Okay. You know the routine. It’s the beginning of a new year, and everyone wants to know what your New Year’s resolution is. More and more I hear people comment that they don’t make resolutions anymore because they always break them. I recently found myself in that camp until I discovered the perfect resolution.
There are several problems with the resolutions we usually make. Sometimes we make a resolution that is too general…read the Bible more, watch less tv.What constitutes more or less? If I only read one chapter in the Bible last year, I can read two this year. And, if I fast-forward through the commercials, I have technically watched less tv.
Sometimes they are too specific. If I pledge to lose 20 pounds and only manage 17, I feel like I have failed. And, too often, with resolutions that deal with exercise, diet, or such, we tend to give up the first time we “blow it.” Then, of course, there are those “lofty” resolutions we make knowing deep down we really have no desire or plan to keep. Things like, “I will not gossip;” and “I will not worry.”
So, what is the perfect resolution? It is one that requires a fresh start each day. Lamentations 3:23 says, “His mercies are new every morning.” It takes the focus off of me and my inadequacies and puts it on the author and perfector of my faith. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well.” It doesn’t rely on any one action or thought, it is the sum of all that I do and all that I am. Paul says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…let us live up to what we have already attained,” Phil. 3:13, 16.
The perfect resolution? My resolution for this year is this: I will not conform to the pattern of this world, instead, I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind then I will be able to test and approve what God’s good and perfect will is, Romans 12:2. How will I do that? I will spend time not just reading God’s word, but actively studying it (Study to show thyself approved). I will, like Jesus, spend intimate time in prayer seeking God’s will and listening to his still, small voice (Jesus went up on a mountainside to pray). And how can I measure success? I will walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2 says, God’s love is made complete in those who obey his commands. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly,” 1 Peter 2:21-23.
My desire is that each day I will be more like Christ than the day before. If I spend the next 365 days actively seeking first his kingdom in my life and allowing God to reign over every area of my life, then I, with an unveiled face, will reflect the Lord’s glory, and be transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18.
I Love My Sweetie
I Love My Sweetie
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Brilliance of a Full Moon
Have you mooned anybody lately? I hope you have. Okay, not in the way you’re thinking. Let me explain what I mean.
I was mesmerized by the full moon this past week. It was HUGE! I later found out that the moon was orbiting closer than normal to the earth. That got me thinking about some things. Of course, we all know that the moon has no light of its own. What we see is its reflection of the sun’s light, but sometimes things get in the way of us seeing that reflection. As I came inside a few minutes ago, I noticed that for as brilliant as the moon was last night, it was not visible at all tonight. The reason? It is cloudy out there. In exactly two weeks, the moon will not reflect any of the sun’s light. In fact, there will be no evidence that the moon even has the ability to reflect light because the earth will be between the moon and the sun. The moon will be the same; the sun will be the same, but the world will get in the way. Does that ever happen in your life?
I’m sure we have all heard sermons and such on how we should be like the moon and reflect the Son’s light. That sounds good until you realize that for 14 days of each month the moon is waning—it reflects less and less light each night until finally, it doesn’t reflect at all. Is that really how we need to be? Naturally, we would all respond, “No,” but the truth is, many of us do exactly that. We don’t mean to, we just do. The world gets in the way, and we don’t do anything to stop it.
As we allow things to come between us and Jesus, we cannot fully reflect the Son’s Righteousness. Sometimes it is a gradual thing, like the waning of the moon. Something small and insignificant, in our estimation, attracts our attention away from God. It isn’t anything so serious that it will prevent us from serving God; it just diminshes our zeal for him until our light is barely visible. Unfortunately, as long as we are reflecting the Son somewhat, we deceive ourselves into believing its good enough.
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven,” Matthew 5:16. Where does your light come from? It isn’t really your light, but the light of the Son’s Righteousness… “I (Jesus) am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” John 8:12. We have been called to be sons of light and to reflect the Lord’s glory. If we are doing anything less than that, we are being disobedient to God. He commands us in Ephesians 5:8-10 to live as children of light and to find out what pleases the Lord. According to that verse the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Those things don’t come through osmosis. You have to actively seek the Lord and pursue his righteousness. The Lord reveals himself in his word and rewards those who are faithful.
So, how do we then live? Commit God’s word to memory, study fervently, and don’t let anything come between you and the Lord because you can’t reflect what isn’t before you. God’s desire is for you to become just like Jesus. May the Lord’s righteousness be your own. Be faithful and don’t let the world keep you from looking like Jesus.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Cor 3:18
Go reflect the Son and "moon" the world!
I was mesmerized by the full moon this past week. It was HUGE! I later found out that the moon was orbiting closer than normal to the earth. That got me thinking about some things. Of course, we all know that the moon has no light of its own. What we see is its reflection of the sun’s light, but sometimes things get in the way of us seeing that reflection. As I came inside a few minutes ago, I noticed that for as brilliant as the moon was last night, it was not visible at all tonight. The reason? It is cloudy out there. In exactly two weeks, the moon will not reflect any of the sun’s light. In fact, there will be no evidence that the moon even has the ability to reflect light because the earth will be between the moon and the sun. The moon will be the same; the sun will be the same, but the world will get in the way. Does that ever happen in your life?
I’m sure we have all heard sermons and such on how we should be like the moon and reflect the Son’s light. That sounds good until you realize that for 14 days of each month the moon is waning—it reflects less and less light each night until finally, it doesn’t reflect at all. Is that really how we need to be? Naturally, we would all respond, “No,” but the truth is, many of us do exactly that. We don’t mean to, we just do. The world gets in the way, and we don’t do anything to stop it.
As we allow things to come between us and Jesus, we cannot fully reflect the Son’s Righteousness. Sometimes it is a gradual thing, like the waning of the moon. Something small and insignificant, in our estimation, attracts our attention away from God. It isn’t anything so serious that it will prevent us from serving God; it just diminshes our zeal for him until our light is barely visible. Unfortunately, as long as we are reflecting the Son somewhat, we deceive ourselves into believing its good enough.
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven,” Matthew 5:16. Where does your light come from? It isn’t really your light, but the light of the Son’s Righteousness… “I (Jesus) am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” John 8:12. We have been called to be sons of light and to reflect the Lord’s glory. If we are doing anything less than that, we are being disobedient to God. He commands us in Ephesians 5:8-10 to live as children of light and to find out what pleases the Lord. According to that verse the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Those things don’t come through osmosis. You have to actively seek the Lord and pursue his righteousness. The Lord reveals himself in his word and rewards those who are faithful.
So, how do we then live? Commit God’s word to memory, study fervently, and don’t let anything come between you and the Lord because you can’t reflect what isn’t before you. God’s desire is for you to become just like Jesus. May the Lord’s righteousness be your own. Be faithful and don’t let the world keep you from looking like Jesus.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Cor 3:18
Go reflect the Son and "moon" the world!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Giving an Account
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Ps. 32:1-2
The scriptures very plainly say that everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and then, according to Romans 14:12, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Have you ever wondered exactly what you would be giving an account of? After all, your sins are forgiven. In Isaiah, God said he has blotted out our transgressions and remembers our sins no more.
I have heard many people say that on the day of Judgment we will watch a “video” of our entire lives and have to explain all of our actions and choices. I don’t think so. If God is true to His word, which I firmly believe He is, then there is no video or record of my sins. So again, what will we be giving an account of?
For generations, people have argued over the concept of works in Christianity. We know the scriptures say that we are not saved by works. Instead, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” And we know that James said that faith without works is dead. So obviously, there is a place for works. Is it possible then, that these works are the very things we will stand before God and give an account of? In Revelation 22 Jesus himself said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
I guess the question now is, what are you doing? What are you doing to advance the Kingdom? What are you doing that could qualify as storing up treasures in heaven? Your spirit is saved, your sins are forgiven, but you are still here. Your work is not done.
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God, Micah 6:8. Our responsibility, now that we belong to the Father, is threefold: God, others, and ourselves. To act justly is to do what is right in the sight of God, to live in obedience to His teachings, to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. To love mercy is to love our neighbor as ourselves, to truly care about and minister to our brothers and sisters in the faith as well as to those living outside God’s kingdom. And to walk humbly with our God is for our own benefit. It is the time we spend in one-on-one fellowship with the Father studying His word, meditating on His teachings, being fed by His Spirit, and growing and maturing spiritually.
So, how are you doing in those areas? Are you ready to stand before the Judgment Seat and give an account? “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised,” Hebrews 10:36.
In the words of Paul, let me encourage you to continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Col. 3:23
The scriptures very plainly say that everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and then, according to Romans 14:12, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Have you ever wondered exactly what you would be giving an account of? After all, your sins are forgiven. In Isaiah, God said he has blotted out our transgressions and remembers our sins no more.
I have heard many people say that on the day of Judgment we will watch a “video” of our entire lives and have to explain all of our actions and choices. I don’t think so. If God is true to His word, which I firmly believe He is, then there is no video or record of my sins. So again, what will we be giving an account of?
For generations, people have argued over the concept of works in Christianity. We know the scriptures say that we are not saved by works. Instead, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” And we know that James said that faith without works is dead. So obviously, there is a place for works. Is it possible then, that these works are the very things we will stand before God and give an account of? In Revelation 22 Jesus himself said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
I guess the question now is, what are you doing? What are you doing to advance the Kingdom? What are you doing that could qualify as storing up treasures in heaven? Your spirit is saved, your sins are forgiven, but you are still here. Your work is not done.
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God, Micah 6:8. Our responsibility, now that we belong to the Father, is threefold: God, others, and ourselves. To act justly is to do what is right in the sight of God, to live in obedience to His teachings, to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. To love mercy is to love our neighbor as ourselves, to truly care about and minister to our brothers and sisters in the faith as well as to those living outside God’s kingdom. And to walk humbly with our God is for our own benefit. It is the time we spend in one-on-one fellowship with the Father studying His word, meditating on His teachings, being fed by His Spirit, and growing and maturing spiritually.
So, how are you doing in those areas? Are you ready to stand before the Judgment Seat and give an account? “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised,” Hebrews 10:36.
In the words of Paul, let me encourage you to continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Col. 3:23
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wisdom of the Heart
Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Prov. 8:11
We live in a society that values wisdom. People spend thousands of dollars to make sure their children receive a top-notch education. In some parts of America, parents compete to get their toddlers into the most prestigious preschools to “guarantee” their future success. They do everything they can to fill their minds with knowledge. Unfortunately, many people view Godly wisdom as an intellectual endeavor as well.
We often believe that if we know Bible facts, we know the Bible. We strive to gain a head knowledge of God. That’s a good start, but it should not be our ultimate aim. In fact, God says in Proverbs 2:10, “Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Throughout the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of a changed heart. It is only when God’s word enters our minds and transforms our hearts that our actions will bear Godly fruit.
Too often, we excuse our ungodly behaviors blaming them on our weak flesh or Satan’s schemes. Sometimes we even minimize our own responsibility and decide that since we are believers in Jesus, we’ll just let God’s mercy take care of us. If that is our attitude, we are being unfaithful to God.
Think about it. If your children have a “head knowledge” of you and your expectations, give lip service to you by saying, “I love you,” and “I’m sorry” when they disobey, but never do anything to change their behaviors because they know you’ll forgive them since they are your children, would you truly believe they loved you? Then why do we do that to our Father? Would you tolerate that behavior? Then why should God?
1 Thessalonians 4:7,8 says, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” And why does He give us His Holy Spirit? So that “He may strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” 1 Thess. 3:13. Therefore, hide God’s word in your heart so you will not sin against God. “My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Prov. 4:20-23. True wisdom is Godly wisdom. And Godly wisdom will transform your life. May you be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
We live in a society that values wisdom. People spend thousands of dollars to make sure their children receive a top-notch education. In some parts of America, parents compete to get their toddlers into the most prestigious preschools to “guarantee” their future success. They do everything they can to fill their minds with knowledge. Unfortunately, many people view Godly wisdom as an intellectual endeavor as well.
We often believe that if we know Bible facts, we know the Bible. We strive to gain a head knowledge of God. That’s a good start, but it should not be our ultimate aim. In fact, God says in Proverbs 2:10, “Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Throughout the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of a changed heart. It is only when God’s word enters our minds and transforms our hearts that our actions will bear Godly fruit.
Too often, we excuse our ungodly behaviors blaming them on our weak flesh or Satan’s schemes. Sometimes we even minimize our own responsibility and decide that since we are believers in Jesus, we’ll just let God’s mercy take care of us. If that is our attitude, we are being unfaithful to God.
Think about it. If your children have a “head knowledge” of you and your expectations, give lip service to you by saying, “I love you,” and “I’m sorry” when they disobey, but never do anything to change their behaviors because they know you’ll forgive them since they are your children, would you truly believe they loved you? Then why do we do that to our Father? Would you tolerate that behavior? Then why should God?
1 Thessalonians 4:7,8 says, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” And why does He give us His Holy Spirit? So that “He may strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” 1 Thess. 3:13. Therefore, hide God’s word in your heart so you will not sin against God. “My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Prov. 4:20-23. True wisdom is Godly wisdom. And Godly wisdom will transform your life. May you be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Easy Way or the Hard Way
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom. Prov. 15:33
“Don’t tell me what to do! It’s my life and I’ll make my own mistakes!” Those words have been shouted by both rebellious teenagers and adults at parents, pastors, teachers, and friends for generations. We all want to spare others from making the same mistakes we made, from walking down paths we know will lead to destruction. Despite our best intentions, we are often seen as meddlesome and irritating. The old adage, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” is true in many regards…even in our spiritual walk.
Sometimes, as believers, we want to take what we think is the easy way. We go through life doing our own thing until something major or catastrophic sends us running to the Father. We gain a basic understanding of God and His truths, and we coast on autopilot until a life situation forces us to look more intently at God’s word. We want to make our own mistakes and then ask God to fix the mess we find ourselves in. Sounds a little like a rebellious teenager doesn’t it? And yet, what we won’t tolerate from our children, we do ourselves to the Father. 2 Peter 1:3-4 illustrates how God, like a loving parent who wants to spare his children from the pain of mistakes and ignorance provides a solution. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” So, where does this knowledge of Him come from?
Proverbs 1:1 says, “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life…” Solomon, the man who received his wisdom directly from God shared with us what God taught him about wisdom. We can either try to gain wisdom through trial and error or we can follow the advice of Solomon who said in Prov 2:1-5, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Notice all those action verbs—it’s going to take some serious effort on your part.
Then he promises, “Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you,” Prov. 2:10-11. Do you need any better promises than that? How about these: Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you, 4:6; Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, 2:12; Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her, 8:11; He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers, 19:8; and, Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off, 24:14.
God’s wisdom is found in God’s word. Every day we should be actively and eagerly searching the scriptures to discern God’s good and perfect will. If you don’t know where else to start, may I suggest the book of Proverbs? Remember, its whole purpose, according to Proverbs 1:1 is to help us attain wisdom. You decide, do you want God to teach you wisdom the easy way (through his word) or the hard way (through your own experiences)? Wisdom will be taught—one way or the other.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
“Don’t tell me what to do! It’s my life and I’ll make my own mistakes!” Those words have been shouted by both rebellious teenagers and adults at parents, pastors, teachers, and friends for generations. We all want to spare others from making the same mistakes we made, from walking down paths we know will lead to destruction. Despite our best intentions, we are often seen as meddlesome and irritating. The old adage, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” is true in many regards…even in our spiritual walk.
Sometimes, as believers, we want to take what we think is the easy way. We go through life doing our own thing until something major or catastrophic sends us running to the Father. We gain a basic understanding of God and His truths, and we coast on autopilot until a life situation forces us to look more intently at God’s word. We want to make our own mistakes and then ask God to fix the mess we find ourselves in. Sounds a little like a rebellious teenager doesn’t it? And yet, what we won’t tolerate from our children, we do ourselves to the Father. 2 Peter 1:3-4 illustrates how God, like a loving parent who wants to spare his children from the pain of mistakes and ignorance provides a solution. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” So, where does this knowledge of Him come from?
Proverbs 1:1 says, “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life…” Solomon, the man who received his wisdom directly from God shared with us what God taught him about wisdom. We can either try to gain wisdom through trial and error or we can follow the advice of Solomon who said in Prov 2:1-5, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Notice all those action verbs—it’s going to take some serious effort on your part.
Then he promises, “Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you,” Prov. 2:10-11. Do you need any better promises than that? How about these: Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you, 4:6; Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, 2:12; Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her, 8:11; He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers, 19:8; and, Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off, 24:14.
God’s wisdom is found in God’s word. Every day we should be actively and eagerly searching the scriptures to discern God’s good and perfect will. If you don’t know where else to start, may I suggest the book of Proverbs? Remember, its whole purpose, according to Proverbs 1:1 is to help us attain wisdom. You decide, do you want God to teach you wisdom the easy way (through his word) or the hard way (through your own experiences)? Wisdom will be taught—one way or the other.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A Time to Teach
A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40
A student was showing me some of his drawings this past week that were absolutely wonderful. He told me his uncle had taught him how to draw. His face truly glowed when he said, “My uncle told me that in another couple of months I’ll probably be as good as him.”
My response was, “You know, there is a proverb that says when a student is fully trained he will be like his teacher.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I was convicted by my own statement. If my job is to teach, shouldn’t I have the knowledge and experience necessary in order to teach? Of course I should. That’s why I spend countless hours each year going to in-services and workshops that the school district sends me to and reading, studying, and researching on my own. I want to be an effective teacher. In a sense, I am trying to teach my students everything I know about reading and writing. I’m giving them the skills to be like me.
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations….teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20. How can I possibly teach other people to obey everything Jesus has commanded if I don’t prepare myself first? As the body of Christ, we should be actively studying, learning, and preparing ourselves in such a way that we can instruct others in the ways of the Lord. There is no way you can make disciples unless you, yourself, are a student of the Lord.
Now, in order to be a student of the Lord, you can’t limit your learning to what you get at church. After all, I “studied” math by sitting and listening in a classroom for about twelve years. I even passed all of those math classes. But, I guarantee you , I am not a “student” of math. I know the basics of math…just enough to help me figure out discounts at the store and how much carpet I need to cover the floor in a room, but I don’t know math. Likewise, if all of our spiritual knowledge comes from sermons, we will not have the wisdom and understanding that the scriptures command us repeatedly to gain. We may acquire a basic knowledge, but we won’t truly know the Lord or his teachings. A good teacher never stops being a student. As long as we draw breath, there will always be more to learn about the Lord. A priority for us as teachers of faith should be to instill a passion for studying and learning; growing and maturing. If the fully trained student will be like his teacher, that means he must see the passion in us, or he will never have it himself.
I believe the “great commission” is given to all believers. We are all responsible for teaching others how to be disciples of Christ and to obey everything he has commanded. Therefore, we owe it to God, to ourselves, and to everyone we will ever have the opportunity to teach to make sure that we, ourselves, are constantly growing and maturing in our knowledge and understanding of the Lord’s commands. It won’t just happen. We must immerse ourselves in the Word daily.
You may not see yourself as a teacher, but I assure you that you will come in contact with people this week who have never set foot in a church building. The vast majority of the Lord’s teachers look remarkably like ordinary people. The way we live and act in public demonstrates our true beliefs. In fact, unless the Lord’s disciples live daily as disciples, the world will never see a difference between themselves and us. What will people learn about the Lord when they watch you this week? Train them well.
…Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Tim 4:8.
A student was showing me some of his drawings this past week that were absolutely wonderful. He told me his uncle had taught him how to draw. His face truly glowed when he said, “My uncle told me that in another couple of months I’ll probably be as good as him.”
My response was, “You know, there is a proverb that says when a student is fully trained he will be like his teacher.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I was convicted by my own statement. If my job is to teach, shouldn’t I have the knowledge and experience necessary in order to teach? Of course I should. That’s why I spend countless hours each year going to in-services and workshops that the school district sends me to and reading, studying, and researching on my own. I want to be an effective teacher. In a sense, I am trying to teach my students everything I know about reading and writing. I’m giving them the skills to be like me.
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations….teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20. How can I possibly teach other people to obey everything Jesus has commanded if I don’t prepare myself first? As the body of Christ, we should be actively studying, learning, and preparing ourselves in such a way that we can instruct others in the ways of the Lord. There is no way you can make disciples unless you, yourself, are a student of the Lord.
Now, in order to be a student of the Lord, you can’t limit your learning to what you get at church. After all, I “studied” math by sitting and listening in a classroom for about twelve years. I even passed all of those math classes. But, I guarantee you , I am not a “student” of math. I know the basics of math…just enough to help me figure out discounts at the store and how much carpet I need to cover the floor in a room, but I don’t know math. Likewise, if all of our spiritual knowledge comes from sermons, we will not have the wisdom and understanding that the scriptures command us repeatedly to gain. We may acquire a basic knowledge, but we won’t truly know the Lord or his teachings. A good teacher never stops being a student. As long as we draw breath, there will always be more to learn about the Lord. A priority for us as teachers of faith should be to instill a passion for studying and learning; growing and maturing. If the fully trained student will be like his teacher, that means he must see the passion in us, or he will never have it himself.
I believe the “great commission” is given to all believers. We are all responsible for teaching others how to be disciples of Christ and to obey everything he has commanded. Therefore, we owe it to God, to ourselves, and to everyone we will ever have the opportunity to teach to make sure that we, ourselves, are constantly growing and maturing in our knowledge and understanding of the Lord’s commands. It won’t just happen. We must immerse ourselves in the Word daily.
You may not see yourself as a teacher, but I assure you that you will come in contact with people this week who have never set foot in a church building. The vast majority of the Lord’s teachers look remarkably like ordinary people. The way we live and act in public demonstrates our true beliefs. In fact, unless the Lord’s disciples live daily as disciples, the world will never see a difference between themselves and us. What will people learn about the Lord when they watch you this week? Train them well.
…Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Tim 4:8.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
An Awesome God
When was the last time God acted in a way you totally did not expect? For generations, even to the beginning of time, man has presumed to know exactly how God should and would work in every situation. Unfortunately, our minds cannot even begin to fathom the extent of God’s power. As a result, we force God and his infinite might into a restrictive box. We, the created, limit God, the creator. How absurd is that?
In Joshua 10, the story is told of the Israelites fighting the Amorites. Joshua said to the Lord, “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the valley of Abijalon.” The next verse says, “The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14. What if Joshua had not believed that God could or would do something he had never done before?
Has God stopped being God? Does he still fight on the behalf of his redeemed? Can we still expect him to perform supernatural feats so that we, his people, can have victory? The word of God reminds us of what God is capable of and willing to do. Our faith needs to go beyond what we know God can do—what he’s done before in our sight and experience—and trust him to do something wonderful and new.
The scriptures tell us that Jesus could not do any miracles in his hometown because the people lacked faith. Throughout the Bible, we read about God’s desire to give us victory in every area of our lives. Regardless of what we might like to believe, however, man never gains the victory on his own, but “He holds victory in store for the upright. Pr 2:7; The Lord gave David victory. 1 Chron 18:6; The Lord gives us victory over our enemies. Ps 44:7; Victory rests with the Lord. Pr 21:31; and God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 15:57.
Does victory always come in the same prescribed way? Absolutely not. Isaiah said to the Lord, “For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.” Is 64:3-5.
Remember Joshua, and allow God to move in wonderful and mighty ways. Take it one step further and, like Joshua, ask God to do awesome things in your life. And then don’t be surprised or give credit to the “god” of circumstance, coincidence, medical science, or man’s wisdom when the Lord does something amazing in your sight. He is, after all, Jehovah El Elyon, the Most High God.
In Joshua 10, the story is told of the Israelites fighting the Amorites. Joshua said to the Lord, “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the valley of Abijalon.” The next verse says, “The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14. What if Joshua had not believed that God could or would do something he had never done before?
Has God stopped being God? Does he still fight on the behalf of his redeemed? Can we still expect him to perform supernatural feats so that we, his people, can have victory? The word of God reminds us of what God is capable of and willing to do. Our faith needs to go beyond what we know God can do—what he’s done before in our sight and experience—and trust him to do something wonderful and new.
The scriptures tell us that Jesus could not do any miracles in his hometown because the people lacked faith. Throughout the Bible, we read about God’s desire to give us victory in every area of our lives. Regardless of what we might like to believe, however, man never gains the victory on his own, but “He holds victory in store for the upright. Pr 2:7; The Lord gave David victory. 1 Chron 18:6; The Lord gives us victory over our enemies. Ps 44:7; Victory rests with the Lord. Pr 21:31; and God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 15:57.
Does victory always come in the same prescribed way? Absolutely not. Isaiah said to the Lord, “For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.” Is 64:3-5.
Remember Joshua, and allow God to move in wonderful and mighty ways. Take it one step further and, like Joshua, ask God to do awesome things in your life. And then don’t be surprised or give credit to the “god” of circumstance, coincidence, medical science, or man’s wisdom when the Lord does something amazing in your sight. He is, after all, Jehovah El Elyon, the Most High God.
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