(Today's reading - Job 40-42; Acts 15: 22-41)
Yesterday, I told you about how the church remained unified. Today, we look at a time where brothers parted company. Interesting isn't it... same chapter, different results. The disagreement isn't doctrinal or even about a spiritual matter; rather the disagreement is over who to take along on a trip. Take a moment and read...
And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (Acts 15: 36-41)
I appreciate that the nature of the disagreement is fully exposed. It was a "sharp disagreement". It wasn't a little spat, it wasn't a mild disagreement; it was sharp. The words used by each man are not given, but the flavor is there for all to read. We were introduced to Barnabas in Acts 4 as a man who sold a field and gave the proceeds to the apostles to feed and care for the needy. He is called the son of encouragement. Later, when Saul (Paul) comes to Jerusalem to join the Christian movement, he is rejected... until Barnabas takes his side and tells his story. That is the kind of man Barnabas is... caring, kind, generous and trusting. It should not come as a surprise to anyone that he would want to give John Mark another chance to grow in the Lord.
Paul, on the other hand is all about the mission. Mark had abandoned them once before (Acts 13) and the mission is what is important. Why take along a man who had abandoned the mission? I understand both sides of this dispute. They are both right. Can that be? Yep. In the Lord's church, people can disagree on matters of opinion and both be right. Paul and Barnabas had different opinions of John Mark. I have heard people say that this was about God splitting them up to cover twice the territory... but I don't see that here. These two men had a disagreement and went on their way, apart. I don't read that they hated each other or that they wouldn't speak to each other. Both continued to work for the progress of the kingdom and I don't read that they went around talking about each other.
That's how a disagreement over opinion should be handled in the church... agree to disagree and move forward with the mission. Jesus commanded us to "love one another". That's how we are to disagree... love one another! I have failed at this several times in my life and I know I hurt others. For that, I am sorry. I intend to work to restore those relationships in as much as it depends on me. How about you? Any damaged relationships in your past? Let's all get busy and fix them.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Unity Among God's People
(Today's reading - Job 38,39; Acts 15:1-21)
Imagine for a moment what it was like for the Jew when God decided it was time to bring the Gentile into the family, into a covenant relationship with Himself. From Abraham forward, the Jew was God's "chosen". What does that even mean? They had been chosen from among all people to make the one God known the world, to share His word, His "will" with the rest of the world. They were given the Law and that was to make them a different people, a people that would demonstrate God's goodness and His will for mankind. That made them a special people, not because they were special, but because God chose them and that made them special. (Deuteronomy 7:7)
Many people misunderstand the concept of "chosen", as if the "unchosen" were in some way inferior or even unloved. The chosen had a specific responsibility to the those that had not been chosen. A proper understanding of this is needed to understand and appreciate the responsibilities that God's people have to the rest of the world today. It was never that the Jew was going to heaven and the rest of the world was condemned. Rather, the Jew was to take the message of God to everyone else. Their disobedience in no way removed their responsibility. (this must be understood) It is also important to remember that the Jew, the Israelite was a branch of the family; it is not as if we are talking about some particular race of people.
As we begin to read Acts 15, we see that Jews (Christian Jews) were teaching the gentile Christians that they must abide by the Law of Moses. (and be circumcised) I can imagine that this was causing quite a stir among these new followers of God. I am sure the Jew was thinking that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. They had lived under the Law (not an easy task) and had been subject to all its' rules and regulations, why not these new followers of God?
I appreciate the way this is settled. Pay close attention and see how disputes should be handled among God's people. They didn't vote. They didn't find out what was popular. They didn't turn to culture or society. They didn't consider what might offend people. They didn't ask the most powerful in the church. They didn't ask the smartest people in the congregation. Instead, they turned to the Apostles, those whom God had entrusted with His Word. The final Word came down from the proper authority and the dispute was settled.
Wouldn't that be amazing! Instead of allowing our wants, our desires to determine what we practice and believe, we turn to the Apostles for direction from God. Had they not done that, I can imagine that we would have seen two churches in town... the First Church of the Circumcised and the Assembly of the Uncircumcised. They would have been running around trying to convince people why they were right and "that other church" is wrong. Instead, we are given the solution to doctrinal differences... God's Word. An honest reading of His Word will settle the issue and keep people united. And where a disagreement remains after an honest look, I believe God calls on His people to extend love to their brother and sister. Maybe time and more study will change the heart and mind. Maybe the dispute is over something that really doesn't matter anyway. (can I get an O Yeah)
Whatever the issue is, I am sure of this one thing... God expects His people to work it out and stay united. Jesus prayer before His ascension was for our unity. He knew we would struggle with wanting our own way, so He took it to the Father in prayer... maybe we should do the same. Not everything is all important. Not everything carries the same weight. (read 1 Corinthians 15:3) Let's follow the example of the early church and seek God's will on matters that pull us apart. Spend time in prayer for the brother that you disagree with! Let love do its' work. As His people, we are His chosen... the world is watching, how are we going to settle our disputes?
Imagine for a moment what it was like for the Jew when God decided it was time to bring the Gentile into the family, into a covenant relationship with Himself. From Abraham forward, the Jew was God's "chosen". What does that even mean? They had been chosen from among all people to make the one God known the world, to share His word, His "will" with the rest of the world. They were given the Law and that was to make them a different people, a people that would demonstrate God's goodness and His will for mankind. That made them a special people, not because they were special, but because God chose them and that made them special. (Deuteronomy 7:7)
Many people misunderstand the concept of "chosen", as if the "unchosen" were in some way inferior or even unloved. The chosen had a specific responsibility to the those that had not been chosen. A proper understanding of this is needed to understand and appreciate the responsibilities that God's people have to the rest of the world today. It was never that the Jew was going to heaven and the rest of the world was condemned. Rather, the Jew was to take the message of God to everyone else. Their disobedience in no way removed their responsibility. (this must be understood) It is also important to remember that the Jew, the Israelite was a branch of the family; it is not as if we are talking about some particular race of people.
As we begin to read Acts 15, we see that Jews (Christian Jews) were teaching the gentile Christians that they must abide by the Law of Moses. (and be circumcised) I can imagine that this was causing quite a stir among these new followers of God. I am sure the Jew was thinking that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. They had lived under the Law (not an easy task) and had been subject to all its' rules and regulations, why not these new followers of God?
I appreciate the way this is settled. Pay close attention and see how disputes should be handled among God's people. They didn't vote. They didn't find out what was popular. They didn't turn to culture or society. They didn't consider what might offend people. They didn't ask the most powerful in the church. They didn't ask the smartest people in the congregation. Instead, they turned to the Apostles, those whom God had entrusted with His Word. The final Word came down from the proper authority and the dispute was settled.
Wouldn't that be amazing! Instead of allowing our wants, our desires to determine what we practice and believe, we turn to the Apostles for direction from God. Had they not done that, I can imagine that we would have seen two churches in town... the First Church of the Circumcised and the Assembly of the Uncircumcised. They would have been running around trying to convince people why they were right and "that other church" is wrong. Instead, we are given the solution to doctrinal differences... God's Word. An honest reading of His Word will settle the issue and keep people united. And where a disagreement remains after an honest look, I believe God calls on His people to extend love to their brother and sister. Maybe time and more study will change the heart and mind. Maybe the dispute is over something that really doesn't matter anyway. (can I get an O Yeah)
Whatever the issue is, I am sure of this one thing... God expects His people to work it out and stay united. Jesus prayer before His ascension was for our unity. He knew we would struggle with wanting our own way, so He took it to the Father in prayer... maybe we should do the same. Not everything is all important. Not everything carries the same weight. (read 1 Corinthians 15:3) Let's follow the example of the early church and seek God's will on matters that pull us apart. Spend time in prayer for the brother that you disagree with! Let love do its' work. As His people, we are His chosen... the world is watching, how are we going to settle our disputes?
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Prison and Prayer
Today we read Acts 12. This is not a great time to be a Christian. Unlike the times we read about earlier in Acts, disciples of Jesus are facing persecution and execution. It is difficult for us to relate to this (for now). We live in a nation that protects our religious freedom and few of us have ever faced people that threaten harm or imprison because of what we believe. In Acts 12, we read about the death of James, the brother of John. (I will leave you a moment here to think about James)
We often read verses and they don't really impact us. James, the brother of John, was one of the first four disciples that Jesus called to follow him. He left his fishing business and his father, Zebedee to become one of the "Sons of Thunder" as Jesus would name them. Take a moment to think about this man of God who died because he chose Jesus over a fishing career.
After James is executed, Peter is taken into prison and his fate is to be the same as James. But God has other plans. Let's read... Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” (12: 5-8)
I want us to read that slowly. Peter is in prison, bound with two chains between two soldiers. There were guards keeping the door as well, a total of 16 soldiers. Sounds like a "high security prison". No doubt, Herod had heard of the previous prison breaks (Acts 5) and wanted to be sure that Peter stayed put this time. What I want us to focus on is the little phrase "but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church". Why does Luke, by the direction of the Spirit tell us that while Peter is chained in prison, the church is constant in prayer? Sixteen professional soldiers, a high security prison, chained to two soldiers and the church is constant in prayer. Why? Why are they praying and why are we told about it?
My faith is in a God that answers prayers. He listens to the prayers of His children and then acts in their best interests. Sometimes I see the results of my prayer, sometimes I don't. Either way, He still acts and He still answers my prayers! Maybe God planned on rescuing Peter without the prayers of the church. Maybe. I don't know (and you don't either), but I know this, God saw fit to tell us that the church was praying (constantly) and that Peter was set free. Why tell us that if prayers are not efficacious? Why set us up for wasted efforts? I have prayed for friends that were ill and they were healed. I have prayed for friends and they were not healed. That is truth. I don't fully understand why God answers my prayers with a yes sometimes and at other times it is a no. But this I know for sure... he knows what is best in every situation and by faith I accept that.
Let me leave you with a verse that covers this very adequately... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) He is working in our best interests... always, in all things! That is the kind of God we love and serve. Sure I wonder "why" sometimes and that is alright. but in the end, I have to remember who is God and who is not. Isaiah tells us a truth that helps... “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9) I believe one day I (and you) will understand better the "why", but until then... trust and faith.
We often read verses and they don't really impact us. James, the brother of John, was one of the first four disciples that Jesus called to follow him. He left his fishing business and his father, Zebedee to become one of the "Sons of Thunder" as Jesus would name them. Take a moment to think about this man of God who died because he chose Jesus over a fishing career.
After James is executed, Peter is taken into prison and his fate is to be the same as James. But God has other plans. Let's read... Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” (12: 5-8)
I want us to read that slowly. Peter is in prison, bound with two chains between two soldiers. There were guards keeping the door as well, a total of 16 soldiers. Sounds like a "high security prison". No doubt, Herod had heard of the previous prison breaks (Acts 5) and wanted to be sure that Peter stayed put this time. What I want us to focus on is the little phrase "but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church". Why does Luke, by the direction of the Spirit tell us that while Peter is chained in prison, the church is constant in prayer? Sixteen professional soldiers, a high security prison, chained to two soldiers and the church is constant in prayer. Why? Why are they praying and why are we told about it?
My faith is in a God that answers prayers. He listens to the prayers of His children and then acts in their best interests. Sometimes I see the results of my prayer, sometimes I don't. Either way, He still acts and He still answers my prayers! Maybe God planned on rescuing Peter without the prayers of the church. Maybe. I don't know (and you don't either), but I know this, God saw fit to tell us that the church was praying (constantly) and that Peter was set free. Why tell us that if prayers are not efficacious? Why set us up for wasted efforts? I have prayed for friends that were ill and they were healed. I have prayed for friends and they were not healed. That is truth. I don't fully understand why God answers my prayers with a yes sometimes and at other times it is a no. But this I know for sure... he knows what is best in every situation and by faith I accept that.
Let me leave you with a verse that covers this very adequately... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) He is working in our best interests... always, in all things! That is the kind of God we love and serve. Sure I wonder "why" sometimes and that is alright. but in the end, I have to remember who is God and who is not. Isaiah tells us a truth that helps... “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9) I believe one day I (and you) will understand better the "why", but until then... trust and faith.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Simon's Sin or Legend Of The Fall
Our daily reading takes us to the book of Acts and includes some very interesting information. Take a moment and read Acts 8:1-25. Now, take a marker and highlight the things that you were surprised by and the things you had confirmed for you. (if you are a believer in marking in your Bible, otherwise don't do this)
The chapter begins with the fulfillment of the command given in Acts 1:8. (Jump back there and read) Jesus had told his disciples that they were to go and teach the good news, yet we find them hanging around Jerusalem until the 8th chapter. What changed? Well, it got pretty uncomfortable to be a Christian in Jerusalem about this time. Did God bring about the persecution to scatter the disciples? I don't know, but it got the job done! From this point forward the message of Jesus begins to be preached everywhere. So, for you and me this is a pretty important day in the history of the church.
Next we read about a man named Simon, Simon the Sorcerer. (sounds like a Disney movie) Philip makes his way to a little town called Samaria and begins to preach the great news of our Savior. He performs miracles to prove his authority and people respond to his message. Just as all the others we have read about that become Christians, they believe and are baptized. Let's take a read...But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. (v 12-13) Clearly, the teaching that is described as "things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" included the command to be baptized and the people obeyed. (Matthew 28:18ff, Acts 2:38ff)
The next tidbit of information is very interesting. Simon witnesses Phillip (the Apostle) laying his hands on people so that they could receive the gifts of the Spirit (ie. the ability to perform miracles) and he wants that power. He had been used to getting the attention, after all he was a "sorcerer". But now he saw the real thing, no magic tricks... the real deal! And he wanted this ability. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (17-19) Want to know why miracles are not around today... there is your answer. Only the apostles had the ability to pass on the miraculous gifts. When they died, so did the ability to give these gifts. And... when those that they gave gifts to died, then miraculous gifts ceased to exist.
What occurs next is very important, so pay close attention. Simon seeks to purchase this ability from the apostles. Remember Simon had been saved back in verse 13. He makes his request to purchase this ability and the response from Peter is swift and to the point. But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (20-23) Do you understand what just happened? Peter tells Simon that because of the intent of his heart, he was going to perish. He was lost! He was saved and then he was lost.
Peter's response to Simon's problem... Repent of your wickedness and pray for forgiveness. What does a Christian do when they fall, when they find themselves in sin... repent (change direction, stop the sin) and pray for forgiveness. Simon responds by asking Peter to pray for him also. Peter's rebuke cut to his heart and Simon didn't want to stay in that condition. What a great example for us. When we find ourselves caught in a sin, repent of it, pray and ask others to pray for us also and God will forgive our transgression.
The story of Simon, his sin and his recovery is important for us. Obviously it is, God included it for a reason! It gives us assurance that when we fall, we have a way back to a right relationship with the Father. I am thankful for His love and the security that we find in Him. Amen? Amen!
The chapter begins with the fulfillment of the command given in Acts 1:8. (Jump back there and read) Jesus had told his disciples that they were to go and teach the good news, yet we find them hanging around Jerusalem until the 8th chapter. What changed? Well, it got pretty uncomfortable to be a Christian in Jerusalem about this time. Did God bring about the persecution to scatter the disciples? I don't know, but it got the job done! From this point forward the message of Jesus begins to be preached everywhere. So, for you and me this is a pretty important day in the history of the church.
Next we read about a man named Simon, Simon the Sorcerer. (sounds like a Disney movie) Philip makes his way to a little town called Samaria and begins to preach the great news of our Savior. He performs miracles to prove his authority and people respond to his message. Just as all the others we have read about that become Christians, they believe and are baptized. Let's take a read...But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. (v 12-13) Clearly, the teaching that is described as "things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" included the command to be baptized and the people obeyed. (Matthew 28:18ff, Acts 2:38ff)
The next tidbit of information is very interesting. Simon witnesses Phillip (the Apostle) laying his hands on people so that they could receive the gifts of the Spirit (ie. the ability to perform miracles) and he wants that power. He had been used to getting the attention, after all he was a "sorcerer". But now he saw the real thing, no magic tricks... the real deal! And he wanted this ability. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (17-19) Want to know why miracles are not around today... there is your answer. Only the apostles had the ability to pass on the miraculous gifts. When they died, so did the ability to give these gifts. And... when those that they gave gifts to died, then miraculous gifts ceased to exist.
What occurs next is very important, so pay close attention. Simon seeks to purchase this ability from the apostles. Remember Simon had been saved back in verse 13. He makes his request to purchase this ability and the response from Peter is swift and to the point. But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (20-23) Do you understand what just happened? Peter tells Simon that because of the intent of his heart, he was going to perish. He was lost! He was saved and then he was lost.
Peter's response to Simon's problem... Repent of your wickedness and pray for forgiveness. What does a Christian do when they fall, when they find themselves in sin... repent (change direction, stop the sin) and pray for forgiveness. Simon responds by asking Peter to pray for him also. Peter's rebuke cut to his heart and Simon didn't want to stay in that condition. What a great example for us. When we find ourselves caught in a sin, repent of it, pray and ask others to pray for us also and God will forgive our transgression.
The story of Simon, his sin and his recovery is important for us. Obviously it is, God included it for a reason! It gives us assurance that when we fall, we have a way back to a right relationship with the Father. I am thankful for His love and the security that we find in Him. Amen? Amen!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Of Lions and Grass
Let me set the stage for you... Last night I am sitting in an excellent Men's Bible Study (doing a fairly critical review of "Wild At Heart") and we dive into a discussion of the world, pre and post-fall. What was this world like before man sinned and what was it like after? I know, right, you are sitting on the edge of your seat about now! First let me say this, the Bible is not filled with lots of information about this, so there was a lot of "I think" going on.
Finally, one guy says that every creature on earth ate veggies before the fall. Well, I quickly corrected him and said something to the effect of, "you mean to tell me that lions ate grass and not sheep?". I did so with great joy and a little laughter at his ignorance. I mean come on, lions and tigers munching on green beans and squash. LOL! Now here's where things get a little fuzzy for me... somewhere between the giggles, another guy says, "yep, just read the last few verses in Genesis 1". Ok, I 'll humor him, I mean I have read Genesis many times and 5 times in the last years, so there is no way something so silly is in there. I know what it says!
( I know, each of you is busy turning in your trusty little pocket Bibles to see what it says) Let me save your fingers the exercise... Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground —everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Imagine my surprise as I was confronted with the truth. My mantra has always been if you can show me something in the Bible, in context... I will believe it. Lions eat grass. Before the fall of man, all creatures ate green plants. That my friends is the truth as God's word reveals it and so I believe it. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:12... Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. I knew that lions didn't eat grass! I was certain of it and I was standing on my belief. Timber!
Sometimes, that is the way it is. We believe something, we are sure of it and yet we are wrong. Our parents, our grandparents, our friends and our preachers have told us things. They are trustworthy and so we file it away as truth in our beliefs. Here's the rub... sometimes they are wrong! They have been told things by people that they trust who were told by someone they trust and on and on. For many years, the world was flat. That was the "truth" and everyone believed it... until someone sailed out there and didn't fall off the edge. You get the idea.
What's my point in all this? Peter put it this way, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. (2 Peter 1: 10-12) He tells us that even though we know the truth, he will continually remind us of it. Our responsibility is to be diligent in making our "election" sure. Spend time with other Christians in discussion. Listen to your preacher. Read commentaries. Read Christian authors. But in the end... remember that His word is truth. Our beliefs must be Biblical to please Him.
Listen to what Francis Chan has to say about all this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Is8QnxviOI
Are your beliefs Biblical? Mine were not! I was sure that lions ate sheep. I was wrong. You know, the big question is "what do you do when you realize your beliefs are not Biblical?". You can hold onto what is wrong or you can let His word reign in your life. Many will hold onto a lie to save face. Pride prevents them from allowing truth to correct a wrong belief. I know people like that. (I have been like that)
Paul gives us a strong warning in 2 Corinthians 13:4-6 - For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
Do you believe that lions eat grass?
Finally, one guy says that every creature on earth ate veggies before the fall. Well, I quickly corrected him and said something to the effect of, "you mean to tell me that lions ate grass and not sheep?". I did so with great joy and a little laughter at his ignorance. I mean come on, lions and tigers munching on green beans and squash. LOL! Now here's where things get a little fuzzy for me... somewhere between the giggles, another guy says, "yep, just read the last few verses in Genesis 1". Ok, I 'll humor him, I mean I have read Genesis many times and 5 times in the last years, so there is no way something so silly is in there. I know what it says!
( I know, each of you is busy turning in your trusty little pocket Bibles to see what it says) Let me save your fingers the exercise... Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground —everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Imagine my surprise as I was confronted with the truth. My mantra has always been if you can show me something in the Bible, in context... I will believe it. Lions eat grass. Before the fall of man, all creatures ate green plants. That my friends is the truth as God's word reveals it and so I believe it. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:12... Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. I knew that lions didn't eat grass! I was certain of it and I was standing on my belief. Timber!
Sometimes, that is the way it is. We believe something, we are sure of it and yet we are wrong. Our parents, our grandparents, our friends and our preachers have told us things. They are trustworthy and so we file it away as truth in our beliefs. Here's the rub... sometimes they are wrong! They have been told things by people that they trust who were told by someone they trust and on and on. For many years, the world was flat. That was the "truth" and everyone believed it... until someone sailed out there and didn't fall off the edge. You get the idea.
What's my point in all this? Peter put it this way, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. (2 Peter 1: 10-12) He tells us that even though we know the truth, he will continually remind us of it. Our responsibility is to be diligent in making our "election" sure. Spend time with other Christians in discussion. Listen to your preacher. Read commentaries. Read Christian authors. But in the end... remember that His word is truth. Our beliefs must be Biblical to please Him.
Listen to what Francis Chan has to say about all this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Is8QnxviOI
Are your beliefs Biblical? Mine were not! I was sure that lions ate sheep. I was wrong. You know, the big question is "what do you do when you realize your beliefs are not Biblical?". You can hold onto what is wrong or you can let His word reign in your life. Many will hold onto a lie to save face. Pride prevents them from allowing truth to correct a wrong belief. I know people like that. (I have been like that)
Paul gives us a strong warning in 2 Corinthians 13:4-6 - For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
Do you believe that lions eat grass?
Monday, June 24, 2013
Ah, What Trouble?
(Today's reading Job 1-3, Acts 7:1-19)
I have read the story of Job several times in my life. I still struggle with it. Why would God turn a good man over to Satan for testing? Why would he allow the devastation of Job's life? I am encouraged every time I read of Job's devotion to God and I wonder if I have what it takes to be like him. I pray that I never have to find out.
The story goes like this. Satan comes before God and asks permission to strike Job so that his faith would be tested. Satan is sure that it is because of the blessings in Job's life that he has faith in God. God allows the testing. Job looses everything... almost. His wealth is gone. His children are gone. His servants are gone. His wife remains. (I am not convinced that she is not part of the testing) He holds up well until God allows Satan to attack his person. Job is covered with sores from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. He takes pot shards and scraps his body. Sounds like a party to me. His wife tells him to "curse God and die". (My earlier point reinforced) His response to her is amazing... He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (2:10)
Next Job is visited by three friends. When trouble comes, true friends show up. Some folks talk about you and your troubles, but true friends show up. I am thankful to have so many true friends! Take a moment to read the account of their visit... When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (2:11-13) That my friends is friendship. Sometimes just showing up is enough. Sometimes words just get in the way (and they do in the next few chapters). His friends come and sit with him, hurt with him and cry with him.
After a while, Job speaks and what he says makes sense to me. He questions why he was born and why he lived. When tragedy strikes, isn't that always the question... why. Why me? Why did this happen to me? I wish I had never been born! I wish I was dead! Job goes through all of those thoughts. He is human and humans ask those questions (and that is ok). He closes his thoughts in Chapter 3 with these words...
"Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." (3:23-26)
I am thankful that our Bibles are filled with stories of real people, who have real problems and make real mistakes and suffer real consequences. For Job to react the way he did helps me to understand the human condition. Each of us will have days filled with joy and each of us will have days filled with pain. When wonderful days come, may we praise God and remember that He gives us just such days. When painful days come, may we remember that our lives are a gift from Him and that even in difficult situations His love is present and we can be enriched by our suffering. What kind of person would you be if you only experienced good days? Would you be of any value to those around you if you could not sympathize because of your experiences?
I am reminded of a scene in the movie Jeremiah Johnson. He has become a true mountain man. He has lost his wife and son. His home has been burned to the ground. Just watch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ND_fwX2fM
Trouble, what trouble? May each of us determine to have just that attitude in our lives. "You've come far pilgrim... Feels like far... Were it worth the trouble?... Ah, what trouble?"
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus told his disciples that trouble would come. Life isn't lived without it! But He tells us, you and me, that in Him we may have peace. In Him we can say... "ah, what trouble". Job takes us there if we will let him. In all his trouble, his love for God and God's love for him is never in question. Let us learn from him. Amen.
I have read the story of Job several times in my life. I still struggle with it. Why would God turn a good man over to Satan for testing? Why would he allow the devastation of Job's life? I am encouraged every time I read of Job's devotion to God and I wonder if I have what it takes to be like him. I pray that I never have to find out.
The story goes like this. Satan comes before God and asks permission to strike Job so that his faith would be tested. Satan is sure that it is because of the blessings in Job's life that he has faith in God. God allows the testing. Job looses everything... almost. His wealth is gone. His children are gone. His servants are gone. His wife remains. (I am not convinced that she is not part of the testing) He holds up well until God allows Satan to attack his person. Job is covered with sores from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. He takes pot shards and scraps his body. Sounds like a party to me. His wife tells him to "curse God and die". (My earlier point reinforced) His response to her is amazing... He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (2:10)
Next Job is visited by three friends. When trouble comes, true friends show up. Some folks talk about you and your troubles, but true friends show up. I am thankful to have so many true friends! Take a moment to read the account of their visit... When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (2:11-13) That my friends is friendship. Sometimes just showing up is enough. Sometimes words just get in the way (and they do in the next few chapters). His friends come and sit with him, hurt with him and cry with him.
After a while, Job speaks and what he says makes sense to me. He questions why he was born and why he lived. When tragedy strikes, isn't that always the question... why. Why me? Why did this happen to me? I wish I had never been born! I wish I was dead! Job goes through all of those thoughts. He is human and humans ask those questions (and that is ok). He closes his thoughts in Chapter 3 with these words...
"Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." (3:23-26)
I am thankful that our Bibles are filled with stories of real people, who have real problems and make real mistakes and suffer real consequences. For Job to react the way he did helps me to understand the human condition. Each of us will have days filled with joy and each of us will have days filled with pain. When wonderful days come, may we praise God and remember that He gives us just such days. When painful days come, may we remember that our lives are a gift from Him and that even in difficult situations His love is present and we can be enriched by our suffering. What kind of person would you be if you only experienced good days? Would you be of any value to those around you if you could not sympathize because of your experiences?
I am reminded of a scene in the movie Jeremiah Johnson. He has become a true mountain man. He has lost his wife and son. His home has been burned to the ground. Just watch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ND_fwX2fM
Trouble, what trouble? May each of us determine to have just that attitude in our lives. "You've come far pilgrim... Feels like far... Were it worth the trouble?... Ah, what trouble?"
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus told his disciples that trouble would come. Life isn't lived without it! But He tells us, you and me, that in Him we may have peace. In Him we can say... "ah, what trouble". Job takes us there if we will let him. In all his trouble, his love for God and God's love for him is never in question. Let us learn from him. Amen.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Can I Get a Witness
(Today's Reading - Acts 3, Neh 7-8)
When someone changes in a big way, people notice... and they want to know why. If a man who constantly drank and beat his wife suddenly quits drinking and begins to treat his wife with respect, people notice. If a woman is addicted to drugs and ignores her children becomes a loving mother who would never touch a drug, people notice. And so it is with our reading today. A man lame from his mother's womb, that is born that way is healed through a miracle... Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (Acts 3:6-7) (on a side note, the miracles in the Bible are always complete and total healing... the lame walk, the sick are cured, the dead rise, the blind see and so on)
Obviously, when a man that has been unable to walk his entire life is suddenly standing, walking, leaping and dancing people take note. This was not a daily occurrence and the people were amazed. Put yourself in their place. How would you react to something like that? How do you react when you read about the miracles that were done by Jesus, His apostles and those that they placed their hands on? (Acts 8:18)
The purpose of the event is clearly seen. Peter uses the attention that the miracle produced to preach Jesus. He tells the people that gather to see the man that it is not through his power that this is done, rather he tells them about Jesus. He uses the obvious change in the man to tell the people that it is Jesus that produces the change. Peter uses the miracle as the jumping off point to lead those that will listen to Him.
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (3:17-26)
When change comes through faith in Jesus, we must use that as a witness for Him. I must tell people why I quit drinking. You must tell your friends why you no longer frequent bars. We must tell them why we have stepped us as parents. We must tell our coworkers why we no longer cheat our employers. Clearly, God's plan is for us to remain in the world for a purpose! Otherwise, when we become Christians he could go ahead and take us home to be with Him. Instead, He wants us to show the world what it looks like to be His child. As Mahatma Gandhi said... "We must be the change that we wish to see in the world". Use the change that Jesus brings to your life to tell others about Him. Can I get a witness?
When someone changes in a big way, people notice... and they want to know why. If a man who constantly drank and beat his wife suddenly quits drinking and begins to treat his wife with respect, people notice. If a woman is addicted to drugs and ignores her children becomes a loving mother who would never touch a drug, people notice. And so it is with our reading today. A man lame from his mother's womb, that is born that way is healed through a miracle... Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (Acts 3:6-7) (on a side note, the miracles in the Bible are always complete and total healing... the lame walk, the sick are cured, the dead rise, the blind see and so on)
Obviously, when a man that has been unable to walk his entire life is suddenly standing, walking, leaping and dancing people take note. This was not a daily occurrence and the people were amazed. Put yourself in their place. How would you react to something like that? How do you react when you read about the miracles that were done by Jesus, His apostles and those that they placed their hands on? (Acts 8:18)
The purpose of the event is clearly seen. Peter uses the attention that the miracle produced to preach Jesus. He tells the people that gather to see the man that it is not through his power that this is done, rather he tells them about Jesus. He uses the obvious change in the man to tell the people that it is Jesus that produces the change. Peter uses the miracle as the jumping off point to lead those that will listen to Him.
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (3:17-26)
When change comes through faith in Jesus, we must use that as a witness for Him. I must tell people why I quit drinking. You must tell your friends why you no longer frequent bars. We must tell them why we have stepped us as parents. We must tell our coworkers why we no longer cheat our employers. Clearly, God's plan is for us to remain in the world for a purpose! Otherwise, when we become Christians he could go ahead and take us home to be with Him. Instead, He wants us to show the world what it looks like to be His child. As Mahatma Gandhi said... "We must be the change that we wish to see in the world". Use the change that Jesus brings to your life to tell others about Him. Can I get a witness?
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