On Training Children:
Some Personal Practical Thoughts
And you, fathers,
do not provoke your children to wrath,
but bring them up
in the training and admonition of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4 NKJV)
Psalms 127 (Starting Point)
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Exodus 12 (Family Traditions)
26 And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?'
27 that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.'
Joshua 4
6 That this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'
7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.
Deuteronomy 6 (Constantly)
6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
… (Reasons)
20 When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD our God has commanded you?'
21 then you shall say to your son: 'We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand
• What I have learned from the Bible and our attempts to apply it:
1. Parent must accept personal responsibility (mental)
2. Parent must emphasize taking charge personally of personal behavior, control what you can control (physical)
3. Parent must lead by example
4. Parent must show an interest in the children
5. Parent must show the children that you will always love them
6. Parent must talk with them, real conversation, talk with as adults (maturity)
7. Parent must act aggressively on teachable moments
8. Parent must cultivate an understanding of principles that underlie any specific rules
9. Parent must maintain high expectations, led by the parent’s own personal behavior
10. Parent must exude mercy and confidence, “You will get better”
11. Parent must explain reasons behind decisions
12. Parent must set the tone that, “We are different”
13. Parent must praise exceedingly more than punish
14. Parent must get caught (naturally) praying and reading Bible
15. Parent must never quit
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Getting What’s Coming
We might occasionally learn of a person who has made poor decisions and, as a result of them, received some negative consequences. They may have treated someone unfairly or unkindly and later endured some unfortunate treatment themselves. Or, perhaps it was some other negative event that was contributed to by their own prior behavior. We might say, “What goes around, comes around.” We might even be reminded of where God spoke through Hosea saying: They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8.7).
However, installing ourselves as God and rendering harsh judgment on our fellow man, is not helpful as we attempt to be more and more like Jesus every day.
Let us not forget scriptures such as Romans 5.6-10:
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Notice the first line: …Christ died for the ungodly. I was about as undeserving as it gets, yet, Christ loved me anyway, and did what was necessary to help me. This whole rich and under-taught area of the contrast of what God did for me versus what I deserved from Him needs to register with us. We need to lift our gaze toward heaven and begin to realize just how unworthy we are and just how mercifully God is treating us.
Then, we need to take that next step that God has in mind for us – and try real hard to treat each other the way God is treating us.
The devil says: “Ignore them, they are unworthy, they asked for it, let them get what’s coming to them.” I believe God has just one question:
“What if I had treated you that way?”
We might occasionally learn of a person who has made poor decisions and, as a result of them, received some negative consequences. They may have treated someone unfairly or unkindly and later endured some unfortunate treatment themselves. Or, perhaps it was some other negative event that was contributed to by their own prior behavior. We might say, “What goes around, comes around.” We might even be reminded of where God spoke through Hosea saying: They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8.7).
However, installing ourselves as God and rendering harsh judgment on our fellow man, is not helpful as we attempt to be more and more like Jesus every day.
Let us not forget scriptures such as Romans 5.6-10:
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Notice the first line: …Christ died for the ungodly. I was about as undeserving as it gets, yet, Christ loved me anyway, and did what was necessary to help me. This whole rich and under-taught area of the contrast of what God did for me versus what I deserved from Him needs to register with us. We need to lift our gaze toward heaven and begin to realize just how unworthy we are and just how mercifully God is treating us.
Then, we need to take that next step that God has in mind for us – and try real hard to treat each other the way God is treating us.
The devil says: “Ignore them, they are unworthy, they asked for it, let them get what’s coming to them.” I believe God has just one question:
“What if I had treated you that way?”
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Plea
If you have come here from Stephen’s blog, let me very briefly state the plea of those of us in the church of Christ.
Our purpose is simply to restore the practice of Christianity as it was practiced in the New Testament. If we do what they did, we will surely become what they became. In other words, we will be the ancient New Testament church today. That is our plea and plan. I imagine Stephen believes the substantially same about his group. We just need to each (calmly and courteously) present his case from God’s word. That is what I am attempting to do. Note the following texts:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18 NKJV)
…The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63 NKJV)
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8 NKJV)
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV)
There is the authority and a prohibition of tampering.
The church of Christ is composed of normal humans, who are often imperfect, like any other religious group. We do not condone those who wear the name while making no serious attempt to walk the walk.
If you have come here from Stephen’s blog, let me very briefly state the plea of those of us in the church of Christ.
Our purpose is simply to restore the practice of Christianity as it was practiced in the New Testament. If we do what they did, we will surely become what they became. In other words, we will be the ancient New Testament church today. That is our plea and plan. I imagine Stephen believes the substantially same about his group. We just need to each (calmly and courteously) present his case from God’s word. That is what I am attempting to do. Note the following texts:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18 NKJV)
…The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63 NKJV)
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8 NKJV)
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV)
There is the authority and a prohibition of tampering.
The church of Christ is composed of normal humans, who are often imperfect, like any other religious group. We do not condone those who wear the name while making no serious attempt to walk the walk.
Monday, July 20, 2009
A Prayer for Humility
O Father God
You who dwell in the highest heights
You who descend to save your creation,
Help me.
Your thoughts define purity and goodwill
Your deeds strength and gentleness,
Help me
O Other One.
Help me
You of splendor and glory
You of power and might
You of worthiness and awe
Help me.
I am weak and defiled
A struggler and a failure.
My pride is as a wild cow
Who runs from her master’s trough.
My neck is stiff
My eyes pealed open
My jaw welded in place
My brow an impervious battlement.
O my Father
My merciful Redeemer,
Break my neck
Crush my pride
Conquer my arrogance
Purge me from the folly of my selfish thoughts.
Take my hand in Yours
And conduct me confidently
Into the brilliant glow of your presence.
Bear me gently
Far from self and near to Thee.
Break me and mend me in your tender embrace.
You will show me a new assurance.
You will cause me to stand unassailable by my enemies.
You will endow me with constant freedom.
You will transform my life
Into a beautiful stream of life-giving water.
Praise unto You: the Source.
Glory to You: alone Holy and Divine.
Your humble servant is prostrate before You.
O Father God
You who dwell in the highest heights
You who descend to save your creation,
Help me.
Your thoughts define purity and goodwill
Your deeds strength and gentleness,
Help me
O Other One.
Help me
You of splendor and glory
You of power and might
You of worthiness and awe
Help me.
I am weak and defiled
A struggler and a failure.
My pride is as a wild cow
Who runs from her master’s trough.
My neck is stiff
My eyes pealed open
My jaw welded in place
My brow an impervious battlement.
O my Father
My merciful Redeemer,
Break my neck
Crush my pride
Conquer my arrogance
Purge me from the folly of my selfish thoughts.
Take my hand in Yours
And conduct me confidently
Into the brilliant glow of your presence.
Bear me gently
Far from self and near to Thee.
Break me and mend me in your tender embrace.
You will show me a new assurance.
You will cause me to stand unassailable by my enemies.
You will endow me with constant freedom.
You will transform my life
Into a beautiful stream of life-giving water.
Praise unto You: the Source.
Glory to You: alone Holy and Divine.
Your humble servant is prostrate before You.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
(Revelation 3:20 NKJV)
The Guest Within
(Let us welcome Him and embrace Him)
This is a list of practical things that I can do every day to help me follow the precepts of Leviticus 11.44, Galatians 4.19, and Colossians 1.27.
For I am the LORD your God.
You shall therefore consecrate yourselves,
and you shall be holy; for I am holy….
(Leviticus 11:44 NKJV)
My little children,
for whom I labor in birth again
until Christ is formed in you,
(Galatians 4:19 NKJV)
To them [Christians, JB] God willed to make known
what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
(Colossians 1:27 NKJV)
To get the most out of the list, you will need to read it slowly and think about each item. If you read it fast, trying to finish quickly, any potential benefit will be lessened. Ask yourself, “Would this help me be a better Christian if I actually did this?”
1. Pray for wisdom, humility, and repentance.
2. Do a kind act, perhaps a kind word, for someone you feel is undeserving of kindness.
3. Do a kind act for someone who is not expecting it – surprise someone.
4. Do a kind act for someone you feel is deserving, but for whom you have not sufficiently shown your appreciation.
5. Tell a family member, by words or actions, that you love them – a specific, unplanned till now, act.
6. Memorize one line (phrase or clause) of one verse of scripture, including its location.
7. Read your Bible for ten minutes, slowly and meditatively, thinking deeply about the meaning.
8. Give up something today: skip a meal, miss a TV show, turn off the radio, or something else.
9. Get up ten minutes early, or stay up ten minutes late, and spend that time so deep in prayer that you are physically tired when finished.
10. Should you have the urge to complain about something – don’t, just don’t.
11. Pick some personal sin, and pray about getting rid of it, then act on your prayer.
12. Pick something you think you are good at, and pray about using it in God’s service.
13. Think about how you can be more serious in your life.
14. Make a list of the ways the world would be better if everyone were like you.
15. Make a list of the ways the world would be worse if everyone were like you.
16. The next time you’re not getting your way, humble yourself, and let the other person have it their way. (This might work really well with your spouse.)
17. Think of how to respond to a trial in your life so as to bring glory to God.
18. Minimize your concept of your own ‘rights.’
19. Maximize your concept of the rights of others.
20. Act on your convictions (properly defined) without regard for the opinions and feelings of others.
21. Act on your convictions with regard for the opinions and feelings of others.
22. Know when to do which….
23. Identify areas of arrogance in your life…and destroy them.
24. Laugh at yourself.
25. Be touched by the sad condition of someone. Do something about it.
26. Add to my list…
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
(Revelation 3:20 NKJV)
The Guest Within
(Let us welcome Him and embrace Him)
This is a list of practical things that I can do every day to help me follow the precepts of Leviticus 11.44, Galatians 4.19, and Colossians 1.27.
For I am the LORD your God.
You shall therefore consecrate yourselves,
and you shall be holy; for I am holy….
(Leviticus 11:44 NKJV)
My little children,
for whom I labor in birth again
until Christ is formed in you,
(Galatians 4:19 NKJV)
To them [Christians, JB] God willed to make known
what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
(Colossians 1:27 NKJV)
To get the most out of the list, you will need to read it slowly and think about each item. If you read it fast, trying to finish quickly, any potential benefit will be lessened. Ask yourself, “Would this help me be a better Christian if I actually did this?”
1. Pray for wisdom, humility, and repentance.
2. Do a kind act, perhaps a kind word, for someone you feel is undeserving of kindness.
3. Do a kind act for someone who is not expecting it – surprise someone.
4. Do a kind act for someone you feel is deserving, but for whom you have not sufficiently shown your appreciation.
5. Tell a family member, by words or actions, that you love them – a specific, unplanned till now, act.
6. Memorize one line (phrase or clause) of one verse of scripture, including its location.
7. Read your Bible for ten minutes, slowly and meditatively, thinking deeply about the meaning.
8. Give up something today: skip a meal, miss a TV show, turn off the radio, or something else.
9. Get up ten minutes early, or stay up ten minutes late, and spend that time so deep in prayer that you are physically tired when finished.
10. Should you have the urge to complain about something – don’t, just don’t.
11. Pick some personal sin, and pray about getting rid of it, then act on your prayer.
12. Pick something you think you are good at, and pray about using it in God’s service.
13. Think about how you can be more serious in your life.
14. Make a list of the ways the world would be better if everyone were like you.
15. Make a list of the ways the world would be worse if everyone were like you.
16. The next time you’re not getting your way, humble yourself, and let the other person have it their way. (This might work really well with your spouse.)
17. Think of how to respond to a trial in your life so as to bring glory to God.
18. Minimize your concept of your own ‘rights.’
19. Maximize your concept of the rights of others.
20. Act on your convictions (properly defined) without regard for the opinions and feelings of others.
21. Act on your convictions with regard for the opinions and feelings of others.
22. Know when to do which….
23. Identify areas of arrogance in your life…and destroy them.
24. Laugh at yourself.
25. Be touched by the sad condition of someone. Do something about it.
26. Add to my list…
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
An Encouraging Word: Truths about the Love of God
· He loves us
o 1 John 4:7-10 NKJV 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
· He loves us in spite of ourselves
o Romans 5:6-9 NKJV 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
· He loves us when it’s raining
o Romans 8:35-39 NKJV 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
· He loves us enough to invest in us
o John 3:16-17 NKJV 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
· He loves us enough to call us family
o 1 John 3:1-3 NKJV 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
· He loves us enough to guide us to heaven
o John 14:21-23 NKJV 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. … 23 …If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
· He loves us
o 1 John 4:7-10 NKJV 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
· He loves us in spite of ourselves
o Romans 5:6-9 NKJV 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
· He loves us when it’s raining
o Romans 8:35-39 NKJV 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
· He loves us enough to invest in us
o John 3:16-17 NKJV 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
· He loves us enough to call us family
o 1 John 3:1-3 NKJV 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
· He loves us enough to guide us to heaven
o John 14:21-23 NKJV 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. … 23 …If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mary the Mother of Jesus
Luke 1.30
Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God….” Why did Mary find favor with God? -
1. Mary lived a life of innocence because she had a pure heart! - Luke 1:34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
2. Mary lived a life of submission to the word of the Lord! - Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."
3. Mary’s life was controlled by faith in the Lord! – Luke 1:45 "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."
4. Mary praised the Lord for His goodness! - Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord….”
5. Mary meditated on God’s involvement in her life! - Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
6. Mary was well acquainted with the trials of this life! - Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
7. Mary was loyal in times of adversity! - John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
8. Mary remained faithful over time! - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Luke 1.30
Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God….” Why did Mary find favor with God? -
1. Mary lived a life of innocence because she had a pure heart! - Luke 1:34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
2. Mary lived a life of submission to the word of the Lord! - Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."
3. Mary’s life was controlled by faith in the Lord! – Luke 1:45 "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."
4. Mary praised the Lord for His goodness! - Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord….”
5. Mary meditated on God’s involvement in her life! - Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
6. Mary was well acquainted with the trials of this life! - Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
7. Mary was loyal in times of adversity! - John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
8. Mary remained faithful over time! - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
A Prayer of Praise
Holy Father
Open my mouth in praise to you
By opening my heart to Your lovingkindness
Through Your Divine word
And the knowledge of Your creation.
Your wondrous acts testify of Your tenderness
The sum of Your goodness cannot be taken.
The thrill of Your love is exhilarating
The confidence of Your mercy is a soothing elixir
The power of Your grace bridges hell with conquest.
Your justice is a loosed torrent
The dams of wickedness burst before it
Their remnant is lost beneath the swirling, foaming, rushing flood.
The joy of Your presence comforts the hopeless
He is lifted up from the abyss
He is carried by angel’s wings to the summit.
You and You alone are the Rock of triumph
You and You only rule the infinite with Your rod and Your cup.
Your holiness is exalted
Your righteousness a blazing torch that banishes darkness
Death retreats before You
And loss is reborn as glory by Your touch.
There is none like You
All Your creation is prostrate in Your presence.
Holy God, Holy One
Bless us with the tender touch of Your Divine hand
Continue to caress us with Your affection
Take not away from us the radiance of Your smile
Protect and guide our pilgrimage
Till we dwell redeemed and atoned before Your throne.
Holy Father
Open my mouth in praise to you
By opening my heart to Your lovingkindness
Through Your Divine word
And the knowledge of Your creation.
Your wondrous acts testify of Your tenderness
The sum of Your goodness cannot be taken.
The thrill of Your love is exhilarating
The confidence of Your mercy is a soothing elixir
The power of Your grace bridges hell with conquest.
Your justice is a loosed torrent
The dams of wickedness burst before it
Their remnant is lost beneath the swirling, foaming, rushing flood.
The joy of Your presence comforts the hopeless
He is lifted up from the abyss
He is carried by angel’s wings to the summit.
You and You alone are the Rock of triumph
You and You only rule the infinite with Your rod and Your cup.
Your holiness is exalted
Your righteousness a blazing torch that banishes darkness
Death retreats before You
And loss is reborn as glory by Your touch.
There is none like You
All Your creation is prostrate in Your presence.
Holy God, Holy One
Bless us with the tender touch of Your Divine hand
Continue to caress us with Your affection
Take not away from us the radiance of Your smile
Protect and guide our pilgrimage
Till we dwell redeemed and atoned before Your throne.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Chasing Peace
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
(Psalms 34:11-16 NKJV, emphasis mine, JB)
Note the reference to chasing (pursuing) peace in line eight. I have indicated it with bold type. A large part of this passage is quoted in the New Testament:
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed.… (1 Peter 3:8-14 NKJV, emphasis mine, JB)
Verse 13-14, beginning “and who is he…,” is of particular interest. It seems that Peter is saying, “If always seeking peace causes you to suffer, what can another human really do to you? They cannot cause you ultimate harm. Therefore, you don’t have to worry. You can pursue peace, and leave the consequences to God.” Now, it takes faith to take Peter at his word. We are reminded of Jesus’ statement:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 NKJV)
Which reminds us of the apostles’ statement:
And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." (Luke 17:5 NKJV)
Yes Lord, we need more faith to accept Your word. We look at those about us, and let them form our attitudes, instead of looking only to You. Forgive us, and please mercifully help us.
In this context of pursuing peace, likely the passage that comes the most readily to mind is the seventh Beatitude:
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
I understand that “sons of God” can not only mean “children of God,” but can also mean “like God.” Thus, we are like God when we are peacemakers. Surely, we all desire to be like God. So, while we are constantly at war with the devil, we should just as constantly pursue/make peace with God and with one another.
I can think of at least three areas in which the position of “peacemaker” is open and begging to be filled.
Peace with God. The Peacemaker par excellence is Jesus. He bought peace, not with the blood of others, but with His own blood.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, … so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (Ephesians 2:13-15 NKJV, emphasis mine, JB)
I wish we could learn from Jesus to produce peace by giving instead of attempting to produce peace by fighting. Give yourself to God and to your neighbor. It is the only way you will ever have peace. It is not the way of man, but it is the way of God. It takes a strong person with a healthy self-image to seek peace in this manner. Are you up to it?
Personal Peace with Others. Peacemaking involves friendmaking. How do you make a friend? Usually, by meeting some need they have. You meet their need to be taken seriously, to have a trusted someone they can talk to, to have a physical need provided, or something else that is important to them. In a word – you serve them.
… through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:13-14 NKJV)
If you are trying to help someone, you may be less aware of any perceived hurt they have directed toward you. If you are helping someone, it should be obvious that they would be less likely to try and hurt you. Of course there will be exceptions, but surely that is generally true. The more you are looking outward the less you are looking inward. The less you are looking inward, the less likely you are to be offended/hurt. The less you feel hurt, the more likely you are to look outward – and serve. So, the cycle is complete, and it spins around giving/serving – like, guess who, Jesus.
Collective Peace with Others. This section involves the Christian and civil government. Most Christians vote and most Christians pray for the civil government. Some Christians even serve in the civil government. I have two sons who do so. We are not isolated from the civil government.
I feel it would be absurd to argue that the scriptures I have cited and the points that I have made above would apply only to individuals and not to the civil government. If a Christian is to pursue peace by being a peacemaker, should not the civil government do the same? I would certainly think so.
I am a strong supporter of our military. I believe, along with our brothers the British, that we have the best military in the world – and I am glad that we do. However, we must keep in mind that our military does not make foreign policy, they enforce it (when ordered to do so by their civilian political handlers, that is, the civil government). Thus, one may be an opponent of a foreign war, while at the same time continuing strong support for our military forces.
If you will look back through history and examine human warfare, I believe you will find few wars that can be Biblically justified. I think there may be some justifiable, but that they would be in the minority. As you know the Bible gives the reason for war:
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3 NKJV)
Most wars are caused by two things: greed and arrogance. I am a lay student of the American Civil War. I have an ancestor who fought in it (43rd Mississippi Infantry CSA). It was caused by greed and arrogance on both sides. Are we Christians or not? Let us not encourage greed and arrogance.
Let us “seek peace and pursue it” thus becoming blessed peacemakers. The weak cannot do this. They will Zombie-like bow down at the altar of the opinions of others. You must be an independent thinker, by letting Christ control your thoughts. Your decisions must not be driven by the thoughts and actions of others.
Let us pray privately and publically for our men and women in the armed forces. We have two relatives of members where I preach who are currently serving overseas. Let us continue to pray fervently for them. May we pray for their physical safety, for their emotional health, and that they may soon be able to return to their families. May I suggest that using phrases like “fighting for our freedom” in our public prayers could be taken as an endorsement of the political decision to wage a particular war. I suggest that we keep politics out of the church by praying for peace and the safety of our soldiers, and leave it at that. Let us not endorse every action of the civil government, with phrases we use in holy worship, simply because they are the civil government. If I were writing this about abortion or homosexuality, I would probably get numerous “amen’s” here. I hope our feelings are as strong about the seventh Beatitude as they are about those two issues. Prayfully consider your feelings, as I shall mine. May God bless the U.S.A. May we all believe and obey all the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ.
My soul has dwelt too long With one who hates peace.
I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war.
(Psalms 120:6-7 NKJV)
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
(Psalms 34:11-16 NKJV, emphasis mine, JB)
Note the reference to chasing (pursuing) peace in line eight. I have indicated it with bold type. A large part of this passage is quoted in the New Testament:
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed.… (1 Peter 3:8-14 NKJV, emphasis mine, JB)
Verse 13-14, beginning “and who is he…,” is of particular interest. It seems that Peter is saying, “If always seeking peace causes you to suffer, what can another human really do to you? They cannot cause you ultimate harm. Therefore, you don’t have to worry. You can pursue peace, and leave the consequences to God.” Now, it takes faith to take Peter at his word. We are reminded of Jesus’ statement:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 NKJV)
Which reminds us of the apostles’ statement:
And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." (Luke 17:5 NKJV)
Yes Lord, we need more faith to accept Your word. We look at those about us, and let them form our attitudes, instead of looking only to You. Forgive us, and please mercifully help us.
In this context of pursuing peace, likely the passage that comes the most readily to mind is the seventh Beatitude:
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
I understand that “sons of God” can not only mean “children of God,” but can also mean “like God.” Thus, we are like God when we are peacemakers. Surely, we all desire to be like God. So, while we are constantly at war with the devil, we should just as constantly pursue/make peace with God and with one another.
I can think of at least three areas in which the position of “peacemaker” is open and begging to be filled.
Peace with God. The Peacemaker par excellence is Jesus. He bought peace, not with the blood of others, but with His own blood.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, … so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (Ephesians 2:13-15 NKJV, emphasis mine, JB)
I wish we could learn from Jesus to produce peace by giving instead of attempting to produce peace by fighting. Give yourself to God and to your neighbor. It is the only way you will ever have peace. It is not the way of man, but it is the way of God. It takes a strong person with a healthy self-image to seek peace in this manner. Are you up to it?
Personal Peace with Others. Peacemaking involves friendmaking. How do you make a friend? Usually, by meeting some need they have. You meet their need to be taken seriously, to have a trusted someone they can talk to, to have a physical need provided, or something else that is important to them. In a word – you serve them.
… through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:13-14 NKJV)
If you are trying to help someone, you may be less aware of any perceived hurt they have directed toward you. If you are helping someone, it should be obvious that they would be less likely to try and hurt you. Of course there will be exceptions, but surely that is generally true. The more you are looking outward the less you are looking inward. The less you are looking inward, the less likely you are to be offended/hurt. The less you feel hurt, the more likely you are to look outward – and serve. So, the cycle is complete, and it spins around giving/serving – like, guess who, Jesus.
Collective Peace with Others. This section involves the Christian and civil government. Most Christians vote and most Christians pray for the civil government. Some Christians even serve in the civil government. I have two sons who do so. We are not isolated from the civil government.
I feel it would be absurd to argue that the scriptures I have cited and the points that I have made above would apply only to individuals and not to the civil government. If a Christian is to pursue peace by being a peacemaker, should not the civil government do the same? I would certainly think so.
I am a strong supporter of our military. I believe, along with our brothers the British, that we have the best military in the world – and I am glad that we do. However, we must keep in mind that our military does not make foreign policy, they enforce it (when ordered to do so by their civilian political handlers, that is, the civil government). Thus, one may be an opponent of a foreign war, while at the same time continuing strong support for our military forces.
If you will look back through history and examine human warfare, I believe you will find few wars that can be Biblically justified. I think there may be some justifiable, but that they would be in the minority. As you know the Bible gives the reason for war:
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3 NKJV)
Most wars are caused by two things: greed and arrogance. I am a lay student of the American Civil War. I have an ancestor who fought in it (43rd Mississippi Infantry CSA). It was caused by greed and arrogance on both sides. Are we Christians or not? Let us not encourage greed and arrogance.
Let us “seek peace and pursue it” thus becoming blessed peacemakers. The weak cannot do this. They will Zombie-like bow down at the altar of the opinions of others. You must be an independent thinker, by letting Christ control your thoughts. Your decisions must not be driven by the thoughts and actions of others.
Let us pray privately and publically for our men and women in the armed forces. We have two relatives of members where I preach who are currently serving overseas. Let us continue to pray fervently for them. May we pray for their physical safety, for their emotional health, and that they may soon be able to return to their families. May I suggest that using phrases like “fighting for our freedom” in our public prayers could be taken as an endorsement of the political decision to wage a particular war. I suggest that we keep politics out of the church by praying for peace and the safety of our soldiers, and leave it at that. Let us not endorse every action of the civil government, with phrases we use in holy worship, simply because they are the civil government. If I were writing this about abortion or homosexuality, I would probably get numerous “amen’s” here. I hope our feelings are as strong about the seventh Beatitude as they are about those two issues. Prayfully consider your feelings, as I shall mine. May God bless the U.S.A. May we all believe and obey all the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ.
My soul has dwelt too long With one who hates peace.
I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war.
(Psalms 120:6-7 NKJV)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Catharsis
Psalms 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song In a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!
6 If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth-If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy. (NKJV)
Here in the land of plenty, we wept when we remembered our Christ.
Our four-wheel drive pickups sit in our three car garages beside our wife's Mercedes.
Our son quarterbacks the football team, our daughter is the head cheerleader.
The longings of our hearts have been met and exceeded.
We have willingly sold ourselves as captives to the opinions of others.
They have plundered our dignity and raped our innocence.
We remained enslaved to their expectations which we have adopted as our own.
If I forget you, O Yahweh,
If I do not cleave to you, my Messiah,
May you remind me of Your steadfast lovingkindness with the firmness of Your hand.
May my eyes behold what endures, and ignore what does not.
May purifying coals of fire be heaped upon my head, if I do not exalt You, my Lord and my Savior, as King of my life.
Psalms 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song In a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!
6 If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth-If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy. (NKJV)
Here in the land of plenty, we wept when we remembered our Christ.
Our four-wheel drive pickups sit in our three car garages beside our wife's Mercedes.
Our son quarterbacks the football team, our daughter is the head cheerleader.
The longings of our hearts have been met and exceeded.
We have willingly sold ourselves as captives to the opinions of others.
They have plundered our dignity and raped our innocence.
We remained enslaved to their expectations which we have adopted as our own.
If I forget you, O Yahweh,
If I do not cleave to you, my Messiah,
May you remind me of Your steadfast lovingkindness with the firmness of Your hand.
May my eyes behold what endures, and ignore what does not.
May purifying coals of fire be heaped upon my head, if I do not exalt You, my Lord and my Savior, as King of my life.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Twenty and Counting...
If anyone needs a 20 point sermon, see below. I actually only had 10 Sunday. I saw 10 more this morning. They are scattered among the 20.
I began with some background on stewardship, which is the main theme of the parable. I used 1 Peter 4.10-11. Then I read and discussed the parable itself. I concluded with the 10 points in almost staccato fashion. Perhaps I should have reconfigured and spent more time on the ten points. Your game plan may vary.
Parable of Talents
Matthew 25.14-30
1. All received a gift
2. All had ability
3. All had differing abilities
4. All were free, none were micro-managed
5. All had equal responsibility
6. Some were diligent, some were slothful
7. Some produced, some didn’t
8. The two-talent wasn’t jealous of the five-talent
9. The five-talent didn’t think he didn’t have to try
10. It was a long time till accounting day, time=opportunity
11. The one-talent was fearful, wicked, and lazy
12. The one-talent tried to blame someone else, ‘I knew you to be’
13. The one-talent tried to justify failure
14. The Master would have accepted less than the roaring success of the five and two – do something
15. I would say the five and two got more than they deserved
16. I would say the one got what was coming to him – wage vs gift (Romans 6)
17. The failed went to hell
18. The successful went to heaven
19. Choices have consequences
20. The Master’s decision was final
If anyone needs a 20 point sermon, see below. I actually only had 10 Sunday. I saw 10 more this morning. They are scattered among the 20.
I began with some background on stewardship, which is the main theme of the parable. I used 1 Peter 4.10-11. Then I read and discussed the parable itself. I concluded with the 10 points in almost staccato fashion. Perhaps I should have reconfigured and spent more time on the ten points. Your game plan may vary.
Parable of Talents
Matthew 25.14-30
1. All received a gift
2. All had ability
3. All had differing abilities
4. All were free, none were micro-managed
5. All had equal responsibility
6. Some were diligent, some were slothful
7. Some produced, some didn’t
8. The two-talent wasn’t jealous of the five-talent
9. The five-talent didn’t think he didn’t have to try
10. It was a long time till accounting day, time=opportunity
11. The one-talent was fearful, wicked, and lazy
12. The one-talent tried to blame someone else, ‘I knew you to be’
13. The one-talent tried to justify failure
14. The Master would have accepted less than the roaring success of the five and two – do something
15. I would say the five and two got more than they deserved
16. I would say the one got what was coming to him – wage vs gift (Romans 6)
17. The failed went to hell
18. The successful went to heaven
19. Choices have consequences
20. The Master’s decision was final
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Teeth of the Ungodly
Psalm 3
1 (A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.) LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah
David felt that those who were against him, and, by extension, against what was right, were many. Do you ever think that everyone is against you, that no one cares, that the whole world is lost? I am reminded of Elijah: So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (1 Kings 19:10 NKJV) Yet, Elijah was not alone. God told him that there were seven thousand others. We are not alone today. We are surrounded by the same cloud of witnesses as the recipients of the Hebrew letter. Those ancient heroes of faith are doing the same for us as the original readers of Hebrews 11-12. We are also surrounded by a neo crowd at church. Encouragement from like-minded Christians is one reason congregational life (worship, service, and fellowship) is so vital.
3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
This is a prime example of how David was a man after God’s heart. He trusted completely in God no matter what his environment was saying to him. Whatever the opposition, whatever the challenge – he kept faith in his God. In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalms 56:11 NKJV – quoted in Hebrews 13.6). I have thought lately that to see how David’s heart was like God’s heart, one needed to especially read David’s psalms in addition to the account of his life in Samuel and Kings. The poetry of his psalms is a window straight into his heart.
7 Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah (NKJV)
Yeah…there’s a blow to the head. Note the last line in verse seven. Yahweh is Conqueror. We mess with Him (His word) at our peril. If that bully Satan messes with us, guess who’s got our back. We just need to place ourselves under God’s control with our faith…like David.
Psalm 3
1 (A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.) LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah
David felt that those who were against him, and, by extension, against what was right, were many. Do you ever think that everyone is against you, that no one cares, that the whole world is lost? I am reminded of Elijah: So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (1 Kings 19:10 NKJV) Yet, Elijah was not alone. God told him that there were seven thousand others. We are not alone today. We are surrounded by the same cloud of witnesses as the recipients of the Hebrew letter. Those ancient heroes of faith are doing the same for us as the original readers of Hebrews 11-12. We are also surrounded by a neo crowd at church. Encouragement from like-minded Christians is one reason congregational life (worship, service, and fellowship) is so vital.
3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
This is a prime example of how David was a man after God’s heart. He trusted completely in God no matter what his environment was saying to him. Whatever the opposition, whatever the challenge – he kept faith in his God. In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalms 56:11 NKJV – quoted in Hebrews 13.6). I have thought lately that to see how David’s heart was like God’s heart, one needed to especially read David’s psalms in addition to the account of his life in Samuel and Kings. The poetry of his psalms is a window straight into his heart.
7 Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah (NKJV)
Yeah…there’s a blow to the head. Note the last line in verse seven. Yahweh is Conqueror. We mess with Him (His word) at our peril. If that bully Satan messes with us, guess who’s got our back. We just need to place ourselves under God’s control with our faith…like David.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Taking It Seriously
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
(1 Peter 4:7-8 NKJV)
Serious and morbid are not the same thing. Serious is not going around in gothic black all the time or failing to possess the ability to share in wholesome humor. However, when you examine closely the life of Christ – and the entire Bible focuses on Christ, the Old Testament looking forward, the epistles looking back – you fail to discover much, if any, humor. Some try to find a little humor in the mote and beam passage, or the swallow a camel one, or perhaps the camel and needle’s eye. But I think they’re straining. Perhaps the Greek scholars among us can tease something out of the original, but I don’t see it. I see them as simple and vivid hyperbole. Jesus would often exaggerate the literal to make a point. His hyperbole reminds me of His seemingly paradoxical statements, cut off your arm, pluck out your eye - being serious and not a jokester. I suggest we all attempt to be like Him.
Here are some suggestions to help us “Take it seriously.”
Act your age. In our Facebook culture, cool is often equated with funny. Now there’s nothing wrong with Facebook per se. I know a lot of preachers who are on it. I am myself. I’m even on Twitter, though no one ever cares if I post or not. Our friends at church may like us more if we’re funny, but is that really what they need – is our ministry about their needs, or our own? Jesus’ ministry was about the needs of others, not His own. At the very least, those we are attempting to serve and lead – be we preachers, parents, elders, Bible class teachers, or whatever – need to see a serious side in us, they need to see some maturity. As I study the life of Christ, that’s all I ever see in Jesus.
Visit the Garden. In Gethsemane, even though Jesus was hurting emotionally, he demonstrated commitment to His mission and concern for those He was leading. He prayed that the Father’s will be done rather than His emotional needs be assuaged. He repeatedly encouraged His disciples to watch and pray in order to triumph over temptation. We are reminded of Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 9.27 that he disciplined his body. Only the serious can successfully practice discipline.
Focus on the Cross. Note our Lord’s seven statements from the cross. In them He continues to show His concern for the needs of others. He acknowledges His own personal suffering. And then the two triumphal exclamations at the end: “It is finished” (John 19.30), and “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit (Luke 23.46). If we would mediate on these words, surely it would cause us to take our Christian life to new depths of seriousness.
Bang your Head. Prostate yourself before God in prayer. You may wish to assume the position we see from the Middle East, on your knees, with your head bowed to the floor in front of you. Or, perhaps not, but have the frame of mind that you are on your face in reverence and humility before your Maker. Search out the depth of your soul and position yourself there. Then begin with confession. Tell God how depraved you are. Tell Him how you yearn to do better. Ask for His forgiveness and His help – He’ll hear you – if you humble yourself. Then praise Him and thank Him. A good knowledge of the book of Psalms will help you here. List the ways God has been good to you, “name them one by one.” If you want assurance that God cares for you, just start trying to thank Him for all His blessings by name. When you complete your prayer, see if you are physically tired (a good sign) and if you have a greater appreciation of your life’s purpose, that it is serious business. I think you will, if you have the courage to be humble before God.
The list is longer, but these four things help me. They should help anyone.
Christianity is a matter of life and death.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3 NKJV)
…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, (Romans 6:8 NKJV)
Death is serious. How serious are you?
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
(1 Peter 4:7-8 NKJV)
Serious and morbid are not the same thing. Serious is not going around in gothic black all the time or failing to possess the ability to share in wholesome humor. However, when you examine closely the life of Christ – and the entire Bible focuses on Christ, the Old Testament looking forward, the epistles looking back – you fail to discover much, if any, humor. Some try to find a little humor in the mote and beam passage, or the swallow a camel one, or perhaps the camel and needle’s eye. But I think they’re straining. Perhaps the Greek scholars among us can tease something out of the original, but I don’t see it. I see them as simple and vivid hyperbole. Jesus would often exaggerate the literal to make a point. His hyperbole reminds me of His seemingly paradoxical statements, cut off your arm, pluck out your eye - being serious and not a jokester. I suggest we all attempt to be like Him.
Here are some suggestions to help us “Take it seriously.”
Act your age. In our Facebook culture, cool is often equated with funny. Now there’s nothing wrong with Facebook per se. I know a lot of preachers who are on it. I am myself. I’m even on Twitter, though no one ever cares if I post or not. Our friends at church may like us more if we’re funny, but is that really what they need – is our ministry about their needs, or our own? Jesus’ ministry was about the needs of others, not His own. At the very least, those we are attempting to serve and lead – be we preachers, parents, elders, Bible class teachers, or whatever – need to see a serious side in us, they need to see some maturity. As I study the life of Christ, that’s all I ever see in Jesus.
Visit the Garden. In Gethsemane, even though Jesus was hurting emotionally, he demonstrated commitment to His mission and concern for those He was leading. He prayed that the Father’s will be done rather than His emotional needs be assuaged. He repeatedly encouraged His disciples to watch and pray in order to triumph over temptation. We are reminded of Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 9.27 that he disciplined his body. Only the serious can successfully practice discipline.
Focus on the Cross. Note our Lord’s seven statements from the cross. In them He continues to show His concern for the needs of others. He acknowledges His own personal suffering. And then the two triumphal exclamations at the end: “It is finished” (John 19.30), and “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit (Luke 23.46). If we would mediate on these words, surely it would cause us to take our Christian life to new depths of seriousness.
Bang your Head. Prostate yourself before God in prayer. You may wish to assume the position we see from the Middle East, on your knees, with your head bowed to the floor in front of you. Or, perhaps not, but have the frame of mind that you are on your face in reverence and humility before your Maker. Search out the depth of your soul and position yourself there. Then begin with confession. Tell God how depraved you are. Tell Him how you yearn to do better. Ask for His forgiveness and His help – He’ll hear you – if you humble yourself. Then praise Him and thank Him. A good knowledge of the book of Psalms will help you here. List the ways God has been good to you, “name them one by one.” If you want assurance that God cares for you, just start trying to thank Him for all His blessings by name. When you complete your prayer, see if you are physically tired (a good sign) and if you have a greater appreciation of your life’s purpose, that it is serious business. I think you will, if you have the courage to be humble before God.
The list is longer, but these four things help me. They should help anyone.
Christianity is a matter of life and death.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3 NKJV)
…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, (Romans 6:8 NKJV)
Death is serious. How serious are you?
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Webster Carl Brown
August 29, 1909 – April 5, 1999
Carl Brown is my dad. The ‘Webster’ is from Daniel Webster. I don’t know where the ‘Carl’ came from, but that is the name he went by. He and my mother adopted me when they were in their early forties and I was nine months old. They raised me as an only child.
Only children can be a) intelligent (because they get all the attention), and b) spoiled (see reason for ‘a’). Scratch the first. Consider the second. Growing up spoiled can have one of two effects. It can make you a) selfish, arrogant, and never happy unless you always get your way, or, b) generous, humble, and easy to get along with because you want to treat other people the way you were treated. Whether you are selfish, etc. or generous, etc. is determined by the kind of heart you have. The kind of heart you have is determined by your exposure to the Bible. Success as a parent and success in life is thus inextricably linked to the Bible. I hope that doesn’t surprise anyone.
Back to my dad. If he were reading this, he might say I was rambling. He used to tell me I mumbled, “You’re mumbling, son.” I’ve told my friends where I preach about this (more than once) and they usually say “amen.” Dad had a dry sense of humor. I hope you’re seeing a shadow of that now.
By my clock, as I write this right now, Dad passed from this life exactly 10 years, 2 hours, and 15 minutes ago. This is the tenth anniversary of his death and I thought writing this would help me – and maybe you too.
Dad was an elder in the church, a Bible class teacher, and a very successful businessman. He dreamed of being a farmer. He found a farm when he was in his thirties (I’m not positive about the age) and went to the bank to get the money (which he would have been able to get). Literally, while he was gone to the bank, someone else with money in hand showed up and bought the farm “out from under him.” His life, and my life, would have been drastically and forever changed had he bought that farm. I’m glad he didn’t. I’m not sure I would have met my wife if he had.
Dad’s main traits were his honesty and his humility (which made him really easy to get along with – if you couldn’t get along with Dad, you had some serious issues, and if you were still that way today I doubt your FB friend list would tally very high).
In middle age, Dad had a good friend who was of a very wealthy family. They owned a bank, vast acreages of land, a stash of cash, as one would say, they were “well off.” When the family patriarch passed away, his son came and told Dad that his Daddy had told him that there were three people that he could loan money to without security. Dad had made the list of three. That always meant a lot to me. It was a testimony to Dad’s trustworthiness and it made me want to be like him. People bought insurance from Dad’s agency because they knew they could trust him.
Dad always tried to accommodate people. He would help some of his trucker clients fill out their fuel tax forms because they asked him to. It had nothing to do with their insurance. I still don’t understand why all of my brethren can’t be accommodating and easy to get along with like my dad. Where I’m preaching now, they are that way. But they’re not over our entire brotherhood. Why not?
I miss you every day, Dad. Some nights I dream about you. I’ll see you soon.
John
August 29, 1909 – April 5, 1999
Carl Brown is my dad. The ‘Webster’ is from Daniel Webster. I don’t know where the ‘Carl’ came from, but that is the name he went by. He and my mother adopted me when they were in their early forties and I was nine months old. They raised me as an only child.
Only children can be a) intelligent (because they get all the attention), and b) spoiled (see reason for ‘a’). Scratch the first. Consider the second. Growing up spoiled can have one of two effects. It can make you a) selfish, arrogant, and never happy unless you always get your way, or, b) generous, humble, and easy to get along with because you want to treat other people the way you were treated. Whether you are selfish, etc. or generous, etc. is determined by the kind of heart you have. The kind of heart you have is determined by your exposure to the Bible. Success as a parent and success in life is thus inextricably linked to the Bible. I hope that doesn’t surprise anyone.
Back to my dad. If he were reading this, he might say I was rambling. He used to tell me I mumbled, “You’re mumbling, son.” I’ve told my friends where I preach about this (more than once) and they usually say “amen.” Dad had a dry sense of humor. I hope you’re seeing a shadow of that now.
By my clock, as I write this right now, Dad passed from this life exactly 10 years, 2 hours, and 15 minutes ago. This is the tenth anniversary of his death and I thought writing this would help me – and maybe you too.
Dad was an elder in the church, a Bible class teacher, and a very successful businessman. He dreamed of being a farmer. He found a farm when he was in his thirties (I’m not positive about the age) and went to the bank to get the money (which he would have been able to get). Literally, while he was gone to the bank, someone else with money in hand showed up and bought the farm “out from under him.” His life, and my life, would have been drastically and forever changed had he bought that farm. I’m glad he didn’t. I’m not sure I would have met my wife if he had.
Dad’s main traits were his honesty and his humility (which made him really easy to get along with – if you couldn’t get along with Dad, you had some serious issues, and if you were still that way today I doubt your FB friend list would tally very high).
In middle age, Dad had a good friend who was of a very wealthy family. They owned a bank, vast acreages of land, a stash of cash, as one would say, they were “well off.” When the family patriarch passed away, his son came and told Dad that his Daddy had told him that there were three people that he could loan money to without security. Dad had made the list of three. That always meant a lot to me. It was a testimony to Dad’s trustworthiness and it made me want to be like him. People bought insurance from Dad’s agency because they knew they could trust him.
Dad always tried to accommodate people. He would help some of his trucker clients fill out their fuel tax forms because they asked him to. It had nothing to do with their insurance. I still don’t understand why all of my brethren can’t be accommodating and easy to get along with like my dad. Where I’m preaching now, they are that way. But they’re not over our entire brotherhood. Why not?
I miss you every day, Dad. Some nights I dream about you. I’ll see you soon.
John
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Getting Along
… Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. (1 Thessalonians 5:13-14 NKJV)
This passage offers helpful insight on congregational harmony and reminds us of John 13.35 where Jesus taught that the world would see our love for each other and conclude that we were His disciples. The Thessalonians text does not contain the word “love,” but with other words describes some dimensions of love.
It is of interest that sandwiched around the three descriptors of love are the concepts of peace and patience. Love in full bloom creates a healthy measure of patience which is fertile soil for the culture of peace. When my younger son was going through the rather lengthy interview process that eventually resulted in his being hired as a police officer, one trait his future employer was attempting to discover in the applicants was the ability to show restraint. A strong person is not a loose cannon. The Bible associates strength with patience.
I understand that the word translated “warn” can carry with it the idea of gentle reproof. As we try to help someone who needs to do better, we must remember that we all need to do better. Galatians 6.1 calls this attitude “a spirit of gentleness.”
For “comfort the fainthearted” the NIV has “encourage the timid.” I can think of numerous occasions when I personally was hesitant about doing something that I needed to do, and God in His providence gave me a gentle nudge after which I acted. I think it was His providence, though one can never know for sure on a case by case basis. But, someone gave me a word of encouragement and the timidity went away. Who can you encourage? Who will you encourage?
To “uphold the weak” is to “help the week” as many other translations render it. There is no person breathing who does not need help. They may not all know it, they may not all even want it. But everyone needs help. Remember that Jesus said He came to be a helper: just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28 NKJV) Are you a helper? Whose life will you bless by helping?
… Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. (1 Thessalonians 5:13-14 NKJV)
This passage offers helpful insight on congregational harmony and reminds us of John 13.35 where Jesus taught that the world would see our love for each other and conclude that we were His disciples. The Thessalonians text does not contain the word “love,” but with other words describes some dimensions of love.
It is of interest that sandwiched around the three descriptors of love are the concepts of peace and patience. Love in full bloom creates a healthy measure of patience which is fertile soil for the culture of peace. When my younger son was going through the rather lengthy interview process that eventually resulted in his being hired as a police officer, one trait his future employer was attempting to discover in the applicants was the ability to show restraint. A strong person is not a loose cannon. The Bible associates strength with patience.
I understand that the word translated “warn” can carry with it the idea of gentle reproof. As we try to help someone who needs to do better, we must remember that we all need to do better. Galatians 6.1 calls this attitude “a spirit of gentleness.”
For “comfort the fainthearted” the NIV has “encourage the timid.” I can think of numerous occasions when I personally was hesitant about doing something that I needed to do, and God in His providence gave me a gentle nudge after which I acted. I think it was His providence, though one can never know for sure on a case by case basis. But, someone gave me a word of encouragement and the timidity went away. Who can you encourage? Who will you encourage?
To “uphold the weak” is to “help the week” as many other translations render it. There is no person breathing who does not need help. They may not all know it, they may not all even want it. But everyone needs help. Remember that Jesus said He came to be a helper: just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28 NKJV) Are you a helper? Whose life will you bless by helping?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Getting It Right
Most of us in the South enjoy turnip greens. Have you ever tried to grow them? Turnip green culture is a rather simple and straightforward matter. Scratch up the ground a bit, introduce a few turnip green seeds and perhaps a little fertilizer, provide your greens field with a drink of water, and before very long you’re in the turnip green business.
Harvesting your bounty is no big deal either. I grab a few leaves near the top, select a spot on the sheaf of greens where the leaf to stem ratio declines to favor the stem and apply the edge of a sharpened blade leaving most of the stem with the roots. If you’re doing this for the first time, watch your fingers.
Cooking your greens is another matter. Only those uninitiated into greens cuisine would simply throw them into a pot and boil till the greens are limp, lifeless, and acquire that nauseous dark olive drab color. Nosiree! If your palate longs for taste and texture, boil them just long enough for that glorious bright green color to appear and then remove at once from the fire. Five minutes may be too long if you want to max out the flavor. I put a double pinch of sugar, and maybe a bit of oil, in the water before introducing the greens, but that’s optional. The presentation must include the obligatory pepper sauce. Not the red stuff, clear pepper sauce works best with turnip greens. Don’t forget the cornbread…and a wedge of raw onion…and some buttermilk for sipping if you’re in the mood.
Now, my little story has a purpose. While I have yet to meet a brother or sister Southerner who couldn’t grow turnip greens, getting the cooking part (just) right may take a while. It may take years of practice to “get it right.” That is, if you take a good, traditional southern plate of turnip greens seriously, as my friends and I do. Furthermore, I think it is self-evident that the more seriously you take it, the better results you will have.
As a student of the parables of our Lord, I think I see some parallels between getting it right with turnip greens and getting it right with our Christian lives. The keys are an appreciation of the seriousness of the matter and an understanding and practice of specific behaviors that will support ultimate success. I want to focus on the specific behaviors part in the rest of this essay.
Here are a few suggestions:
· Allow yourself room for growth. While perfection is your goal, don’t get discouraged and quit because you realize that your Christian life is in constant need of work. God says: as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV). If God commands growth, He surely allows it!
· Cultivate an attitude of seriousness. Your Christian life is all that really matters. Period! That’s it. Everything else doesn’t just not really matter. It doesn’t matter at all. Family life is included in your Christian life. Health is good. But you don’t have to have it. Money can help out. But you don’t have to have it either. Education is a good thing. But education in the Bible is all that will ultimately make any difference. God says: But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7 NKJV). Would you be a better person if you took your Christian life as seriously as you take sports? If Alabama or Auburn win (or lose) every game they ever play, what effect will that have on your life? In case you’re having to think about that, let me answer the question for you – it won’t have any. Let’s get serious about what is serious.
· Practice doing good. Compile a list of Christian character traits. Pick one and work specifically on developing that trait today. Look for opportunities to manifest that particular character. Be creative, and pay attention to your surroundings. Plenty of opportunities are out there if you are alert for them. At the end of the day, think about what you have done. How could you have done it better? What opportunities did you miss? What chances to be salt and light would you have missed if you had not been looking for them? Pick another trait for tomorrow and work on it. Do this every day. After a couple of weeks, is better Christian behavior becoming a habit? If you’re sticking to the plan, it will. Here’s a good starter list of Christian attitudes and actions. There are lots of lists like this in the Bible. God says: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). If you want to experience purpose and fullness in your life, when you get dressed every morning, put on these.
· Do the unexpected. Pick out someone you don’t like. Perhaps they have wronged you in some way. I imagine that’s what the Bible means by your enemies. Now do this. Forgive them. Even though they haven’t asked for it. Even though they don’t deserve it. Even though it’s hard. Just do it (thanks Nike). Don’t allow them to control your mind. You control it, and forgive them. You’re not finished. After forgiving them, pray for them. Go before God and petition Him on their behalf. You can ask Him to help them change their behavior if you want. But, think about their needs, and not yours. You’re still not done. Do something good for them. It can be a kind deed, or a good word. But it needs to personally impact them. Just having good thoughts about them won’t get it done. When you have finished doing something good for them, even though they don’t deserve it, you have acted like God – who sent His Son to die for you – even though you didn’t deserve it. Here’s a Bible text. Again, there are lots of them. God says: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV). Kinda scary, isn’t it? Here’s another one: Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. (Romans 12:20 NKJV). I’m not sure what the “coals of fire” mean. But I’m highly suspicious (note especially verse 19) that they are not coals of vengeance, but coals of purification.
· Work on your thoughts, you deeds will tend to follow. What do you think about? When you drive to work tomorrow, what will occupy your mind? Bathroom humor from the depraved radio? You can do better. Garbage in, garbage out applies to more than computers. Maybe you own some Bible audio CD’s. That’s a great start. Remember that list of Christian character traits you compiled in bullet-point three? Try thinking about those. What does each one mean? Who in the Bible effectively modeled those traits in addition to Jesus? How did Jesus demonstrate them in His life? Who is someone that you know today that shows what Christianity is like with their life? How do they do it? Have you seen times when they acted like a Christian when it was surely hard for them to do so? How is the Christian life the best life there is? How are you using your Christian life to influence others? How can you do a better job as you change other people for the better with your Christian example? The list of good, positive thoughts is endless. God says: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). Another: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2 NKJV). Who is the person that God says He will bless? The one who meditates on His word. What are you thinking about?
· Know where you’re going. “All roads lead to Rome,” but there is only one highway to heaven. Make sure you’re on it. The Bible teaching on how to become a Christian and how to live the Christian life is not rocket science. Meaning, it’s not hard to understand, though it may be sometimes hard to do. I am convinced that to a very significant extent, it’s as hard as you make it. If you try to hang on to the world and be drawn by the word of God at the same time, it will be hard, and you will ultimately fail. But if you let go of the world, if you can get to the point where, regarding the things of the world – you just don’t care – then the Christian life becomes doable. Even, at times, somewhat easy – at least, easier than it used to be. God said He would get the faithful Christian to heaven. Believe Him. Trust Him. Live a Christ-controlled life. You’ll get there. God keeps His word. Here’s your text, God says: And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:11-13 NKJV). Ban doubt from your mind. Run over it with your Christian life and leave it dead on the side of the road as you drive confidently down the highway charted by God’s word, the highway to heaven. The devil will try to manipulate you any way he can. He will mess with your mind. Don’t let him. Let God own your mind and your life will follow.
Getting it right means following a recipe, and we have the perfect recipe book – the infallible word of God. God gave you all the necessary ingredients when He created you in His image. You just need to follow the correct procedure to complete the preparation. The end product is Christ in you.
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, (Galatians 4:19 NKJV)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27 NKJV)
Most of us in the South enjoy turnip greens. Have you ever tried to grow them? Turnip green culture is a rather simple and straightforward matter. Scratch up the ground a bit, introduce a few turnip green seeds and perhaps a little fertilizer, provide your greens field with a drink of water, and before very long you’re in the turnip green business.
Harvesting your bounty is no big deal either. I grab a few leaves near the top, select a spot on the sheaf of greens where the leaf to stem ratio declines to favor the stem and apply the edge of a sharpened blade leaving most of the stem with the roots. If you’re doing this for the first time, watch your fingers.
Cooking your greens is another matter. Only those uninitiated into greens cuisine would simply throw them into a pot and boil till the greens are limp, lifeless, and acquire that nauseous dark olive drab color. Nosiree! If your palate longs for taste and texture, boil them just long enough for that glorious bright green color to appear and then remove at once from the fire. Five minutes may be too long if you want to max out the flavor. I put a double pinch of sugar, and maybe a bit of oil, in the water before introducing the greens, but that’s optional. The presentation must include the obligatory pepper sauce. Not the red stuff, clear pepper sauce works best with turnip greens. Don’t forget the cornbread…and a wedge of raw onion…and some buttermilk for sipping if you’re in the mood.
Now, my little story has a purpose. While I have yet to meet a brother or sister Southerner who couldn’t grow turnip greens, getting the cooking part (just) right may take a while. It may take years of practice to “get it right.” That is, if you take a good, traditional southern plate of turnip greens seriously, as my friends and I do. Furthermore, I think it is self-evident that the more seriously you take it, the better results you will have.
As a student of the parables of our Lord, I think I see some parallels between getting it right with turnip greens and getting it right with our Christian lives. The keys are an appreciation of the seriousness of the matter and an understanding and practice of specific behaviors that will support ultimate success. I want to focus on the specific behaviors part in the rest of this essay.
Here are a few suggestions:
· Allow yourself room for growth. While perfection is your goal, don’t get discouraged and quit because you realize that your Christian life is in constant need of work. God says: as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV). If God commands growth, He surely allows it!
· Cultivate an attitude of seriousness. Your Christian life is all that really matters. Period! That’s it. Everything else doesn’t just not really matter. It doesn’t matter at all. Family life is included in your Christian life. Health is good. But you don’t have to have it. Money can help out. But you don’t have to have it either. Education is a good thing. But education in the Bible is all that will ultimately make any difference. God says: But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7 NKJV). Would you be a better person if you took your Christian life as seriously as you take sports? If Alabama or Auburn win (or lose) every game they ever play, what effect will that have on your life? In case you’re having to think about that, let me answer the question for you – it won’t have any. Let’s get serious about what is serious.
· Practice doing good. Compile a list of Christian character traits. Pick one and work specifically on developing that trait today. Look for opportunities to manifest that particular character. Be creative, and pay attention to your surroundings. Plenty of opportunities are out there if you are alert for them. At the end of the day, think about what you have done. How could you have done it better? What opportunities did you miss? What chances to be salt and light would you have missed if you had not been looking for them? Pick another trait for tomorrow and work on it. Do this every day. After a couple of weeks, is better Christian behavior becoming a habit? If you’re sticking to the plan, it will. Here’s a good starter list of Christian attitudes and actions. There are lots of lists like this in the Bible. God says: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). If you want to experience purpose and fullness in your life, when you get dressed every morning, put on these.
· Do the unexpected. Pick out someone you don’t like. Perhaps they have wronged you in some way. I imagine that’s what the Bible means by your enemies. Now do this. Forgive them. Even though they haven’t asked for it. Even though they don’t deserve it. Even though it’s hard. Just do it (thanks Nike). Don’t allow them to control your mind. You control it, and forgive them. You’re not finished. After forgiving them, pray for them. Go before God and petition Him on their behalf. You can ask Him to help them change their behavior if you want. But, think about their needs, and not yours. You’re still not done. Do something good for them. It can be a kind deed, or a good word. But it needs to personally impact them. Just having good thoughts about them won’t get it done. When you have finished doing something good for them, even though they don’t deserve it, you have acted like God – who sent His Son to die for you – even though you didn’t deserve it. Here’s a Bible text. Again, there are lots of them. God says: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV). Kinda scary, isn’t it? Here’s another one: Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. (Romans 12:20 NKJV). I’m not sure what the “coals of fire” mean. But I’m highly suspicious (note especially verse 19) that they are not coals of vengeance, but coals of purification.
· Work on your thoughts, you deeds will tend to follow. What do you think about? When you drive to work tomorrow, what will occupy your mind? Bathroom humor from the depraved radio? You can do better. Garbage in, garbage out applies to more than computers. Maybe you own some Bible audio CD’s. That’s a great start. Remember that list of Christian character traits you compiled in bullet-point three? Try thinking about those. What does each one mean? Who in the Bible effectively modeled those traits in addition to Jesus? How did Jesus demonstrate them in His life? Who is someone that you know today that shows what Christianity is like with their life? How do they do it? Have you seen times when they acted like a Christian when it was surely hard for them to do so? How is the Christian life the best life there is? How are you using your Christian life to influence others? How can you do a better job as you change other people for the better with your Christian example? The list of good, positive thoughts is endless. God says: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). Another: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2 NKJV). Who is the person that God says He will bless? The one who meditates on His word. What are you thinking about?
· Know where you’re going. “All roads lead to Rome,” but there is only one highway to heaven. Make sure you’re on it. The Bible teaching on how to become a Christian and how to live the Christian life is not rocket science. Meaning, it’s not hard to understand, though it may be sometimes hard to do. I am convinced that to a very significant extent, it’s as hard as you make it. If you try to hang on to the world and be drawn by the word of God at the same time, it will be hard, and you will ultimately fail. But if you let go of the world, if you can get to the point where, regarding the things of the world – you just don’t care – then the Christian life becomes doable. Even, at times, somewhat easy – at least, easier than it used to be. God said He would get the faithful Christian to heaven. Believe Him. Trust Him. Live a Christ-controlled life. You’ll get there. God keeps His word. Here’s your text, God says: And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:11-13 NKJV). Ban doubt from your mind. Run over it with your Christian life and leave it dead on the side of the road as you drive confidently down the highway charted by God’s word, the highway to heaven. The devil will try to manipulate you any way he can. He will mess with your mind. Don’t let him. Let God own your mind and your life will follow.
Getting it right means following a recipe, and we have the perfect recipe book – the infallible word of God. God gave you all the necessary ingredients when He created you in His image. You just need to follow the correct procedure to complete the preparation. The end product is Christ in you.
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, (Galatians 4:19 NKJV)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27 NKJV)
Friday, March 20, 2009
Christ, Who is our Life
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory.
(Colossians 3:3-4 NKJV)
Our world constantly cries out for leadership. It always has. Men and women of God have provided it over the years, though it was humanly flawed and thus at times imperfect. You can read about it in the Bible. You should check it out sometime.
Jesus provided perfect leadership. That’s found in the Bible too. The Old Testament points forward to Jesus. You can see Him in prospect on nearly every page, if you look hard enough. The Old Bible was constantly saying, “What we have now is good, but we’re not quite there yet. There’s something better. There’s something that will help us where we’re slipping, sliding, and failing now.” And the Old Testament revealed, in stories and symbols and prophecies, that that something was a someone. He was the Messiah, the anointed/chosen One from God. The New Testament calls Him “Christ” and reveals that He is God.
In the New Testament, the epistles look back at Jesus. He had already lived among men, His creation, on this earth and completed His redemptive/instructive mission. They examine closely who Jesus is, what His mission meant, and our response to Him and blessings in Him. Carefully cradled in between the Old Testament and the epistles, we have Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. God, through these four, gives us an account of the life of Christ. We are awed by His example. We are guided by His teaching. We exult as we see His glory.
Jesus is our Lord Master. Hope is in Him and nowhere else. Meaning and purpose are in Him and without Him nothing, nothing, means anything. He is our life!
As disciples of Christ today, we must step up. We must humbly, prayfully, and carefully demonstrate to the struggling, groping world about us - what Christianity actually is. It is a life. It is the life. It must be our life.
This demonstration is not easy. It is hard. It demands sacrifice. It demands trust in and submission to our Lord. The Christian life is not for the selfish, those who desire to be rich in material things, or those with self-image issues who require continual reinforcement of their personal worthiness from other humans who themselves may have a skewed vision of what is real and matters and what is temporary and doesn’t. The Christian sees this life through the lens of Scripture and thus sees with clarity. With the proper knowledge of who they are, where they are, and where they’re going – the Christian is fully equipped for leadership. Christians are members of the army of Christ. They understand where the battle is being fought. They know which side is which. And, they know the outcome of the fight.
The call goes out, “Who will be a leader? Who will be courageous enough to be different? Who doesn’t care what others think? Who doesn’t care what the world values?” Who will…
Step up and lead!
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory.
(Colossians 3:3-4 NKJV)
Our world constantly cries out for leadership. It always has. Men and women of God have provided it over the years, though it was humanly flawed and thus at times imperfect. You can read about it in the Bible. You should check it out sometime.
Jesus provided perfect leadership. That’s found in the Bible too. The Old Testament points forward to Jesus. You can see Him in prospect on nearly every page, if you look hard enough. The Old Bible was constantly saying, “What we have now is good, but we’re not quite there yet. There’s something better. There’s something that will help us where we’re slipping, sliding, and failing now.” And the Old Testament revealed, in stories and symbols and prophecies, that that something was a someone. He was the Messiah, the anointed/chosen One from God. The New Testament calls Him “Christ” and reveals that He is God.
In the New Testament, the epistles look back at Jesus. He had already lived among men, His creation, on this earth and completed His redemptive/instructive mission. They examine closely who Jesus is, what His mission meant, and our response to Him and blessings in Him. Carefully cradled in between the Old Testament and the epistles, we have Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. God, through these four, gives us an account of the life of Christ. We are awed by His example. We are guided by His teaching. We exult as we see His glory.
Jesus is our Lord Master. Hope is in Him and nowhere else. Meaning and purpose are in Him and without Him nothing, nothing, means anything. He is our life!
As disciples of Christ today, we must step up. We must humbly, prayfully, and carefully demonstrate to the struggling, groping world about us - what Christianity actually is. It is a life. It is the life. It must be our life.
This demonstration is not easy. It is hard. It demands sacrifice. It demands trust in and submission to our Lord. The Christian life is not for the selfish, those who desire to be rich in material things, or those with self-image issues who require continual reinforcement of their personal worthiness from other humans who themselves may have a skewed vision of what is real and matters and what is temporary and doesn’t. The Christian sees this life through the lens of Scripture and thus sees with clarity. With the proper knowledge of who they are, where they are, and where they’re going – the Christian is fully equipped for leadership. Christians are members of the army of Christ. They understand where the battle is being fought. They know which side is which. And, they know the outcome of the fight.
The call goes out, “Who will be a leader? Who will be courageous enough to be different? Who doesn’t care what others think? Who doesn’t care what the world values?” Who will…
Step up and lead!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Part of God's Family
And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:49-50 NKJV)
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13 NKJV)
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (1 John 3:1 NKJV)
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:7 NKJV)
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