Psalm 88:13-14
But to You I have cried out, O Lord,
And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
14 Lord, why do You cast off my soul?
Why do You hide Your face from me?
There will be times in the life of every believer when God appears to have deserted him/her. These are times of darkness and despair. Our prayers seem to fall limply from our lips never reaching their desired destination while never being heard. The circumstances which engulf us keep us from feeling God’s embrace, seeing His majesty, or hearing His voice. Our flesh cries out, “God are You even out there?” and “If You are, do You really care?”
These are the times when our faith is severely tested and proven to be real or counterfeit. True faith needs nothing to support it other than a heart felt belief that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He will do even when the circumstances of life shout otherwise. These are the times when we grab hold of God and say, “Although I can’t see You, or hear You, or even feel You, I am not letting go.”
Our faith is purest when everything is stripped away and we have nothing to hold onto but God. As the storm passes, and it will, we then begin to see that He was present all the time sheltering us. He had been there all the time. Faith is believing He will never forsake you or leave you regardless what the circumstances might seem. Remember, "faith is the substance of things hopes for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Help Me Understand
Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend
the Scriptures.
Understanding the Word of God is the foundation of our faith. Through the Word we are taught the truth concerning the Triune God. Only through Scripture can we learn of the person and works of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Only through Scripture and not though humanistic philosophy can we learn the truth about man: that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The glorious doctrines of grace, redemption, the church, and the second coming can only be found in God’s Word. Yet, only God can give us understanding of these powerful truths. Until He gives us spiritual eyes to see, the Scriptures are meaningless to us. This is the reason the world calls God’s Word nonsense. It simply is incapable of understanding. We must pray that our Lord will open our understanding that we might comprehend the Scriptures. Then and then only can we know Him in a deeper, more meaningful way. Then and only then can we see the beauty and majesty of a glorious God and His glorious plan of redemption. –To God be the Glory
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Encourager
Acts 15:37-40 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas …
Barnabas, the son of encouragement, saw things in people that others could not. He looked past the blemishes and the failures to the heart and the potential. He was so passionate in his belief in others that he was willing time and again to risk his reputation to stand by those whom others had cast off.
It was Barnabas who stood by the new convert Paul in the presence of the disciples in Jerusalem when they did not believe Paul’s authenticity as a Christian (Acts 9). And it was Barnabas who brought Paul from Tarsus to help him teach the new believers at Antioch. Now it was Barnabas who stood up, even against Paul, for Mark the young man who had deserted them on their first missionary journey. Yes, Mark had made a mistake in his immaturity, but Barnabas saw something in him and was not willing to give up on young Mark.
God honored Barnabas’ risk taking. Mark proved faithful and grew into a mighty servant of the Lord. It was through the pen of Mark that God gave us the first written gospel. Even Paul later recognized the faithfulness of Mark as he requested Mark be sent to him because of his usefulness in Paul’s ministry (1 Tim 4:11). How many times have we given up on young believers because of their immature mistakes? Let us be as Barnabas and see the gold beneath rather than the dirt.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Give While There is Still Opportunity
Proverbs 3:28
Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.
Each time I read this verse my thoughts rush immediately to my late dad. Over the latter part of his life he told me time and again, as if he were trying to leave me a precious nugget, “Son, I have always thought it to be a sin if I saw someone in need and money in my pocket to help them but did not.” In my younger years I watched him time and again live out this core value of his life even at times to the detriment of him or his family. He simply could not say “no” to a person in need and surely was taken advantage of many times, but that never kept him from giving. Even the week before his death when Hospice was attending him he had someone drive him, while still in his pajamas, to minister to a family in need.
Let me explain something about my dad. He loved the Lord, but he still had many rough areas in his life that he never overcame. Others may have looked and acted more spiritual than him but I can assure you no one loved people and served people like him. His giving was simply an outpouring of his love. I do not even know if he ever read Proverbs 3:28: “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,’ When you have it with you” , but I do know that Christ had etched it upon his heart. And isn’t this the very essence of the Christian life? Aren’t the two great commandments to “Love God’ and to “Love People?”
My dad simply loved people and he displayed that love through ministering to the needs of anyone that sought help from him. He taught me many things, but the greatest lesson was to love people and always lend a helping hand. Next month will mark the fifth anniversary of his homegoing but still etched in my mind is his words, “Son, I have always thought it to be a sin if I saw someone in need and money in my pocket to help them but did not” and his actions that proved his sincerity. He was a living example of Proverbs 3:28 that commands us to give while there is still opportunity. I pray I can only love others as much and be as faithful in helping others.
Love you, Dad.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
All That She Had
Mark 12:43-44 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
How many of us can truly say that we have given the Lord “all that we had?” Most of us, if we are honest with ourselves, are much more like the rich givers who gave out of their abundance rather than the poor widow who gave all. Jesus makes it clear that it is not the amount given but the sacrifice by which we give; and it is not about our bank account but our heart. The widow gave all her livelihood, therefore she could give no more. She emptied herself not knowing where her next meal would come. She placed her total dependence upon God believing that if she was faithful to Him, then He would be faithful to her. A key to this passage is that Jesus already knew the accounts by which each giver had to draw upon. It is He in His sovereign will who has given to us whether it be great or small. He is not impressed with large gifts given from our abundance. Instead, He rejoices in the smallest of gifts which are given in sacrifice. Which are these givers were rich in Jesus’ eyes? Certainly, it was the poor widow. She is rich in the kingdom of heaven.
How many of us can truly say that we have given the Lord “all that we had?” Most of us, if we are honest with ourselves, are much more like the rich givers who gave out of their abundance rather than the poor widow who gave all. Jesus makes it clear that it is not the amount given but the sacrifice by which we give; and it is not about our bank account but our heart. The widow gave all her livelihood, therefore she could give no more. She emptied herself not knowing where her next meal would come. She placed her total dependence upon God believing that if she was faithful to Him, then He would be faithful to her. A key to this passage is that Jesus already knew the accounts by which each giver had to draw upon. It is He in His sovereign will who has given to us whether it be great or small. He is not impressed with large gifts given from our abundance. Instead, He rejoices in the smallest of gifts which are given in sacrifice. Which are these givers were rich in Jesus’ eyes? Certainly, it was the poor widow. She is rich in the kingdom of heaven.
Friday, July 22, 2011
His Thoughts are Upon You
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the great comfort passages in all of Scripture. Many have made it their life verse. But to understand the true meaning and the impact of such a verse one must grasp the context of the passage itself. Specific questions must be asked such as” To whom is the Lord speaking?” and “What were the circumstances of the times?” Only then can one see the beauty and the power of the words spoken.
God’s people were in turbulent times as destruction was upon them. God was using the kingdom of Babylon to bring discipline against His people who had forsaken Him for other gods, made mockery of the Jewish faith and polluted God’s land with pagan idols and corruption. A large contingent of Jews had already been taken captive to Babylon during the initial invasion while Jewish false prophets were prophesizing peace and victory while the worse was yet to come.
These comforting words from God did not come to those still living in Judah, but to those already taken captive. The words were part of a letter God wrote through Jeremiah to a people whom apparently had lost everything: their homeland, their families, their dignity, their religion, and their hope. Surely, they longed to return home from this pagan land and they must have understood themselves as the “unlucky” ones. Surely, they had cried out to God passionately for their deliverance, but instead of words promising immediately deliverance from their trials God instead instructed them to “build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat of their fruit. Take wives and begat sons and daughters…and seek peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive.” God was simply telling these captives to settle in and make themselves productive until He completes His purpose of which He was working in and through them, a purpose which would keep them sojourning another seventy years.
It was to these people, people living under captive circumstances and a people to whom God was telling to wait on Him that He gave these great words of encouragement, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you…thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God was reminding them that His thoughts were on them and His plans included them. Also, even in their captivity they were not the ones to be pitied as those who remained in Judah would soon face destruction.
God spoke these words to encourage people who were experiencing difficult trials so they would trust Him and wait upon Him. He had them exactly where He wanted them in order to fulfill His purpose and plan through them.
You may be in a very difficult place today, a place not of your own making, a place from where you long to be freed, but God does not seem to even hear your prayers. This is no different from the Israelites held captive in Babylon. Maybe God has you right where He wants you so He can fulfill a greater purpose through you. Remember, His thoughts are upon you and He has plan for your life.
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the great comfort passages in all of Scripture. Many have made it their life verse. But to understand the true meaning and the impact of such a verse one must grasp the context of the passage itself. Specific questions must be asked such as” To whom is the Lord speaking?” and “What were the circumstances of the times?” Only then can one see the beauty and the power of the words spoken.
God’s people were in turbulent times as destruction was upon them. God was using the kingdom of Babylon to bring discipline against His people who had forsaken Him for other gods, made mockery of the Jewish faith and polluted God’s land with pagan idols and corruption. A large contingent of Jews had already been taken captive to Babylon during the initial invasion while Jewish false prophets were prophesizing peace and victory while the worse was yet to come.
These comforting words from God did not come to those still living in Judah, but to those already taken captive. The words were part of a letter God wrote through Jeremiah to a people whom apparently had lost everything: their homeland, their families, their dignity, their religion, and their hope. Surely, they longed to return home from this pagan land and they must have understood themselves as the “unlucky” ones. Surely, they had cried out to God passionately for their deliverance, but instead of words promising immediately deliverance from their trials God instead instructed them to “build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat of their fruit. Take wives and begat sons and daughters…and seek peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive.” God was simply telling these captives to settle in and make themselves productive until He completes His purpose of which He was working in and through them, a purpose which would keep them sojourning another seventy years.
It was to these people, people living under captive circumstances and a people to whom God was telling to wait on Him that He gave these great words of encouragement, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you…thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God was reminding them that His thoughts were on them and His plans included them. Also, even in their captivity they were not the ones to be pitied as those who remained in Judah would soon face destruction.
God spoke these words to encourage people who were experiencing difficult trials so they would trust Him and wait upon Him. He had them exactly where He wanted them in order to fulfill His purpose and plan through them.
You may be in a very difficult place today, a place not of your own making, a place from where you long to be freed, but God does not seem to even hear your prayers. This is no different from the Israelites held captive in Babylon. Maybe God has you right where He wants you so He can fulfill a greater purpose through you. Remember, His thoughts are upon you and He has plan for your life.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Glory in This
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.
The chief purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Man’s very existence and reason for being is to bring glory to His Creator. Yet, to understand man’s struggle in fulfilling his purpose is the need to understand man’s chief sin and that is pride which is simply self-glory. Paul addresses this in the first chapter of Romans by explaining “…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful….who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…”
From the beginning man has desired to rob God of His glory. This was the core of the serpent’s temptation to Eve as he cunningly pricked her desire by saying, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God knowing good and evil.” Eve desired to be “like God” and thus obtain the glory due only to Him. Since the fall man has sought glory for himself through his wisdom, his might and his riches as well as many other idols that simply are an attempt to reflect glory back to himself.
Again, selfish pride is the basis for all sin and it strikes against the very purpose for which man was created: to glorify God. If I struggle to find fulfillment in life and thus peace and joy, then I should first honestly ask myself, "What does my life glorify, me or my Creator?" True life will only be found and experienced when man repents of his self glory and then gives His Creator and Redeemer the glory that He alone is due.
---To God be the glory!
The chief purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Man’s very existence and reason for being is to bring glory to His Creator. Yet, to understand man’s struggle in fulfilling his purpose is the need to understand man’s chief sin and that is pride which is simply self-glory. Paul addresses this in the first chapter of Romans by explaining “…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful….who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…”
From the beginning man has desired to rob God of His glory. This was the core of the serpent’s temptation to Eve as he cunningly pricked her desire by saying, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God knowing good and evil.” Eve desired to be “like God” and thus obtain the glory due only to Him. Since the fall man has sought glory for himself through his wisdom, his might and his riches as well as many other idols that simply are an attempt to reflect glory back to himself.
Again, selfish pride is the basis for all sin and it strikes against the very purpose for which man was created: to glorify God. If I struggle to find fulfillment in life and thus peace and joy, then I should first honestly ask myself, "What does my life glorify, me or my Creator?" True life will only be found and experienced when man repents of his self glory and then gives His Creator and Redeemer the glory that He alone is due.
---To God be the glory!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Living in Readiness
Mark 13:35-37 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
When being asked by His disciples about the timing of the last days, Jesus made three matters perfectly clear: 1- The Son of Man is coming again to judge the world, 2- No one knows the exact time of His return other than the Father, 3- All must watch and be ready for His imminent return. In the most basic terms Jesus was telling His followers not to be so concerned about laboring over the minor details of His return, but instead, simply live each day with the readiness and anticipation of that He may arrive today.
The problem with most of us is that either we do not honestly believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead, or we do not truly believe that His return is could be at anytime. Otherwise, we would live our lives in marked difference. These are the same issues of the unfaithful steward (Matt. 24) and the five foolish virgins (Matt. 25) of whom were each condemned for the lack of readiness. Jesus addresses this readiness issue time and again in direct teaching and in parables.
This “living in readiness” would radically change most of our lives. Think for a moment; just how different would my daily plans, daily routines and daily actions be if I truly anticipated the return of Christ sometime today? Obviously, if I truly believed that Jesus was the Righteous Judge and would come at a time unexpected then I would be certain my life, my affairs and my house would be in order. As a host preparing for a special guest I would meticulously examine every room to ensure my guest would be pleased and to avoid embarrassment to myself. For some this task would be overwhelming and in anxiousness since no prior preparation had been made, and therefore much cleaning and rearranging would have to be done. For others, those who live daily in expectation of a special guest, the announcement of arrival would be met with joy since preparations had already been made and their house is already in order.
I must then ask myself, “Do I live in readiness?” And, “How must preparation would I require if I knew Jesus was coming today?” Let us not be caught unprepared and not ready. Oh, the joy of living daily in the anticipation and readiness of Christ’s return! Oh, the peace of knowing that when He knocks at the door my house is already in order!
When being asked by His disciples about the timing of the last days, Jesus made three matters perfectly clear: 1- The Son of Man is coming again to judge the world, 2- No one knows the exact time of His return other than the Father, 3- All must watch and be ready for His imminent return. In the most basic terms Jesus was telling His followers not to be so concerned about laboring over the minor details of His return, but instead, simply live each day with the readiness and anticipation of that He may arrive today.
The problem with most of us is that either we do not honestly believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead, or we do not truly believe that His return is could be at anytime. Otherwise, we would live our lives in marked difference. These are the same issues of the unfaithful steward (Matt. 24) and the five foolish virgins (Matt. 25) of whom were each condemned for the lack of readiness. Jesus addresses this readiness issue time and again in direct teaching and in parables.
This “living in readiness” would radically change most of our lives. Think for a moment; just how different would my daily plans, daily routines and daily actions be if I truly anticipated the return of Christ sometime today? Obviously, if I truly believed that Jesus was the Righteous Judge and would come at a time unexpected then I would be certain my life, my affairs and my house would be in order. As a host preparing for a special guest I would meticulously examine every room to ensure my guest would be pleased and to avoid embarrassment to myself. For some this task would be overwhelming and in anxiousness since no prior preparation had been made, and therefore much cleaning and rearranging would have to be done. For others, those who live daily in expectation of a special guest, the announcement of arrival would be met with joy since preparations had already been made and their house is already in order.
I must then ask myself, “Do I live in readiness?” And, “How must preparation would I require if I knew Jesus was coming today?” Let us not be caught unprepared and not ready. Oh, the joy of living daily in the anticipation and readiness of Christ’s return! Oh, the peace of knowing that when He knocks at the door my house is already in order!
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Beauty is Worth the Effort
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
I had heard of the Grand Canyon, of its indescribable beauty and its overwhelming vastness, but I never desired to spend the necessary time to see this treasure for myself. I had heard the testimonies from others, believed in its reality, but had no desire to experience it for myself.
Then on a family vacation in the western states my wife insisted we visit the Grand Canyon. Inwardly, I growled as this would take at least two days out of our schedule to see nothing more that a gigantic hole in the ground. My thoughts of displeasure only intensified as we drove through hours of desert to arrive at the stated destination.
Upon arrival my displeasure soon began to flee. As I walked to the edge of the canyon I became immediately overwhelmed with the beauty and the vastness of this treasure of God’s creation. The words and photos of others could not accurately describe the vivid colors, the immensity and the glory of this wonder of God’s handiwork. I was wrong, so very wrong! My regret now was that we did not schedule enough time to truly explore the many hidden wonders of this divine masterpiece.
The taste of standing on the edge and gazing at the beauty before me only made me hungry for more. Thank God for my wife insisting this to be in our plans. The drive back through the desert did not seem as tedious as the images that would not be forgotten continued to flash into my mind.
I am afraid that many view Scripture in the same way I viewed the Grand Canyon: belief in the truth of its reality but not willing to take the time or the effort to experience it for myself. I had heard what others had to say and sadly was satisfied, and was never willing to do what was necessary to taste it for myself. How foolish to eat the crumbs of others when we can indulge in the feast itself.
No one will ever taste the depth, the beauty and the majesty of God’s Word until he makes the commitment and the sacrifice to do whatever it takes to stand at its edge and wonder at its glory. Then and only then will one not be satisfied with simply a taste but desire to explore for even more of God’s indescribable riches. No one else’s explanation will do.
Thank God for those who have challenged me to explore for myself the vastness and beauty of God's majestic Word.
I had heard of the Grand Canyon, of its indescribable beauty and its overwhelming vastness, but I never desired to spend the necessary time to see this treasure for myself. I had heard the testimonies from others, believed in its reality, but had no desire to experience it for myself.
Then on a family vacation in the western states my wife insisted we visit the Grand Canyon. Inwardly, I growled as this would take at least two days out of our schedule to see nothing more that a gigantic hole in the ground. My thoughts of displeasure only intensified as we drove through hours of desert to arrive at the stated destination.
Upon arrival my displeasure soon began to flee. As I walked to the edge of the canyon I became immediately overwhelmed with the beauty and the vastness of this treasure of God’s creation. The words and photos of others could not accurately describe the vivid colors, the immensity and the glory of this wonder of God’s handiwork. I was wrong, so very wrong! My regret now was that we did not schedule enough time to truly explore the many hidden wonders of this divine masterpiece.
The taste of standing on the edge and gazing at the beauty before me only made me hungry for more. Thank God for my wife insisting this to be in our plans. The drive back through the desert did not seem as tedious as the images that would not be forgotten continued to flash into my mind.
I am afraid that many view Scripture in the same way I viewed the Grand Canyon: belief in the truth of its reality but not willing to take the time or the effort to experience it for myself. I had heard what others had to say and sadly was satisfied, and was never willing to do what was necessary to taste it for myself. How foolish to eat the crumbs of others when we can indulge in the feast itself.
No one will ever taste the depth, the beauty and the majesty of God’s Word until he makes the commitment and the sacrifice to do whatever it takes to stand at its edge and wonder at its glory. Then and only then will one not be satisfied with simply a taste but desire to explore for even more of God’s indescribable riches. No one else’s explanation will do.
Thank God for those who have challenged me to explore for myself the vastness and beauty of God's majestic Word.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Lord, Give Us More Stephens
Acts 6:15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him (Stephen),
saw his face as the face of an angel.
Lord, give us more Stephens: Men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom; Men who are faithful servants to your people and bold preachers of your word. Men who are full of faith and power; Men of whom when they find themselves in the midst of false accusations and persecutions do not lash out, but have the countenance of an angel; Men whose light shines bright in the darkest of times.
I believe in the heat of persecution the face of Stephen and his final words of compassion for his persecutors were permanently etched in the mind of one of his tormentors, Saul of Tarsus. Could it be that Stephen’s testimony in death was a preparation of Saul’s soon salvation and a prod for his future ministry? If so, Stephen's light continued to burn bright through the powerful ministry of the apostle Paul.
saw his face as the face of an angel.
Lord, give us more Stephens: Men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom; Men who are faithful servants to your people and bold preachers of your word. Men who are full of faith and power; Men of whom when they find themselves in the midst of false accusations and persecutions do not lash out, but have the countenance of an angel; Men whose light shines bright in the darkest of times.
I believe in the heat of persecution the face of Stephen and his final words of compassion for his persecutors were permanently etched in the mind of one of his tormentors, Saul of Tarsus. Could it be that Stephen’s testimony in death was a preparation of Saul’s soon salvation and a prod for his future ministry? If so, Stephen's light continued to burn bright through the powerful ministry of the apostle Paul.
Trials of the Race
Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?
Jeremiah was tired, weary, frustrated and now complaining to God about the persecution he was facing from his own Jewish brothers for preaching God’s Word. He was in the midst a major pity party complaining of God’s injustice for allowing the unrighteous to prosper while the righteous perished.
There will be times that any faithful servant of God will find himself in the very circumstance of Jeremiah. We would like to think that our faithfulness to God and His Word would be rewarded by immediately blessings from God and appreciation of the people, but history proves this is not necessarily the case. God’s prophets who faithfully preached His Word rather than tickling men’s ears were seldom applauded by their contemporaries and in most cases disdained by their listeners. One has to look no further than Jesus Christ who was crucified by the very people He came to save.
In truth, faithful service to our Lord can be at times a treacherous road and a weary task. This can cause the servant to lose sight of the mark and to begin to feel sorry for himself. But God will not allow us to wallow in the mire of our self-indulgent sorrow. In His grace and mercy He will strengthen and encourage us, but in His truth He will remind us of the preparations for task before us. He will remind us just as He did Jeremiah, “If you become weary in the little skirmishes then how will you stand in the major battles ahead?”
God loves us and His work too much to allow us to remain where we are. He is constantly testing and stretching His servants with trials and tribulations for a greater work ahead. Instead of a spirit of complaint which naturally reveals itself through our flesh, may we have a spirit of rejoicing that God would count us worthy to serve and grow in His work. Let us be as the early church who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41).
--To God be the Glory
Jeremiah was tired, weary, frustrated and now complaining to God about the persecution he was facing from his own Jewish brothers for preaching God’s Word. He was in the midst a major pity party complaining of God’s injustice for allowing the unrighteous to prosper while the righteous perished.
There will be times that any faithful servant of God will find himself in the very circumstance of Jeremiah. We would like to think that our faithfulness to God and His Word would be rewarded by immediately blessings from God and appreciation of the people, but history proves this is not necessarily the case. God’s prophets who faithfully preached His Word rather than tickling men’s ears were seldom applauded by their contemporaries and in most cases disdained by their listeners. One has to look no further than Jesus Christ who was crucified by the very people He came to save.
In truth, faithful service to our Lord can be at times a treacherous road and a weary task. This can cause the servant to lose sight of the mark and to begin to feel sorry for himself. But God will not allow us to wallow in the mire of our self-indulgent sorrow. In His grace and mercy He will strengthen and encourage us, but in His truth He will remind us of the preparations for task before us. He will remind us just as He did Jeremiah, “If you become weary in the little skirmishes then how will you stand in the major battles ahead?”
God loves us and His work too much to allow us to remain where we are. He is constantly testing and stretching His servants with trials and tribulations for a greater work ahead. Instead of a spirit of complaint which naturally reveals itself through our flesh, may we have a spirit of rejoicing that God would count us worthy to serve and grow in His work. Let us be as the early church who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41).
--To God be the Glory
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Loved Him
Mark 10:21 "Then Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow Me.'"
This young man was so close but yet so far. He came sincerely to Jesus seeking eternal life but was confused on how to obtain it. He had been faithful, in comparison to others, in keeping the law but this was not the way unto salvation. Jesus looked at the young man with eyes of compassion and with a heart of purest love knowing exactly what was keeping him from eternal life. He had made idols of his riches and thus measured himself by his possessions rather than by a Holy God. Jesus understood this idol had to be removed before true worship could be made and true life obtained. Thus, out of a heart of love Jesus addressed this man's need and what needed to be done so he could obtain the eternal life he was seeking. The idol must be destroyed, all had be given away, and then he must selflessly follow Christ. The words were hard but they were true and flowed from the love of the Lord. Sadly, the young man was not willing to give up his idol of riches for true eternal life. He would rather glory in temporal pleasure than in eternal delight. He walked away sorrowful but in love Jesus did not follow him. Jesus had given him riches greater than any he owned: the riches of truth and love. Sadly, he rejected truth wrapped in love and thus eternal life.
This young man was so close but yet so far. He came sincerely to Jesus seeking eternal life but was confused on how to obtain it. He had been faithful, in comparison to others, in keeping the law but this was not the way unto salvation. Jesus looked at the young man with eyes of compassion and with a heart of purest love knowing exactly what was keeping him from eternal life. He had made idols of his riches and thus measured himself by his possessions rather than by a Holy God. Jesus understood this idol had to be removed before true worship could be made and true life obtained. Thus, out of a heart of love Jesus addressed this man's need and what needed to be done so he could obtain the eternal life he was seeking. The idol must be destroyed, all had be given away, and then he must selflessly follow Christ. The words were hard but they were true and flowed from the love of the Lord. Sadly, the young man was not willing to give up his idol of riches for true eternal life. He would rather glory in temporal pleasure than in eternal delight. He walked away sorrowful but in love Jesus did not follow him. Jesus had given him riches greater than any he owned: the riches of truth and love. Sadly, he rejected truth wrapped in love and thus eternal life.
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