It was strange. God had freed His people from their enemies and conquered their foes on every side. He gave them Gideon as a judge to guide them. But, as soon as he died, Judges 8:34 says, “the children of Israel did not remember the LORD their God.”
When Jerusalem lay desolate and without walls, and enemies threatened to stop the construction, Nehemiah offered the people only one hope. “Do not be afraid of them.” Nehemiah 4:14 says, “Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight.”
A prophet running from God found himself in the midst of a storm-tossed sea. But matters soon would get much worse, as he found himself in the midst of a great fish. But, from the bowels of a sea monster, when all hope was lost and his spirit fainted within him, Jonah 2:7 says, “I remembered the LORD.”
Often God must go to extreme lengths to get His people to remember Him. When the psalmist recounts the story of the exodus in Psalm 78, he lists all the ways that God provided for His people. But it was not until God brought death to them that he could say in verse thirty-five, “Then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer.”
How often we don’t remember God! When He is the only One who can save, guide, and provide. I can only say, with the writer of Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come.” Now is the time to make that choice. He is worth remembering. He is the most important thing to remember.
“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” Psalm 22:27.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Too Much Honey
The Bible often uses honey as an analogy. Typically it is a symbol of prosperity; several times it is even used as a picture of God’s Word. One chapter in Proverbs, however, references honey twice, but in a very different way. Proverbs 25:16 says, “Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit.” But the verse I really want to focus on comes later. Verse twenty-seven tells us, “It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one’s own glory is not glory.”
These verses, placed so conveniently close together in the text, have got me thinking. How much of a good thing is too much? Clearly, the Bible is teaching here that indulgence results in our own downfall. Like an overabundance of honey, seeking our own glory destroys the thing we were out to get.
But there’s more to it than that. In the original Hebrew, the word for “seek” doesn’t mean simply “seek;” it has connotations that can make it mean “examine,” “study,” or “number.” So the writer is not merely warning against someone who is only out to get more glory, but he is also saying that we should not spend too much time thinking about their own “glory” or taking stock of their own accomplishments.
When we eat too much honey we get sick to our stomachs. That is the same effect that besets our souls when we think more of ourselves than we ought. So often we seek our own glory. We become caught up in our image or reputation. We refuse to be fools for Christ, forgetting that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. We lap up honey like it was water, and it has made us sick. It is time to finally stop researching ourselves. Enough is enough. There is one Glory, and it is God alone. If we seek any glory but His, we are looking to be filled by something that is actually causing the problem. We are getting sick off of honey.
These verses, placed so conveniently close together in the text, have got me thinking. How much of a good thing is too much? Clearly, the Bible is teaching here that indulgence results in our own downfall. Like an overabundance of honey, seeking our own glory destroys the thing we were out to get.
But there’s more to it than that. In the original Hebrew, the word for “seek” doesn’t mean simply “seek;” it has connotations that can make it mean “examine,” “study,” or “number.” So the writer is not merely warning against someone who is only out to get more glory, but he is also saying that we should not spend too much time thinking about their own “glory” or taking stock of their own accomplishments.
When we eat too much honey we get sick to our stomachs. That is the same effect that besets our souls when we think more of ourselves than we ought. So often we seek our own glory. We become caught up in our image or reputation. We refuse to be fools for Christ, forgetting that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. We lap up honey like it was water, and it has made us sick. It is time to finally stop researching ourselves. Enough is enough. There is one Glory, and it is God alone. If we seek any glory but His, we are looking to be filled by something that is actually causing the problem. We are getting sick off of honey.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Let the Dead Bury Their Own
How easy it is to become distracted from doing the work God has set before us. The gospels of Mathew and Luke share a very brief story that emphasizes the importance of remaining focused on following Christ.
In Matthew 8:21-22 we see the story of a man who would follow Christ. But he asks the Savior if he may first go and bury his father. Jesus answered, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Luke chapter 9 tells much the same story in verses 59 and 60, but records Jesus’ response as, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
Christ’s response to the man is something many of us would do well to remember. The things of this world can only end in death. Even things that aren’t bad often bring no benefit except in what happens between here and the grave. Christ is trying to get this young follower to shift his focus to what happens after the grave. So many of the things in this life are not worth worrying about, and would take care of themselves if we focus on following Christ and proclaiming His kingdom.
So, let the dead bury their own. Let the things of this world worry about themselves. And follow Christ.
In Matthew 8:21-22 we see the story of a man who would follow Christ. But he asks the Savior if he may first go and bury his father. Jesus answered, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Luke chapter 9 tells much the same story in verses 59 and 60, but records Jesus’ response as, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
Christ’s response to the man is something many of us would do well to remember. The things of this world can only end in death. Even things that aren’t bad often bring no benefit except in what happens between here and the grave. Christ is trying to get this young follower to shift his focus to what happens after the grave. So many of the things in this life are not worth worrying about, and would take care of themselves if we focus on following Christ and proclaiming His kingdom.
So, let the dead bury their own. Let the things of this world worry about themselves. And follow Christ.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Head to the Window
Around the turn of the 18th century there was a poet named William Blake; from the time of his childhood, he claimed to experience visions. When Blake was a boy, he claimed to have a vision to which he clung so surely that even his parents began to stop doubting the truth in what he said. In it he claimed that he saw God “put His head to the window” and gaze into his house.
Whether or not you give credence to the thought of a vision, the idea caught my attention. I have often thought of God watching my life and wondered what He thought of it, as if He were a critic watching a movie or reading a book. I imagined His response in the sad moments; I pictured times when He called the angels over to watch a part He knew was going to be good.
The idea may seem strange, I know, but it reminds me of Proverbs 15:3; “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”
So, however you choose to remember it, keep this in mind: He is watching. What does He see?
Whether or not you give credence to the thought of a vision, the idea caught my attention. I have often thought of God watching my life and wondered what He thought of it, as if He were a critic watching a movie or reading a book. I imagined His response in the sad moments; I pictured times when He called the angels over to watch a part He knew was going to be good.
The idea may seem strange, I know, but it reminds me of Proverbs 15:3; “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”
So, however you choose to remember it, keep this in mind: He is watching. What does He see?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
God Remembered
Noah was alone with only his closest family, floating above the watery grave that was the rest of the world. When God had shut him in the ark, it had taken seven days for the rain to start. Noah must have wondered at that point, “What now?” Now the ark had saved him, for the time being. But, as he sailed over the corpses of his neighbors, brothers, sisters, friends, and everything he knew, he had to be thinking again, “Now what?” Then Genesis chapter eight says, “And God remembered Noah…”
Abraham was looking out over the plains toward where Sodom and Gomorrah used to be. Now he saw only smoke rising like out of a furnace. As he looked upon the judgment and wrath God had rained down, he must have wondered, “What about my nephew?” It surely seemed that no one could have escaped that awful flame. But Genesis 19 says, “God remembered Abraham…”
The Hebrews were in bondage to the Egyptians. They were forced to struggle under heavy burdens. They did not control even the destinies of their own children. Their one advocate in the palace had fled the country after he committed a murder. He had been the closest thing they had known to hope in nearly four-hundred years, and now even that was gone. As they labored hopelessly under the sun, they must have wondered, “Has God forgotten us?” Then, Exodus 2:24 says, “God heard their groaning, and God remembered…”
When we are lost and don’t know what to do next, when we wonder if the good perish with the evil, when we think we are forgotten, God remembers. When we wonder, “What now?” when the world around us is going up in smoke, when we haven’t heard from God in what seems like ages, God remembers. No matter where we find ourselves, God remembers. It is not because He ever forgot; it is because He was waiting on time to catch up with His plan. He has marked us out for a purpose, and He remembers. And, no matter how many times we forget, God remembers.
Abraham was looking out over the plains toward where Sodom and Gomorrah used to be. Now he saw only smoke rising like out of a furnace. As he looked upon the judgment and wrath God had rained down, he must have wondered, “What about my nephew?” It surely seemed that no one could have escaped that awful flame. But Genesis 19 says, “God remembered Abraham…”
The Hebrews were in bondage to the Egyptians. They were forced to struggle under heavy burdens. They did not control even the destinies of their own children. Their one advocate in the palace had fled the country after he committed a murder. He had been the closest thing they had known to hope in nearly four-hundred years, and now even that was gone. As they labored hopelessly under the sun, they must have wondered, “Has God forgotten us?” Then, Exodus 2:24 says, “God heard their groaning, and God remembered…”
When we are lost and don’t know what to do next, when we wonder if the good perish with the evil, when we think we are forgotten, God remembers. When we wonder, “What now?” when the world around us is going up in smoke, when we haven’t heard from God in what seems like ages, God remembers. No matter where we find ourselves, God remembers. It is not because He ever forgot; it is because He was waiting on time to catch up with His plan. He has marked us out for a purpose, and He remembers. And, no matter how many times we forget, God remembers.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Shown on the Mountain
It has been said that you should not doubt in the dark what God has told you in the dark. There’s nothing wrong with the saying, and I think it speaks to an important point. But, like most such sayings, I believe it is said much better with scripture. So, here it goes, “And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” Exodus 25:40.
Perhaps a little context would be helpful in showing the point.
Moses has just received the Ten Commandments, many other rules, and a detailed design for the furnishings of the tabernacle. These objects were the holiest utensils ever created, and they included the ark of the covenant, the physical symbol of God’s presence on earth.
Imagine Moses, after he came down from the mountain, trying to fashion these pieces in the middle of the desert: gathering the raw materials, acquiring the necessary tools, and then completing them to God’s extravagant design. It is not hard to imagine Moses and the craftsmen becoming discouraged. They may have even questioned the point of the utensils, or why they had to be so lavish. But it was in those times when they remembered the command of the LORD, “make them according to the pattern which was shown.”
And it’s a good thing they did. They had no way of knowing it at the time, but their faithfulness was remembered thousands of years later. It was then that the writer of Hebrews quoted that fortieth verse of Exodus 25. And it was then that he revealed why it was so important. He tells us that they were for a “copy and shadow of heavenly things.” They showed the greatness of God, and foretold of His work in the future.
So let us not grow discouraged in following God’s design. All that we do is meant to be a copy and shadow of something better to come. And, if we are faithful to the pattern shown us on the mountain, people will see how great God is, even in the desert.
Perhaps a little context would be helpful in showing the point.
Moses has just received the Ten Commandments, many other rules, and a detailed design for the furnishings of the tabernacle. These objects were the holiest utensils ever created, and they included the ark of the covenant, the physical symbol of God’s presence on earth.
Imagine Moses, after he came down from the mountain, trying to fashion these pieces in the middle of the desert: gathering the raw materials, acquiring the necessary tools, and then completing them to God’s extravagant design. It is not hard to imagine Moses and the craftsmen becoming discouraged. They may have even questioned the point of the utensils, or why they had to be so lavish. But it was in those times when they remembered the command of the LORD, “make them according to the pattern which was shown.”
And it’s a good thing they did. They had no way of knowing it at the time, but their faithfulness was remembered thousands of years later. It was then that the writer of Hebrews quoted that fortieth verse of Exodus 25. And it was then that he revealed why it was so important. He tells us that they were for a “copy and shadow of heavenly things.” They showed the greatness of God, and foretold of His work in the future.
So let us not grow discouraged in following God’s design. All that we do is meant to be a copy and shadow of something better to come. And, if we are faithful to the pattern shown us on the mountain, people will see how great God is, even in the desert.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Taster of Death
If you have carefully followed my notes or blogs, you may have noticed that I write about death slightly more than the average person might; perhaps not always physical death, but spiritual death or the putting to death of our selves. The duality of death for the Christian fascinates me. It is a paradox. We once were dead, but if we die to ourselves we can live. And, if we crucify ourselves, we will share in Christ’s resurrection. And so, we really only know life if we die.
More thoughts of death and the Christian were aroused in my head as I was reading through the book of Hebrews. In verse nine of chapter two it says, “But we do see Him who was made a little lower than the angels, namely, Jesus because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Later in the same chapter it says that, by His death, Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death and He set free those imprisoned by the fear death brings.
It’s a beautiful image. Because Christ has died, we no longer have any reason to fear death. But the part that really stood out to me was when it said that Jesus tasted death for everyone. This called to mind an image of ancient winetasters, testing the king’s drink to make sure it contained no deadly poison. I’ve often thought that a wintaster’s job would not be one I would want. But that is, in many ways, what Christ became for us. I like to imagine Christ tasting death and then handing it to us as if to say, “This is fine. It won’t kill you.” Indeed, death no longer has any sting. Christ tasted it, He destroyed its power, and it’s a safe cup for us to drink.
More thoughts of death and the Christian were aroused in my head as I was reading through the book of Hebrews. In verse nine of chapter two it says, “But we do see Him who was made a little lower than the angels, namely, Jesus because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Later in the same chapter it says that, by His death, Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death and He set free those imprisoned by the fear death brings.
It’s a beautiful image. Because Christ has died, we no longer have any reason to fear death. But the part that really stood out to me was when it said that Jesus tasted death for everyone. This called to mind an image of ancient winetasters, testing the king’s drink to make sure it contained no deadly poison. I’ve often thought that a wintaster’s job would not be one I would want. But that is, in many ways, what Christ became for us. I like to imagine Christ tasting death and then handing it to us as if to say, “This is fine. It won’t kill you.” Indeed, death no longer has any sting. Christ tasted it, He destroyed its power, and it’s a safe cup for us to drink.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Ten Shekels and a Shirt (or Have Idol, will Travel)
There’s a story in Judges 17 and 18 that doesn’t get many sermons preached about it. After all, it is a little strange. In fact, the last five chapters of Judges are pretty weird. Try reading them sometime when you want some, uh… interesting stories. (Just a warning, these passages contain some of the more, shall we say, “disturbing” accounts in the scripture.)
It was the story in chapters 17 and 18 that really caught my attention though. It’s a little long, so hold on. It begins, as all good stories do, with a boy who stole from his mother… ya, a great opening, I know. His name was Micah, and he took eleven-hundred shekels of silver from his mother (that’s about 28 pounds). When he heard her put a curse on it, he decided to return it. To which she said, “Wow! You’re such a great son! I’m going to make this silver into an idol and give it back to you so that God will be happy with you!” I know, sounds like a great family, right?
Oh, but it gets better. A wandering priest shows up. No, this isn’t a bar joke. Micah figures, “hey, I’ve got an idol; if I get this Levite to be a priest for me, God will have to like me!” So he offers the Levite a new suit, food and lodging, and 4 ounces of silver a year to hang around and be his good luck charm.
Well, the Levite agreed. And he was happy to stick around doing his thing for a while. But then a clan of Danites pass through on their way to battle. They see Micah’s house with the idol and the priest and they think, “Here’s what we need right here. If we want to stay safe in battle, we need a little of the supernatural. This couldn’t hurt.”
So, they offer to let the Levite be their priest. He gladly accepts the promotion of serving 600 men instead of just one. Then they steal Micah’s idols and set out on their own. Naturally, Micah is upset so he goes after them. They tell him to back off and shut his mouth or they’ll get mad and kill him.
Anyway, Micah goes home with nothing, and the Danites wipe out a city, settle down there, and keep worshiping the idol that made the whole thing possible.
Whew! Finally got through that. Here’s the point. First of all, don’t steal from your mother. But mainly, this is what I would say: everyone in this story missed the point. They saw God as something they could manipulate into blessing them. They were just trying to get something from Him. And the Levite, worst of all, used his position as priest to move himself up the social ladder.
The point is simple: don’t try to use God for what you can get from Him. The end of all being is not the happiness of man but the glory of God. We were made to glorify Him, not indulge ourselves. This weird story is just another example of how messed up we are. So, don’t build an idol and constrain God to blessing you how you want, don’t go around looking for some way to get yourself ten shekels and a shirt, and don’t think that simply following religious practices will guarantee your success. God is not a means to an end. He is the goal. He is the prize. Having Him is enough.
It was the story in chapters 17 and 18 that really caught my attention though. It’s a little long, so hold on. It begins, as all good stories do, with a boy who stole from his mother… ya, a great opening, I know. His name was Micah, and he took eleven-hundred shekels of silver from his mother (that’s about 28 pounds). When he heard her put a curse on it, he decided to return it. To which she said, “Wow! You’re such a great son! I’m going to make this silver into an idol and give it back to you so that God will be happy with you!” I know, sounds like a great family, right?
Oh, but it gets better. A wandering priest shows up. No, this isn’t a bar joke. Micah figures, “hey, I’ve got an idol; if I get this Levite to be a priest for me, God will have to like me!” So he offers the Levite a new suit, food and lodging, and 4 ounces of silver a year to hang around and be his good luck charm.
Well, the Levite agreed. And he was happy to stick around doing his thing for a while. But then a clan of Danites pass through on their way to battle. They see Micah’s house with the idol and the priest and they think, “Here’s what we need right here. If we want to stay safe in battle, we need a little of the supernatural. This couldn’t hurt.”
So, they offer to let the Levite be their priest. He gladly accepts the promotion of serving 600 men instead of just one. Then they steal Micah’s idols and set out on their own. Naturally, Micah is upset so he goes after them. They tell him to back off and shut his mouth or they’ll get mad and kill him.
Anyway, Micah goes home with nothing, and the Danites wipe out a city, settle down there, and keep worshiping the idol that made the whole thing possible.
Whew! Finally got through that. Here’s the point. First of all, don’t steal from your mother. But mainly, this is what I would say: everyone in this story missed the point. They saw God as something they could manipulate into blessing them. They were just trying to get something from Him. And the Levite, worst of all, used his position as priest to move himself up the social ladder.
The point is simple: don’t try to use God for what you can get from Him. The end of all being is not the happiness of man but the glory of God. We were made to glorify Him, not indulge ourselves. This weird story is just another example of how messed up we are. So, don’t build an idol and constrain God to blessing you how you want, don’t go around looking for some way to get yourself ten shekels and a shirt, and don’t think that simply following religious practices will guarantee your success. God is not a means to an end. He is the goal. He is the prize. Having Him is enough.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Greater Things
Oh, what a year can do! It was a mere 365 days ago that I was in Cleveland, doing mission work, happy but struggling. It was then that we sang Chris Tomlin’s “God of this City,” boldly proclaiming “There is no one like our God! Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done…”
But what was to come would shake my world.
It was one year ago today that I wrote in my journal, asking God to keep me awake at night and fill me with passion for a cause. The only problem was that I was giving up the gifts He had given me for what I thought I needed.
Well, He found a way to keep me awake at night.
It was two days later that Amanda broke up with me. Many of you may not know, but we were dating pretty seriously, and the break up came as quite a shock. That day changed the course of all I had planned in my life. But God was working for Greater Things.
A few days later, I wrote in my journal that this was the hardest thing I had ever been through. But I also wrote that I knew it was, thus, the greatest opportunity for growth. And it was.
I don’t mean to sound like I’m gloating, but God has done so many amazing things since that day. There truly were greater things to come for me. He has blessed me with great friends and family; He has given me the opportunity to serve Him in a way I never thought I would a year ago; He has blessed me with an amazing girlfriend who is better than I could hope for; and, most importantly, He has given me a better understanding of His Life and His Purpose for mine.
That doesn’t mean the hurt wasn’t hard, or that it was wasn’t lasting. Even as long after the break up as January, I was still writing about it in my journal, though it was more of a side note. It was then that I said, “I really haven’t felt like myself since Amanda broke up with me, but I believe I am becoming myself.”
My life looks infinitely different than I expected it to a year ago. But one thing I have learned through all the change and pain and misdirection: there is no one like our God, and greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done. I’m excited to see how God will blow my plans out of the water in the next year.
But what was to come would shake my world.
It was one year ago today that I wrote in my journal, asking God to keep me awake at night and fill me with passion for a cause. The only problem was that I was giving up the gifts He had given me for what I thought I needed.
Well, He found a way to keep me awake at night.
It was two days later that Amanda broke up with me. Many of you may not know, but we were dating pretty seriously, and the break up came as quite a shock. That day changed the course of all I had planned in my life. But God was working for Greater Things.
A few days later, I wrote in my journal that this was the hardest thing I had ever been through. But I also wrote that I knew it was, thus, the greatest opportunity for growth. And it was.
I don’t mean to sound like I’m gloating, but God has done so many amazing things since that day. There truly were greater things to come for me. He has blessed me with great friends and family; He has given me the opportunity to serve Him in a way I never thought I would a year ago; He has blessed me with an amazing girlfriend who is better than I could hope for; and, most importantly, He has given me a better understanding of His Life and His Purpose for mine.
That doesn’t mean the hurt wasn’t hard, or that it was wasn’t lasting. Even as long after the break up as January, I was still writing about it in my journal, though it was more of a side note. It was then that I said, “I really haven’t felt like myself since Amanda broke up with me, but I believe I am becoming myself.”
My life looks infinitely different than I expected it to a year ago. But one thing I have learned through all the change and pain and misdirection: there is no one like our God, and greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done. I’m excited to see how God will blow my plans out of the water in the next year.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
In my family we have a running joke about noisy kids. We laugh about getting them to go to sleep by giving them “purple Kool-Aid” which, of course, is actually Nyquil. Now, before any of you go calling family services, we don’t actually carry out this practice; it is strictly a joke.
There is, however, a more sinister nature to everyone’s favorite fruit-flavored drink. We’ve all heard of cults that use the drink to deliver drugs to their members, either to make them easier to manipulate or as a means of mass suicide. By now, most rational adults know that if you are at a large compound in the middle of the New Mexico desert and the leader claims that UFOs are riding a comet to take us home to Jesus, you shouldn’t drink the Kool-Aid.
So, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Whew, crisis averted.
But what about all the other poisons we drink in? And no, I’m not talking about the nationwide plot to put nicotine in Coca-Cola to make it more addicting. I’m not even preaching against the dangers of alcohol.
No, the poison I’m talking about is all the things we drink from the cult of culture. Things like, “You are all that matters.” “Follow your heart.” “You can be whatever you want; just put your mind to it.” “The government can fix your problems.” “Science can fix your problems.” “Religion can fix your problems.” There are countless others, and I could go on listing them for pages. However, it is much easier to simply tell you the truth.
The truth is: If you want any hope or any fulfillment, God is the only place. We look so often to what the world has to offer; but at best it is water that will cause us to thirst again and at worst it is poison that puts us under their control and kills us.
Jesus said He is the living water that would satisfy us so we will never thirst again. He poured Himself out. Be satisfied in Him. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
There is, however, a more sinister nature to everyone’s favorite fruit-flavored drink. We’ve all heard of cults that use the drink to deliver drugs to their members, either to make them easier to manipulate or as a means of mass suicide. By now, most rational adults know that if you are at a large compound in the middle of the New Mexico desert and the leader claims that UFOs are riding a comet to take us home to Jesus, you shouldn’t drink the Kool-Aid.
So, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Whew, crisis averted.
But what about all the other poisons we drink in? And no, I’m not talking about the nationwide plot to put nicotine in Coca-Cola to make it more addicting. I’m not even preaching against the dangers of alcohol.
No, the poison I’m talking about is all the things we drink from the cult of culture. Things like, “You are all that matters.” “Follow your heart.” “You can be whatever you want; just put your mind to it.” “The government can fix your problems.” “Science can fix your problems.” “Religion can fix your problems.” There are countless others, and I could go on listing them for pages. However, it is much easier to simply tell you the truth.
The truth is: If you want any hope or any fulfillment, God is the only place. We look so often to what the world has to offer; but at best it is water that will cause us to thirst again and at worst it is poison that puts us under their control and kills us.
Jesus said He is the living water that would satisfy us so we will never thirst again. He poured Himself out. Be satisfied in Him. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Bats Frighten Me...
I think I may spend too much time being entertained. I like reading, watching television, and indulging in a good movie. Every once in a while, however, they are actually worth my time. Sometimes, something from a movie will strike a chord that resounds in the essence of my being. That is what defines a good movie for me. It may be cheaply made with poor acting and no special effects, but if its message can awaken a glimpse of the eternal, it has been well worth it. One such movie came out a few years ago, though it also had the benefit of exceptional acting and a large budget. That movie was Batman Begins.
The movie was absolutely brilliant. Its theme, plot, and tone were amazing; and there are many things I could point out from its storyline. However, I will concentrate on only one small portion: my favorite line in the movie. The character of Bruce Wayne is beginning his transformation into Batman when Alfred asks him, “Why bats, Master Wayne?” Bruce coolly responds, “Well, Alfred, bats frighten me; and it’s time my enemies shared in my dread.”
The thought of shaping your life around the very thing you fear the most was something that stuck in my mind. I have often thought that the thing we fear most is often the very thing that could be our greatest weapon. I can see this in my own life and where God has called me.
God has, for some reason, seen fit to call me as a preacher, a task that I never thought I could do. I preached my first sermon when I was seventeen, and it scared me to death; public speaking was, perhaps, my greatest fear. I am still nervous every time I get in front of people, but by God’s grace I am strengthened in faith to give glory to Him. As I am continuing in obedience to God’s call, I see more and more how little my fears really mean. And now I see that Satan will often assault us with fear to keep us from doing the very thing that is the greatest threat to him. So, by that reasoning, the things that God calls us to that we fear most are the things that do the greatest damage to Satan because they are the things that will most glorify God.
So, why preaching? First, because God called me to do it. Second, because it frightens me, and it is time for Satan to share my dread. And by God’s strength, though I am still frightened when I have to preach, the devil is far more frightened when I preach.
So, what frightens you? And how will you use it to strike fear into your Enemy?
The movie was absolutely brilliant. Its theme, plot, and tone were amazing; and there are many things I could point out from its storyline. However, I will concentrate on only one small portion: my favorite line in the movie. The character of Bruce Wayne is beginning his transformation into Batman when Alfred asks him, “Why bats, Master Wayne?” Bruce coolly responds, “Well, Alfred, bats frighten me; and it’s time my enemies shared in my dread.”
The thought of shaping your life around the very thing you fear the most was something that stuck in my mind. I have often thought that the thing we fear most is often the very thing that could be our greatest weapon. I can see this in my own life and where God has called me.
God has, for some reason, seen fit to call me as a preacher, a task that I never thought I could do. I preached my first sermon when I was seventeen, and it scared me to death; public speaking was, perhaps, my greatest fear. I am still nervous every time I get in front of people, but by God’s grace I am strengthened in faith to give glory to Him. As I am continuing in obedience to God’s call, I see more and more how little my fears really mean. And now I see that Satan will often assault us with fear to keep us from doing the very thing that is the greatest threat to him. So, by that reasoning, the things that God calls us to that we fear most are the things that do the greatest damage to Satan because they are the things that will most glorify God.
So, why preaching? First, because God called me to do it. Second, because it frightens me, and it is time for Satan to share my dread. And by God’s strength, though I am still frightened when I have to preach, the devil is far more frightened when I preach.
So, what frightens you? And how will you use it to strike fear into your Enemy?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Manipulating the Plot
In literature there is a thing known as plot manipulation. This is a method some bad writers will use to resolve conflict in their plots. They build the tension, working toward the climax, and just when it seems that there is no hope for the hero…bam! The gun jams, the villain trips, a random passerby sees what is happening, something falls from the sky, lightning strikes. You get the idea. In short, some force outside the story steps in to mix things up.
In literature this is a bad thing; it shows a lack of creativity. But in the scripture, this is one of the greatest themes of God’s grace. Ephesians chapter two is a prime example. Paul begins the chapter by depicting our lives before Christ. He describes how we were dead in trespasses, living like the devil, following our lusts, and the children of wrath. Then comes verse four, and the two words that will change everything…
“But God…”
Bam! The outside Force has stepped in. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…”
Our story was hopeless. But God intervened in a way that no one could have predicted. And it is the most amazing thing we could have imagined. In the story of our lives, there was no hope of a happy ending. So this is one case of plot manipulation that we should embrace with hearts full of gratitude.
In literature this is a bad thing; it shows a lack of creativity. But in the scripture, this is one of the greatest themes of God’s grace. Ephesians chapter two is a prime example. Paul begins the chapter by depicting our lives before Christ. He describes how we were dead in trespasses, living like the devil, following our lusts, and the children of wrath. Then comes verse four, and the two words that will change everything…
“But God…”
Bam! The outside Force has stepped in. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…”
Our story was hopeless. But God intervened in a way that no one could have predicted. And it is the most amazing thing we could have imagined. In the story of our lives, there was no hope of a happy ending. So this is one case of plot manipulation that we should embrace with hearts full of gratitude.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Render Unto God
When I was younger we once went on a vacation out West. I may have forgotten a lot about it, but I do remember one thing. I remember setting pennies on a railroad track and waiting for the train to come by and smash them. I still have those pennies and I take them out to look at them sometimes. The thing about them is that they are no longer usable as money, even though you can still tell that they were once pennies. On some of them you can even still make out the profile of Abe Lincoln, stretched and distorted as it may be.
Many of you will probably wonder how I made the connection, but this reminds of a verse in the Gospel of Luke. In chapter 20 some of the religious leaders sought to catch Jesus in a trap. Once again, they thought they had Him pinned. They asked Him whether or not they should pay taxes to Caesar. If He said “no” they had Him for rebelling against the government. If He said “yes” then most of His followers would abandon Him because they hated the Romans and their oppressive rule.
Jesus did not answer right away; He simply asked for a coin. He held it up and asked, “Whose image is this?” Of course the people knew that the image on the coin was Caesar. Jesus answered them, “Render, then, unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
What I love about Christ’s answer was that He did not only spoil the trap that was set for Him but He also spoke a powerful message. Though we may be twisted and smashed, just like those pennies I mentioned, we still bear the image of God. Yes, we have been distorted by sin, but His fingerprints are still evident on our souls. Perhaps we are a little hard to recognize, and perhaps we cannot be fully used as we once could; but He would still have us. And, though we rightfully belong to Him, we would try to hold ourselves back from His possession. Jesus clearly commanded, “Render unto God the things that are God’s. Give Him what bears His image. Offer yourself to Him. Render unto God the very essence of your being.”
Many of you will probably wonder how I made the connection, but this reminds of a verse in the Gospel of Luke. In chapter 20 some of the religious leaders sought to catch Jesus in a trap. Once again, they thought they had Him pinned. They asked Him whether or not they should pay taxes to Caesar. If He said “no” they had Him for rebelling against the government. If He said “yes” then most of His followers would abandon Him because they hated the Romans and their oppressive rule.
Jesus did not answer right away; He simply asked for a coin. He held it up and asked, “Whose image is this?” Of course the people knew that the image on the coin was Caesar. Jesus answered them, “Render, then, unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
What I love about Christ’s answer was that He did not only spoil the trap that was set for Him but He also spoke a powerful message. Though we may be twisted and smashed, just like those pennies I mentioned, we still bear the image of God. Yes, we have been distorted by sin, but His fingerprints are still evident on our souls. Perhaps we are a little hard to recognize, and perhaps we cannot be fully used as we once could; but He would still have us. And, though we rightfully belong to Him, we would try to hold ourselves back from His possession. Jesus clearly commanded, “Render unto God the things that are God’s. Give Him what bears His image. Offer yourself to Him. Render unto God the very essence of your being.”
The Devil's Nightmare
Satan awoke in a sweat one night
His spirit quivering, dumb with fright
A dream it was that had so vexed him
Its grim, dark fear greatly perplexed him
He called his advisor to ease his head
The advisor sat next to the devil’s bed
And he consoled the Accuser with the words he said
“Fear not, my lord, it was but a dream;
Things are not so bad as they would seem.
Yes, the Church remains alive.
But, lest it change, it shall not thrive.
They hide their flaws, they don’t confess,
They cover up their rotten mess.
They sit in pews on Sunday morning,
But that is all they care for learning.
They see suffering but will not stop it;
They’re too concerned with the building’s carpet.
They are content with one another,
So they welcome to themselves no others.
They quarrel over petty trifles.
They seek decisions, not disciples.
The world is dying outside their walls,
And they are building ‘fellowship halls.’
So sleep in peace, my lord, I say.
Our cause will live another day.
The Church is not a fearful thing,
But only slightly troubling.”
So the fallen angel’s mind was eased
And, in fact, he now was rather pleased
He slept sound again within the hour
Dreaming of whom he may devour
So all was well in Hades’ deep
The devil got a good night’s sleep
And that, o Church, should make you weep
P.S. If you enjoyed this poem, you should check out the rest of my poetry at http://soaringflames.blogspot.com/
His spirit quivering, dumb with fright
A dream it was that had so vexed him
Its grim, dark fear greatly perplexed him
He called his advisor to ease his head
The advisor sat next to the devil’s bed
And he consoled the Accuser with the words he said
“Fear not, my lord, it was but a dream;
Things are not so bad as they would seem.
Yes, the Church remains alive.
But, lest it change, it shall not thrive.
They hide their flaws, they don’t confess,
They cover up their rotten mess.
They sit in pews on Sunday morning,
But that is all they care for learning.
They see suffering but will not stop it;
They’re too concerned with the building’s carpet.
They are content with one another,
So they welcome to themselves no others.
They quarrel over petty trifles.
They seek decisions, not disciples.
The world is dying outside their walls,
And they are building ‘fellowship halls.’
So sleep in peace, my lord, I say.
Our cause will live another day.
The Church is not a fearful thing,
But only slightly troubling.”
So the fallen angel’s mind was eased
And, in fact, he now was rather pleased
He slept sound again within the hour
Dreaming of whom he may devour
So all was well in Hades’ deep
The devil got a good night’s sleep
And that, o Church, should make you weep
P.S. If you enjoyed this poem, you should check out the rest of my poetry at http://soaringflames.blogspot.com/
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Faith like Charlie Brown's
We all remember that round-headed kid with the zig-zag shirt who everyone said was “the charlie-browniest” person in the world. Well, those people never met me. I still maintain that I am charlie-brownier than even old Chuck himself.
Granted, I may have a little more athletic ability and I may be a little better at school, but we do have many similarities. We both enjoy the simple things. We are both a little shy. We both tend to fly under the radar of society. We both often face feelings of depression. We both have a thing for redheads. And we both spend a great amount of time staring into space and pondering the questions of life.
I was reminded of my bond with this lovable cartoon character just recently when I stumbled upon a quote from the comic. In it, Charlie Brown said, “In the book of life, the answers are not in the back.” This struck me as very profound. In life you can’t just flip to the last page and find out what will happen. You can’t even check in the back to see if your calculations are even close. You just have to take it one page at a time.
This is often frightening to some people, including myself. And it reminds me of the time Linus said, “I believe that there is no problem so big or so overwhelming that I cannot run away from it.” That would be the attitude of many of us, but Charlie Brown had a different viewpoint. It didn’t matter to him how many times the football got pulled away; he was still determined to kick it clear to the moon. And it didn’t matter how many of his kites crashed to the ground or got murdered by the kite-eating tree, he was determined that one would fly. He took it all one page at a time.
The Bible reminds us of this as well. Proverbs 17:24 says, “Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.” The answer to life is not on the back page or in some distant place or even at a 5 cent psychiatrist’s stand; it is right in front of your eyes. God doesn’t send us on wild goose chases to find His will. He is right next to us, guiding our every step; and He never pulls the football away. I just hope I can have the faith to follow, even if I fall flat on my back and kill myself.
Granted, I may have a little more athletic ability and I may be a little better at school, but we do have many similarities. We both enjoy the simple things. We are both a little shy. We both tend to fly under the radar of society. We both often face feelings of depression. We both have a thing for redheads. And we both spend a great amount of time staring into space and pondering the questions of life.
I was reminded of my bond with this lovable cartoon character just recently when I stumbled upon a quote from the comic. In it, Charlie Brown said, “In the book of life, the answers are not in the back.” This struck me as very profound. In life you can’t just flip to the last page and find out what will happen. You can’t even check in the back to see if your calculations are even close. You just have to take it one page at a time.
This is often frightening to some people, including myself. And it reminds me of the time Linus said, “I believe that there is no problem so big or so overwhelming that I cannot run away from it.” That would be the attitude of many of us, but Charlie Brown had a different viewpoint. It didn’t matter to him how many times the football got pulled away; he was still determined to kick it clear to the moon. And it didn’t matter how many of his kites crashed to the ground or got murdered by the kite-eating tree, he was determined that one would fly. He took it all one page at a time.
The Bible reminds us of this as well. Proverbs 17:24 says, “Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.” The answer to life is not on the back page or in some distant place or even at a 5 cent psychiatrist’s stand; it is right in front of your eyes. God doesn’t send us on wild goose chases to find His will. He is right next to us, guiding our every step; and He never pulls the football away. I just hope I can have the faith to follow, even if I fall flat on my back and kill myself.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Of Short Stature
Zacchaeus was a wee, little man… Actually, what the Bible says is that he was of short stature. But he had a desire. Luke 19:2-10 tells his story.
Verse three says that Zacchaeus “sought to see who Jesus was.” That statement alone is surprising; in a place where everyone was seeking Jesus to see what He could do for them, this tax collector wanted to see who He was. Unfortunately, seeing Jesus is often easier said than done.
Two things stood in the way of Zacchaeus; first was the crowd, second was his own lack of physical prowess. But we must admire his dedication; for he would not let those things stand in his way. You all know the story, he climbed a tree in order to catch a glimpse of a Savior; Jesus looked and saw Zacchaeus and He called out to him.
I must say that, as I read this story recently, I was newly inspired by what it contained. First, I wondered why it was that I was seeking Jesus. Was it to ask Him for favors? Miracles? Or, do I seek Him to find a relationship with Him? To see who He is? Do I love my God for what He has done and how He blesses me, or do I love Him because of who He is? Secondly, I took stock of all the things that I allow to keep me from getting to Him.
Zacchaeus had a world of reasons to not see Jesus. There were obstacles between him and Christ. There was a crowd that he could not push through or get around, an impenetrable wall. And he had his own share of shortcomings as well. His physical height was not sufficient to get a look at Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, there are many things that come between me and my Lord. I have my own shortcomings that make it impossible for me to get to see Him. But, the greatest question I must ask myself is whether or not I will be as persistent as Zacchaeus. Will I seek out any and all means to see Jesus? Will I do whatever it takes to know who He is? If I do, I know it won’t be a result of anything within myself. I’m much too short for that.
Verse three says that Zacchaeus “sought to see who Jesus was.” That statement alone is surprising; in a place where everyone was seeking Jesus to see what He could do for them, this tax collector wanted to see who He was. Unfortunately, seeing Jesus is often easier said than done.
Two things stood in the way of Zacchaeus; first was the crowd, second was his own lack of physical prowess. But we must admire his dedication; for he would not let those things stand in his way. You all know the story, he climbed a tree in order to catch a glimpse of a Savior; Jesus looked and saw Zacchaeus and He called out to him.
I must say that, as I read this story recently, I was newly inspired by what it contained. First, I wondered why it was that I was seeking Jesus. Was it to ask Him for favors? Miracles? Or, do I seek Him to find a relationship with Him? To see who He is? Do I love my God for what He has done and how He blesses me, or do I love Him because of who He is? Secondly, I took stock of all the things that I allow to keep me from getting to Him.
Zacchaeus had a world of reasons to not see Jesus. There were obstacles between him and Christ. There was a crowd that he could not push through or get around, an impenetrable wall. And he had his own share of shortcomings as well. His physical height was not sufficient to get a look at Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, there are many things that come between me and my Lord. I have my own shortcomings that make it impossible for me to get to see Him. But, the greatest question I must ask myself is whether or not I will be as persistent as Zacchaeus. Will I seek out any and all means to see Jesus? Will I do whatever it takes to know who He is? If I do, I know it won’t be a result of anything within myself. I’m much too short for that.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
For the Love of Swine
I often marvel at the human capacity to continually mistrust the things God does. I have found myself there many times and I have seen others do the same thing. Yet, it still confounds me. As I was reading through the Gospel of Luke I found a story that made this point in a very poignant way.
The story is one that is fairly familiar to most of us who have frequented Sunday school, and it is found in Luke 8:26-37. Here Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee into a land inhabited by Gentiles, and He is welcomed first by a man possessed by a legion of demons. Christ’s conversation with the demon is, in itself, very interesting, but it is not important to my point. It is enough to say that Jesus cast the unclean spirits out of the man and into a herd of swine. The swine then ran down into the sea and drowned.
The people of the nearby town heard of this and they ran out to see. They found the man there, who had been possessed. He was sitting silently, now in his right mind. They were amazed at his transformation, but they did not react as we might expect. Rather than praising God or worshipping, verse 37 says, “Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region… asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.”
Why would they ask Him to leave? The Bible says they were afraid. But of what? Afraid that He may heal more of them? Could it be that they were afraid of what they would lose? Could it be that these people were more concerned about losing a herd of pigs than they were about this man being made whole? Surely people cannot be so materialistic… can we?
How many times in our lives have we told God to leave us alone because of what we may have to give up? We may not say those words. We would never come right out and say we want Him to depart, but our actions say it even more clearly. We cannot let go of the swine that God’s work may cast into the sea. Why can we not praise Him for the spirits He sets free? We hoard to ourselves pointless, dirty things that would ruin us. And then we are angry when He removes them. I guess we may be more like pigherders than we suspected.
The story is one that is fairly familiar to most of us who have frequented Sunday school, and it is found in Luke 8:26-37. Here Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee into a land inhabited by Gentiles, and He is welcomed first by a man possessed by a legion of demons. Christ’s conversation with the demon is, in itself, very interesting, but it is not important to my point. It is enough to say that Jesus cast the unclean spirits out of the man and into a herd of swine. The swine then ran down into the sea and drowned.
The people of the nearby town heard of this and they ran out to see. They found the man there, who had been possessed. He was sitting silently, now in his right mind. They were amazed at his transformation, but they did not react as we might expect. Rather than praising God or worshipping, verse 37 says, “Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region… asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.”
Why would they ask Him to leave? The Bible says they were afraid. But of what? Afraid that He may heal more of them? Could it be that they were afraid of what they would lose? Could it be that these people were more concerned about losing a herd of pigs than they were about this man being made whole? Surely people cannot be so materialistic… can we?
How many times in our lives have we told God to leave us alone because of what we may have to give up? We may not say those words. We would never come right out and say we want Him to depart, but our actions say it even more clearly. We cannot let go of the swine that God’s work may cast into the sea. Why can we not praise Him for the spirits He sets free? We hoard to ourselves pointless, dirty things that would ruin us. And then we are angry when He removes them. I guess we may be more like pigherders than we suspected.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Idle Tales
I have recently been reading through the gospel of Luke. It's a book I haven't read in a while, and I came across several stimulating thoughts. Interestingly, the first one I will write about comes from the last chapter. Hopefully I will post some other thoughts soon, but I will start with this.
In Luke 24 Jesus has been crucified and all his disciples are gathered in a room. Some of the women have gone to the tomb to finish the embalming process, but when they get there, they find the tomb empty. An angel appears to them and tells them that Jesus has risen.
The women ran back to the disciples and told them all that had happened. And then, the Bible gives us this verse: verse eleven. It says, "And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them."
Here was the greatest miracle of all time, and Christ's followers dismissed it as a bedtime story!
This made me stop and think. How many works of God have I ignored as idle tales? How many times have I not believed something is from God because it was too fantastical?
God is in the business of doing the unbelievable. And He wants us to do the same.
I don't want to be frozen is disbelief when God does something I cannot imagine. We should not even be surprised when He blows our minds. Why is it so hard to believe that He will do the unbelievable? Why can't we trust that He does not write idle tales?
In Luke 24 Jesus has been crucified and all his disciples are gathered in a room. Some of the women have gone to the tomb to finish the embalming process, but when they get there, they find the tomb empty. An angel appears to them and tells them that Jesus has risen.
The women ran back to the disciples and told them all that had happened. And then, the Bible gives us this verse: verse eleven. It says, "And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them."
Here was the greatest miracle of all time, and Christ's followers dismissed it as a bedtime story!
This made me stop and think. How many works of God have I ignored as idle tales? How many times have I not believed something is from God because it was too fantastical?
God is in the business of doing the unbelievable. And He wants us to do the same.
I don't want to be frozen is disbelief when God does something I cannot imagine. We should not even be surprised when He blows our minds. Why is it so hard to believe that He will do the unbelievable? Why can't we trust that He does not write idle tales?
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