Men throughout our civilization have killed each other over this basic statement, "I am right and you are not." Human nature is so bent toward selfish motivations, that it come natural for one man to subject the weaker man to his way of thinking. And in the process make the weaker feel even more inferior by not marching to the beat of his ego. (I guess this could be one definition of religion) Every nation is filled with stressed out people whose leaders govern from what they deem best for the people, not by what is truly best for the nation as a whole. And the end result is sinful leaders leading sinful people in a sinful direction. How depressing is this?
If we truly believe that the God revealed in the Bible is holy, just, and perfect, then it would do us service to listen to what He says about Himself, and then live our lives accordingly. We are looking in Isaiah 45 to see how the God of the Bible makes Himself unique from every god worshipped my man. This God claims to be God alone. He states that He alone is giver of life and death. And in verses 8,19,23-24, He clearly claims to be always right. He is the Righteous God. He is the standard for what truth and right really looks like. God sets the standards of what is right. If it is left up to man, then righteousness is whatever I want to do. But if I follow God's instruction, then I can never go wrong. Hosea 14:9 - "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them." What if men governed their lives and ruled their people according to God's righteousness? The result would be a prosperous nation, and a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Who is God (Part 2)
I have found in my short thirty-eight years of living, that most of my stress in life comes from the fact that as a human I want to live. Our bodies long for survival, and anything that obstructs that course causes us to fight. The will to live is powerful. And just as powerful is the reality that in a second my life can be over. If I as a human want to have a more peaceful mind set, I must realize that the God of the Bible wants me to submit to His authority and purpose for my life. The second description that God reveals of Himself to man (Isaiah 47) is, God is the giver of life and death. In verse 8, God tells us that He is the Creator of the whole earth. In verses 9-10, God scolds man for being so proud as to talk back to his Creator, God. In verse 18 He reaffirms His promise that all of His creation, including humans, have a divine purpose.
You see the God who makes Himself known in Scripture calls Himself the only Creator. And since He is the Creator of the universe, doesn't that fact alone give Him total control over every aspect of our lives. At any moment He could choose to take His air out of our lungs, or take back His blood from our heart...and we would die. He also can choose to give us 10 years, 30 years, 70 years, or 100 years to live. He makes the call for our life. He has that right. So when I recognized who He is, accept that He alone has the best for my life, choose not to question His will but to follow the guidelines set forth in His Word, then I will have less worry in my life. You see again, a life given completely over to God is a life at peace with the past, present, and future events that make up your life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
You see the God who makes Himself known in Scripture calls Himself the only Creator. And since He is the Creator of the universe, doesn't that fact alone give Him total control over every aspect of our lives. At any moment He could choose to take His air out of our lungs, or take back His blood from our heart...and we would die. He also can choose to give us 10 years, 30 years, 70 years, or 100 years to live. He makes the call for our life. He has that right. So when I recognized who He is, accept that He alone has the best for my life, choose not to question His will but to follow the guidelines set forth in His Word, then I will have less worry in my life. You see again, a life given completely over to God is a life at peace with the past, present, and future events that make up your life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Who is God? (Part 1)
One of the biggest stress relievers I have is knowing that I don't have to be anyone else but me. It really doesn't matter what someone else thinks I am or what I should be, as long as I am being true to God and using my gifts and talents that God has given me, then I'm OK with just being me. There is too much stress found in trying to be someone else. In the spiritual realm, I too have great peace knowing that I don't have to make up my own "god" or try to create the "perfect god" on my own. There are only two ways that humans can know anything about God, first, we can explore what men tells me about various gods (this is call religion), or second, we can listen to what God says about Himself (this is called wisdom). Psalms 115:8 tells us that when men create idols (gods), they are idols that look and act like sinful men. So the question we must ask ourselves is, "What does God say about Himself?"
In Isaiah 45, God tells the prophet Isaiah to give King Cyrus a description of the true and living God. The Persian Empire worshipped many gods, along with Israel at this time. The God revealed to us in the Bible, Jehovah, uses this chapter to describe Himself with some powerful language that we as humans should not ignore The first description found throughout this chapter is that God is God alone (45:5-6,14,18,21,22). Note how many times God says that there is only one God, and He is Him. On the very surface we as humans can do one of two things, either accept that God is telling us the truth, or consider Him a lunatic and liar. Humanity has been constantly coming up with their own versions of God, i.e. Allah, Buddha, The One, Baal. Yet Jehovah is quit different than all gods, and this chapter proves it. This God declares that He is the only God that lives, and will be the only God that all of humanity will stand before and worship (45:23). When I accept and submit to God's description of Himself, I have found that my life is more at peace with simply trusting in the only God who truly lives. Next week we will look at the implications of God describing Himself as Creator. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
In Isaiah 45, God tells the prophet Isaiah to give King Cyrus a description of the true and living God. The Persian Empire worshipped many gods, along with Israel at this time. The God revealed to us in the Bible, Jehovah, uses this chapter to describe Himself with some powerful language that we as humans should not ignore The first description found throughout this chapter is that God is God alone (45:5-6,14,18,21,22). Note how many times God says that there is only one God, and He is Him. On the very surface we as humans can do one of two things, either accept that God is telling us the truth, or consider Him a lunatic and liar. Humanity has been constantly coming up with their own versions of God, i.e. Allah, Buddha, The One, Baal. Yet Jehovah is quit different than all gods, and this chapter proves it. This God declares that He is the only God that lives, and will be the only God that all of humanity will stand before and worship (45:23). When I accept and submit to God's description of Himself, I have found that my life is more at peace with simply trusting in the only God who truly lives. Next week we will look at the implications of God describing Himself as Creator. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Having a Kingdom Attitude 22
As we look at the last verses of Matthew 7, I am reminded of all the recent natural disasters that have overwhelmed our nation in this last year. Tornadoes, fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc., all have been apart of our lives, and have reminded us how truly insignificant we as humans are in this vast universe. I have been through several major storms in my life, including tornadoes, and I can say that when one is facing those type of powerful storms, there is a sense of fear and stress that surrounds our minds and hearts during those events. The apostle Matthew gives us the last metaphor that Jesus uses to expose the truth and helps distinguish real Christians verses fake Christians. This metaphor is of two foundations, one being made out of rock (vs. 24-25), and the one made our of sand (26-27). Both foundations and homes built on those sites face a great storm, yet the end result is the house built on the rock stood firm, while the one built on the sand was destroyed.
A true believer will face all sort of storms and troubles in life. As John Hayes writes, "Give us fewer books with titles like The Power of Positive Thinking and more books with titles like Failing but Still Surviving. The true calm in the storm, the true relief from the stress of this life comes when we know on what foundation we are building our life and the lives of our family upon. Jesus makes a power statement when describing the unshakable foundation, he states that this firm foundation are "My Words." If you build your life on God's Word, the Bible, then you will stand forever (which includes heaven); but those who live their lives according to any other set of blueprints, will experience a great collapse during the storms of life, including death itself. Jesus' teaching is clear, there is only two choices one can make in life, and only one correct way to heaven. When you choose Jesus, the only way (John 14:6), then you will have a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
A true believer will face all sort of storms and troubles in life. As John Hayes writes, "Give us fewer books with titles like The Power of Positive Thinking and more books with titles like Failing but Still Surviving. The true calm in the storm, the true relief from the stress of this life comes when we know on what foundation we are building our life and the lives of our family upon. Jesus makes a power statement when describing the unshakable foundation, he states that this firm foundation are "My Words." If you build your life on God's Word, the Bible, then you will stand forever (which includes heaven); but those who live their lives according to any other set of blueprints, will experience a great collapse during the storms of life, including death itself. Jesus' teaching is clear, there is only two choices one can make in life, and only one correct way to heaven. When you choose Jesus, the only way (John 14:6), then you will have a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Having a Kingdom Attitude 21
As we come to the close of the Sermon on the Mt., Jesus has been teaching His disciples what it means to live on this earth with a Heavenly Kingdom mindset, and thus ensuring a less stressful life. In Matthew 7:13-27, Jesus will conclude His teaching by helping us see the difference between authentic and fake Christians. On this earth we are confronted by many who call themselves "followers of Christ" but their actions do not mirror their words. Jesus will use four metaphors to help us better spot the real from the fake Christian: two gates, two trees, two works, and two foundations. The whole lesson can be summed up in one sentence: "An authentic Christian walks in God's path, while producing good fruit cultivated by obedience to the Father."
In the first session (7:13-14), we see that authentic Christians persevere on a costly path. While the major chose the wide gate, few will take the small, narrow, unpopular way. Lk 13:23 tells us "to strive to enter the narrow door..." It is a choice for a man or woman to take the road that the majority of people refuse to walk. It is a costly and lonely road, but yet it is the true way to heaven (John 14:6). The second session (7:15-20) teaches us that authentic Christians produce good fruit. Note, the emphasis is not on "no fruit" but rather "bad fruit." We know that lost people bear no fruit, but the bad fruit is a direct reference to those who say they are one thing but their fruit shows otherwise. In the third session (7:21-22), we learn that authentic Christians practice Godly obedience. There will be many who have performed "works of obligation" and yet the Savior will say that they were "worthless works". The only good works are works of obedience. Just knowing God's name or doing good works will not get anyone into heaven. Salvation is only through the work of the cross and our acceptance of that work for the forgiveness of our sin. When we seek to enter heaven any other way apart from God's righteousness, then we are labeled as "fake Christians." Next, week will will look at the final metaphor, the two foundations. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
In the first session (7:13-14), we see that authentic Christians persevere on a costly path. While the major chose the wide gate, few will take the small, narrow, unpopular way. Lk 13:23 tells us "to strive to enter the narrow door..." It is a choice for a man or woman to take the road that the majority of people refuse to walk. It is a costly and lonely road, but yet it is the true way to heaven (John 14:6). The second session (7:15-20) teaches us that authentic Christians produce good fruit. Note, the emphasis is not on "no fruit" but rather "bad fruit." We know that lost people bear no fruit, but the bad fruit is a direct reference to those who say they are one thing but their fruit shows otherwise. In the third session (7:21-22), we learn that authentic Christians practice Godly obedience. There will be many who have performed "works of obligation" and yet the Savior will say that they were "worthless works". The only good works are works of obedience. Just knowing God's name or doing good works will not get anyone into heaven. Salvation is only through the work of the cross and our acceptance of that work for the forgiveness of our sin. When we seek to enter heaven any other way apart from God's righteousness, then we are labeled as "fake Christians." Next, week will will look at the final metaphor, the two foundations. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Calvary For Clunkers!
Let me pause this week from my series on having a Kingdom attitude to that of a subject that has gotten my attention these past few weeks. We have seen a certain government program get to be very popular to the American people, so much so that it has run out of money long before it was intended to. As we know, this program is known as "Cash for Clunkers." The government has invited Americans to trade in their old gas-guzzling car for a brand new, efficient running machine. Those who trade in their old car will then get a $4500 rebate toward the purchase of a new car; and boy have the old clunkers been turned in to the trash heap for the promise of something new.
As I thought about this program, I could not help but think that God Himself had a program already in place that was very similar to our government. In fact, the plan by God, offered to all mankind, gives us far more than any government program can offer, i.e. salvation from our sins and eternal life in heaven. Now I know some might think that the word "clunkers" is not a very nice word to describe man, but I would disagree. The apostle Paul could have very well used this word when saying, "Oh wretched (clunker of a man) man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24) Or the prophet Isaiah could have meant "clunker" when he declared in Isaiah 6:5 - "Woe is me, for I am ruined (a clunker)...!" Man is not naturally good, we are all born into sin, broken down clunkers. We run very shakily at best, and we are all truly guilty of being polluted by sin and polluting this word with our sinful actions and desires our whole life (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:23).
Yet the good news is this - God is offering us His best deal - "Calvary for Clunkers." God stepped out of heaven to this earth, and took on the form of man. Jesus lived a sinless life and willing went to the cross of Calvary to die for our sins; to take our place in death. Is. 53:12 states that He died for our sins on the cross. He was buried, and three days later rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15). He now offers this gift to all mankind - "Calvary for Clunkers." He has promised that when we turn in our old self, He will forgive us our debt and will make us a brand new creature in Christ. No longer do we walk in the path of sin (pollution), but we are to walk in newness of life in righteousness (Rom. 8). Isn't this a great program? Yet make sure you take advantage of this heavenly offering, because there is coming a day in each of our life that it will be too late to trade in your "clunker for Calvary."
As I thought about this program, I could not help but think that God Himself had a program already in place that was very similar to our government. In fact, the plan by God, offered to all mankind, gives us far more than any government program can offer, i.e. salvation from our sins and eternal life in heaven. Now I know some might think that the word "clunkers" is not a very nice word to describe man, but I would disagree. The apostle Paul could have very well used this word when saying, "Oh wretched (clunker of a man) man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24) Or the prophet Isaiah could have meant "clunker" when he declared in Isaiah 6:5 - "Woe is me, for I am ruined (a clunker)...!" Man is not naturally good, we are all born into sin, broken down clunkers. We run very shakily at best, and we are all truly guilty of being polluted by sin and polluting this word with our sinful actions and desires our whole life (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:23).
Yet the good news is this - God is offering us His best deal - "Calvary for Clunkers." God stepped out of heaven to this earth, and took on the form of man. Jesus lived a sinless life and willing went to the cross of Calvary to die for our sins; to take our place in death. Is. 53:12 states that He died for our sins on the cross. He was buried, and three days later rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15). He now offers this gift to all mankind - "Calvary for Clunkers." He has promised that when we turn in our old self, He will forgive us our debt and will make us a brand new creature in Christ. No longer do we walk in the path of sin (pollution), but we are to walk in newness of life in righteousness (Rom. 8). Isn't this a great program? Yet make sure you take advantage of this heavenly offering, because there is coming a day in each of our life that it will be too late to trade in your "clunker for Calvary."
Monday, August 3, 2009
Having a Kingdom Attitude 20
In our next passage, Matthew 7:7-12, we read one of the most important commands given to us by Jesus; and this command guarantees that we have a less stress life. Verse 12 is know as "The Golden Rule" - "Do for others as you would have them do for you." This verse may be familiar to us today, but in Jesus' day this kind of thinking was unheard of. The motto back then was like today's, "He who has all the gold makes all the rules." The "religions" and "philosophies" in Jesus' time taught the negative form of the Golden Rule. The Jewish rabbi Hillel said, "What is hateful to yourself do not to someone else." Confucius taught, "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." Do you see that the negative form focuses on self preservation? Yet Jesus turns man's selfish thoughts upside down by stating that a true child of God will be proactive, doing good for others in the same way they would want to be served.
In this passage Jesus gives us three reasons we are able to live out the Golden Rule in a fool's-gold world. First God has given His children His personal promise that if we are persistent (keep on) and progressive (ask...seek...knock) with our prayers then God will give us what we need (7:7-8). But if we are unwilling to show love to our fellow man, why should God answer our prayers? Second, we can live out the Golden Rule because God lived out the Golden Rule for us(7:9-11). God did not wait for man to do good to God, but rather He being the very definition of love, initiated goodness by providing the very best for us, Himself. This is exactly what He requires of us. Lastly, God's purpose for His children demand living the Golden Rule (7:12). When God's children live out the Golden Rule, they are imitating very the best quality of their heavenly Father. They are also living obediently to Scripture. The Golden Rule is not only a New Testament message, it is the very foundation for the 39 books in the Old Testament. Jesus' message to us is this: Kingdom living is only possible if you are a child of God. It is a supernatural calling that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Yet, when we practice the Golden Rule, it releases the love of God in our lives and in our world, to enable us to help others, even those who have hurt or hate us. When we walk in God's power, we can do for other's as we would like done for us; and in return live a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
In this passage Jesus gives us three reasons we are able to live out the Golden Rule in a fool's-gold world. First God has given His children His personal promise that if we are persistent (keep on) and progressive (ask...seek...knock) with our prayers then God will give us what we need (7:7-8). But if we are unwilling to show love to our fellow man, why should God answer our prayers? Second, we can live out the Golden Rule because God lived out the Golden Rule for us(7:9-11). God did not wait for man to do good to God, but rather He being the very definition of love, initiated goodness by providing the very best for us, Himself. This is exactly what He requires of us. Lastly, God's purpose for His children demand living the Golden Rule (7:12). When God's children live out the Golden Rule, they are imitating very the best quality of their heavenly Father. They are also living obediently to Scripture. The Golden Rule is not only a New Testament message, it is the very foundation for the 39 books in the Old Testament. Jesus' message to us is this: Kingdom living is only possible if you are a child of God. It is a supernatural calling that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Yet, when we practice the Golden Rule, it releases the love of God in our lives and in our world, to enable us to help others, even those who have hurt or hate us. When we walk in God's power, we can do for other's as we would like done for us; and in return live a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
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