Galatians 5:13 (KJV)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
You are probably wondering what these two verses have with training, so I need to explain a little. Part of my morning routine is to review memory verses. Paul alluded that disciplines of godliness are similar to an athlete training to compete (1 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 9:25). But sometimes memory verse review can become “just routine” so I strive to meditate (go over and over) and put into practice the memory verses.
Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:15-16 (HCSB)
I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways.
[16] I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Psalm 119:27 (HCSB)
Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders.
So during my review session, two of verses really stuck out concerning a very busy season I’m going through right now – Galatians 5:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. My life is no busier than anybody else’s life, it is just becoming grueling: taking care of a homeowner’s issue that takes persistence and daily work; installing a new floor in the dining room; taking care of children out of school (more laundry and more meals); study; and my full workload at church. I don’t even think I’ve had a date with my wife (even a little one) since July 26th. It’s just busy for me. I’m not complaining – it’s good to have a full schedule. It just can get overwhelming.
Galatians 5:13 reminded me that I don’t “HAVE TO” do any of these things. The liberty I have in Christ has freed me up from all of the “HAVE TO’s” in my life. I CHOOSE to take on a full load to show love and serve. This was a reminder and an encouragement to press on.
1 Corinthians 10:31 lets me know that everything I do can and should be to the glory of God. Serving and loving my family (home and church) is a great way to give glory to God.
The blessing in the training? I have a home to take care of – that’s a blessing. I have a family to serve and love – that’s a blessing. I serve full-time in the ministry – that’s a blessing. I have time to spend with the Lord in His Word and in prayer – that’s a wonderful blessing!
1 John 5:1-5 (HCSB)
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent also loves his child. [2] This is how we know that we love God's children when we love God and obey His commands. [3] For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, [4] because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. [5] And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Great Commandment and the Scribe
Mark 12:28-34 (HCSB)
[28] One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
[29] “This is the most important,” Jesus answered:
Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, The Lord is One. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
[31] “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
[32] Then the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him. [33] And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
[34] When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.
This is a great discourse between a scribe (scribe(s) - A professional group in Judaism that copied the law of Moses and interpreted it, especially in legal cases. HCSB Back Matter) and Jesus. Most of the accounts of scribes in the Gospels have them trying to entrap Jesus in some point of the law. I believe because of this the modern reader just groups all scribes with all Pharisees and all Sadducees – Jesus’ enemies. We forget that not all men from all these groups followed the mob mentality.
This one scribe is mentioned; he took his job seriously and sought to interpret the Scriptures. In verse 33 the scribe adds “is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” This does not sound like a man trying to trip up Jesus, but one who studied the law and applied King David’s & the Prophet Hosea’s writings to it:
Psalms 51:16-17 (HCSB)
[16] You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering .
[17] The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
Hosea 6:6 (HCSB)
[6] For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings .
It takes an understanding that God is fully in control (i.e. “a broken spirit”) to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And it takes true humility to love your neighbor as yourself.
All this to make one point: don’t be so quick to judge an individual with the group, because Jesus would give hope to an individual within a group He wasn’t pleased with (Mark 12:28-30).
[28] One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
[29] “This is the most important,” Jesus answered:
Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, The Lord is One. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
[31] “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
[32] Then the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him. [33] And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
[34] When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.
This is a great discourse between a scribe (scribe(s) - A professional group in Judaism that copied the law of Moses and interpreted it, especially in legal cases. HCSB Back Matter) and Jesus. Most of the accounts of scribes in the Gospels have them trying to entrap Jesus in some point of the law. I believe because of this the modern reader just groups all scribes with all Pharisees and all Sadducees – Jesus’ enemies. We forget that not all men from all these groups followed the mob mentality.
This one scribe is mentioned; he took his job seriously and sought to interpret the Scriptures. In verse 33 the scribe adds “is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” This does not sound like a man trying to trip up Jesus, but one who studied the law and applied King David’s & the Prophet Hosea’s writings to it:
Psalms 51:16-17 (HCSB)
[16] You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering .
[17] The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
Hosea 6:6 (HCSB)
[6] For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings .
It takes an understanding that God is fully in control (i.e. “a broken spirit”) to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And it takes true humility to love your neighbor as yourself.
All this to make one point: don’t be so quick to judge an individual with the group, because Jesus would give hope to an individual within a group He wasn’t pleased with (Mark 12:28-30).
Monday, August 3, 2009
Concentrate on the Job at Hand
Proverbs 14:4 (ESV)
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
I’ve always like this verse. Today it reminds me that our desire for perfect little packages (the perfect church, the perfect pastor, the perfect congregation) may get in the way of great growth.
That’s right, if there is no animals in the barn there is no poop to clean up. But a farmer, before John Deere, needed his animals to bring in his crops. So if you wanted abundant crops you had to accept the fact there was going to be some poop to clean up.
Matthew 9:37-38 (HCSB)
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. [38] Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (HCSB)
Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. [27] Instead, God has chosen the world's foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world's weak things to shame the strong. [28] God has chosen the world's insignificant and despised things — the things viewed as nothing—so He might bring to nothing the things that are viewed as something, [29] so that no one can boast in His presence. [30] But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, [31] in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
We are the oxen and we are needed to bring the abundant crops in. We will never be the perfect little packages that the world wants. And how dare we judge our churches, pastors and congregations on the world standards? God chose us, who have sickness, weaknesses and flaws, to work through us and do the impossible so that He gets the praise. Let God do His job (will) through us and we will see incredible things happen and we can (and will) boast in Him!
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
I’ve always like this verse. Today it reminds me that our desire for perfect little packages (the perfect church, the perfect pastor, the perfect congregation) may get in the way of great growth.
That’s right, if there is no animals in the barn there is no poop to clean up. But a farmer, before John Deere, needed his animals to bring in his crops. So if you wanted abundant crops you had to accept the fact there was going to be some poop to clean up.
Matthew 9:37-38 (HCSB)
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. [38] Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (HCSB)
Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. [27] Instead, God has chosen the world's foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world's weak things to shame the strong. [28] God has chosen the world's insignificant and despised things — the things viewed as nothing—so He might bring to nothing the things that are viewed as something, [29] so that no one can boast in His presence. [30] But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, [31] in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
We are the oxen and we are needed to bring the abundant crops in. We will never be the perfect little packages that the world wants. And how dare we judge our churches, pastors and congregations on the world standards? God chose us, who have sickness, weaknesses and flaws, to work through us and do the impossible so that He gets the praise. Let God do His job (will) through us and we will see incredible things happen and we can (and will) boast in Him!
Call Me Foolish (or Stupid)
Proverbs 12:15-16 (ESV)
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
[16] The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
(another translation of the words we get “fool” and “foolish” from is “stupid”)
So many of us are like this in both areas: our way of doing things is always right (even when we are wrong) and we are easily offended. I know that I fail in both areas often, but I pray that the Lord continues to work on me.
Two scriptures come to mind right now as I look at this Proverb: Psalm 139:23-24 & James 3:17.
In my opinion, Psalm 139:23-24 should always be applied when we approach God’s word:
Psalms 139:23-24 (KJV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
[24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Do you value your own opinion too highly? Is it your way or the highway? Do you judge others by standards God has not set on them (tradition above scripture)? Are you so righteous that there is no room for correction?
Do you get offended easily? Do lost people acting like their “father” really irk you? How do you react when someone purposely hurts you or excludes you? Or how about when they do so without even knowing it?
This Proverb addresses the right paths in both instances (“…but the wise man” and “…but the prudent”). Which brings me to James 3:17. Why? Because “wise man” and “prudent” both refer to wisdom. What’s the best wisdom? The wisdom from above:
James 3:17 (KJV)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated (open to reason), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality (impartial), and without hypocrisy (sincere).
(ESV translation of phrases in parentheses)
Obviously we are going to have issues to deal with – are you willing to apply James 3:17 when tackling issues? When someone offers a different way of doing things (or advice), can you be open to reason? When someone hurts you can you be pure, peaceful, gentle and merciful when you address the issue? This is the wisdom you have been given. You have been empowered to use it. So can you take "offenses" and "hurts" and turn them into a chance to restore, grow and love? The scriptures say you can and you've got the God of heaven and earth backing you - go for it!
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
[16] The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
(another translation of the words we get “fool” and “foolish” from is “stupid”)
So many of us are like this in both areas: our way of doing things is always right (even when we are wrong) and we are easily offended. I know that I fail in both areas often, but I pray that the Lord continues to work on me.
Two scriptures come to mind right now as I look at this Proverb: Psalm 139:23-24 & James 3:17.
In my opinion, Psalm 139:23-24 should always be applied when we approach God’s word:
Psalms 139:23-24 (KJV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
[24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Do you value your own opinion too highly? Is it your way or the highway? Do you judge others by standards God has not set on them (tradition above scripture)? Are you so righteous that there is no room for correction?
Do you get offended easily? Do lost people acting like their “father” really irk you? How do you react when someone purposely hurts you or excludes you? Or how about when they do so without even knowing it?
This Proverb addresses the right paths in both instances (“…but the wise man” and “…but the prudent”). Which brings me to James 3:17. Why? Because “wise man” and “prudent” both refer to wisdom. What’s the best wisdom? The wisdom from above:
James 3:17 (KJV)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated (open to reason), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality (impartial), and without hypocrisy (sincere).
(ESV translation of phrases in parentheses)
Obviously we are going to have issues to deal with – are you willing to apply James 3:17 when tackling issues? When someone offers a different way of doing things (or advice), can you be open to reason? When someone hurts you can you be pure, peaceful, gentle and merciful when you address the issue? This is the wisdom you have been given. You have been empowered to use it. So can you take "offenses" and "hurts" and turn them into a chance to restore, grow and love? The scriptures say you can and you've got the God of heaven and earth backing you - go for it!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Who Is the Wicked One?
Who Is the Wicked One?
Proverbs 11:11-13 (ESV)
[11] By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
[12] Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
[13] Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Sometimes we get bent out of shape by the actions of a neighbor (brother). Instead of addressing it properly we end up as the one behaving wickedly by belittling and slandering. The result: our city (home/church/family) is overthrown.
Proverbs 11:11-13 (ESV)
[11] By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
[12] Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
[13] Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Sometimes we get bent out of shape by the actions of a neighbor (brother). Instead of addressing it properly we end up as the one behaving wickedly by belittling and slandering. The result: our city (home/church/family) is overthrown.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Trust God with Your Heart
Psalms 62:8 (KJV)
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.
Three small phrases here, but they pack a punch. The first simply puts it to trust God at all times. Building on that, we CAN pour out our hearts to Him. And because we can do that God is able to take our concerns and be that comfort (refuge) that we need in a chaotic world.
My opinion is that the second phrase is what we need to focus on. We can pour out our heart to God. How many times have you poured out your heart to a person and have been betrayed? People do that, even the best of them. Go through enough betrayal and you just stop pouring out – even to God. There’s the mistake; God is not human, so His response is not human. God is not going to take advantage of what you pour out, because He already knows. He’s not going to crush you when you share your fears, doubts and angers – He’s been waiting for you to give them to Him. Lay it all out before Him – let go of it. When you really need to let it all out, even if you feel that you are griping or being whiny, go to God. He will bring you to the place you need to be.
And that is how we come to the last phrase – God Is our refuge (our comfort; our security).
Monday, March 16, 2009
Keep These Things In Mind (4)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (ESV)
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.
We have finally reached our last day with Paul’s letter ending encouragement. These last 3 sentences further our responsibilities to God and others.
First, we need to continue to obey the Almighty. Don’t put your hands over your ears and yell, “LA LA LA!!! I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!” when the Spirit talks to you. Some things that God has us do will take us out of our comfort zone (okay, most things He has us do will take us out of our comfort zone). And the Spirit deals with our hearts. He tells us when and what we need to do (just stay connected in PRAYER and BIBLE study).
“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” Literally this means not to take sermons lightly; listen and use God’s word to divide what is truth and what is opinion; and to hold tight to what is the truth. All of us, even preachers, let a little too much self get into the message, but Paul is telling us not to throw out the whole message, because God did inspire it. Paul is telling us it is our responsibility to listen to the TRUTH and to embrace that TRUTH.
Paul finally tells us to abstain from every form of evil. If you know its evil you know to stay away from it. If you are embracing God’s truth, you will know how to discern what is evil a little more day by day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
