king. God WANTED them to look different so that HE could get the credit. God WANTED the rest of the world to look at and marvel at Israel – a nation who’s KING is GOD not whose king ACTS like he’s God.
From now on the question should be, “God, what do you think about this?” May God’s be the first opinion I look to.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
God Style Freedom
Galations 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
What a great design and love is shown here. I am set free from sin for the express purpose of … being free! God’s love wants me to have spiritual freedom because that freedom is the best thing I could enjoy. I was made for it. This freedom was obtained for a heavy price – freedom always costs something. Freedom also comes with it certain obligations, in this case God wants me to live by the Spirit or I will not remain in this freedom.
A historical example: after the Civil Warm, may emancipated slaves still lived as slaves, the knew of nothing else they could do. They were FREE but they did not live that way.
I don’t want to live my live as a slave to this life.
I am warned not to use my freedom to indulge my flesh (all my wants, desires and feelings) but to always be listening for what God wants me to do, have a soft heart and DO IT.
Everyone is a slave to something, it’s just a question of who their master is.
What a great design and love is shown here. I am set free from sin for the express purpose of … being free! God’s love wants me to have spiritual freedom because that freedom is the best thing I could enjoy. I was made for it. This freedom was obtained for a heavy price – freedom always costs something. Freedom also comes with it certain obligations, in this case God wants me to live by the Spirit or I will not remain in this freedom.
A historical example: after the Civil Warm, may emancipated slaves still lived as slaves, the knew of nothing else they could do. They were FREE but they did not live that way.
I don’t want to live my live as a slave to this life.
I am warned not to use my freedom to indulge my flesh (all my wants, desires and feelings) but to always be listening for what God wants me to do, have a soft heart and DO IT.
Everyone is a slave to something, it’s just a question of who their master is.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
sweet
I just heard an add for this on Christian Radio
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment," (Hebrews 9:27)
www.notreligion.com
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment," (Hebrews 9:27)
www.notreligion.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Now, you can stand
Joshua 7:10-11, [God said to Joshua], “Get up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned, they have violated my covenant…they have stolen and they have lied…That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies.”
God can do anything, but he will not align himself with sin, it is against his nature. I want to be a man completely devoted to Him and his purposes. I must devote myself completely to the ways of God. When Israel was divided (some were for God and some were for themselves – and thus against God), God stopped blessing and protecting them. I don’t want to be a divided man. My desire is to live for him 100% thus more and more sin must be removed from my actions.
I cannot do this alone.
In Joshua 7, Joshua needed God’s divine revelation to search out the sin in the camp and then they purged themselves of the wickedness. There is no difference for me. I must ask God to search out my heart, reveal the sin and confess it so I can be freed of it. There may be much more to fully getting free but if I continue to seek him I too will be victorious over my enemies.
God can do anything, but he will not align himself with sin, it is against his nature. I want to be a man completely devoted to Him and his purposes. I must devote myself completely to the ways of God. When Israel was divided (some were for God and some were for themselves – and thus against God), God stopped blessing and protecting them. I don’t want to be a divided man. My desire is to live for him 100% thus more and more sin must be removed from my actions.
I cannot do this alone.
In Joshua 7, Joshua needed God’s divine revelation to search out the sin in the camp and then they purged themselves of the wickedness. There is no difference for me. I must ask God to search out my heart, reveal the sin and confess it so I can be freed of it. There may be much more to fully getting free but if I continue to seek him I too will be victorious over my enemies.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Get the Full Inheritance
Joshua 17:17-18, “But Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh-"You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."”
The Israelites never really moved into their full inheritance, I don’t want that to be the same with me. In some cases they got it but didn’t completely drive out the people, in other cases they didn’t get the land at all, and in some cases they just settled for the small they had.
God has a plan and an inheritance for me. He has an inheritance for me on this earth and one in heaven. If I want ALL he has for me, I have to exercise my faith in my actions. I’m going to have to sacrifice to get it, I’m going to have to pray, fast, memorize scripture, work hard, labor, have quiet times of silence before God, live as a servant in my house and many other things.
I do not know of one time in Scripture when someone is just sitting around waiting for God to do his will. This is not including the times when ONLY GOD can bring about the answer (Example: when the Assyrian army had surrounded Jerusalem and was going to destroy it but Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and God wiped out the attacking army.).
I want to lay hold of God’s kingdom in every way possible.
Matthew 11:12, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
The Israelites never really moved into their full inheritance, I don’t want that to be the same with me. In some cases they got it but didn’t completely drive out the people, in other cases they didn’t get the land at all, and in some cases they just settled for the small they had.
God has a plan and an inheritance for me. He has an inheritance for me on this earth and one in heaven. If I want ALL he has for me, I have to exercise my faith in my actions. I’m going to have to sacrifice to get it, I’m going to have to pray, fast, memorize scripture, work hard, labor, have quiet times of silence before God, live as a servant in my house and many other things.
I do not know of one time in Scripture when someone is just sitting around waiting for God to do his will. This is not including the times when ONLY GOD can bring about the answer (Example: when the Assyrian army had surrounded Jerusalem and was going to destroy it but Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and God wiped out the attacking army.).
I want to lay hold of God’s kingdom in every way possible.
Matthew 11:12, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Friday, March 2, 2007
He can be counted on
In Christian-speak this would be translated, “He is faithful”. Before I get into the story I want to talk about that word, faithful. Dictionary.com defines it as (I like definition #2) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/faithful “true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.” and #3, “steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant”. I suppose until you actually EXPERIENCE his faithfulness you really don’t understand what it means. I used to hear people talk about it all the time in some esoteric sense… but now I get it.
Some common uses of faithful that help me grasp a better meaning of the word: faithful friends, faithful husband, and faithful worker/servant.
God is steady in his allegiance to me. He is always FOR me, even when bad things happen, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
He is true to his word, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb 13:4
He is loyal, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;” Isa 49:16
So the story begins. I call it a “God story”. I call lots of things “God stories” but they have one common thread to be given such a name: only God could do what was done.
Back in October, I found out my mother in law (who rents in town) was going to lose her place due to the owners selling it. My wife and I rent a two unit complex from the owners in Palo Alto, CA but have the benefit of living in the small unit and renting the large one, this saves us some money but about this time our 6 month old was making our one bedroom a bit cramped. My wife and I had been looking to move out of state (another story) but realized it was God’s best to stay here in SB so when this situation came up with April’s mom, it seemed a natural time to move into the big house. I prayed a lot about this decision (big decisions, no matter how “natural” take prayer) and felt confident it was the right choice so we made arrangements for the family in the main house to get another home. God quickly provided for them (they were Christians) and gave us an exit date. About that time my company told me my sales weren’t good enough and I was about to be out of a job.
Ahh, I see… new baby, more rent, and about to lose a good job in Santa Barbara. The God story was brewing. I knew that God knew my situation. He would have to provide. This is all nice on paper but at the time, I went though quite a crisis of faith. What did I really believe? Who was my real provider?
By Jan 1 my job was gone. I took the first week of the year to pray and fast and the hunt was on. It took me 2 more weeks to even get a temp job. Yikes, not to mention the temp job was paying about ¼ the amount of cash I needed to stay afloat. Wow, this was getting bad. On top of this, I felt God was leading away from sales (which pays the most money) and I was wondering how I was going to earn anything good in this town if I wasn’t doing sales!
Feb 5th I got a call from a company I never heard of asking me to interview for a job I’d not applied for. A friend referred me to a coworker who referred me to a sister company and one of the VP’s had called me. On the 7th, the day of my interview, I got a job offer from a different company which was much too low, but it was more than I was making doing temp work. I was stuck in a conundrum: do the best for my family and take the higher paying job (which was a type of sales position) or do the honorable thing and not take a job I would have to quit as soon as possible. I on the morning of the 8th, I called the company (not sure what would really happen with the interview on the 7th) and told them it wouldn’t be right for me to take the job since all I would be doing was wanting something else that paid more. They thanked me and 5 seconds after I hung up got the offer from my current employer: it was all the money I needed, and an offer of a big raise in 6 months (Which I did not ask for!).
Now that I’m working there, I love it. It’s a good company and just what I need to be doing right now: a good challenge.
The thing I kept clinging to was this: the story of when Jesus PUT the disciples in the boat and sent them across the sea of Galilee. In Mark it says he “saw them straining at the oars.” Jesus knew what was happening when he put them in the boat without him. He saw them in their situation and it was then he performed a miracle, he walked on the water to them. I needed that miracle in the midst of my storm and I needed him to walk on the water for me. And he did, he was faithful.
Some common uses of faithful that help me grasp a better meaning of the word: faithful friends, faithful husband, and faithful worker/servant.
God is steady in his allegiance to me. He is always FOR me, even when bad things happen, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
He is true to his word, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb 13:4
He is loyal, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;” Isa 49:16
So the story begins. I call it a “God story”. I call lots of things “God stories” but they have one common thread to be given such a name: only God could do what was done.
Back in October, I found out my mother in law (who rents in town) was going to lose her place due to the owners selling it. My wife and I rent a two unit complex from the owners in Palo Alto, CA but have the benefit of living in the small unit and renting the large one, this saves us some money but about this time our 6 month old was making our one bedroom a bit cramped. My wife and I had been looking to move out of state (another story) but realized it was God’s best to stay here in SB so when this situation came up with April’s mom, it seemed a natural time to move into the big house. I prayed a lot about this decision (big decisions, no matter how “natural” take prayer) and felt confident it was the right choice so we made arrangements for the family in the main house to get another home. God quickly provided for them (they were Christians) and gave us an exit date. About that time my company told me my sales weren’t good enough and I was about to be out of a job.
Ahh, I see… new baby, more rent, and about to lose a good job in Santa Barbara. The God story was brewing. I knew that God knew my situation. He would have to provide. This is all nice on paper but at the time, I went though quite a crisis of faith. What did I really believe? Who was my real provider?
By Jan 1 my job was gone. I took the first week of the year to pray and fast and the hunt was on. It took me 2 more weeks to even get a temp job. Yikes, not to mention the temp job was paying about ¼ the amount of cash I needed to stay afloat. Wow, this was getting bad. On top of this, I felt God was leading away from sales (which pays the most money) and I was wondering how I was going to earn anything good in this town if I wasn’t doing sales!
Feb 5th I got a call from a company I never heard of asking me to interview for a job I’d not applied for. A friend referred me to a coworker who referred me to a sister company and one of the VP’s had called me. On the 7th, the day of my interview, I got a job offer from a different company which was much too low, but it was more than I was making doing temp work. I was stuck in a conundrum: do the best for my family and take the higher paying job (which was a type of sales position) or do the honorable thing and not take a job I would have to quit as soon as possible. I on the morning of the 8th, I called the company (not sure what would really happen with the interview on the 7th) and told them it wouldn’t be right for me to take the job since all I would be doing was wanting something else that paid more. They thanked me and 5 seconds after I hung up got the offer from my current employer: it was all the money I needed, and an offer of a big raise in 6 months (Which I did not ask for!).
Now that I’m working there, I love it. It’s a good company and just what I need to be doing right now: a good challenge.
The thing I kept clinging to was this: the story of when Jesus PUT the disciples in the boat and sent them across the sea of Galilee. In Mark it says he “saw them straining at the oars.” Jesus knew what was happening when he put them in the boat without him. He saw them in their situation and it was then he performed a miracle, he walked on the water to them. I needed that miracle in the midst of my storm and I needed him to walk on the water for me. And he did, he was faithful.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Three Trends from Hell
I attended a marriage retreat this past weekend with my wife. There was so much I learned but I felt there were three trends the speakers mentioned (Larry and Sue Spousta) that were worth recording because they apply for all areas of life, not just marriage. These trends are prevalent in the Church and I’ve seen their tendency in my own life.
1- The false assumption that the Bible reduces the challenges of life to step-by-step solutions.
--instead of crying out to Jesus I, realizing that HE is my only hope. I ask: “what are the 3 things I need to do to change this situation?” Many Christian books are written in this vein. What I need to do is be on my face praying and relying on God and His mercy for direction and strength. I’m sure many of these books are great but the heart-relationship must be with Him directly.
2- Overemphasis on happiness and personal achievement.
--I’m assaulted in this culture about my happiness and what I have accomplished. This deals a crushing blow when I know God as led me somewhere and I also know that I’m not “being successful” at it. There are many reasons for this but I tend to think that God sent me down this path, therefore I’m going to be successful at it. Hebrews chapter 11 has a good list of people whom our culture (even a Christian culture) would have said were complete failures but were commended by God for their faith.
3- The belief the Bible is an optional guide on the road to emotional fulfillment.
--This was a painful one. I confess sometimes I don’t LIVE as if I take the Bible seriously. As a case in point here I will mention a temporary job I was working about a month ago at an investment bank. Working at this job was a man who was the 3rd best portfolio manager in the whole bank (the bank’s assets were among the top 10 in the country). This is no small feat. I got talking to him about investment stuff (as it is one of my hobbies) and he handed me a book. He said, “Read this and you’ll beat 95% of the portfolio managers out there.” I immediately read and digested this book as well as recommended it to my friends. In fact, I read it faster than I’ve read any other book, ever. Then I was convicted as I realized I have a book written by God. This book contains truths about the one who made me, and the entire universe. It explains to me how to live a life of PEACE regardless of my circumstances. The Bible teaches me how to live in wisdom which can save my life. The Bible teaches me how to receive ETERNAL salvation! HOW MUCH MORE IMPORTANT is that than my retirment? And yet I do not read this book with the same fervor as I read a book about money.
I believe this shows where my priorities lie. God help me.
1- The false assumption that the Bible reduces the challenges of life to step-by-step solutions.
--instead of crying out to Jesus I, realizing that HE is my only hope. I ask: “what are the 3 things I need to do to change this situation?” Many Christian books are written in this vein. What I need to do is be on my face praying and relying on God and His mercy for direction and strength. I’m sure many of these books are great but the heart-relationship must be with Him directly.
2- Overemphasis on happiness and personal achievement.
--I’m assaulted in this culture about my happiness and what I have accomplished. This deals a crushing blow when I know God as led me somewhere and I also know that I’m not “being successful” at it. There are many reasons for this but I tend to think that God sent me down this path, therefore I’m going to be successful at it. Hebrews chapter 11 has a good list of people whom our culture (even a Christian culture) would have said were complete failures but were commended by God for their faith.
3- The belief the Bible is an optional guide on the road to emotional fulfillment.
--This was a painful one. I confess sometimes I don’t LIVE as if I take the Bible seriously. As a case in point here I will mention a temporary job I was working about a month ago at an investment bank. Working at this job was a man who was the 3rd best portfolio manager in the whole bank (the bank’s assets were among the top 10 in the country). This is no small feat. I got talking to him about investment stuff (as it is one of my hobbies) and he handed me a book. He said, “Read this and you’ll beat 95% of the portfolio managers out there.” I immediately read and digested this book as well as recommended it to my friends. In fact, I read it faster than I’ve read any other book, ever. Then I was convicted as I realized I have a book written by God. This book contains truths about the one who made me, and the entire universe. It explains to me how to live a life of PEACE regardless of my circumstances. The Bible teaches me how to live in wisdom which can save my life. The Bible teaches me how to receive ETERNAL salvation! HOW MUCH MORE IMPORTANT is that than my retirment? And yet I do not read this book with the same fervor as I read a book about money.
I believe this shows where my priorities lie. God help me.
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Beachhead
The Battle of D-Day was about establishing a beachhead. You can’t take over a country or an island all at once, you must get a place where you can land your boats, and begin the true invasion. Normandy was the beachhead for taking back France.
There are some very natural applications for this. When I desire to start a new habit, say reading my bible regularly, instead of trying to read 10 chapters and journal a page and a half (thus taking over all of France in one day), I tend to prefer the reading of one chapter and then stopping on purpose. The next day, I do the same. Why not? It’s only 5 minutes. Maybe I get to the end of a week and have read 3 of the 7 days. Next week, I’ll shoot for 4 days. Then once I’m reading 4 days, I might add a chapter to the days: 2 chapters 3-4 days a week. My goal is 4-5 chapters, 4 times a week plus a journal entry about what I read each day. But that would have been too much to try to do at the beginning.
I will do the same thing with exercise. I start with 15 pushups, and do that 3 times per week. 15 pushups takes literally 20 seconds. I do have 20 seconds in my day. If I don’t, I might need to shift a few things around. 15 pushups is 15 more than 0 pushups. If I’ve done that 3-4 times per week, next week I might sit down and do 20 pushups plus 5 sit-ups. Later adding some crunches or some lunges. If I make my additions SLOW, after 6 months I’ll have a real workout going and I won’t want to stop since by that time, I’m doing 40 pushups (or more), 40 sit-ups, 40 crunches, 40 lunges, 40 squats, and anything else I decided to add. Again, if I tried to do that on the first day (since I was SO desperate to get in shape) I would have failed for sure.
There are some very natural applications for this. When I desire to start a new habit, say reading my bible regularly, instead of trying to read 10 chapters and journal a page and a half (thus taking over all of France in one day), I tend to prefer the reading of one chapter and then stopping on purpose. The next day, I do the same. Why not? It’s only 5 minutes. Maybe I get to the end of a week and have read 3 of the 7 days. Next week, I’ll shoot for 4 days. Then once I’m reading 4 days, I might add a chapter to the days: 2 chapters 3-4 days a week. My goal is 4-5 chapters, 4 times a week plus a journal entry about what I read each day. But that would have been too much to try to do at the beginning.
I will do the same thing with exercise. I start with 15 pushups, and do that 3 times per week. 15 pushups takes literally 20 seconds. I do have 20 seconds in my day. If I don’t, I might need to shift a few things around. 15 pushups is 15 more than 0 pushups. If I’ve done that 3-4 times per week, next week I might sit down and do 20 pushups plus 5 sit-ups. Later adding some crunches or some lunges. If I make my additions SLOW, after 6 months I’ll have a real workout going and I won’t want to stop since by that time, I’m doing 40 pushups (or more), 40 sit-ups, 40 crunches, 40 lunges, 40 squats, and anything else I decided to add. Again, if I tried to do that on the first day (since I was SO desperate to get in shape) I would have failed for sure.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Jesus, The One Foretold
Isa 53:10, “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days.”
53:12, “Because he poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors.”
Up until the first century AD, Jewish scholars taught this verse referred to Messiah. Then the Christians took it up to show how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies. (Subsequent to this, the Jewish scholars no longer think this refers to Messiah but rather to Israel in general.) Isaiah would have had in his mind what he was writing when he wrote about the “Guilt Offering”. It was standard knowledge:
Lev 5:14, “[the sinner] is to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect… it is a guilt offering.”
The connection goes deeper. In Genesis, God tested Abraham and told him to sacrifice Isaac, his “son, his only son” (God uses this reference three times) on mount Moriah. Moriah is a hill near of modern Jerusalem.
Gen 22:7-8, “[Isaac said] the fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.”
God stopped Abraham as he was about to strike down Isaac. God said to him:
Gen 22:12 “I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in the thicket he saw a ram caught by its horn.
Is it possible that Abraham sacrificed the ram (the first guilt offering) on the same mountain as Jesus was crucified (the true Guilt Offering)? Whether it was the same mountain or not, the connection is undeniable. Abraham knew God would either raise Isaac from the dead or provide another sacrifice. God looked through time and saw two sacrifices and was no doubt making a statement. “I will not allow you to sacrifice your son here but I will sacrifice mine, I will provide the Guilt Offering.”
Gen 22:14, “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
53:12, “Because he poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors.”
Up until the first century AD, Jewish scholars taught this verse referred to Messiah. Then the Christians took it up to show how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies. (Subsequent to this, the Jewish scholars no longer think this refers to Messiah but rather to Israel in general.) Isaiah would have had in his mind what he was writing when he wrote about the “Guilt Offering”. It was standard knowledge:
Lev 5:14, “[the sinner] is to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect… it is a guilt offering.”
The connection goes deeper. In Genesis, God tested Abraham and told him to sacrifice Isaac, his “son, his only son” (God uses this reference three times) on mount Moriah. Moriah is a hill near of modern Jerusalem.
Gen 22:7-8, “[Isaac said] the fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.”
God stopped Abraham as he was about to strike down Isaac. God said to him:
Gen 22:12 “I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in the thicket he saw a ram caught by its horn.
Is it possible that Abraham sacrificed the ram (the first guilt offering) on the same mountain as Jesus was crucified (the true Guilt Offering)? Whether it was the same mountain or not, the connection is undeniable. Abraham knew God would either raise Isaac from the dead or provide another sacrifice. God looked through time and saw two sacrifices and was no doubt making a statement. “I will not allow you to sacrifice your son here but I will sacrifice mine, I will provide the Guilt Offering.”
Gen 22:14, “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
The Real Deal
Exodus 33:15-16, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us… What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the Earth?”
Moses was not trying to be like the world he was living in. He wanted to be different. The truth is, without the presence of God nothing differentiates me from the world I’m living in. I am nothing without him. When I walk apart from him, I look like everyone else.
This would almost seem a value to me sometimes – to be defined as the culture defines people – to blend in as well as possible.
What about God’s definition? What about the One who spoke the stars into existence? What does He think about me? Does His presence go before me? If not then let my cry be like Moses, “do not send us”.
Moses was not trying to be like the world he was living in. He wanted to be different. The truth is, without the presence of God nothing differentiates me from the world I’m living in. I am nothing without him. When I walk apart from him, I look like everyone else.
This would almost seem a value to me sometimes – to be defined as the culture defines people – to blend in as well as possible.
What about God’s definition? What about the One who spoke the stars into existence? What does He think about me? Does His presence go before me? If not then let my cry be like Moses, “do not send us”.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
From Miracle to Menial
Exodus 32:1, “When the people saw Moses was so long in coming down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come make us gods, who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses… we don’t know what has happened to him.”
Exodus 20:18, “When the people saw the thunder and lightening and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
The second verse above occurred about 30 days before the first verse.
The Israelites went from fear to pride. This is such a natural progression it is almost unbelievable. It might “seem” natural but it is from hell.
When God gives me a blessing (job, baby, wife, provision, direction) I am at first in awe and wonder. I am thankful. Something happens over time, that blessing begins to look normal. (keep in mind, when the Israelites were dancing around a golden calf the mountain above them was STILL ON FIRE). I take my wife, my job, my health for granted and don’t view them through the same eyes.
A thankful heart is the cure for this. The more you thank God for his goodness and blessings, the more you are reminded of the fact that HE DID IT. Eventually you will begin to view those “normal” things as God’s blessing for you.
Exodus 20:18, “When the people saw the thunder and lightening and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
The second verse above occurred about 30 days before the first verse.
The Israelites went from fear to pride. This is such a natural progression it is almost unbelievable. It might “seem” natural but it is from hell.
When God gives me a blessing (job, baby, wife, provision, direction) I am at first in awe and wonder. I am thankful. Something happens over time, that blessing begins to look normal. (keep in mind, when the Israelites were dancing around a golden calf the mountain above them was STILL ON FIRE). I take my wife, my job, my health for granted and don’t view them through the same eyes.
A thankful heart is the cure for this. The more you thank God for his goodness and blessings, the more you are reminded of the fact that HE DID IT. Eventually you will begin to view those “normal” things as God’s blessing for you.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Death of The Firstborn
Exodus 8:15
“when I see the blood, I will pass over you”
The final plague God brought against Pharaoh was the striking down of the firstborn. It was also the most significant moment in Jewish history. This was the day when God told them who they were, essentially saying, “you are mine”.
The only way to be spared was to put the blood of a lamb on the front doorframe of your home.
It is interesting that God Himself hardened Pharaoh’s heart so no other plague caused Pharaoh to relent but this one – the death of the firstborn. It was only in the death of his own son where the Jews were set free.
And so it is with me. Through the death of God’s son I am given freedom. When God sees the blood of his Lamb on the door of my heart, he will pass over and not destroy me when I stand before Him. I have been forgiven.
“when I see the blood, I will pass over you”
The final plague God brought against Pharaoh was the striking down of the firstborn. It was also the most significant moment in Jewish history. This was the day when God told them who they were, essentially saying, “you are mine”.
The only way to be spared was to put the blood of a lamb on the front doorframe of your home.
It is interesting that God Himself hardened Pharaoh’s heart so no other plague caused Pharaoh to relent but this one – the death of the firstborn. It was only in the death of his own son where the Jews were set free.
And so it is with me. Through the death of God’s son I am given freedom. When God sees the blood of his Lamb on the door of my heart, he will pass over and not destroy me when I stand before Him. I have been forgiven.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Motivation of Pain
Exodus 8:15
“But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen”
This verse breaks my heart, it's too close to home.
One of the uses of pain is to motivate. Take a hot stove for instance: The pain of my burning finger is to motivate me to move my hand so the damage will cease. This is a God-given response. Even animals have it. That's why my cat will no longer rub up against my electric heater.
Pain also has a future motivator: The emotional pain I would feel for wrecking my family is one motivator to not have an affair. The pain I would feel by getting a disease is another.
There have been times in my life when I have been gripped with emotional or physical pain over one thing or another. During such times, I can become very focused. I can even become more faithful, a better Christian, a better husband, a better servant.
But I have often found that when the pain is gone, I forget some (or all) of the lessons I’ve learned. When I find relief and am more comfortable, I lose my motivation. When I’m not suffering anymore I return to status quo. I believe this is similar to what was happening to Pharaoh.
If Jesus is truly teaching me a lesson on life, it would be true in the midst of pain and outside of it.
The change I have learned is this: when I am in the midst of struggle and pain, I ask God to COMPLETE and preserve the lessons he is teaching me (not only beg Him to get me out) and I write down what I am learning so I can read it later. This is my way of saying to God, “what you’re doing is more important than what I’m feeling”.
The bottom line is this: if God is only in my life so I can get out of the pain I am in, that is no basis for a relationship with Him.
“But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen”
This verse breaks my heart, it's too close to home.
One of the uses of pain is to motivate. Take a hot stove for instance: The pain of my burning finger is to motivate me to move my hand so the damage will cease. This is a God-given response. Even animals have it. That's why my cat will no longer rub up against my electric heater.
Pain also has a future motivator: The emotional pain I would feel for wrecking my family is one motivator to not have an affair. The pain I would feel by getting a disease is another.
There have been times in my life when I have been gripped with emotional or physical pain over one thing or another. During such times, I can become very focused. I can even become more faithful, a better Christian, a better husband, a better servant.
But I have often found that when the pain is gone, I forget some (or all) of the lessons I’ve learned. When I find relief and am more comfortable, I lose my motivation. When I’m not suffering anymore I return to status quo. I believe this is similar to what was happening to Pharaoh.
If Jesus is truly teaching me a lesson on life, it would be true in the midst of pain and outside of it.
The change I have learned is this: when I am in the midst of struggle and pain, I ask God to COMPLETE and preserve the lessons he is teaching me (not only beg Him to get me out) and I write down what I am learning so I can read it later. This is my way of saying to God, “what you’re doing is more important than what I’m feeling”.
The bottom line is this: if God is only in my life so I can get out of the pain I am in, that is no basis for a relationship with Him.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Trying to be obedient to God? Opposition is coming
Exodus 5:7-9
“You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota.”
I have never had a “burning bush” experience but I know one thing: if I intend to be obedient to God, opposition will come; Things will likely get worse before they get better. Take Moses for instance: God told Moses to go and speak to Pharaoh. God told Moses that Pharaoh would not listen. God did not tell Moses things would get much harder for the Israelites before they got better.
Moses’ reply is oh so familiar in verses 22 and 23, “Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."”
As if God needed to be reminded that He has not yet rescued His people!
I tend to think if God is leading me to do something or I am obedient to something in His word that my success is easy or guaranteed quickly. (As an example, look at the life of John the Baptist. If success is getting you head chopped off in prison, then he was successful. Although, he was certainly obedient to God to the end.)
God is aware of His obligations and he will fulfill them but he is not a Cosmic Credit Card to be charged at my whim.
My responsibility is to trust God, to trust his heart, to trust His ways. This is what it means to love.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Feeling Trapped?
Genesis 40:15
For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon. (Joseph’s full story is found in Genesus 37-47) I believe that barriers are nothing to God. This quote is from a man who at that time had spent the majority of his life in literal slavery (from the ages of 17-30).
I have felt trapped where I work, trapped were I live, wanted to take a vacation anywhere with no money to do it. But I’ve got nothing on Joseph. Joseph was really trapped. Not only was he trapped, his own brothers had sold him into slavery. Next, due to his purity, he was falsely accused of attempted rape (by the wife of his boss who wanted to have sex with him, though he refused), left to rot in a dungeon for maybe a decade and forgotten by the people he had helped there.
I wonder if he ever wanted to give up. I wonder if he ever got mad at God.
Then one morning he got up like he did every day, attended to his duties under the prison warden, but today the palace guards showed up. They shaved his face (imagine 10 years of no shaving and minimal cleaning), bathed him, changed his clothes and put him in front of the leader of the world, Pharaoh. Within a few MINUTES he was running the civilized world and within days (probably) Pharaoh had given him a wife. People even bowed before him as he rode through the streets. Quite a change.
In the end, Joseph said this to his brothers (who sold him into that life of hell), “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Genesis 45:8).
My obstacles are nothing to Him, and the worst events of my life can be turned around completely if I remain true to Him.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Awake and Alive
Romans 13:11
”The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber…”
This verse puts to words something that has haunted me for years. I am haunted by the thought that I am walking around in this life asleep even though I am awake. I am numbed by the constant flux of pleasure and “relief” that come from this world by good things and bad things.
I don't want to sleep anymore.
The verse goes on: “…clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful flesh.” (Romans 13:14)
The more I think about myself, my flesh, my life, my needs, my wants, my plans, my goals, the more I meditate on this all day long… the more I am brought into a numbing sleep. This is a sleep where I have no eyes for the Kingdom or concern for His glory; A sleep where I only concern myself with me.
King David said, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1). I have attained relief from many things but only one thing has brought me true rest. I have found, like King David, intimacy with God is the only rest this world offers.
I fall on my face and call out to God for the only thing that really satisfies: Him.
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