So it's been over a year and a half since I started blogging. Not a TON of blogs to say but enough to have to circle the wagons and re-ask myself what I am about. I stumbled across the original entry that caused me to title this blog what I did. Romans 13:11, "The time has come for you to wake up from your slumber." I feel this is as true now as when I started if not more so. We have been made for a purpose on this earth and it is not to make money, amass things or live in fear. We live in a society that is so confused and yet we strive to emulate it at almost every level. We care not for the things God cares about: People. We care about things and what they can do for us rather that about people and what we can do for them.
General Patton once said that you grow old when your desire for comfort outweighs your sense of adventure. I think this has an incredible spiritual parallel: I grow spiritually numb as my desire for comfort outweighs my need for Jesus. If I have no awareness of my need for Him, then all I will strive for is comfort and relief. There is much relief in America. Anything I could want is right there in front of me. God responds to need so, do I need Him?
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
our God is different
ISAIAH 64:1,4, " Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! ... Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."
Isaiah laments that he wishes God would just do something! I've felt like that. In fact, I feel like that right now. The thing is, he is asking God for something that he actually he could do! "God push the stars aside, tear open the sky and drop a footprint on the Everest!" Isaiah knew God was a God who intervened. God was not like other gods. God was in contrast to the other 'gods' because he didn't respond to service, sacrifice, works, money.... He responds to those who wait for him, for HIS salvation. This was unlike any other 'god' of his day. God responds to trust and dependence - NEED. Don't think you need God? Don't expect Him to show. Got all of your bases covered? He won't intervene.
However, if you've got to look up to see the bottom... cry out to the one who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
Isaiah laments that he wishes God would just do something! I've felt like that. In fact, I feel like that right now. The thing is, he is asking God for something that he actually he could do! "God push the stars aside, tear open the sky and drop a footprint on the Everest!" Isaiah knew God was a God who intervened. God was not like other gods. God was in contrast to the other 'gods' because he didn't respond to service, sacrifice, works, money.... He responds to those who wait for him, for HIS salvation. This was unlike any other 'god' of his day. God responds to trust and dependence - NEED. Don't think you need God? Don't expect Him to show. Got all of your bases covered? He won't intervene.
However, if you've got to look up to see the bottom... cry out to the one who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
how do I regard God?
Some people, some Christians, don't know how much this very thing matters. My regard for God makes a huge amount of difference in the outcome of my life.
Hebrews 11:11, "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise."
Abraham was not enabled to be father simply on the basis that God was good or God was faithful. He was enabled to become a father because of the way he regarded God. He considered God to be reliable. His feelings about God dictated the outcome to a promise God gave him. His church attendance, his Bible reading, his generosity did not dictate the answer to this promise. He believed God was faithful to carry out the promise.
I have read promises in the Bible and thought, "Well, I hope that turns out like that for me." This is an example of me not regarding God as faithful. James has this to say:
James 1:5-7, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
The context is asking God for wisdom but James expands it to asking God for anything. If I don't believe God will give it to me, then I shouldn't think I'm going to get anything from him at all. (This is no guarantee I'm going to get what I ask for, God is not at my beck and call. Prayers go seemingly unanswered for many reasons, but that is the subject of another post. I'm only speaking about my attitude and perspective on the matter.)
Hebrews 11:11, "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise."
Abraham was not enabled to be father simply on the basis that God was good or God was faithful. He was enabled to become a father because of the way he regarded God. He considered God to be reliable. His feelings about God dictated the outcome to a promise God gave him. His church attendance, his Bible reading, his generosity did not dictate the answer to this promise. He believed God was faithful to carry out the promise.
I have read promises in the Bible and thought, "Well, I hope that turns out like that for me." This is an example of me not regarding God as faithful. James has this to say:
James 1:5-7, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
The context is asking God for wisdom but James expands it to asking God for anything. If I don't believe God will give it to me, then I shouldn't think I'm going to get anything from him at all. (This is no guarantee I'm going to get what I ask for, God is not at my beck and call. Prayers go seemingly unanswered for many reasons, but that is the subject of another post. I'm only speaking about my attitude and perspective on the matter.)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
another strange reuqest - don't think you know better
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.
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.
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.
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