Recently newspapers carried the story of two women who had the same first, middle and last name, were born on the same day, and had the same Social Security number! It took a while to straighten out the mix-up with the Internal Revenue Service. Both had a father named Robert, both had studied cosmetology, both worked as bookkeepers and both had children ages 21 and 19. Finally they convinced the government that Patricia Ann Campbell of Oregon was not the same person as Patricia Ann Campbell of Colorado.
It is reassuring to remember that God knows us personally and intimately. If the very hairs of our heads are numbered, then God needs neither name nor Social security number to know us; to know who we are and where we are and what we are!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Temptation of Jesus
Temptation of Jesus; His teachings; healings; the miraculous catch of fish; other miracles; the call of Matthew
Some think they can worship God just as well while on the lake fishing or at home resting as they can in church. In contrast, Jesus recognized the need to honor God by regularly attending worship services. We read that He taught in their synagogues while in Galilee (Luke 4:15). And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day (4:16). Jesus was invited to speak, And there was delivered to Him the Book of the prophet Isaiah. And . . . He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. . . . And He closed the Book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down (4:17-20; Isaiah 61:1-2).
The Scripture Jesus read contained a clear mention of all three Persons of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit, the Father, and the Anointed One.
The people were amazed, And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say to them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears (Luke 4:20-21). They marveled at His gracious words (4:22), but knew He clearly referred to Himself as the Messiah who had been foretold by Isaiah and other prophets, beginning with Genesis 3:15. You can imagine how startled they were when Jesus said that He whom they assumed to be the son of Joseph (Luke 3:23) was really their long-awaited Messiah.
The congregation listening to Jesus was so infuriated at His equating Himself with God that they disrupted the worship service, seized Jesus, and attempted to push Him over a rocky precipice and put Him to death for blasphemy But He passing through the midst of them went His way (4:28-30). Luke emphasized that Christ is God (the Messiah).
How easy it is to be mistaken when we follow emotions rather than the truth revealed in God's Word! In contrast to the Jews of Nazareth, the Jews in Berea later received the Word with all readiness of mind, for they searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).
Some think they can worship God just as well while on the lake fishing or at home resting as they can in church. In contrast, Jesus recognized the need to honor God by regularly attending worship services. We read that He taught in their synagogues while in Galilee (Luke 4:15). And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day (4:16). Jesus was invited to speak, And there was delivered to Him the Book of the prophet Isaiah. And . . . He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. . . . And He closed the Book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down (4:17-20; Isaiah 61:1-2).
The Scripture Jesus read contained a clear mention of all three Persons of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit, the Father, and the Anointed One.
The people were amazed, And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say to them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears (Luke 4:20-21). They marveled at His gracious words (4:22), but knew He clearly referred to Himself as the Messiah who had been foretold by Isaiah and other prophets, beginning with Genesis 3:15. You can imagine how startled they were when Jesus said that He whom they assumed to be the son of Joseph (Luke 3:23) was really their long-awaited Messiah.
The congregation listening to Jesus was so infuriated at His equating Himself with God that they disrupted the worship service, seized Jesus, and attempted to push Him over a rocky precipice and put Him to death for blasphemy But He passing through the midst of them went His way (4:28-30). Luke emphasized that Christ is God (the Messiah).
How easy it is to be mistaken when we follow emotions rather than the truth revealed in God's Word! In contrast to the Jews of Nazareth, the Jews in Berea later received the Word with all readiness of mind, for they searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Promises... with a Prerequisite
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
Without question, Psalm 91 is a real gem among the psalms. Next to Psalm 23, it probably has brought more encouragement and comfort throughout the centuries than any other psalm.
But it is worth noting that the blessings promised in Psalm 91 are not for just anyone. They are specifically given to believers not just to believers in general, but to believers who specifically meet the requirements found in it. Psalm 91 is full of conditional promises. That is, God promises to do certain things for us, hinging on our doing certain things that are required of us.
Verse 1 begins, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High. . . .” The word “dwells” could be translated, “quiet and resting, enduring and remaining with consistency.” It is very similar to the word “abide,” which we see often in the New Testament. Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5). That word “abide” means, “to stay in a given place, to maintain unbroken fellowship and communion with another.”
Here’s what God is saying: If you want to experience the promises of Psalm 91, of My protection, of My provision, of My blessing, you must dwell in the secret place of the Most High. You must remain in constant fellowship with Me.”
We have relationship with God because we have put our faith in Jesus Christ and have turned from our sin. But are we living in constant fellowship with God? Many believers are not.
God is interested in a relationship with you not just on Sundays, but throughout the week. He wants you to dwell in the secret place of the Most High
Psalm 91:1
Without question, Psalm 91 is a real gem among the psalms. Next to Psalm 23, it probably has brought more encouragement and comfort throughout the centuries than any other psalm.
But it is worth noting that the blessings promised in Psalm 91 are not for just anyone. They are specifically given to believers not just to believers in general, but to believers who specifically meet the requirements found in it. Psalm 91 is full of conditional promises. That is, God promises to do certain things for us, hinging on our doing certain things that are required of us.
Verse 1 begins, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High. . . .” The word “dwells” could be translated, “quiet and resting, enduring and remaining with consistency.” It is very similar to the word “abide,” which we see often in the New Testament. Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5). That word “abide” means, “to stay in a given place, to maintain unbroken fellowship and communion with another.”
Here’s what God is saying: If you want to experience the promises of Psalm 91, of My protection, of My provision, of My blessing, you must dwell in the secret place of the Most High. You must remain in constant fellowship with Me.”
We have relationship with God because we have put our faith in Jesus Christ and have turned from our sin. But are we living in constant fellowship with God? Many believers are not.
God is interested in a relationship with you not just on Sundays, but throughout the week. He wants you to dwell in the secret place of the Most High
Psalms 91 King James Version
1.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3.
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6.
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8.
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9.
If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the Lord, who is my refuge--
10.
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12.
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14.
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3.
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6.
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8.
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9.
If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the Lord, who is my refuge--
10.
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12.
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14.
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Twice in One Day
Luke 15:20-32
We read the story of the prodigal son like re-reading an old love letter we already know by heart. In our listening we first paid attention to the saga of the son who went away, did bad things, and came home desperate. Along the way we began to discover the part about the Elder Brother. It dawned on us that sometimes we church members were uncomfortably like this brother in the objective mood who did not know how to celebrate and enjoy his religion.
More recently scholars urge us to discover that the parable is more about the father, the main character who shows up in both chapters of the story. After all, the very first words of the parable are “a certain man had two sons.” Scholars invite us to see the loving father or the waiting father or perhaps the forgiving father. Why not take a clue from them and pay more attention to the father in the story but with an angle?
One day while going over this beloved story I put two things together I never had. When it first hit me my admiration for the father in the story soared. This father, on the very same day, reached out to both of his sons with a fistful of grace and love for each of them.
This father loved both of his sons! God loves disreputable sinners and reputable sinners. Our appreciation of God expands exponentially. So many sermons lately appeal to our selfish desires. If you are up for it, why don’t we say a good word about God this time. Let’s get started.
First Movement: Going Out to the Prodigal (Luke 15:20a-24).
He was last seen in a pigsty, smelly and dirty. See his mangled hair unwashed and matted, his slept-in clothes, no shower or hair dryer. He must have looked like a tramp when he showed up at the old home place. For the second time in the story the word “far” is used, the first time to describe the distant place where the young man wanted to go. This time the waiting father sees his lost boy feared dead while he was still a distance from the house. The father, overtaken by strong feelings of compassion, started running, throwing dignity to the wind.
Strikingly and meaningfully the great artists single out the warm embrace of this singular father, throwing his arms around his returning son. The great painter Rembrandt toiled over his painting, “The Return of the Prodigal,” found nearly finished in his studio when he died. Rembrandt pictures the expressive hands of the father tenderly touching his son’s shoulders, perhaps one hand more feminine, the other more masculine. These hands do not clutch in oppression. Rather these kingly hands accept and understand.
The chapel at Montreat, North Carolina features a mural on the front wall celebrating this moment when the father welcomes his son home. The mural manages to catch the large cast of players. The great sculptor Rodin also singled out this embrace of grace through his considerable skills with stone. The English painter Millais, author of very many paintings of parables, gives us his interpretation with a certain simplicity and more emotion. We feel the warmth of the father on his knees hugging.
We read the story of the prodigal son like re-reading an old love letter we already know by heart. In our listening we first paid attention to the saga of the son who went away, did bad things, and came home desperate. Along the way we began to discover the part about the Elder Brother. It dawned on us that sometimes we church members were uncomfortably like this brother in the objective mood who did not know how to celebrate and enjoy his religion.
More recently scholars urge us to discover that the parable is more about the father, the main character who shows up in both chapters of the story. After all, the very first words of the parable are “a certain man had two sons.” Scholars invite us to see the loving father or the waiting father or perhaps the forgiving father. Why not take a clue from them and pay more attention to the father in the story but with an angle?
One day while going over this beloved story I put two things together I never had. When it first hit me my admiration for the father in the story soared. This father, on the very same day, reached out to both of his sons with a fistful of grace and love for each of them.
This father loved both of his sons! God loves disreputable sinners and reputable sinners. Our appreciation of God expands exponentially. So many sermons lately appeal to our selfish desires. If you are up for it, why don’t we say a good word about God this time. Let’s get started.
First Movement: Going Out to the Prodigal (Luke 15:20a-24).
He was last seen in a pigsty, smelly and dirty. See his mangled hair unwashed and matted, his slept-in clothes, no shower or hair dryer. He must have looked like a tramp when he showed up at the old home place. For the second time in the story the word “far” is used, the first time to describe the distant place where the young man wanted to go. This time the waiting father sees his lost boy feared dead while he was still a distance from the house. The father, overtaken by strong feelings of compassion, started running, throwing dignity to the wind.
Strikingly and meaningfully the great artists single out the warm embrace of this singular father, throwing his arms around his returning son. The great painter Rembrandt toiled over his painting, “The Return of the Prodigal,” found nearly finished in his studio when he died. Rembrandt pictures the expressive hands of the father tenderly touching his son’s shoulders, perhaps one hand more feminine, the other more masculine. These hands do not clutch in oppression. Rather these kingly hands accept and understand.
The chapel at Montreat, North Carolina features a mural on the front wall celebrating this moment when the father welcomes his son home. The mural manages to catch the large cast of players. The great sculptor Rodin also singled out this embrace of grace through his considerable skills with stone. The English painter Millais, author of very many paintings of parables, gives us his interpretation with a certain simplicity and more emotion. We feel the warmth of the father on his knees hugging.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
GRANDMA'S HANDS
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't Move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down Beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I Wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but Wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK.She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you For asking," she said in a clear strong voice."I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandma, but you were just sitting here Staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained To her."Have you ever looked at your hands?" she ?asked. "I mean really looked at Your hands?" I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned Them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really Looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.Grandma smiled and related the following story:"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years."These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I Have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced And caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put Food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to Fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.
"They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.!
"They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
"They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my Parents and spouse. They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have Covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my Body."They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this Day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold Me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and Take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side And there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."I will never look at my hands the same again. God reached out and took my Grandma's' hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children , I think of Grandma. I know she Has been held by the hands of God. And I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
"They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.!
"They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
"They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my Parents and spouse. They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have Covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my Body."They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this Day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold Me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and Take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side And there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."I will never look at my hands the same again. God reached out and took my Grandma's' hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children , I think of Grandma. I know she Has been held by the hands of God. And I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Love That Lasts
A cartoon in a national magazine recently showed a couple standing before a minister during their wedding. The minister, looking at the bride, said, "The correct response is 'I do' - not 'It's worth a try.'" Love - in marriage and in other relationships - requires dogged commitment on our part. Contrary to popular opinion, love doesn't come naturally for us humans. Love is "others-centered" and self-sacrificing. We are self-centered and, in our own natural selves, we care little about sacrifice unless powerfully motivated. In fact, the Bible teaches that only someone who really knows God through Jesus Christ is capable of the kind of love the Bible describes. John wrote, "Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (I John 4:7-8, NIV). Paul taught that God's love is "poured out in our hearts" by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), and Jesus said that the world would recognize that we are Christians by our love (John 13:35). Love grows as we nurture it. It develops as we feed it. It expands as we persist in it. That kind of love has staying power.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESSWITH HEALING IN ITS WINGS
“But for you who revere my name,
the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.”
Malachi 4:2
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART My child, in this life you will experience injustice, illness, rejection, misunderstanding, and death. But the time is coming when I, the sun of righteousness, will both rise and de-scend to call My children home. Heaven’s healing waits for those who have known and revered Me—and a special place in My kingdom. Don’t be weary doing good things in My name. Because you have acknowledged My name, I will acknowledge yours.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSEOne day I’ll discard all my worn bandages and frayed Band-Aids—and receive no more doctor bills. You are the sun of righteousness, Lord. Like an eagle soaring in the sky, You’ll rise with ultimate healing in Your wings. I’m waiting for that day, Lord.
SIMPLE TRUTH
The Lord delights in those who delight in Him.
the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.”
Malachi 4:2
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART My child, in this life you will experience injustice, illness, rejection, misunderstanding, and death. But the time is coming when I, the sun of righteousness, will both rise and de-scend to call My children home. Heaven’s healing waits for those who have known and revered Me—and a special place in My kingdom. Don’t be weary doing good things in My name. Because you have acknowledged My name, I will acknowledge yours.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSEOne day I’ll discard all my worn bandages and frayed Band-Aids—and receive no more doctor bills. You are the sun of righteousness, Lord. Like an eagle soaring in the sky, You’ll rise with ultimate healing in Your wings. I’m waiting for that day, Lord.
SIMPLE TRUTH
The Lord delights in those who delight in Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
