John 9:25:
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
How many letters behind your name do you need to collect before you are useful to the Lord? Is there a minimum number of years you need to study, or a test that you take to allow you to serve the Lord?
Not according to a blind man -- no, make that a formerly blind man.
This man -- born blind -- had been directly benefitted by a miracle performed by Jesus. He had felt Christ spread mud over his eyes, and had followed His instructions to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. And because of Jesus -- he could now see!
Everyone around him was either amazed, astonished or confused. Some had said that he couldn't be the same beggar they passed everyday -- but he adamantly confirmed that he was!
Once the Pharisees got involved, their usual legalistic attitude came into action -- this miracle had happened on a Sabbath. “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.”
These leaders questioned the man, but they were unwilling to believe his story, and brought in the man’s parents to verify that he had actually been born blind. His parents verified his story, but when they were pressured for more information, they simply said, “He is old enough. Ask him!”
The second round of questioning of the formerly blind man didn't go as expected. Speaking only from what he knew to be unquestionably true, he was able to stifle the arguments given by the Jewish leaders -- the same people, who if alive today, would undoubtedly have letters, degrees, and all manor of scholarly titles after their names.
Truth has a way of doing that.
He simply answered, “...I know this: I was blind, and now I see!” -- That was all he needed to tell them.
And, that is all we need, too. We simply need to tell what we know -- what we have read for ourselves in Scripture -- and what we know to be true from our own understanding and experience.
There is no “official interpretation” of Scripture that we need to have spoon-fed to us. Though scholarship is important -- the authority does not come from the interpreter -- but from the Word of God itself. What someone tells you, regardless of their “status,” does not matter if it conflicts with what you read in God’s Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Galatians 1:7b-8: Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
What matters most is -- our own study of God’s Word.
2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Exodus 40:16 - Worship God His Way
Exodus 40:16:
Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Is there any question that God is concerned about how we worship Him?
The several chapters that precede this verse are filled with detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle, the choices of materials to be used -- even the names of the craftsmen who are to do the work!
Without a doubt, God had a definite purpose and design for how He wanted to be worshiped by Israel.
How He is worshiped is something that He is still concerned with today.
Somehow, though, many “religious” people today believe that the method and means for worshiping God is subject to their whim.
You have probably heard a friend or two say they worship God whenever they are out in nature. Or maybe they tell you that they worship God in their “own personal way.” A few might have even told you they can only worship God when they are in a particular place.
God has not given us as detailed instructions as He gave to the Levites, but if you read the New Testament, you can see He has His wishes for us today as well.
Have you looked into the Scriptures to see if the way you are worshiping the Lord is His way? Having the desire to worship the Lord is a great thing, but it is important to worship Him in His way.
Had Noah decided that Cedar was more convenient than Gopher wood, would God have allowed the ark to float?
If having the Sabbath on Thursday made more sense to Moses than Saturday, would God have been pleased?
John 4:23-24: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
In Matthew 15:-9, Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13: “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
How are you worshiping God? Carefully examine Scripture to see if you are pleasing God -- or just pleasing yourself.
Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Is there any question that God is concerned about how we worship Him?
The several chapters that precede this verse are filled with detailed instructions about the construction of the tabernacle, the choices of materials to be used -- even the names of the craftsmen who are to do the work!
Without a doubt, God had a definite purpose and design for how He wanted to be worshiped by Israel.
How He is worshiped is something that He is still concerned with today.
Somehow, though, many “religious” people today believe that the method and means for worshiping God is subject to their whim.
You have probably heard a friend or two say they worship God whenever they are out in nature. Or maybe they tell you that they worship God in their “own personal way.” A few might have even told you they can only worship God when they are in a particular place.
God has not given us as detailed instructions as He gave to the Levites, but if you read the New Testament, you can see He has His wishes for us today as well.
Have you looked into the Scriptures to see if the way you are worshiping the Lord is His way? Having the desire to worship the Lord is a great thing, but it is important to worship Him in His way.
Had Noah decided that Cedar was more convenient than Gopher wood, would God have allowed the ark to float?
If having the Sabbath on Thursday made more sense to Moses than Saturday, would God have been pleased?
John 4:23-24: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
In Matthew 15:-9, Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13: “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
How are you worshiping God? Carefully examine Scripture to see if you are pleasing God -- or just pleasing yourself.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Romans 12:2 - Think Outside the Box
Romans 12:2:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”
This is Paul’s version.
Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”
Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.
In the previous verse, Paul told the Romans that even offering their bodies as a living sacrifice to God was their true and proper worship. What he was telling them, was that they should not even consider themselves as their own -- but God’s. Who they were -- and what they had -- belonged to God.
If we follow Paul’s advice, we will look closely at all things from the perspective of God’s Will.
This means everything!
Have you considered whether you daily work is conflicting with God’s Will? -- Does it cause you to miss worship services? -- Tend to cause small “compromises” with what you know is right? -- Place you in situations that are not “healthy” for your spiritual growth?
How about your friends and associates? -- Is your influence on them moving you both closer to God -- or are they working against you, hindering your progress?
Examine your hobbies, recreation and all your personal pursuits. -- Do they glorify God, strengthen your spirit, magnify your efforts to further the Lord’s work -- or just satiate your desires?
Colossians 3:1-4: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Think outside the box?”
This is Paul’s version.
Having a preconceived idea is sometimes the hardest part of thinking. It tends to have you thinking about the expected answer without looking at the situation clearly.
“If all you have is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail.”
Paul is telling the Romans to be careful about being so closely conformed to the desires -- expectations -- values -- and traditions of this world. If they (or we) have the world in their (our) hearts, then it will be all too easy to rationalize -- justify -- excuse -- gloss over the times they (we) stray from God’s Will.
In the previous verse, Paul told the Romans that even offering their bodies as a living sacrifice to God was their true and proper worship. What he was telling them, was that they should not even consider themselves as their own -- but God’s. Who they were -- and what they had -- belonged to God.
If we follow Paul’s advice, we will look closely at all things from the perspective of God’s Will.
This means everything!
Have you considered whether you daily work is conflicting with God’s Will? -- Does it cause you to miss worship services? -- Tend to cause small “compromises” with what you know is right? -- Place you in situations that are not “healthy” for your spiritual growth?
How about your friends and associates? -- Is your influence on them moving you both closer to God -- or are they working against you, hindering your progress?
Examine your hobbies, recreation and all your personal pursuits. -- Do they glorify God, strengthen your spirit, magnify your efforts to further the Lord’s work -- or just satiate your desires?
Colossians 3:1-4: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Matthew 27:21-22 - Barabbas? That's Me!
Matthew 27:21-22:
"Barabbas," they answered. “
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
He had been a true zealot when it came to the nation of Israel -- Barabbas loved his nation!
He was irked by the very fact that Rome had placed a heavy yoke around the neck of the nation of Israel. But -- his desire to press hard for what he thought was right had gotten him to where he was: cold -- lonely -- hungry -- and waiting for the executioner to come for him.
Barabbas had a good start in life. His name suggests that his father had probably been a Rabbi, so he knew about the religious aristocracy -- and had a firm understanding of the tradition of the Law. But, like many -- even today -- his desire to be righteous had blended social concerns with spiritual concerns.
As a “Zealot,” the Roman Government had him in their cross-hairs -- making him a man on the run -- forcing him to do brutal things to survive -- causing him to become a hardened criminal, and not just a rebel against the government -- committing robbery, battery -- and eventually -- MURDER!
Can you imagine what was going through Barabbas’ mind when he finally heard the guard coming down the corridor to his cell? The anxiety he had when he heard the keys rattling as the jailer unlocked the door… The magnitude of his fear and dread when he heard the lead jailer say…
“You are free to go.”
Later that day, Barabbas was surely among those who watched Jesus die. Undoubtedly, as he watched, one thing he knew completely -- the one on the center cross was dying in his place.
He knew that the spikes that were driven through Jesus’ hands were his spikes… He knew in a very personal way that Jesus of Nazareth was dying in his place.
Matthew 26:16 indicates that Barabbas was also named "Jesus," but there’s another interesting thing about Barabbas’ name -- it is a compound word combining “Bar,” meaning “son of” -- and “Abba,” meaning “Father.” His name literally means “son of the Father.”
Think about that…
The "Jesus" whose name meant “the son of the father” was replaced by -- the "Jesus" who was the true Son of the Father.
You and I stand at the foot of the cross -- exactly where Barabbas stood.
Like Barabbas, the only hope you and I have is in the fact that another died in our place!
Though it is WE who are guilty -- it was JESUS who died in our place -- that we might have the forgiveness of our sins and live eternally with God and the redeemed in heaven.
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
"Barabbas," they answered. “
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
He had been a true zealot when it came to the nation of Israel -- Barabbas loved his nation!
He was irked by the very fact that Rome had placed a heavy yoke around the neck of the nation of Israel. But -- his desire to press hard for what he thought was right had gotten him to where he was: cold -- lonely -- hungry -- and waiting for the executioner to come for him.
Barabbas had a good start in life. His name suggests that his father had probably been a Rabbi, so he knew about the religious aristocracy -- and had a firm understanding of the tradition of the Law. But, like many -- even today -- his desire to be righteous had blended social concerns with spiritual concerns.
As a “Zealot,” the Roman Government had him in their cross-hairs -- making him a man on the run -- forcing him to do brutal things to survive -- causing him to become a hardened criminal, and not just a rebel against the government -- committing robbery, battery -- and eventually -- MURDER!
Can you imagine what was going through Barabbas’ mind when he finally heard the guard coming down the corridor to his cell? The anxiety he had when he heard the keys rattling as the jailer unlocked the door… The magnitude of his fear and dread when he heard the lead jailer say…
“You are free to go.”
Later that day, Barabbas was surely among those who watched Jesus die. Undoubtedly, as he watched, one thing he knew completely -- the one on the center cross was dying in his place.
He knew that the spikes that were driven through Jesus’ hands were his spikes… He knew in a very personal way that Jesus of Nazareth was dying in his place.
Matthew 26:16 indicates that Barabbas was also named "Jesus," but there’s another interesting thing about Barabbas’ name -- it is a compound word combining “Bar,” meaning “son of” -- and “Abba,” meaning “Father.” His name literally means “son of the Father.”
Think about that…
The "Jesus" whose name meant “the son of the father” was replaced by -- the "Jesus" who was the true Son of the Father.
You and I stand at the foot of the cross -- exactly where Barabbas stood.
Like Barabbas, the only hope you and I have is in the fact that another died in our place!
Though it is WE who are guilty -- it was JESUS who died in our place -- that we might have the forgiveness of our sins and live eternally with God and the redeemed in heaven.
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Matthew 26:33-34 - Have You Heard the Rooster?
Matthew 26:33-34:
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will”“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
Has anyone known you so well that they knew you better than you knew yourself?
We can often lie to ourselves and let our pride convince us that we are someone we really aren’t.
For instance, you might try and tell yourself that you can play your favorite sport better than most -- think you are smarter than the average person -- believe that you are of “star quality.”
But, then -- when you ask someone who knows you well, and he is honest with you -- you learn otherwise.
It hurts when that happens!
We want so badly to be the people we think we are, but when we are faced with the undeniable truth -- we see we are not.
So? What was Peter thinking when he spoke to Jesus?
He had been the self-appointed spokesman for the Twelve -- had been right in seeing who Christ was when He asked who he though He was -- had even been the one brave enough to try and step on water and (for a few seconds, anyway) was able to stand on the surface of the lake!
Now that Jesus was telling him that he was susceptible to weakness like the others, Peter still believed he was better.
“Of all Your followers,” Peter thought, “I will be the last to leave you!”
Once Judas showed up with the crowd that arrested Jesus, everything started happening fast. Peter was just doing what comes natural to all of us! He was seeking to keep himself out of harm’s way -- trying not to be seen as “one of those trouble-makers.”
His pride was again leading him in a dangerous direction -- until he heard the rooster crow!
Suddenly, Peter could see he was not the brave and bold man he thought he was. Now, he saw himself as the follower who did exactly what he said he would never do: he had turned away in Jesus’ darkest hour -- and denied that he even knew Him -- not just once, but three times!
Peter learned a harsh lesson about his own pride that night.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
There are times when we all are faced with the hard reality of who we are. We are confronted with the truth and proven to be imperfect, sinful human beings.
Has your prideful spirit gotten you in deep? Making promises and statements that you just cannot keep?
It is interesting that Peter, himself, shared the importance of humility when he wrote in 1 Peter 5:4-6:
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble."
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, the he may lift you up in due time.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Romans 2:6-8 - Keep Improving Your Aim
Romans 2:6-8:
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
In target shooting, the direction is important. In order to hit the target, the first thing you have to do is face the target. You might not hit the target, but if you are facing any other way, you have no chance of it.
Does God expect us to consistently hit the target? No. If He did, why would He have made provisions for our salvation?
Accord to Paul, as he soon tells the Romans later in his letter, “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23)
We are fallible, imperfect humans -- we are incapable of being perfect -- we are destined to miss the mark most of the time...
But, while God does not expect us to hit the bulls eye with our every attempt, He does expect us to try!
Where we fail, His grace will justify us -- make up for our inabilities.
Our goal is to make constant progress in the direction God has pointed out for us. He desires our constant movement -- always seeking to gain ground -- seeking to complete the goal before us.
We are to aim the best we can -- then go for it. Then -- learn from our mistakes and make corrections each time we miss the target!
What God does not want is for us to just do what we want -- to just live for our own selves -- seek only what we desire.
Living a life seeking to satisfy our own desires leaves us ripe for the picking…
Remember God’s words to Cain?
Genesis 4:6-8: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
To live a life of selfishness is to invite God’s wrath. Maybe not immediately — but ultimately!
Colossians 3:5-6: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
In target shooting, the direction is important. In order to hit the target, the first thing you have to do is face the target. You might not hit the target, but if you are facing any other way, you have no chance of it.
Does God expect us to consistently hit the target? No. If He did, why would He have made provisions for our salvation?
Accord to Paul, as he soon tells the Romans later in his letter, “… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23)
We are fallible, imperfect humans -- we are incapable of being perfect -- we are destined to miss the mark most of the time...
But, while God does not expect us to hit the bulls eye with our every attempt, He does expect us to try!
Where we fail, His grace will justify us -- make up for our inabilities.
Our goal is to make constant progress in the direction God has pointed out for us. He desires our constant movement -- always seeking to gain ground -- seeking to complete the goal before us.
We are to aim the best we can -- then go for it. Then -- learn from our mistakes and make corrections each time we miss the target!
What God does not want is for us to just do what we want -- to just live for our own selves -- seek only what we desire.
Living a life seeking to satisfy our own desires leaves us ripe for the picking…
Remember God’s words to Cain?
Genesis 4:6-8: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
To live a life of selfishness is to invite God’s wrath. Maybe not immediately — but ultimately!
Colossians 3:5-6: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
Acts 17:22-23 - What Kind of Athenian?
Acts 17:22-23:
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”
Some say it is "Nature." Some call it the "Cosmos." Some refer to it as "The Great Spirit." Others just call it "The Force."
In some way, most of us recognize there is something greater than ourselves.
These ancient Athenians did also -- and were careful to not exclude whatever it was from their worship. They had built an altar to the "Unknown God."
They had no real idea of how to worship Him, but they recognized a need that was not being met by the other "gods" they worshiped.
Paul, when before them, took advantage of the existence of this altar to begin explaining who their "Unknown God" was.
He did not find it necessary to berate them or ridicule them for their ignorance, but instead, saw it as an opportunity to give them knowledge.
When we are faced with someone who does not know God, do we try to educate them? Or do we tend to think of them as someone beneath us?
As we interact with each other, we will undoubtedly find there are those who know less than we do -- and others who know more.
The Athenians were people who appreciated knowledge -- and to their credit, they wanted to hear more -- and some became believers.
Some sought knowledge for knowledge sake -- but still felt they were in the judgment seat of what they would accept or deny.
Others sought knowledge -- and accepted anything that was true -- even when contrary to their original beliefs. They acted on knowledge.
Which type of "Athenian" are we? As we study and learn, is our goal to only bolster our positions and beliefs? Or are we more interested in learning the truth, and letting it dictate our actions?
To all of us, God is "unknown" to some degree. Studying His word, and learning more and more of Christ, is our way of learning who He is.
As we hear and learn of Him, do we seek to know and catalog our understanding on a dusty shelf? Or does our new found understanding cause us to hunger for more knowledge of God?
John 14:6: Jesus answered, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”
Some say it is "Nature." Some call it the "Cosmos." Some refer to it as "The Great Spirit." Others just call it "The Force."
In some way, most of us recognize there is something greater than ourselves.
These ancient Athenians did also -- and were careful to not exclude whatever it was from their worship. They had built an altar to the "Unknown God."
They had no real idea of how to worship Him, but they recognized a need that was not being met by the other "gods" they worshiped.
Paul, when before them, took advantage of the existence of this altar to begin explaining who their "Unknown God" was.
He did not find it necessary to berate them or ridicule them for their ignorance, but instead, saw it as an opportunity to give them knowledge.
When we are faced with someone who does not know God, do we try to educate them? Or do we tend to think of them as someone beneath us?
As we interact with each other, we will undoubtedly find there are those who know less than we do -- and others who know more.
The Athenians were people who appreciated knowledge -- and to their credit, they wanted to hear more -- and some became believers.
Some sought knowledge for knowledge sake -- but still felt they were in the judgment seat of what they would accept or deny.
Others sought knowledge -- and accepted anything that was true -- even when contrary to their original beliefs. They acted on knowledge.
Which type of "Athenian" are we? As we study and learn, is our goal to only bolster our positions and beliefs? Or are we more interested in learning the truth, and letting it dictate our actions?
To all of us, God is "unknown" to some degree. Studying His word, and learning more and more of Christ, is our way of learning who He is.
As we hear and learn of Him, do we seek to know and catalog our understanding on a dusty shelf? Or does our new found understanding cause us to hunger for more knowledge of God?
John 14:6: Jesus answered, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
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