Truth To Live By, Truth To Die For
See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.
All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
Psalm (119:159-160)
Thank You, Father, for breathing out Your Word through men so many centuries ago. Thank You for preserving the message that You revealed through the miracle of inspiration, Father. Thank You for Your Word-the inerrant, authoritative, infallible Word of God. We live in a day in which others' words have replaced your eternal Word, at least in the public's mind. In this difficult era, it is hard to hear again Your Word. We pray that the scales will be lifted from our eyes and that which has blocked our hearing will be removed so we might see and hear and be comforted and encouraged by Your revealed Word. May the truth that appears in Your Word make its journey through our minds and probe deep within our hearts, so that our minds are transformed and as a result, our actions.
Father, we pray that You will cause us to glean from Your Word truth to live by, knowing that it represents truth to die for. Ours is a troubled era. The battle for men's and women's souls and for our youth's minds is raging. And rather than simply throwing a fit and screaming at the top of our voices, we bring our requests to You. We ask that Your truth may equip us with sufficient ammunition to do battle in a world that's lost its way and is guided by an enemy who is deceptive and effective, who knows exactly where he's going. We pray that we will grasp the value of doctrine as it establishes us for whatever comes our way-those surprises, those unexpected events, those things we will call tragedies, and those joys and delights that are before us.
Anchor us, our Father, to the bedrock of truth and remind us that Your Son, Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday and today and forever. It's all His story. Our Father, our eyes are upon Jesus. It is in His merciful, matchless name we pray. Amen.
Tuesday 29 April 2014
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Meekness Of Spirit
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew (27:54).
Remember the 'Racist sheriffs who imprisoned Martin Luther King Jr the Soviets who deported Solzhenitsyn the authorities who imprisoned Nelson Mandela, all thought they were solving a problem. Instead they ended up unmasking their own violence and injustice 'When Jesus died, even a gruff Roman soldier was moved to exclaim, "This man truly was the Son of God".
He saw the contrast between his brutish colleagues and their victim Who forgave them in His dying gasp. The pale figure nailed to a crossbeam revealed the ruling powers as false gods who broke their own lofty promises of piety and justice. Religion, not irreligion, accused Jesus; the law, not lawlessness had him executed. By their rigged trials, scourging and violent opposition to Jesus, the political and religious authorities exposed themselves for what they were 'Each assault laid bare their illegitimacy, yet in the end - He won!'
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew (27:54).
Remember the 'Racist sheriffs who imprisoned Martin Luther King Jr the Soviets who deported Solzhenitsyn the authorities who imprisoned Nelson Mandela, all thought they were solving a problem. Instead they ended up unmasking their own violence and injustice 'When Jesus died, even a gruff Roman soldier was moved to exclaim, "This man truly was the Son of God".
He saw the contrast between his brutish colleagues and their victim Who forgave them in His dying gasp. The pale figure nailed to a crossbeam revealed the ruling powers as false gods who broke their own lofty promises of piety and justice. Religion, not irreligion, accused Jesus; the law, not lawlessness had him executed. By their rigged trials, scourging and violent opposition to Jesus, the political and religious authorities exposed themselves for what they were 'Each assault laid bare their illegitimacy, yet in the end - He won!'
Saturday 19 April 2014
Prayer For Anxiety
Father, we acknowledge that anxiety is not simply a worrisome little habit but rather, it is a sin a repeated sin. Worry compromises our fellowship with You and with others. We thank You that the death of Your Son, Jesus, provided the payment in full for our sins, including the sin of worry. We trust Him to take care of our worries, just as the psalmist said, "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
We pray that You will quiet our hearts. As You do, please lead us to a quiet and sure confidence in Yourself. Take the things that we needlessly fuss over - those worries that have burdened us long enough - and erase them from our minds. Please teach us to focus on You instead - to sit at Your feet in quietness. And as we cast the heavy weight of anxiety on You, we will trust You to give us instead a peace that surpasses understanding and a confidence that You are at work - even though we remain in the same circumstances. Thank You ahead of time for how You will deal with the burdens that weigh heavily on our hearts. Thank You for how You will relieve the anxieties that cause us to miss the important things in life.
Father, we acknowledge that anxiety is not simply a worrisome little habit but rather, it is a sin a repeated sin. Worry compromises our fellowship with You and with others. We thank You that the death of Your Son, Jesus, provided the payment in full for our sins, including the sin of worry. We trust Him to take care of our worries, just as the psalmist said, "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
We pray that You will quiet our hearts. As You do, please lead us to a quiet and sure confidence in Yourself. Take the things that we needlessly fuss over - those worries that have burdened us long enough - and erase them from our minds. Please teach us to focus on You instead - to sit at Your feet in quietness. And as we cast the heavy weight of anxiety on You, we will trust You to give us instead a peace that surpasses understanding and a confidence that You are at work - even though we remain in the same circumstances. Thank You ahead of time for how You will deal with the burdens that weigh heavily on our hearts. Thank You for how You will relieve the anxieties that cause us to miss the important things in life.
Risen Indeed!
Isaiah (53:10-12)
No need to prolong the story. Or complicate it. Or embellish it. Or try to explain it. Or defend it. Just declare it. The facts speak for themselves.
Jesus of Nazareth said He would be "in the heart of the earth" three days and nights, Matthew (12:40). Later, He said that He would "suffer be killed, and be raised up on the third day" Matthew (16:21).
Betrayed by Judas, He was seized, placed under arrest, pushed hurriedly through several trials (all of them illegal), and declared guilty first of blasphemy, next of treason Luke (22:70; (23:24).
Finally, "all the disciples left Him and fled" Matthew (26:56). Alone and forsaken, He endured the torture of scourging, the humiliation of insults and mockery, and the agony of that walk to Golgotha, Mark (15:15-22).
The horrors of crucifixion followed, leaving Him suspended for six excruciating hours, the last three of which were spent in eerie darkness that "fell over the whole land" Mark (15:33).
By three o'clock that afternoon He uttered His final words. "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit" Luke (23:46).
Then 'He died, Matthew (27:50); Mark (15:37); Luke (23:46); John (19:30). Two men, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, took Him down from the cross, prepared the body for burial, and placed it "in the garden [in] a new tomb" John (19:38-41).
Because He had predicted, "After three days I am to rise again" Matthew (27:63), the chief priests and the Pharisees had the tomb secured by a large stone, a seal set on the stone, and a body of men sent to guard the site, Matthew (27:62-66).
Guarded and sealed, the tomb was silent as He remained lifeless, untouched, and unseen until the early hours of the morning on the first day of the week, Luke (24:1-2).
Before dawn a miracle occurred. Bodily, silently, victoriously, He arose from death. In resurrected form, He passed through the stone, leaving the mummy-like wrappings still intact, John (20:1-8).
When astonished people visited the site that morning, they found the stone rolled away and the body gone. Then they were asked by angels, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen" Luke (24:5-6).
There are many who still seek for Him among the dead. But they will never find Him there. Why? Because just as Jesus promised, He arose.
If you are among those who believe in miracles, if you find hope in Christ's resurrection, if you thrill at the sounds of "Christ the Lord is risen today! Hallelujah!" then say so.
He is risen! Christ is risen, indeed!
Isaiah (53:10-12)
No need to prolong the story. Or complicate it. Or embellish it. Or try to explain it. Or defend it. Just declare it. The facts speak for themselves.
Jesus of Nazareth said He would be "in the heart of the earth" three days and nights, Matthew (12:40). Later, He said that He would "suffer be killed, and be raised up on the third day" Matthew (16:21).
Betrayed by Judas, He was seized, placed under arrest, pushed hurriedly through several trials (all of them illegal), and declared guilty first of blasphemy, next of treason Luke (22:70; (23:24).
Finally, "all the disciples left Him and fled" Matthew (26:56). Alone and forsaken, He endured the torture of scourging, the humiliation of insults and mockery, and the agony of that walk to Golgotha, Mark (15:15-22).
The horrors of crucifixion followed, leaving Him suspended for six excruciating hours, the last three of which were spent in eerie darkness that "fell over the whole land" Mark (15:33).
By three o'clock that afternoon He uttered His final words. "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit" Luke (23:46).
Then 'He died, Matthew (27:50); Mark (15:37); Luke (23:46); John (19:30). Two men, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, took Him down from the cross, prepared the body for burial, and placed it "in the garden [in] a new tomb" John (19:38-41).
Because He had predicted, "After three days I am to rise again" Matthew (27:63), the chief priests and the Pharisees had the tomb secured by a large stone, a seal set on the stone, and a body of men sent to guard the site, Matthew (27:62-66).
Guarded and sealed, the tomb was silent as He remained lifeless, untouched, and unseen until the early hours of the morning on the first day of the week, Luke (24:1-2).
Before dawn a miracle occurred. Bodily, silently, victoriously, He arose from death. In resurrected form, He passed through the stone, leaving the mummy-like wrappings still intact, John (20:1-8).
When astonished people visited the site that morning, they found the stone rolled away and the body gone. Then they were asked by angels, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen" Luke (24:5-6).
There are many who still seek for Him among the dead. But they will never find Him there. Why? Because just as Jesus promised, He arose.
If you are among those who believe in miracles, if you find hope in Christ's resurrection, if you thrill at the sounds of "Christ the Lord is risen today! Hallelujah!" then say so.
He is risen! Christ is risen, indeed!
Friday 18 April 2014
A New Worship Theme
As Easter replaced Passover, not only was a new date selected (the Sunday after the spring equinox rather than the biblically directed (Nisan 14), (the Jewish calendar in ancient Hebrew) a new theme was introduced. Rather than commemorating Christ's death as directed by the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians (11:26). For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until He comes again.
See, the new holiday was designed to celebrate His resurrection. This new theme easily accommodated the pagan fertility symbols. It also helped distinguish the Christian community from the Jews, a major goal of church leaders of the time.
Although Christ's resurrection is an important basis of our hope that we, too, can be resurrected, 1 Corinthians (15:17). And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
See, Romans (5:10). For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
And it was critical for God's plan of salvation to continue, neither God the Father, Christ nor Scripture has ever explicitly directed us to celebrate this event.
Indeed, the love of God is primarily expressed to all humanity through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ John (3:16).For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hebrews (9:28). So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
His death, through which our sins may be forgiven, is the primary focus of the Passover, not His resurrection. Many precise details of His death and events leading up to and encompassing it were prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures hundreds of years in advance.
The decision of God the Father to willingly give His only begotten Son--and of Jesus Christ to surrender His life to torture and execution as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity--were far more demanding than the demonstration of God's power over death through the resurrection.
Mankind's need for a Savoir
There is more to consider. The Bible discusses sin and our need for forgiveness and reconciliation to God (the theme of the biblically commanded Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread) far more often than the subject of the resurrection. The word sin is used 447 times compared with the word resurrection being used only 41 times. Don't forget that sin was the cause of Christ's death. Only by repenting of our sins and being reconciled to God by the death of Christ can we be assured of being resurrected. Acts (2:38).Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. John (5:29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John (11:25). Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
This is not to minimize the importance of Christ's resurrection. It, too, is a crucial step in the salvation process 1 Corinthians (15). After being reconciled to God the Father by the death of His Son, ultimately we are saved by Christ's life as He pleads for us in the role of our High Priest and lives in us through the Holy Spirit, helping us to overcome sin. Romans (5:10). For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Hebrews (4:14-16). Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
1 John (2:1). My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
See, Galatians (2:20). I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The process of our coming out of sin is pictured in the biblical feast immediately following Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, during which Christ's resurrection occurred.
Again, though, the Bible nowhere instructs Christians to keep a special celebration of Christ's resurrection, nor is there a biblical record of early Christians doing so. But it is clear that both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul expected Christ's followers to commemorate His sacrificial death on our behalf in a special ceremony. Matthew (26:26-28).And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it , and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 1 Corinthians (5:7). Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new loaf, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Nonetheless, the celebration of Easter prevailed. Those who remained faithful to Christ's example of keeping the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread decreased in number and were persecuted by those favouring Easter.
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words says about the term Easter here: "Pascha, mistranslated ‘Easter' in Acts (12:4). And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
KJV, denotes the Passover.The term ‘Easter' is not of Christian origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival of Pasch [Passover] held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast. From this Pasch the pagan festival of ‘Easter' was quite distinct and was introduced into the apostate Western religion, as part of the attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity". "Easter").
Scriptures are from the (N.I.V)
And (K.J.V)
As Easter replaced Passover, not only was a new date selected (the Sunday after the spring equinox rather than the biblically directed (Nisan 14), (the Jewish calendar in ancient Hebrew) a new theme was introduced. Rather than commemorating Christ's death as directed by the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians (11:26). For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord's death until He comes again.
See, the new holiday was designed to celebrate His resurrection. This new theme easily accommodated the pagan fertility symbols. It also helped distinguish the Christian community from the Jews, a major goal of church leaders of the time.
Although Christ's resurrection is an important basis of our hope that we, too, can be resurrected, 1 Corinthians (15:17). And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
See, Romans (5:10). For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
And it was critical for God's plan of salvation to continue, neither God the Father, Christ nor Scripture has ever explicitly directed us to celebrate this event.
Indeed, the love of God is primarily expressed to all humanity through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ John (3:16).For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hebrews (9:28). So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
His death, through which our sins may be forgiven, is the primary focus of the Passover, not His resurrection. Many precise details of His death and events leading up to and encompassing it were prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures hundreds of years in advance.
The decision of God the Father to willingly give His only begotten Son--and of Jesus Christ to surrender His life to torture and execution as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity--were far more demanding than the demonstration of God's power over death through the resurrection.
Mankind's need for a Savoir
There is more to consider. The Bible discusses sin and our need for forgiveness and reconciliation to God (the theme of the biblically commanded Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread) far more often than the subject of the resurrection. The word sin is used 447 times compared with the word resurrection being used only 41 times. Don't forget that sin was the cause of Christ's death. Only by repenting of our sins and being reconciled to God by the death of Christ can we be assured of being resurrected. Acts (2:38).Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. John (5:29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John (11:25). Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
This is not to minimize the importance of Christ's resurrection. It, too, is a crucial step in the salvation process 1 Corinthians (15). After being reconciled to God the Father by the death of His Son, ultimately we are saved by Christ's life as He pleads for us in the role of our High Priest and lives in us through the Holy Spirit, helping us to overcome sin. Romans (5:10). For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Hebrews (4:14-16). Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
1 John (2:1). My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
See, Galatians (2:20). I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The process of our coming out of sin is pictured in the biblical feast immediately following Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, during which Christ's resurrection occurred.
Again, though, the Bible nowhere instructs Christians to keep a special celebration of Christ's resurrection, nor is there a biblical record of early Christians doing so. But it is clear that both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul expected Christ's followers to commemorate His sacrificial death on our behalf in a special ceremony. Matthew (26:26-28).And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it , and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 1 Corinthians (5:7). Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new loaf, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Nonetheless, the celebration of Easter prevailed. Those who remained faithful to Christ's example of keeping the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread decreased in number and were persecuted by those favouring Easter.
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words says about the term Easter here: "Pascha, mistranslated ‘Easter' in Acts (12:4). And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
KJV, denotes the Passover.The term ‘Easter' is not of Christian origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival of Pasch [Passover] held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast. From this Pasch the pagan festival of ‘Easter' was quite distinct and was introduced into the apostate Western religion, as part of the attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity". "Easter").
Scriptures are from the (N.I.V)
And (K.J.V)
Double Mindedness
James (1:5-8)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Our Creator promises us wisdom--but only under the condition that we do not waver or be double-minded. I have sweat plenty over these verses through the years, having had to battle indecision. Likewise, when I pray, I have problems concentrating. I have battled doubts and fears when I have asked to be anointed.
But is simple mind-wandering or normal doubts the subject of James' reprimand? Or is it something else? Perhaps mind-wandering, indecisiveness, and doubting are more symptomatic than the actual causes of double-mindedness.
The apostle Paul writes that anyone who comes to God must believe that He is and diligently seek Him, Hebrews (11:6). If we are in a conference with a human being, it is rude to tune him out, fall asleep on him, or become distracted. Some of my students have done that to me--giving me an insight on how God must feel when our minds wander when we pray, study, or meditate. Inattention and mind-wandering, although they are related to double-mindedness, do not seem to be what James had in mind.
The anguished father in Mark 9:24, who says, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" might be accused of being double-minded, but he is not. He desperately wants to believe, and he asks for help. He is not of two opinions.
The Greek word translated "double-minded" in James (1:8), dipsuchos (Strong's Concordance, dipsuchos: of two minds, wavering) its literal sense means "double-souled," like having two independent wills. The words "with no doubting" in verse 6 are translated from the Greek words meedén diakrinómenos, which describes one divided in mind, who wavers between two opinions.
Some may wonder whether the apostle Paul, when he complains, "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice" Romans (7:19), was exercising double-mindedness. This state of struggle that goes on in all of us is not the same as double-mindedness. Paul's mind, he goes on to explain, is focused one way, in one direction, but inherent in the flesh of every human being is an innate enmity toward God and His law, Romans (7:23; 8:7). Just like Paul, we also fail to keep God's law perfectly because we have human nature in us that is perpetually at war with God's Holy Spirit in us.
All of us have a deep-seated desire to be at one with ourselves. We will not realize this desire until we are totally composed of spirit. Until then, we can expect a spiritual tug of war to go on perpetually. As more of God's Spirit flows through us, renewing our minds and displacing our carnality, we will find it easier to keep our carnal nature in check. All of us, I trust, can point to certain areas in our lives that are now under control--but which at one time were not under control. The spiritual struggle occurring in all of us between our spiritual and carnal natures is not double-mindedness.
Double-mindedness is literally having two separate minds holding contradictory thoughts. Double-mindedness occurs in a church member when he has an implicit or explicit knowledge of God's law, yet deliberately harbours a sin, choosing to conceal it, repress it, or ignore it.
James supports this explanation of double-mindedness in James (4:8): "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded." Anything one willingly does or does not do that is contrary to God's law 'makes one guilty of double-mindedness. Double-mindedness depends on a knowledge of and a wilful intent to reject God's law, as the psalmist writes in Psalm (119:113): "I hate the double-minded, but I love your law." On the other side, being synchronized with God's law is equated with singleness of purpose and leads to peace of mind and a feeling of wholeness. The same psalmist writes, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble" Psalm (119:165).
God's law itself is the vehicle of wisdom that the petitioner requests in, James (1:5). It would be absurd for someone to ask to be filled with the spirit of the law and simultaneously be determined not to keep it. Sometimes we inadvertently do this when we ask a minister or counsellor for advice on a problem--but have already purposed in our minds to do it our own way. Then when the minister tells us something that goes against what we have purposed to do in our inner being, a highly uncomfortable state of dissonance emerges.
Harbouring any secret sin puts a tremendous strain on the nervous system. Psychologists have a name for this emotional/psychological turmoil: cognitive dissonance, literally "inharmonious thought."
People who have left the truth often report that they feel more at peace with themselves now than at any time they were in the church. This should not surprise us. When someone tries to submit to God's law with a carnal mind, unbearable cognitive dissonance occurs. The nervous system plunges into a tailspin until it achieves a sense of equilibrium or wholeness. Carnal nature does not feel comfortable in the light of God's law: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" Romans (8:7). The easiest way to find equilibrium is to reject the beliefs that send them into a spiritual dither.
We do not need to have the fears we sometimes associate with, James (1:6-8). We can take comfort in the knowledge that mind-wandering and normal doubts and fears, while they are undesirable and should be rooted out, are not really what James has in mind. He is warning against double-mindedness. Double-mindedness requires knowing God's law and making a premeditated effort to subvert it and then justify the behaviour.
Double-mindedness did not apparently apply to Uzzah, who broke God's law in ignorance or foolishness ,II Samuel (6:6-7). However, it does apply to Saul, whom God ordered to destroy the Amalekites totally, but only accomplished 80% of his objectives, I Samuel (15). When confronted with his compromise, Saul makes a whole series of excuses. Excuses and alibis are the defence mechanisms used by double-minded people. If we put sin out of our lives as soon as we find it, or as soon as it is pointed out to us, we do not have to worry about making and remembering excuses or alibis.
Double-mindedness occurs when we harbour a sin and still appear to live God's way. Tares, during their formative (immature) period, look just like wheat, yet mature wheat and tares do not look the same, Matthew (13:30). Over time, the tare is exposed because it does not mature like the wheat. So a double-minded "Christian" will become obvious by his lack of fruit and worldly, hypocritical attitude and behaviour. Interestingly, God leaves the tares among the wheat ultimately to benefit the wheat.
A double-minded person cannot have God's Holy Spirit within him, Romans (8:5, 8-9; Galatians (5:16-17). Jesus says we cannot serve two masters because our allegiance will really be to one or the other (Matthew 6:24). One cannot be a double agent with the world and a member of God's church, II Corinthians (6:17-18); I John (2:15-17).
God demands that we choose one way or the other - but not straddle the fence. We cannot have it both ways. Unless in the battle between the spirit and the flesh we throw down the gauntlet in favour of our spiritual selves, we run the risk of being torn to pieces psychologically and emotionally.
Psalm (119:113), Says: "I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law." Notice that the antidote to double-mindedness is yielding to God's law. Wholeness and singleness of purpose are the result of keeping God's law through the power of Christ working in us. As our Lord reminds us in His Sermon on the Mount, "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good your whole body will be full of light" Matthew (6:22).
James (1:5-8)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Our Creator promises us wisdom--but only under the condition that we do not waver or be double-minded. I have sweat plenty over these verses through the years, having had to battle indecision. Likewise, when I pray, I have problems concentrating. I have battled doubts and fears when I have asked to be anointed.
But is simple mind-wandering or normal doubts the subject of James' reprimand? Or is it something else? Perhaps mind-wandering, indecisiveness, and doubting are more symptomatic than the actual causes of double-mindedness.
The apostle Paul writes that anyone who comes to God must believe that He is and diligently seek Him, Hebrews (11:6). If we are in a conference with a human being, it is rude to tune him out, fall asleep on him, or become distracted. Some of my students have done that to me--giving me an insight on how God must feel when our minds wander when we pray, study, or meditate. Inattention and mind-wandering, although they are related to double-mindedness, do not seem to be what James had in mind.
The anguished father in Mark 9:24, who says, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" might be accused of being double-minded, but he is not. He desperately wants to believe, and he asks for help. He is not of two opinions.
The Greek word translated "double-minded" in James (1:8), dipsuchos (Strong's Concordance, dipsuchos: of two minds, wavering) its literal sense means "double-souled," like having two independent wills. The words "with no doubting" in verse 6 are translated from the Greek words meedén diakrinómenos, which describes one divided in mind, who wavers between two opinions.
Some may wonder whether the apostle Paul, when he complains, "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice" Romans (7:19), was exercising double-mindedness. This state of struggle that goes on in all of us is not the same as double-mindedness. Paul's mind, he goes on to explain, is focused one way, in one direction, but inherent in the flesh of every human being is an innate enmity toward God and His law, Romans (7:23; 8:7). Just like Paul, we also fail to keep God's law perfectly because we have human nature in us that is perpetually at war with God's Holy Spirit in us.
All of us have a deep-seated desire to be at one with ourselves. We will not realize this desire until we are totally composed of spirit. Until then, we can expect a spiritual tug of war to go on perpetually. As more of God's Spirit flows through us, renewing our minds and displacing our carnality, we will find it easier to keep our carnal nature in check. All of us, I trust, can point to certain areas in our lives that are now under control--but which at one time were not under control. The spiritual struggle occurring in all of us between our spiritual and carnal natures is not double-mindedness.
Double-mindedness is literally having two separate minds holding contradictory thoughts. Double-mindedness occurs in a church member when he has an implicit or explicit knowledge of God's law, yet deliberately harbours a sin, choosing to conceal it, repress it, or ignore it.
James supports this explanation of double-mindedness in James (4:8): "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded." Anything one willingly does or does not do that is contrary to God's law 'makes one guilty of double-mindedness. Double-mindedness depends on a knowledge of and a wilful intent to reject God's law, as the psalmist writes in Psalm (119:113): "I hate the double-minded, but I love your law." On the other side, being synchronized with God's law is equated with singleness of purpose and leads to peace of mind and a feeling of wholeness. The same psalmist writes, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble" Psalm (119:165).
God's law itself is the vehicle of wisdom that the petitioner requests in, James (1:5). It would be absurd for someone to ask to be filled with the spirit of the law and simultaneously be determined not to keep it. Sometimes we inadvertently do this when we ask a minister or counsellor for advice on a problem--but have already purposed in our minds to do it our own way. Then when the minister tells us something that goes against what we have purposed to do in our inner being, a highly uncomfortable state of dissonance emerges.
Harbouring any secret sin puts a tremendous strain on the nervous system. Psychologists have a name for this emotional/psychological turmoil: cognitive dissonance, literally "inharmonious thought."
People who have left the truth often report that they feel more at peace with themselves now than at any time they were in the church. This should not surprise us. When someone tries to submit to God's law with a carnal mind, unbearable cognitive dissonance occurs. The nervous system plunges into a tailspin until it achieves a sense of equilibrium or wholeness. Carnal nature does not feel comfortable in the light of God's law: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" Romans (8:7). The easiest way to find equilibrium is to reject the beliefs that send them into a spiritual dither.
We do not need to have the fears we sometimes associate with, James (1:6-8). We can take comfort in the knowledge that mind-wandering and normal doubts and fears, while they are undesirable and should be rooted out, are not really what James has in mind. He is warning against double-mindedness. Double-mindedness requires knowing God's law and making a premeditated effort to subvert it and then justify the behaviour.
Double-mindedness did not apparently apply to Uzzah, who broke God's law in ignorance or foolishness ,II Samuel (6:6-7). However, it does apply to Saul, whom God ordered to destroy the Amalekites totally, but only accomplished 80% of his objectives, I Samuel (15). When confronted with his compromise, Saul makes a whole series of excuses. Excuses and alibis are the defence mechanisms used by double-minded people. If we put sin out of our lives as soon as we find it, or as soon as it is pointed out to us, we do not have to worry about making and remembering excuses or alibis.
Double-mindedness occurs when we harbour a sin and still appear to live God's way. Tares, during their formative (immature) period, look just like wheat, yet mature wheat and tares do not look the same, Matthew (13:30). Over time, the tare is exposed because it does not mature like the wheat. So a double-minded "Christian" will become obvious by his lack of fruit and worldly, hypocritical attitude and behaviour. Interestingly, God leaves the tares among the wheat ultimately to benefit the wheat.
A double-minded person cannot have God's Holy Spirit within him, Romans (8:5, 8-9; Galatians (5:16-17). Jesus says we cannot serve two masters because our allegiance will really be to one or the other (Matthew 6:24). One cannot be a double agent with the world and a member of God's church, II Corinthians (6:17-18); I John (2:15-17).
God demands that we choose one way or the other - but not straddle the fence. We cannot have it both ways. Unless in the battle between the spirit and the flesh we throw down the gauntlet in favour of our spiritual selves, we run the risk of being torn to pieces psychologically and emotionally.
Psalm (119:113), Says: "I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law." Notice that the antidote to double-mindedness is yielding to God's law. Wholeness and singleness of purpose are the result of keeping God's law through the power of Christ working in us. As our Lord reminds us in His Sermon on the Mount, "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good your whole body will be full of light" Matthew (6:22).
Thursday 17 April 2014
Suicide
The Bible mentions six specific people who committed suicide:
1) Abimelech, Judges (9:54),
2) Saul 1 Samuel (31:4),
3) Saul’s armour-bearer,1 Samuel (31:4-6),
4) Ahithophel, 2 Samuel (17:23),
5) Zimri, 1 Kings (16:18),
6) Judas' Matthew (27:5).
Five of these men were noted for their wickedness (the exception is Saul’s armour-bearer - nothing is said of his character). Some consider Samson’s death an instance of suicide, because he knew his actions would lead to his death, Judges (16:26-31), but Samson’s goal was to kill Philistines, not himself.
The Bible views suicide as equal to murder, which is what it is - self-murder. God is the only one who is to decide when and how a person should die. We should say with the psalmist, “My times are in your hands” Psalm (31:15).
God is the giver of life. He gives, and He takes away, Job (1:21). Suicide, the taking of one’s own life, is ungodly because it rejects God’s gift of life. No man or woman should presume to take God’s authority upon themselves to end his or her own life.
Some people in Scripture felt deep despair in life. Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure, reached the point where he “hated life” Ecclesiastes (2:17). Elijah was fearful and depressed and yearned for death (1 Kings 19:4). Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die, Jonah (4:8). Even the apostle Paul and his missionary companions at one point “were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself” 2 Corinthians (1:8).
However, none of these men committed suicide. Solomon learned to “fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” Ecclesiastes (12:13). Elijah was comforted by an angel, allowed to rest, and given a new commission. Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God. Paul learned that, although the pressure he faced was beyond his ability to endure, the Lord can bear all things: “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” 2 Corinthians (1:9).
So, according to the Bible, suicide is a sin. It is not the “greatest” sin - it is no worse than other evils, in terms of how God sees it, and it does not determine whether or not a person goes to hell. However, suicide definitely has a deep and lasting impact on those left behind. The painful scars left by a suicide do not heal easily. May God grant His grace to each one who is facing trials today Psalm (67:1). And may each of us take hope in the promise, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans (10:13).
God's plan is for life, not death.
The Bible teaches that both physical and spiritual death are the result of our sin and disobedience to God, but eternal life is a gift to those who receive it.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans (6:23).
Jesus taught that death and destruction are the work of “the thief” (Satan). He said,
The thief comes only to steal and destroy John (10:10).
John (8:44), says that Satan is a “murderer” and the “father of lies.” The feelings of despair that lead to suicide are caused by some of his lies.
Jesus wants us to have life. He said:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full, John (10:10).
Life belongs to God. It is never our place to take our own life or someone else's life.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body, 1 Corinthians (6:19-20).
The Bible mentions six specific people who committed suicide:
1) Abimelech, Judges (9:54),
2) Saul 1 Samuel (31:4),
3) Saul’s armour-bearer,1 Samuel (31:4-6),
4) Ahithophel, 2 Samuel (17:23),
5) Zimri, 1 Kings (16:18),
6) Judas' Matthew (27:5).
Five of these men were noted for their wickedness (the exception is Saul’s armour-bearer - nothing is said of his character). Some consider Samson’s death an instance of suicide, because he knew his actions would lead to his death, Judges (16:26-31), but Samson’s goal was to kill Philistines, not himself.
The Bible views suicide as equal to murder, which is what it is - self-murder. God is the only one who is to decide when and how a person should die. We should say with the psalmist, “My times are in your hands” Psalm (31:15).
God is the giver of life. He gives, and He takes away, Job (1:21). Suicide, the taking of one’s own life, is ungodly because it rejects God’s gift of life. No man or woman should presume to take God’s authority upon themselves to end his or her own life.
Some people in Scripture felt deep despair in life. Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure, reached the point where he “hated life” Ecclesiastes (2:17). Elijah was fearful and depressed and yearned for death (1 Kings 19:4). Jonah was so angry at God that he wished to die, Jonah (4:8). Even the apostle Paul and his missionary companions at one point “were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself” 2 Corinthians (1:8).
However, none of these men committed suicide. Solomon learned to “fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” Ecclesiastes (12:13). Elijah was comforted by an angel, allowed to rest, and given a new commission. Jonah received admonition and rebuke from God. Paul learned that, although the pressure he faced was beyond his ability to endure, the Lord can bear all things: “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” 2 Corinthians (1:9).
So, according to the Bible, suicide is a sin. It is not the “greatest” sin - it is no worse than other evils, in terms of how God sees it, and it does not determine whether or not a person goes to hell. However, suicide definitely has a deep and lasting impact on those left behind. The painful scars left by a suicide do not heal easily. May God grant His grace to each one who is facing trials today Psalm (67:1). And may each of us take hope in the promise, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans (10:13).
God's plan is for life, not death.
The Bible teaches that both physical and spiritual death are the result of our sin and disobedience to God, but eternal life is a gift to those who receive it.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans (6:23).
Jesus taught that death and destruction are the work of “the thief” (Satan). He said,
The thief comes only to steal and destroy John (10:10).
John (8:44), says that Satan is a “murderer” and the “father of lies.” The feelings of despair that lead to suicide are caused by some of his lies.
Jesus wants us to have life. He said:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full, John (10:10).
Life belongs to God. It is never our place to take our own life or someone else's life.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body, 1 Corinthians (6:19-20).
The Stone Is Rolled Away - Christ Is Risen
Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’”
Luke (24:1-12)
A Prayer For Good Friday
Jesus,
Today we pause to remember your sacrificial love
That shone light into the darkness
That bore life from such emptiness
That revealed hope out of devastation
That spoke truth through incrimination
That released freedom in spite of imprisonment
And brought us forgiveness instead of punishment.
Thank you that we can now walk in the light of your life,
Hope, truth, freedom and forgiveness,
This day and every day.
Amen.
Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’”
Luke (24:1-12)
A Prayer For Good Friday
Jesus,
Today we pause to remember your sacrificial love
That shone light into the darkness
That bore life from such emptiness
That revealed hope out of devastation
That spoke truth through incrimination
That released freedom in spite of imprisonment
And brought us forgiveness instead of punishment.
Thank you that we can now walk in the light of your life,
Hope, truth, freedom and forgiveness,
This day and every day.
Amen.
Prayer For Shame
"Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him; nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets." Daniel (9:8-10)
Forgive us, our Father, for being attracted to the pleasures of sin to what appears to be full of ecstasy and satisfaction but is, in fact, empty and stupid. Thank You for bringing conviction, for pointing out our rebellion. We need that reminder every day, so that we might invest ourselves in that which endures. We want to pursue the things of God, the things You consider important and valuable a righteous walk, a pure heart, a committed lifestyle. We long to place family above fortune and purpose above fame and righteousness above riches.
Our Father, You instruct us and teach us in the way we should go. Thank You for that. You shine a bright light on our path from Your Word. Thank You for the relief that comes with being forgiven and the peace of mind that accompanies a clean heart. Finally, thank You for Your mercies, new every morning, and Your grace, needed every day.
We thank You in the dear name of Jesus. Amen.
"Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him; nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets." Daniel (9:8-10)
Forgive us, our Father, for being attracted to the pleasures of sin to what appears to be full of ecstasy and satisfaction but is, in fact, empty and stupid. Thank You for bringing conviction, for pointing out our rebellion. We need that reminder every day, so that we might invest ourselves in that which endures. We want to pursue the things of God, the things You consider important and valuable a righteous walk, a pure heart, a committed lifestyle. We long to place family above fortune and purpose above fame and righteousness above riches.
Our Father, You instruct us and teach us in the way we should go. Thank You for that. You shine a bright light on our path from Your Word. Thank You for the relief that comes with being forgiven and the peace of mind that accompanies a clean heart. Finally, thank You for Your mercies, new every morning, and Your grace, needed every day.
We thank You in the dear name of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday 16 April 2014
Put God First In All Thing's!
'I require your first fruits, (Ezekiel 20:40).
God wants to be number one in your life! When He's not, things won't work out right for you. Instead of asking God to bless your agenda, ask Him to give you an agenda He can bless. Jesus was able to say yes to one thing and no to another because He understood God's agenda for the day. Can you point to a single stressed-out or confused moment in Christ's life? No, when conflict arose He said, 'I always do what pleases Him' John (8:29). That's because He took time to consult His Father.
How long are you going to allow yourself to be pulled in 101 different directions? Nothing will change until you decide to give God what He requires - your 'first fruits'. Don't give Him the part of your day when you're worn out, can't think straight and can hardly keep your eyes open; give Him the best part of your day. That's where your true priorities will be discovered. From getting dressed to setting your schedule, ask Him to help you make choices that glorify Him. As you become more and more aware of His presence, it'll be impossible to 'compartmentalize' Him. Ordinary events will become sacred events because He's involved in them.
Ask Him to direct you in the choices you make and to empower you for the jobs you need to get done. Keep Him first in everything you set out to do, and He will show you the path that leads to peace. Following the moment-by-moment leadership of the Holy Spirit will cause you to enjoy every day of your life.
'I require your first fruits, (Ezekiel 20:40).
God wants to be number one in your life! When He's not, things won't work out right for you. Instead of asking God to bless your agenda, ask Him to give you an agenda He can bless. Jesus was able to say yes to one thing and no to another because He understood God's agenda for the day. Can you point to a single stressed-out or confused moment in Christ's life? No, when conflict arose He said, 'I always do what pleases Him' John (8:29). That's because He took time to consult His Father.
How long are you going to allow yourself to be pulled in 101 different directions? Nothing will change until you decide to give God what He requires - your 'first fruits'. Don't give Him the part of your day when you're worn out, can't think straight and can hardly keep your eyes open; give Him the best part of your day. That's where your true priorities will be discovered. From getting dressed to setting your schedule, ask Him to help you make choices that glorify Him. As you become more and more aware of His presence, it'll be impossible to 'compartmentalize' Him. Ordinary events will become sacred events because He's involved in them.
Ask Him to direct you in the choices you make and to empower you for the jobs you need to get done. Keep Him first in everything you set out to do, and He will show you the path that leads to peace. Following the moment-by-moment leadership of the Holy Spirit will cause you to enjoy every day of your life.
Tuesday 15 April 2014
Worship Planned For God's Pleasure
Revelation (4:11)
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Psalm (149:4)
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave him great pleasure.
God did not need to create you, but he chose to create you for his own enjoyment. You exist for his benefit, his glory, his purpose and his delight. Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life'. When you fully understand this truth , you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth. If you are that important to God, and he considers you valuable enough to keep with him for eternity, what greater significance could you have? You are a child of God, and you bring pleasure to God like nothing else he has ever created.
One of the greatest gifts God has given you is the ability to enjoy pleasure.
He wired you with five senses and emotions so you can experience it. He wants you to enjoy life, not just endure it. The reason you are able to enjoy pleasure is that God made you in his image.
We often forget that God has emotions, too. He feels things very deeply.
The Bible tells us that God grieves, gets jealous, and angry, feels compassion, pity, sorrow, and sympathy as well as happiness, gladness, and satisfaction. God loves, delights, gets pleasure, rejoices, enjoys, and laughs!
How we bring pleasure to God is called "worship."
Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Like a diamond, worship is multifaceted. Anthropologists have noted that worship is a universal urge, hard-wired by God into the very fiber of our being--an inbuilt need to connect with God. Worship is as natural as eating or breathing. If we fail to Worship God, we always find a substitute, even if it ends up being ourselves. The reason God made us with this desire is that he desires worshippers! Jesus said the Father seeks worshippers."
Depending on your religious background, you may need to expand your understanding of "worship". You may think of church services with singing, praying, and listening to a sermon. Or you may think of ceremonies, candles, and communion. Or healing, miracles, and ecstatic experiences. Worship can include these elements, but worship is far more than these expressions.
Worship is a lifestyle. Worship is far more than music. For many people, worship is just synonym for music. They say, "At our church we have the worship first, then the teaching." This is a big misunderstanding. Every part of a church service is worship: praying, Scripture reading, singing, confession, silence, being still, listening, taking notes, giving an offering, baptism, communion, signing a commitment card, and even greeting other worshippers.
Actually worship predates music. Adam worshipped in the Garden of Eden, but music isn't mentioned until Genesis (4:21) with the birth of Jubal. If worship were just music, then all who are non musical could never worship'. Worship is so much more than music.
What's worse is that, "worship" is often misused to refer to a particular style of music: "First we sang a hymn, then a praise and worship song." Or, "I like the fast paced songs but enjoy the slow worship songs the most." (I'm guilty of this.") In this usage I have learnt that if a song is fast or loud or uses brass instruments, it's considered "praise."
But if it's slow and quiet and intimate, maybe accompanied by guitar, that's worship.
This is a common misuse of the term "worship".
Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song. God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all--fast and slow, loud and soft, old and new. You probably don't like it all, but God does! If it is offered to God in spirit and truth, it is an act of worship.
As a pastor I receive messages, saying I loved the worship service today. I got a lot out of it." This is another misconception about worship. It isn't for our benefit! We worship for God's benefit. When we worship, our goal is to bring pleasure to God, not ourselves. Our motive is to bring glory and pleasure to our Creator.
Revelation (4:11)
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Psalm (149:4)
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave him great pleasure.
God did not need to create you, but he chose to create you for his own enjoyment. You exist for his benefit, his glory, his purpose and his delight. Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life'. When you fully understand this truth , you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth. If you are that important to God, and he considers you valuable enough to keep with him for eternity, what greater significance could you have? You are a child of God, and you bring pleasure to God like nothing else he has ever created.
One of the greatest gifts God has given you is the ability to enjoy pleasure.
He wired you with five senses and emotions so you can experience it. He wants you to enjoy life, not just endure it. The reason you are able to enjoy pleasure is that God made you in his image.
We often forget that God has emotions, too. He feels things very deeply.
The Bible tells us that God grieves, gets jealous, and angry, feels compassion, pity, sorrow, and sympathy as well as happiness, gladness, and satisfaction. God loves, delights, gets pleasure, rejoices, enjoys, and laughs!
How we bring pleasure to God is called "worship."
Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Like a diamond, worship is multifaceted. Anthropologists have noted that worship is a universal urge, hard-wired by God into the very fiber of our being--an inbuilt need to connect with God. Worship is as natural as eating or breathing. If we fail to Worship God, we always find a substitute, even if it ends up being ourselves. The reason God made us with this desire is that he desires worshippers! Jesus said the Father seeks worshippers."
Depending on your religious background, you may need to expand your understanding of "worship". You may think of church services with singing, praying, and listening to a sermon. Or you may think of ceremonies, candles, and communion. Or healing, miracles, and ecstatic experiences. Worship can include these elements, but worship is far more than these expressions.
Worship is a lifestyle. Worship is far more than music. For many people, worship is just synonym for music. They say, "At our church we have the worship first, then the teaching." This is a big misunderstanding. Every part of a church service is worship: praying, Scripture reading, singing, confession, silence, being still, listening, taking notes, giving an offering, baptism, communion, signing a commitment card, and even greeting other worshippers.
Actually worship predates music. Adam worshipped in the Garden of Eden, but music isn't mentioned until Genesis (4:21) with the birth of Jubal. If worship were just music, then all who are non musical could never worship'. Worship is so much more than music.
What's worse is that, "worship" is often misused to refer to a particular style of music: "First we sang a hymn, then a praise and worship song." Or, "I like the fast paced songs but enjoy the slow worship songs the most." (I'm guilty of this.") In this usage I have learnt that if a song is fast or loud or uses brass instruments, it's considered "praise."
But if it's slow and quiet and intimate, maybe accompanied by guitar, that's worship.
This is a common misuse of the term "worship".
Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song. God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all--fast and slow, loud and soft, old and new. You probably don't like it all, but God does! If it is offered to God in spirit and truth, it is an act of worship.
As a pastor I receive messages, saying I loved the worship service today. I got a lot out of it." This is another misconception about worship. It isn't for our benefit! We worship for God's benefit. When we worship, our goal is to bring pleasure to God, not ourselves. Our motive is to bring glory and pleasure to our Creator.
Monday 14 April 2014
Easter Hooray!
Just imagine those who are physically disabled today will one day dance in beautiful coordination and leap in ecstatic joy. Those who spend their lives absorbed in total darkness will see every colour in the spectrum of light. In fact, the first face they will see will be of the One who gives them sight. And those precious souls whose minds and emotions are limited by mental disability, disease, or old age will enjoy to the full unhindered and uninhibited relationships. It's enough to put a smile on any weary face. There's nothing like the hope of resurrection to lift the agonizing spirits of the heavyhearted.
Unless, of course, it's all a cruel hoax.
That's Paul's whole point in 1 Corinthians (15:19). Remember how he put it? If bodily resurrection is only an empty dream, then "we are of all men most to be pitied." All our preaching has a hollow ring to it, our faith is worthless, the dead have perished, and we are still under the condemnation of our sins. What a deplorable state of affairs! It's enough to make all of us run and hide!
But wait. That hypothetical argument hinges on a conditional presupposition if. "If there is no resurrection of the dead", then we're out to lunch. But there is a resurrection with all its promised hopes. It is as sure as we're alive at this moment.
How can we be so certain that we will be resurrected? What is the source of our assurance? What gives us unshakable confidence in the face of death? The fact of Christ's resurrection.
Because He has been raised, we too shall rise. As Paul stated in that same section of Scripture, "Christ [is] the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming". That's us! Jesus Himself promised, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies", John (11:25).
No wonder we get so excited every Easter! No wonder we hold nothing back as we celebrate His miraculous resurrection from the grave! It's a double-barrelled celebration: His triumphant hurrah over agony and our ultimate and eternal hooray.
Matthew (12:38-40)
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
If Jesus rose from His tomb Sunday morning after being interred Friday evening, we have no Savoir! Jesus gave only one sign of His Messiah ship: "so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Why did the Pharisees ask Him for a sign? The answer appears in the section immediately preceding their request. Jesus had been preaching that "a tree is known by its fruit", so naturally, these Jews asked for a sign from Jesus to prove He was the Messiah! They wanted to see what fruit He would produce!
Jesus swiftly rebuked them because they had completely missed the point. To satisfy their curiosity, they wanted to see a miracle, but the fruit Jesus meant was repentance, good works, and spiritual growth. He would make them wait to see the fruits of His ministry.
Thus He says, paraphrasing, "The only sign that will absolutely prove the truth of My message is one that I will have no control over. I will be exactly three days and three nights in the grave. I will be dead. I will not be able to resurrect Myself. So if God the Father resurrects Me after exactly three days and three nights, it will be proved beyond doubt that I am the Messiah."
He gave the same sign in other places to different audiences, each time using similar wording. In John (2:19-2), He says, "'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' But He was speaking of the temple of His body."
To His disciples, He says, "The Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day".
Just imagine those who are physically disabled today will one day dance in beautiful coordination and leap in ecstatic joy. Those who spend their lives absorbed in total darkness will see every colour in the spectrum of light. In fact, the first face they will see will be of the One who gives them sight. And those precious souls whose minds and emotions are limited by mental disability, disease, or old age will enjoy to the full unhindered and uninhibited relationships. It's enough to put a smile on any weary face. There's nothing like the hope of resurrection to lift the agonizing spirits of the heavyhearted.
Unless, of course, it's all a cruel hoax.
That's Paul's whole point in 1 Corinthians (15:19). Remember how he put it? If bodily resurrection is only an empty dream, then "we are of all men most to be pitied." All our preaching has a hollow ring to it, our faith is worthless, the dead have perished, and we are still under the condemnation of our sins. What a deplorable state of affairs! It's enough to make all of us run and hide!
But wait. That hypothetical argument hinges on a conditional presupposition if. "If there is no resurrection of the dead", then we're out to lunch. But there is a resurrection with all its promised hopes. It is as sure as we're alive at this moment.
How can we be so certain that we will be resurrected? What is the source of our assurance? What gives us unshakable confidence in the face of death? The fact of Christ's resurrection.
Because He has been raised, we too shall rise. As Paul stated in that same section of Scripture, "Christ [is] the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming". That's us! Jesus Himself promised, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies", John (11:25).
No wonder we get so excited every Easter! No wonder we hold nothing back as we celebrate His miraculous resurrection from the grave! It's a double-barrelled celebration: His triumphant hurrah over agony and our ultimate and eternal hooray.
Matthew (12:38-40)
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
If Jesus rose from His tomb Sunday morning after being interred Friday evening, we have no Savoir! Jesus gave only one sign of His Messiah ship: "so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Why did the Pharisees ask Him for a sign? The answer appears in the section immediately preceding their request. Jesus had been preaching that "a tree is known by its fruit", so naturally, these Jews asked for a sign from Jesus to prove He was the Messiah! They wanted to see what fruit He would produce!
Jesus swiftly rebuked them because they had completely missed the point. To satisfy their curiosity, they wanted to see a miracle, but the fruit Jesus meant was repentance, good works, and spiritual growth. He would make them wait to see the fruits of His ministry.
Thus He says, paraphrasing, "The only sign that will absolutely prove the truth of My message is one that I will have no control over. I will be exactly three days and three nights in the grave. I will be dead. I will not be able to resurrect Myself. So if God the Father resurrects Me after exactly three days and three nights, it will be proved beyond doubt that I am the Messiah."
He gave the same sign in other places to different audiences, each time using similar wording. In John (2:19-2), He says, "'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' But He was speaking of the temple of His body."
To His disciples, He says, "The Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day".
Thursday 10 April 2014
God's Shaping Tools
Romans (12:1-5)
God's kindness to us is demonstrated by the fact that He doesn't leave us in the condition we were in before coming to faith. How tragic it would be if we still thought, felt, and acted the same way we did before receiving Christ as our Savior. Throughout our lives.
Prayer. By talking to the Lord in open dialogue, we develop a relationship with Him. He becomes not just our Savior, but our friend, and as the intimacy grows, so will our passion to be with Him. Setting aside time for prayer each day will become a delight, not a duty.
God's Word. You can't grow in your Christian life if you keep the Bible closed all week long. No one lives on one meal a week, yet many Christians try to get by with just a Sunday dinner of the Word served up by their pastor. How can we expect God's truth to do its transforming work if we never let it into our minds and hearts?
The Church. Christ uses His body of believers as a place for transformation. That's where we rub against each other and have the rough edges of our character smoothed. It is a place of instruction, accountability, and encouragement.
Are you letting the Lord use His character-shaping tools in your life? Our culture has no shortage of worldly voices and pressures that fill minds and influence behavior. Only when we intentionally schedule time for God, His Word, and His people can Christ do His transforming work in our lives.
Romans (12:1-5)
God's kindness to us is demonstrated by the fact that He doesn't leave us in the condition we were in before coming to faith. How tragic it would be if we still thought, felt, and acted the same way we did before receiving Christ as our Savior. Throughout our lives.
Prayer. By talking to the Lord in open dialogue, we develop a relationship with Him. He becomes not just our Savior, but our friend, and as the intimacy grows, so will our passion to be with Him. Setting aside time for prayer each day will become a delight, not a duty.
God's Word. You can't grow in your Christian life if you keep the Bible closed all week long. No one lives on one meal a week, yet many Christians try to get by with just a Sunday dinner of the Word served up by their pastor. How can we expect God's truth to do its transforming work if we never let it into our minds and hearts?
The Church. Christ uses His body of believers as a place for transformation. That's where we rub against each other and have the rough edges of our character smoothed. It is a place of instruction, accountability, and encouragement.
Are you letting the Lord use His character-shaping tools in your life? Our culture has no shortage of worldly voices and pressures that fill minds and influence behavior. Only when we intentionally schedule time for God, His Word, and His people can Christ do His transforming work in our lives.
Tuesday 8 April 2014
Jesus On Friendship
John (15:12-15) “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Greatest Friend is God
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
How To Pick Your Friends
Proverbs (12:26) One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs (13:20) Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs (14:6-7) A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Proverbs (22:24-25) Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
1 Corinthians (15:33) Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
How To Treat Your Friends
Luke (6:31) And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Romans (12:10) Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.
Ephesians (4:29-32) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians (3:12-14) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Importance of Friendships
Proverbs (11:14) Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs (17:17) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs (19:20) Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs (24:5) A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
Proverbs (27:17) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Ruth and Naomi
Ruth (1:16-17) But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
David and Jonathan
1 Samuel (18:1-3) As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.
Job’s Friends
Job (2:11)
Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.
Elijah and Elisha, 2 Kings (2:2) And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
C.S. Lewis Friendship Quotes
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”
“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
John (15:12-15) “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Greatest Friend is God
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
How To Pick Your Friends
Proverbs (12:26) One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs (13:20) Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs (14:6-7) A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Proverbs (22:24-25) Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
1 Corinthians (15:33) Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
How To Treat Your Friends
Luke (6:31) And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Romans (12:10) Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.
Ephesians (4:29-32) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians (3:12-14) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Importance of Friendships
Proverbs (11:14) Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs (17:17) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs (19:20) Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs (24:5) A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
Proverbs (27:17) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Ruth and Naomi
Ruth (1:16-17) But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
David and Jonathan
1 Samuel (18:1-3) As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.
Job’s Friends
Job (2:11)
Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.
Elijah and Elisha, 2 Kings (2:2) And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
C.S. Lewis Friendship Quotes
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”
“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
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