Today marks the day I officially completed reading and studying the Bible cover to cover! At the edge of my seat during the book of Revelation, I was counting the miracles and blessings God has shown me on this path to studying the Word of God. Although an original goal of 4 months to have read the entire Bible turned into 8 months; I praise the Holy Spirit for the inspiration to read not only the Scripture, but also all the fine print and blueprints explaining what the Scripture meant in the Life Application Bible! What incredible heart opening wisdom and found in both writings that directly pertained to my life, those I love and those I enemies I've learned to love as well!
When Pastor Miles threw out the challenge to read the entire Bible to know truth so that we are equipped to recognize the lies, boy he wasn't kidding! And the promise of "life changing and transforming", is an understatement to what this journey has provided me.
This marks merely the first of MANY more times I plan to read and study the Bible in its entirety, for All His word is God Breathed and very much ALIVE and ACTIVE!
Praise you my Lord of Lords and King of Kings for the invitation to have an intimate relationship with you through your Holy Spirit. May you use me in a mighty way to be a witness to others and fight in your battle on your side. In Jesus name, Amen!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Philippians
Happiness versus Joy: Happiness is based in outward circumstances. Joy is based on inward strength.
Developing our character and growth requires: Discipline, obedience and Relentless Concentration.
Laying aside our self-interest is essential to ALL of our relationships. This is true humility. When we give up our self-interest, we can serve with joy, love and kindness. Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves. It does not mean that we should put ourselves down. Before God, we are sinners, saved only through his grace, but we ARE saved and therefore have great worth in God’s kingdom. Lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and courtesy. Considering others’ interests as more important than our own links us with Christ, our true example of humility.
Unity requires agreement with one another. We must stop complaining and work together.
Do you sometimes feel that you aren’t making spiritual progress? When God starts a project, He completes it! When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.”(Philippians 1:9-11)
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”(Philippians 1:20)
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…stand firm in one spirit…without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you…for it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.”(Philippians 1:27-30) Suffering has these benefits: 1)It takes our eyes off of earthly comforts 2) it weeds out superficial believers 3)it strengthens the faith of those who endure, 4)it serves as an example to others who may follow us. Use suffering to build your character.
“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.”(Philippians 2:14-15)
God helps us WANT to obey him and then gives us the POWER to do what he wants. The secret to a changed life is to submit to God’s control and let him work. Pray to God to help you WANT to do his will.
“Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.”(Philippians 3:2) Don’t judge people’s spirituality by their fulfillment of duties or by their level of human activity. And don’t think that you will satisfy God by feverishly doing his work. God notices all you do for him and will reward you for it, but only if it comes as a loving response to his free gift of salvation.
“But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining forward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13-14)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:4-7) Stand firm in the Lord, keeping our eyes on Him. This world is not our home. Focus on the fact that God will bring everything under his control.
We are to be gentle, reasonable, fair minded, and charitable. Imagine never being anxious about anything. Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.
True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety. Jehovah-Shalom is the God of Peace; the God of wholeness and completeness. Lean on Him for true inner peace.
What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material.
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength”(Philippians 4:13) True contentment lies in our perspective, priorities, and our source of power.
Paul teaches that the secret to joy and peace is imitating Christ and serving others. By focusing our minds on Christ we learn unity, humility, joy and peace. We can live confidently for him because we have the “grace of the Lord Jesus” with us.
Developing our character and growth requires: Discipline, obedience and Relentless Concentration.
Laying aside our self-interest is essential to ALL of our relationships. This is true humility. When we give up our self-interest, we can serve with joy, love and kindness. Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves. It does not mean that we should put ourselves down. Before God, we are sinners, saved only through his grace, but we ARE saved and therefore have great worth in God’s kingdom. Lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and courtesy. Considering others’ interests as more important than our own links us with Christ, our true example of humility.
Unity requires agreement with one another. We must stop complaining and work together.
Do you sometimes feel that you aren’t making spiritual progress? When God starts a project, He completes it! When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.”(Philippians 1:9-11)
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”(Philippians 1:20)
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…stand firm in one spirit…without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you…for it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.”(Philippians 1:27-30) Suffering has these benefits: 1)It takes our eyes off of earthly comforts 2) it weeds out superficial believers 3)it strengthens the faith of those who endure, 4)it serves as an example to others who may follow us. Use suffering to build your character.
“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.”(Philippians 2:14-15)
God helps us WANT to obey him and then gives us the POWER to do what he wants. The secret to a changed life is to submit to God’s control and let him work. Pray to God to help you WANT to do his will.
“Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.”(Philippians 3:2) Don’t judge people’s spirituality by their fulfillment of duties or by their level of human activity. And don’t think that you will satisfy God by feverishly doing his work. God notices all you do for him and will reward you for it, but only if it comes as a loving response to his free gift of salvation.
“But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining forward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13-14)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:4-7) Stand firm in the Lord, keeping our eyes on Him. This world is not our home. Focus on the fact that God will bring everything under his control.
We are to be gentle, reasonable, fair minded, and charitable. Imagine never being anxious about anything. Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.
True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety. Jehovah-Shalom is the God of Peace; the God of wholeness and completeness. Lean on Him for true inner peace.
What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material.
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength”(Philippians 4:13) True contentment lies in our perspective, priorities, and our source of power.
Paul teaches that the secret to joy and peace is imitating Christ and serving others. By focusing our minds on Christ we learn unity, humility, joy and peace. We can live confidently for him because we have the “grace of the Lord Jesus” with us.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Luke 1-10
The emphasis on this book is to show Jesus’ humanity. Jesus, the Son of God, is also the Son of Man. Luke was a physician, historian and a man of great detail. Luke stresses Jesus’ relationships with people; emphasizes prayer, miracles, and angels and gives prominent place to women.
The opening of this book begins with a miracle and answered prayer. Zechariah prayed for a son and the coming Messiah. His wife Elizabeth was older in years to bear children. While burning incense on the altar and praying, Zechariah’s prayer was answered with a son who would prepare the way for the Messiah, John the Baptist. God answers prayer in his own way and his own time. God often works in “impossible” situations demonstrating that only he makes the impossible, possible. If we want our prayers to be answered, we must be open to what God can do in impossible situations and we must WAIT for God to work in his way and in his time. Often, this is the most difficult season for us. Waiting can be frustrating and it’s often easy to fall into the temptation of impatience and lack of faith feeling forgotten or denied. God will never forsake us and many times is working behind the scenes on things we can’t even imagine or comprehend to fulfill his promises to us. From Zechariah’s story, we learn that physical limitations do not limit God and that his will is accomplished sometimes in very unexpected ways. God is a God of “suddenly”. Have you ever found yourself feeling hopeless and lost in doubt or confusion and then “suddenly” an event, moment, person or change of circumstance happens and you are left wondering how or where it came from? “That came out of ‘nowhere’…” we may say; like the wind. That is how incredibly inconceivable the blessings our Father has for us. We must exercise more patience. “For nothing is impossible with God.”(Luke 1:37)
“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(Luke 1:17) John would do “heart transplants”, taking stony hearts and exchange them for hearts that were soft, pliable, trusting and open to change. Are you as open as you’d like to be? Sometimes hearts harden over time and without attention and care, they remain too hardened to transform in the only ways it can receive healing: God Himself.
Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth is a great example of deep spirituality and trust. She did not doubt God’s plan for her although physically barren. Not only was she given a son in John the Baptist who would make the way for her savior Jesus, but she was also the first woman besides Mary to hear of the coming Savior. “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”(Luke 1:43-45) Elizabeth speaks of faith and trust in our God. These are cornerstones of our relationship with God and others. She also chooses to focus her thoughts and attention to humble gratitude when she asks ‘why’ she is so favored. Often times, we tend to focus on all we don’t have instead of ALL WE DO HAVE.
When Jesus was 12 years old, he was considered almost an adult and he didn’t spend as much time with his parents during the feast of Passover. “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.”(Luke 2:52) Mary had to let go of her child and let him become a man, God’s Son. It is hard to let go of people or projects we have nurtured. It is bittersweet to see our children as adults and our followers as leaders, but when the time comes to step back and let go, we must do so in spite of the hurt. Then our protégés can exercise their wings, take flight, and soar to the heights that God intended. Motherhood is a painful privilege and Mary saw Jesus arrive as her son and die as her savior. Mary was available to God and we learn from her that God’s best servants are often ordinary people available to him. A person’s character is revealed by his or her response to the unexpected. Jesus grew physically and mentally, he related to other people and he was loved by God. It should be as important to us to regard a healthy BALANCED life as Jesus did: to develop fully and harmoniously in the key areas: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Have you ever wondered why some “religious” people show little to no evidence of a life guided by the Holy Spirit? What motivates your faith- fear of the future, or a desire to be a better person in a better world? John said to the crowds, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”(Luke 3”7-9) Some people wanted to be baptized so they could escape eternal punishment, but they didn’t turn to God for salvation. John knew that God values reformation above ritual. Is YOUR faith motivated by a desire for a changed and new life or is it more of an insurance policy? “Faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:14-26) Jesus’ harshest words were towards religious leaders who lacked the desire for real change. Their lives were unproductive because they wanted authority and praise for being a religious leader, rather than acting in ways that demonstrated changed hearts and minds. Johns message demanded at least three responses 1) share what you have with those who need it, 2) whatever your job is, do it well and with fairness, 3) being content. He was calling people to right living. Too often, respectability is confused with right living. They are different. Respectability can hinder right living if it keeps us from seeing our need for God. If you had to choose, would you protect your character or your reputation?
Our society values youthfulness over wisdom. In our fast paced culture, have you ever been impatient to your purpose in life feeling like time was passing and you didn’t accomplish all that society placed on your shoulders by age 25? Jesus worked in a small town carpenter’s shop until he was 30 years old. It seems incredible that Jesus would have been content to remain in Nazareth all that time, but he patiently trusted the Father’s timing. 30 was the prescribed age for priests to begin their ministry (Numbers 4:3). Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving the king of Egypt, and David was 30 years old when he began to reign on Judah. Age 30 then, was a good time to begin an important task. Like Jesus, we need to resist the temptation to jump ahead before receiving the Spirit’s direction. Are you waiting and wondering what your next step should be? Don’t jump ahead; trust God’s timing.
When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”(Luke 4:3) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.”(Luke 4:4) Though we may feel that when the Holy Spirit leads us, it will be “beside quiet waters”(Psalm 23:2), but that is not necessarily true. He led Jesus into the desert for a long and difficult time of testing and he may also lead us into difficult situations. When facing trials, first make sure you haven’t brought them on yourself through sin or unwise choices. Be careful to follow faithfully wherever the Holy Spirit leads. Temptation will often come after a high point in our spiritual lives or ministries. Satan chooses the times for his attacks, so we need to be on our guard in times of victory just as much as in times of discouragement. Knowing and obeying God’s word is an effective weapon against temptation. To use it effectively, you must have faith in God’s promises, because Satan also knows scripture and is adept at twisting it to suit his purposes. It was necessary for Jesus to be tempted because temptation is part of the human experience. Jesus had to undo Adam’s work and instead of giving in to temptation, Jesus had to resist Satan. If you are dealing with doubt, realize that you are especially vulnerable to temptation. Even as you search for answers, protect yourself by meditating on the unshakable truths of God’s word. Sometimes WHAT we are tempted to do isn’t wrong in itself. The devil was trying to get Jesus to take a shortcut; to seek comfort at the sacrifice of his discipline. Satan often persuades us to take action, even right action, for the wrong reason or at the wrong time. The fact that something is not wrong in itself does not mean that it is good for you at a given time. Many people sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires outside of God’s will or ahead of his timetable. First ask yourself, “Is the Holy Spirit leading me to do this? Or is Satan trying to get me off track? Jesus’ authority is much greater than Satan’s and where Jesus is present, demons cannot stay for long. Demons are fallen angels who have joined Satan in rebellion against God. Evil permeates our world, and of course people are fearful. But by recognizing Jesus’ authority and power who overcame Satan himself, we can rest assure that we’ve been given authority over Satan’s attacks by the Holy Spirit within us.
“When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God! But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.”(Luke 4:40) Jesus was going to show himself to be the suffering servant before he became the great King. To reveal his identity as King too soon would stir up the crowds with the wrong expectations of what he had come to do.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”(Luke 5:16) Take time to withdraw to a quiet and deserted place to pray. Strength comes from God, and we can only be strengthened by spending time with him. Before every important event in Jesus’ life, he took time to go off by himself and pray. Make sure that all our important decisions are grounded in prayer. God is not a magician; he is the Master. Prayer is not a way for us to control God; it is a way for us to put ourselves under his control.
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick and I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”(Luke 5:31) The Pharisees wrapped their sin in respectability. They made themselves appear good by publicly doing good deeds and pointing at the sins of others. Jesus chose to spend time not with these proud, self-righteous, religious leaders, but with people who sensed their won sin and knew that they were not good enough for God. Christianity required new approaches, new traditions, and new structures. Our church programs and ministries should not be so structured that they have no room for a fresh touch of the Spirit, a new method or a new idea. We, too, must be careful that our hearts don’t become too rigid that they prevent us from accepting the new way of thinking that Christ brings. Our hearts should remain pliable so we can accept Jesus’ life-changing message.
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”(Luke 6:35-36)LOVE MEANS ACTION. One way to put love to work is to take the initiative in meeting specific needs. Give as though you were giving to God. If we are critical rather than compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, however, these qualities come back to us in full measure. We are to love others and not judge them. Jesus doesn’t tell us to ignore wrongdoing, but we should not be so worried about others’ sins that we overlook our own. We often rationalize our sins by pointing out the same mistakes in others. Remember your own pitfalls when you feel like criticizing, and you may find that you have less to say. A person who tries to do right but often fails is not a hypocrite. Neither are those who fulfill their duty even when they don’t feel like doing it- it is often necessary and good to set aside our desires in order to do what needs doing. It is not hypocrisy to be weak in faith. A HYPOCRITE is a person who puts on religious behavior in order to gain attention, approval, acceptance, or admiration from others.
Jesus teaches about Fruit in People’s lives. “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”(Luke 6:43-45) Our speech and actions reveal the true underlying beliefs, attitudes and motivations. The good impressions we try to make cannot last if our hearts are deceptive. What is in your heart WILL come out in your speech and behavior. Take steps in partnership with God to allow Him to transform your heart by taking the steps to guard your words and in time, you’ll see your heart will follow and be healed of wickedness and pain.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.”(Luke 6:46) Building your relationship with God requires a foundation of faith, trust, hope and love. Loving God means obeying Him and since our greatest commandment is to Love the Lord God, and Loving Him is obeying him, then our greatest commandment is to obey him. Without this strong foundation in obedience, we are shortsighted and will be sorry when our foundation is tested. If you find yourself listening but not obeying, what are the reasons and are they in line with God’s word?
“His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ “(Luke 8:9) Jesus often spoke spiritual truth through parables and short stories because by linking the known with the hidden, he forced the listeners to think. Parables can point to spiritual truths. A parable compels listeners to discover the truth for themselves and it conceals the truth from those too lazy or dull to understand it. Applying God’s word helps us grow. This is a principle of growth in physical, mental and spiritual life. Like muscles in the body, if we are not growing stronger, we are growing weaker; it is impossible to stand still. Jesus’ true family are those who hear and obey his words. When God gives us a course of action, we must move steadily toward our destination, no matter what the potential hazards await us there. True discipleship requires instant action. Jesus wants total dedication from us, not half-hearted commitment. This same principle can be taken forward to a marriage relationship. We can’t pick and choose among Jesus’ ideas and follow him selectively, in the same way, we cannot accept a partial mate; it’s all or nothing. We have to accept the cross (sacrifice) with the crown (rewards). We should allow nothing to distract us from the manner of living that God calls good and true. “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”(Luke 9:62)
Jesus healed a woman who bled for 12 years. “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”(Luke 8:48) It is only faith that releases God’s healing power. Are you just curious about God, or do you reach out to him in faith, knowing that his mercy will bring healing to your body, soul and spirit?
Jesus sends out the 12 Disciples. “When Jesus calls the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”(Luke 9:1) Jesus as a leader EMPOWERED his disciples, giving them specific instructions so they knew what to do, told them how to deal with tough times and held them accountable. Which of these skills do we need to sharpen in order to lead others?
“A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘this is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.”(Luke 9:35) Jesus has God’s power and authority; thus his words should be our final authority. If a person’s teaching is true, it will agree with Jesus’ teaching. Test everything you hear against Jesus’ words, and you will not be led astray. Don’t be hasty to seek advice and guidance from merely human sources and thereby neglect Christ’s message.
“For he who is least among you all; he is the greatest.”(Luke 9:48) Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, needy and poor; those who cannot return your love and concern?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your strength and will all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself…Do this and you will live.”(Luke 10:27) Lessons of loving our neighbor is revealed in the parable of the Good Samaritan 1)lack of love is often easy to justify, even though it is never right,2) our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need and 3)love means acting to meet the person’s need. All of the commandments are summed up in these two.
The opening of this book begins with a miracle and answered prayer. Zechariah prayed for a son and the coming Messiah. His wife Elizabeth was older in years to bear children. While burning incense on the altar and praying, Zechariah’s prayer was answered with a son who would prepare the way for the Messiah, John the Baptist. God answers prayer in his own way and his own time. God often works in “impossible” situations demonstrating that only he makes the impossible, possible. If we want our prayers to be answered, we must be open to what God can do in impossible situations and we must WAIT for God to work in his way and in his time. Often, this is the most difficult season for us. Waiting can be frustrating and it’s often easy to fall into the temptation of impatience and lack of faith feeling forgotten or denied. God will never forsake us and many times is working behind the scenes on things we can’t even imagine or comprehend to fulfill his promises to us. From Zechariah’s story, we learn that physical limitations do not limit God and that his will is accomplished sometimes in very unexpected ways. God is a God of “suddenly”. Have you ever found yourself feeling hopeless and lost in doubt or confusion and then “suddenly” an event, moment, person or change of circumstance happens and you are left wondering how or where it came from? “That came out of ‘nowhere’…” we may say; like the wind. That is how incredibly inconceivable the blessings our Father has for us. We must exercise more patience. “For nothing is impossible with God.”(Luke 1:37)
“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(Luke 1:17) John would do “heart transplants”, taking stony hearts and exchange them for hearts that were soft, pliable, trusting and open to change. Are you as open as you’d like to be? Sometimes hearts harden over time and without attention and care, they remain too hardened to transform in the only ways it can receive healing: God Himself.
Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth is a great example of deep spirituality and trust. She did not doubt God’s plan for her although physically barren. Not only was she given a son in John the Baptist who would make the way for her savior Jesus, but she was also the first woman besides Mary to hear of the coming Savior. “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”(Luke 1:43-45) Elizabeth speaks of faith and trust in our God. These are cornerstones of our relationship with God and others. She also chooses to focus her thoughts and attention to humble gratitude when she asks ‘why’ she is so favored. Often times, we tend to focus on all we don’t have instead of ALL WE DO HAVE.
When Jesus was 12 years old, he was considered almost an adult and he didn’t spend as much time with his parents during the feast of Passover. “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.”(Luke 2:52) Mary had to let go of her child and let him become a man, God’s Son. It is hard to let go of people or projects we have nurtured. It is bittersweet to see our children as adults and our followers as leaders, but when the time comes to step back and let go, we must do so in spite of the hurt. Then our protégés can exercise their wings, take flight, and soar to the heights that God intended. Motherhood is a painful privilege and Mary saw Jesus arrive as her son and die as her savior. Mary was available to God and we learn from her that God’s best servants are often ordinary people available to him. A person’s character is revealed by his or her response to the unexpected. Jesus grew physically and mentally, he related to other people and he was loved by God. It should be as important to us to regard a healthy BALANCED life as Jesus did: to develop fully and harmoniously in the key areas: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Have you ever wondered why some “religious” people show little to no evidence of a life guided by the Holy Spirit? What motivates your faith- fear of the future, or a desire to be a better person in a better world? John said to the crowds, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”(Luke 3”7-9) Some people wanted to be baptized so they could escape eternal punishment, but they didn’t turn to God for salvation. John knew that God values reformation above ritual. Is YOUR faith motivated by a desire for a changed and new life or is it more of an insurance policy? “Faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:14-26) Jesus’ harshest words were towards religious leaders who lacked the desire for real change. Their lives were unproductive because they wanted authority and praise for being a religious leader, rather than acting in ways that demonstrated changed hearts and minds. Johns message demanded at least three responses 1) share what you have with those who need it, 2) whatever your job is, do it well and with fairness, 3) being content. He was calling people to right living. Too often, respectability is confused with right living. They are different. Respectability can hinder right living if it keeps us from seeing our need for God. If you had to choose, would you protect your character or your reputation?
Our society values youthfulness over wisdom. In our fast paced culture, have you ever been impatient to your purpose in life feeling like time was passing and you didn’t accomplish all that society placed on your shoulders by age 25? Jesus worked in a small town carpenter’s shop until he was 30 years old. It seems incredible that Jesus would have been content to remain in Nazareth all that time, but he patiently trusted the Father’s timing. 30 was the prescribed age for priests to begin their ministry (Numbers 4:3). Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving the king of Egypt, and David was 30 years old when he began to reign on Judah. Age 30 then, was a good time to begin an important task. Like Jesus, we need to resist the temptation to jump ahead before receiving the Spirit’s direction. Are you waiting and wondering what your next step should be? Don’t jump ahead; trust God’s timing.
When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”(Luke 4:3) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.”(Luke 4:4) Though we may feel that when the Holy Spirit leads us, it will be “beside quiet waters”(Psalm 23:2), but that is not necessarily true. He led Jesus into the desert for a long and difficult time of testing and he may also lead us into difficult situations. When facing trials, first make sure you haven’t brought them on yourself through sin or unwise choices. Be careful to follow faithfully wherever the Holy Spirit leads. Temptation will often come after a high point in our spiritual lives or ministries. Satan chooses the times for his attacks, so we need to be on our guard in times of victory just as much as in times of discouragement. Knowing and obeying God’s word is an effective weapon against temptation. To use it effectively, you must have faith in God’s promises, because Satan also knows scripture and is adept at twisting it to suit his purposes. It was necessary for Jesus to be tempted because temptation is part of the human experience. Jesus had to undo Adam’s work and instead of giving in to temptation, Jesus had to resist Satan. If you are dealing with doubt, realize that you are especially vulnerable to temptation. Even as you search for answers, protect yourself by meditating on the unshakable truths of God’s word. Sometimes WHAT we are tempted to do isn’t wrong in itself. The devil was trying to get Jesus to take a shortcut; to seek comfort at the sacrifice of his discipline. Satan often persuades us to take action, even right action, for the wrong reason or at the wrong time. The fact that something is not wrong in itself does not mean that it is good for you at a given time. Many people sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires outside of God’s will or ahead of his timetable. First ask yourself, “Is the Holy Spirit leading me to do this? Or is Satan trying to get me off track? Jesus’ authority is much greater than Satan’s and where Jesus is present, demons cannot stay for long. Demons are fallen angels who have joined Satan in rebellion against God. Evil permeates our world, and of course people are fearful. But by recognizing Jesus’ authority and power who overcame Satan himself, we can rest assure that we’ve been given authority over Satan’s attacks by the Holy Spirit within us.
“When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God! But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.”(Luke 4:40) Jesus was going to show himself to be the suffering servant before he became the great King. To reveal his identity as King too soon would stir up the crowds with the wrong expectations of what he had come to do.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”(Luke 5:16) Take time to withdraw to a quiet and deserted place to pray. Strength comes from God, and we can only be strengthened by spending time with him. Before every important event in Jesus’ life, he took time to go off by himself and pray. Make sure that all our important decisions are grounded in prayer. God is not a magician; he is the Master. Prayer is not a way for us to control God; it is a way for us to put ourselves under his control.
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick and I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”(Luke 5:31) The Pharisees wrapped their sin in respectability. They made themselves appear good by publicly doing good deeds and pointing at the sins of others. Jesus chose to spend time not with these proud, self-righteous, religious leaders, but with people who sensed their won sin and knew that they were not good enough for God. Christianity required new approaches, new traditions, and new structures. Our church programs and ministries should not be so structured that they have no room for a fresh touch of the Spirit, a new method or a new idea. We, too, must be careful that our hearts don’t become too rigid that they prevent us from accepting the new way of thinking that Christ brings. Our hearts should remain pliable so we can accept Jesus’ life-changing message.
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”(Luke 6:35-36)LOVE MEANS ACTION. One way to put love to work is to take the initiative in meeting specific needs. Give as though you were giving to God. If we are critical rather than compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, however, these qualities come back to us in full measure. We are to love others and not judge them. Jesus doesn’t tell us to ignore wrongdoing, but we should not be so worried about others’ sins that we overlook our own. We often rationalize our sins by pointing out the same mistakes in others. Remember your own pitfalls when you feel like criticizing, and you may find that you have less to say. A person who tries to do right but often fails is not a hypocrite. Neither are those who fulfill their duty even when they don’t feel like doing it- it is often necessary and good to set aside our desires in order to do what needs doing. It is not hypocrisy to be weak in faith. A HYPOCRITE is a person who puts on religious behavior in order to gain attention, approval, acceptance, or admiration from others.
Jesus teaches about Fruit in People’s lives. “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”(Luke 6:43-45) Our speech and actions reveal the true underlying beliefs, attitudes and motivations. The good impressions we try to make cannot last if our hearts are deceptive. What is in your heart WILL come out in your speech and behavior. Take steps in partnership with God to allow Him to transform your heart by taking the steps to guard your words and in time, you’ll see your heart will follow and be healed of wickedness and pain.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.”(Luke 6:46) Building your relationship with God requires a foundation of faith, trust, hope and love. Loving God means obeying Him and since our greatest commandment is to Love the Lord God, and Loving Him is obeying him, then our greatest commandment is to obey him. Without this strong foundation in obedience, we are shortsighted and will be sorry when our foundation is tested. If you find yourself listening but not obeying, what are the reasons and are they in line with God’s word?
“His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ “(Luke 8:9) Jesus often spoke spiritual truth through parables and short stories because by linking the known with the hidden, he forced the listeners to think. Parables can point to spiritual truths. A parable compels listeners to discover the truth for themselves and it conceals the truth from those too lazy or dull to understand it. Applying God’s word helps us grow. This is a principle of growth in physical, mental and spiritual life. Like muscles in the body, if we are not growing stronger, we are growing weaker; it is impossible to stand still. Jesus’ true family are those who hear and obey his words. When God gives us a course of action, we must move steadily toward our destination, no matter what the potential hazards await us there. True discipleship requires instant action. Jesus wants total dedication from us, not half-hearted commitment. This same principle can be taken forward to a marriage relationship. We can’t pick and choose among Jesus’ ideas and follow him selectively, in the same way, we cannot accept a partial mate; it’s all or nothing. We have to accept the cross (sacrifice) with the crown (rewards). We should allow nothing to distract us from the manner of living that God calls good and true. “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”(Luke 9:62)
Jesus healed a woman who bled for 12 years. “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”(Luke 8:48) It is only faith that releases God’s healing power. Are you just curious about God, or do you reach out to him in faith, knowing that his mercy will bring healing to your body, soul and spirit?
Jesus sends out the 12 Disciples. “When Jesus calls the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”(Luke 9:1) Jesus as a leader EMPOWERED his disciples, giving them specific instructions so they knew what to do, told them how to deal with tough times and held them accountable. Which of these skills do we need to sharpen in order to lead others?
“A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘this is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.”(Luke 9:35) Jesus has God’s power and authority; thus his words should be our final authority. If a person’s teaching is true, it will agree with Jesus’ teaching. Test everything you hear against Jesus’ words, and you will not be led astray. Don’t be hasty to seek advice and guidance from merely human sources and thereby neglect Christ’s message.
“For he who is least among you all; he is the greatest.”(Luke 9:48) Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, needy and poor; those who cannot return your love and concern?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your strength and will all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself…Do this and you will live.”(Luke 10:27) Lessons of loving our neighbor is revealed in the parable of the Good Samaritan 1)lack of love is often easy to justify, even though it is never right,2) our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need and 3)love means acting to meet the person’s need. All of the commandments are summed up in these two.
Matthew 1-10
Enter God’s Kingdom through Faith…
Matthew was a tax collector and chosen by Jesus Christ as one of the 12 disciples. He left his profitable and corrupt business to follow Jesus. His book begins by showing that Jesus Christ was a descendant of King David. As the first book of the New Testament, it is not surprising why showing that Jesus Christ was the descendant of David is important as a link and fulfillment of the Old Testament. Matthew shows that God did not send Jesus as an earthly King, but rather a heavenly King. The kingdom of Jesus’ reign would be much greater than David’s, as it is eternal. This book speaks of the messages and ministry of Jesus. To be great in God’s kingdom means living by God’s standards NOW. Jesus came to show us how to live as faithful servants in His kingdom through characteristics like forgiveness, peace and selflessness. Jesus gave directions for right living and told many parables to discern the teachings for those who are ready to receive it and do something with it versus those that are not. This book also goes into the death and resurrection of Christ showing that although rejected, accused, arrested and crucified; the power through Jesus in overcoming the grave gives us the evidence we need to serve Him as our Lord and savior.
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit…She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins….The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23) Both Mary and Joseph were direct descendants of David. Christ being born a virgin is significant because God’s son had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born through a woman, he was a human being; but as the son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Thus, Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. Jesus lived as a man and thus fully understands our experiences and struggles. Jesus is also God means that he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin. Not only has Jesus experienced all that we experience, he has the ability to help. The unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for our salvation. Jesus means “the Lord Saves”. We cannot save ourselves from sin and its consequences. He came to be our Savior from the power and penalty of sin.
Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father had many qualities for which to learn from. His decision to marry Mary was bold during those times, since she was with child prior to their coming together. It was disgraceful by society’s standards; however, Joseph was more concerned with the message sent to him by an angel of God and being obedient to God than pleasing society. His actions showed 1) righteousness, 2) discretion and sensitivity, 3) responsiveness to God and 4) self-discipline. Joseph was torn prior to having the dream where the angel of God spoke to him. He could have divorced Mary quietly. God’s option was to marry her anyway. Given the circumstances, this option had not occurred to Joseph originally. This is a great example of how our plans fall short to the will of God and that if we listen; God may reveal an option we had not thought of. Although Joseph seemed to be doing the right thing by breaking the engagements; only God’s guidance helped him make the best decision. When our decisions affect the lives of others, we must always seek God’s wisdom. Joseph’s choices show us that the strength of what we believe is measured by how much we are willing to suffer for those beliefs. Joseph was prepared to not only to what was right, but also the right way. Lessons from Joseph’s life show that God honors integrity and that being obedient to the guidance we receive from God leads to more guidance from Him.
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ “ (Matthew 3:1-3) Repentance means to do a 180 degree turn from the kind of self-centeredness that leads to wrong actions such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, abusing, and indulging in sexual immorality. A person who repents stops rebelling and begins following God’s way of living. The first step is to admit your sin. Then God will receive you and help you live the way He wants. God doesn’t expect us to clean up our lives before we come to him, for He is the only one who can remove our sin. John preached and lived out what he preached. Do you practice what you preach? Could people discover your beliefs merely by observing the way you live? God looks beyond our words and “religious” activities to see if our conduct supports what we say. Do your actions match your words?
God’s message in the New Testament is consistent with the Old Testament: People will be judged for their unproductive lives. God calls us to be ACTIVE in our obedience. To be productive for God, we must obey his teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith. Are you productive for God?
John the Baptist baptized Jesus because 1)he was confessing sin on behalf of the nation, as Nehemiah, Ezra, Moses and Daniel had done, 2) he was showing support for what John was doing, 3) he was inaugurating his public ministry, 4) he was identifying with the penitent people of God, not with the critical Pharisees who were only watching.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”(Matthew 4:1-4) The time when Satan tempts Jesus in the desert shows that Jesus really was the Son of God; able to overcome the devil and his temptations. A person shows true obedience when they have the opportunity to disobey and do not. We are all tested on a regular basis. Our convictions are only strong if they hold up under pressure!
Satan is a fallen angel and very real. He is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan’s temptations are real and he is always trying to deceive us into living his way or our own way rather than God’s way. If Jesus would have given in to temptation, then his mission on earth-to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life-would have been lost. The next time you sense a strong pull or an especially strong temptation, and you consider giving in and rationalizing to get what you want, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes for YOUR life or for SOMEONE ELSE’S life! Be on guard of this. We are involved in spiritual battles everyday and God can equip you to overcome the evil force against you when you receive Him in your heart. It’s also important to consider where Jesus was tempted. He was tempted in the desert where he was hungry, tired, alone and most VULNERABLE. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable: under physical or emotional stress, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty. The devil also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride. For Jesus, the devil tempted Him in 3 main areas 1) physical needs and desires 2) possessions and power 3) pride. Jesus did not give in. We are tempted in these very same ways all the time and therefore, we can trust that since Jesus has been through it; He understands it and can therefore give us the strength to overcome.
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”(Matthew 4:5-7) You may be tempted to ask God to prove his existence or his love to you. Jesus taught a parable that people who don’t believe what is written in the Bible won’t believe even if someone were to come back from the dead to warn them (Luke 16:31) God wants us to live by faith, not by magic or sight. Don’t try to manipulate God by asking for signs rather than trusting Him to reveal His plan in His time. Satan was trying to distort Jesus’ perspective by making him focus on worldly power and not God’s plans through his temptations in the desert.
The three main aspect of Jesus’ ministry was teaching, preaching and healing. Teaching shows Jesus’ concern for UNDERSTANDING, preaching shows his concern for COMMITMENT, and healing shows his concern for WHOLENESS. Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. Jesus’ words offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God. The Good News or Gospel is that the kingdom of heaven has come and that God is with us and loves us.
The Sermon on the Mount is where Jesus gave the Beatitudes. Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the law. Position, authority, and money are not important in his kingdom- what matters is faithful obedience from the heart. The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day. It called them back to the message of the Old Testament about heartfelt obedience being more important than legalistic observance. His words seem to contradict each other; however, God’s way of living usually contradicts the worlds. To live for God, you must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has for you!
In understanding the Beatitudes(Matthew 5:3-12), they are a code of ethics, they contrast the kingdom values with worldly values, they contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the real faith that Christ wants, and they show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom. To Jesus, “blessed” means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”(Matthew 5:11, 12) Persecution can be good because 1) it takes our eyes off earthly rewards 2) it strips away superficial belief 3) it strengthens the faith of those who endure and 4) our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow. God’s greatest prophets were persecuted.
“You are the light of the world.”(Matthew 5:14) We hide our light by 1) being quiet when we should speak 2) going along with the crowd 3) denying the light 4) letting sin dim our light 5) not explaining our light to others 6) ignoring the needs of others.
Jesus teaches about anger: “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment…Settle matters quickly with your adversary.”(Matthew 5:22, 25) A seething, brooding bitterness against someone is a dangerous emotion. Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God.
Jesus teaches about Lust. “I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. “(Matthew 5:28) Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and thus sin. Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways: 1) it causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning; 2) it destroys marriages; 3) it is deliberate rebellion against God’s Word; 4) it always hurts someone else in addition to the sinner. Sinful action is more dangerous than sinful desire, and that is why desires should not be acted out.
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. Divorce is as hurtful today as it was in Jesus’ day. God intends marriage as a lifelong commitment. People should never consider divorce an option when entering into a marriage. Those who discover that their partner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile and restore their relationship. We are always to look for reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than for excuses to leave it. Keeping oaths and promises is important; it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible.
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your father in heaven…be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44, 48) How can we be perfect? 1) In character; we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible. 2) In holiness; we are to separate ourselves from the world’s sinful values. We are to be devoted to God’s desires rather than our own, and carry his love and mercy in to the world. 3) In maturity; we can grow toward maturity and wholeness; God expects different behavior from us depending on our stage of spiritual development. 4) In love; we can seek to love others as completely as God loves us. We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level, perfect yet with much room to grow.
Jesus teaches about prayer. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”(Matthew 6:6-8) Jesus encourages persistent prayer. When we pray, “your will be done”, we are not resigning ourselves to fate, but praying that God’s perfect purpose will be accomplished in this world as well as in the next.
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”(Matthew 6:14) Jesus gives a warning about forgiveness, for how can we pray and ask for forgiveness and turn around and deny our brother the very grace we enjoy every day? If we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us.
Jesus teaches about money. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…The eye is the lamp of the body.”(Matthew 6:19-22) Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap because the love of money is the root of a lot of evil. Take a look at your spending habits and that will be a good gauge of where your heart is. “No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24)
Jesus teaches about worry. “Do not worry about your life…who of you by worrying can add a single day hour to his life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”(Matthew 6:25, 27, 34) Worry can 1) damage your health;2) cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, 3) disrupt your productivity, 4) negatively affect the way you treat others, and 5) reduce your ability to trust in God. Here is the difference between worry and genuine concern- worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps and schedules and trusting in God’s guidance. Planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God.
Jesus teaches about criticism. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged…How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “(Matthew 1-5) Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves. It is important to judge yourself first and then LOVINGLY forgive and help your neighbor. It is hypocritical to judge others and that attitude tears others down in order to build oneself up. There is a call to be discerning rather than negative. Jesus said to expose false teachers and Paul said to exercise church discipline, but to trust God to be the judge.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who o in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”(Matthew 7:7-12) Knowing God takes faith, focus and follow-through. Don’t give up in your efforts to seek God. He will give you the patience, wisdom, love and understanding.
When Jesus healed the Blind and the mute, he healed them according to their faith. He didn’t respond immediately to the blind men; he waited to see if they had faith. Not everyone who says he wants help really God can help him. When you think that God is slow in answering your prayers, consider that he might be testing you as he did the blind men. Do you really want his help? “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”(Matthew 10:30) God knew us before we were born and loves us; He wants us to prove our love for him through our faith and trust in him.
Matthew had a clear idea of how much it would cost to follow Jesus, yet he didn’t hesitate. For Matthew, there was no backup plan; no turning back. When Matthew decided to follow Jesus, first, God gave him a new and fulfilling life that he had not known as a tax collector and second, new purpose for his skills. From the beginning, God made him a record keeper, as a tax collector and then to author Jesus’ account. Jesus’ call allowed him to put his skills to their finest work. Much of what God has for us he gives long before we are able to consciously respond to him. He trusts us with skills and abilities ahead of schedule. Have you ever wondered how you can have a natural ability at something that is a mystery to others? The first clue is that it’s not YOU that created that skill; but the work of God. God has made us each capable of being his servant. When we trust him with what he has given us, we begin a life of real adventure. Lessons we learn from Matthew’s life are that Jesus consistently accepted people from every level of society.
Matthew was a tax collector and chosen by Jesus Christ as one of the 12 disciples. He left his profitable and corrupt business to follow Jesus. His book begins by showing that Jesus Christ was a descendant of King David. As the first book of the New Testament, it is not surprising why showing that Jesus Christ was the descendant of David is important as a link and fulfillment of the Old Testament. Matthew shows that God did not send Jesus as an earthly King, but rather a heavenly King. The kingdom of Jesus’ reign would be much greater than David’s, as it is eternal. This book speaks of the messages and ministry of Jesus. To be great in God’s kingdom means living by God’s standards NOW. Jesus came to show us how to live as faithful servants in His kingdom through characteristics like forgiveness, peace and selflessness. Jesus gave directions for right living and told many parables to discern the teachings for those who are ready to receive it and do something with it versus those that are not. This book also goes into the death and resurrection of Christ showing that although rejected, accused, arrested and crucified; the power through Jesus in overcoming the grave gives us the evidence we need to serve Him as our Lord and savior.
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit…She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins….The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23) Both Mary and Joseph were direct descendants of David. Christ being born a virgin is significant because God’s son had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born through a woman, he was a human being; but as the son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Thus, Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. Jesus lived as a man and thus fully understands our experiences and struggles. Jesus is also God means that he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin. Not only has Jesus experienced all that we experience, he has the ability to help. The unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for our salvation. Jesus means “the Lord Saves”. We cannot save ourselves from sin and its consequences. He came to be our Savior from the power and penalty of sin.
Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father had many qualities for which to learn from. His decision to marry Mary was bold during those times, since she was with child prior to their coming together. It was disgraceful by society’s standards; however, Joseph was more concerned with the message sent to him by an angel of God and being obedient to God than pleasing society. His actions showed 1) righteousness, 2) discretion and sensitivity, 3) responsiveness to God and 4) self-discipline. Joseph was torn prior to having the dream where the angel of God spoke to him. He could have divorced Mary quietly. God’s option was to marry her anyway. Given the circumstances, this option had not occurred to Joseph originally. This is a great example of how our plans fall short to the will of God and that if we listen; God may reveal an option we had not thought of. Although Joseph seemed to be doing the right thing by breaking the engagements; only God’s guidance helped him make the best decision. When our decisions affect the lives of others, we must always seek God’s wisdom. Joseph’s choices show us that the strength of what we believe is measured by how much we are willing to suffer for those beliefs. Joseph was prepared to not only to what was right, but also the right way. Lessons from Joseph’s life show that God honors integrity and that being obedient to the guidance we receive from God leads to more guidance from Him.
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ “ (Matthew 3:1-3) Repentance means to do a 180 degree turn from the kind of self-centeredness that leads to wrong actions such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, abusing, and indulging in sexual immorality. A person who repents stops rebelling and begins following God’s way of living. The first step is to admit your sin. Then God will receive you and help you live the way He wants. God doesn’t expect us to clean up our lives before we come to him, for He is the only one who can remove our sin. John preached and lived out what he preached. Do you practice what you preach? Could people discover your beliefs merely by observing the way you live? God looks beyond our words and “religious” activities to see if our conduct supports what we say. Do your actions match your words?
God’s message in the New Testament is consistent with the Old Testament: People will be judged for their unproductive lives. God calls us to be ACTIVE in our obedience. To be productive for God, we must obey his teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith. Are you productive for God?
John the Baptist baptized Jesus because 1)he was confessing sin on behalf of the nation, as Nehemiah, Ezra, Moses and Daniel had done, 2) he was showing support for what John was doing, 3) he was inaugurating his public ministry, 4) he was identifying with the penitent people of God, not with the critical Pharisees who were only watching.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”(Matthew 4:1-4) The time when Satan tempts Jesus in the desert shows that Jesus really was the Son of God; able to overcome the devil and his temptations. A person shows true obedience when they have the opportunity to disobey and do not. We are all tested on a regular basis. Our convictions are only strong if they hold up under pressure!
Satan is a fallen angel and very real. He is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan’s temptations are real and he is always trying to deceive us into living his way or our own way rather than God’s way. If Jesus would have given in to temptation, then his mission on earth-to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life-would have been lost. The next time you sense a strong pull or an especially strong temptation, and you consider giving in and rationalizing to get what you want, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes for YOUR life or for SOMEONE ELSE’S life! Be on guard of this. We are involved in spiritual battles everyday and God can equip you to overcome the evil force against you when you receive Him in your heart. It’s also important to consider where Jesus was tempted. He was tempted in the desert where he was hungry, tired, alone and most VULNERABLE. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable: under physical or emotional stress, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty. The devil also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride. For Jesus, the devil tempted Him in 3 main areas 1) physical needs and desires 2) possessions and power 3) pride. Jesus did not give in. We are tempted in these very same ways all the time and therefore, we can trust that since Jesus has been through it; He understands it and can therefore give us the strength to overcome.
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”(Matthew 4:5-7) You may be tempted to ask God to prove his existence or his love to you. Jesus taught a parable that people who don’t believe what is written in the Bible won’t believe even if someone were to come back from the dead to warn them (Luke 16:31) God wants us to live by faith, not by magic or sight. Don’t try to manipulate God by asking for signs rather than trusting Him to reveal His plan in His time. Satan was trying to distort Jesus’ perspective by making him focus on worldly power and not God’s plans through his temptations in the desert.
The three main aspect of Jesus’ ministry was teaching, preaching and healing. Teaching shows Jesus’ concern for UNDERSTANDING, preaching shows his concern for COMMITMENT, and healing shows his concern for WHOLENESS. Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. Jesus’ words offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God. The Good News or Gospel is that the kingdom of heaven has come and that God is with us and loves us.
The Sermon on the Mount is where Jesus gave the Beatitudes. Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the law. Position, authority, and money are not important in his kingdom- what matters is faithful obedience from the heart. The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day. It called them back to the message of the Old Testament about heartfelt obedience being more important than legalistic observance. His words seem to contradict each other; however, God’s way of living usually contradicts the worlds. To live for God, you must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has for you!
In understanding the Beatitudes(Matthew 5:3-12), they are a code of ethics, they contrast the kingdom values with worldly values, they contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the real faith that Christ wants, and they show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom. To Jesus, “blessed” means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”(Matthew 5:11, 12) Persecution can be good because 1) it takes our eyes off earthly rewards 2) it strips away superficial belief 3) it strengthens the faith of those who endure and 4) our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow. God’s greatest prophets were persecuted.
“You are the light of the world.”(Matthew 5:14) We hide our light by 1) being quiet when we should speak 2) going along with the crowd 3) denying the light 4) letting sin dim our light 5) not explaining our light to others 6) ignoring the needs of others.
Jesus teaches about anger: “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment…Settle matters quickly with your adversary.”(Matthew 5:22, 25) A seething, brooding bitterness against someone is a dangerous emotion. Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God.
Jesus teaches about Lust. “I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. “(Matthew 5:28) Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and thus sin. Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways: 1) it causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning; 2) it destroys marriages; 3) it is deliberate rebellion against God’s Word; 4) it always hurts someone else in addition to the sinner. Sinful action is more dangerous than sinful desire, and that is why desires should not be acted out.
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. Divorce is as hurtful today as it was in Jesus’ day. God intends marriage as a lifelong commitment. People should never consider divorce an option when entering into a marriage. Those who discover that their partner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile and restore their relationship. We are always to look for reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than for excuses to leave it. Keeping oaths and promises is important; it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible.
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your father in heaven…be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44, 48) How can we be perfect? 1) In character; we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible. 2) In holiness; we are to separate ourselves from the world’s sinful values. We are to be devoted to God’s desires rather than our own, and carry his love and mercy in to the world. 3) In maturity; we can grow toward maturity and wholeness; God expects different behavior from us depending on our stage of spiritual development. 4) In love; we can seek to love others as completely as God loves us. We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level, perfect yet with much room to grow.
Jesus teaches about prayer. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”(Matthew 6:6-8) Jesus encourages persistent prayer. When we pray, “your will be done”, we are not resigning ourselves to fate, but praying that God’s perfect purpose will be accomplished in this world as well as in the next.
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”(Matthew 6:14) Jesus gives a warning about forgiveness, for how can we pray and ask for forgiveness and turn around and deny our brother the very grace we enjoy every day? If we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us.
Jesus teaches about money. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…The eye is the lamp of the body.”(Matthew 6:19-22) Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap because the love of money is the root of a lot of evil. Take a look at your spending habits and that will be a good gauge of where your heart is. “No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24)
Jesus teaches about worry. “Do not worry about your life…who of you by worrying can add a single day hour to his life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”(Matthew 6:25, 27, 34) Worry can 1) damage your health;2) cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, 3) disrupt your productivity, 4) negatively affect the way you treat others, and 5) reduce your ability to trust in God. Here is the difference between worry and genuine concern- worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps and schedules and trusting in God’s guidance. Planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God.
Jesus teaches about criticism. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged…How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “(Matthew 1-5) Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves. It is important to judge yourself first and then LOVINGLY forgive and help your neighbor. It is hypocritical to judge others and that attitude tears others down in order to build oneself up. There is a call to be discerning rather than negative. Jesus said to expose false teachers and Paul said to exercise church discipline, but to trust God to be the judge.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who o in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”(Matthew 7:7-12) Knowing God takes faith, focus and follow-through. Don’t give up in your efforts to seek God. He will give you the patience, wisdom, love and understanding.
When Jesus healed the Blind and the mute, he healed them according to their faith. He didn’t respond immediately to the blind men; he waited to see if they had faith. Not everyone who says he wants help really God can help him. When you think that God is slow in answering your prayers, consider that he might be testing you as he did the blind men. Do you really want his help? “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”(Matthew 10:30) God knew us before we were born and loves us; He wants us to prove our love for him through our faith and trust in him.
Matthew had a clear idea of how much it would cost to follow Jesus, yet he didn’t hesitate. For Matthew, there was no backup plan; no turning back. When Matthew decided to follow Jesus, first, God gave him a new and fulfilling life that he had not known as a tax collector and second, new purpose for his skills. From the beginning, God made him a record keeper, as a tax collector and then to author Jesus’ account. Jesus’ call allowed him to put his skills to their finest work. Much of what God has for us he gives long before we are able to consciously respond to him. He trusts us with skills and abilities ahead of schedule. Have you ever wondered how you can have a natural ability at something that is a mystery to others? The first clue is that it’s not YOU that created that skill; but the work of God. God has made us each capable of being his servant. When we trust him with what he has given us, we begin a life of real adventure. Lessons we learn from Matthew’s life are that Jesus consistently accepted people from every level of society.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Hosea
God often required extraordinary obedience from his prophets who were facing extraordinary times. Trust He knows everything has a special purpose for his request. Can you accept that the pain involved in obedience may benefit those I serve and not myself? God asks us to do our part and He is not limited to human effort. God often chooses to work through people, but only because it’s good for them; for He can accomplish all his purposes without any help from us if he chooses. We are very important to God; on our own, we have neither the ability to fulfill nor the power to disrupt God’s plans. Despite unfaithfulness, God was still faithful and merciful. He would continue to hold his arms our to his people; even to the point of placing obstacles in their wayward path to turn them back to him. “Therefore I will block her path with thorn bushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. ‘I will go back to my husband (for me that’s Jesus) as at first, for then I was better off than now.’ No one will take her out of my hands. I will stop all her celebrations; her yearly festivals…Therefore I am now going to allure her into the desert and speak tenderly to her…There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the troubles a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth” (Hosea 2:6-15)
“In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ (Hosea 2:16) Have you ever felt like taking your fear of being alone and by the strength of God; punching it in the face? When you choose Jesus as your husband first; second to none; He fills the gap in your heart that once feared. “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.”(Hosea 2:19-20) Before we can be prepared for the partner that God may bless us with; we first must choose to invite Him into our hearts fully and have a relationship with Him that is so abundant that it alone is more than enough. Once our cups are overflowed, then we are better positioned for the Lord to entrust us with the next step of His will. God’s wedding gift is His COMPASSION. God forgives us and makes us right with Him. There is no way for us by our own efforts to reach God’s high standard for moral and spiritual life, but he graciously accepts us, forgives us, and draws us into a relationship with himself. In that relationship we have personal and intimate communion with him.
Spiritual Unfaithfulness:
Both spiritual and physical adultery begin with disappointment and dissatisfaction-either real or imagined-with an already existing relationship. The feeling that God disappoints can lead you away from him. Feelings of disappointment and dissatisfaction are normal and, when endured, will pass. Both spiritual and physical adultery begin with diverting affection from one object of devotion to another. The diverting of our affection is the first step in the blinding process that leads to sin. Both spiritual and physical adultery involve a process of deterioration; it is not usually an impulsive decision. The process is dangerous because you don’t always realize it is happening until it is too late. Both spiritual and physical adultery involve the creation of a fantasy about what a new object of love can do for you. Such fantasy creates unrealistic expectations of what a new relationship can do and only leads to disappointment in all existing and future relationships.
“But let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another…Because you have rejected my knowledge, I also reject you…They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. And it will be: Like people, like priests, I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.”(Hosea 4:4-9) Have you ever been falsely accused? Betrayed, rejected, judged and denied by your friends? The devil is our accuser and when man attacks another man, it leads to chaos which is Satan’s playground. Our battles are not against flesh; we are involved in spiritual battles everyday and each carry our own sin and brokenness. When we do not live in appreciation for the forgiveness, grace and mercy that we ourselves receive from God; it becomes easier to transfer our judgments and control onto other people. When you find yourself judging others; do you take a step back and recognize your own sin and immediately pray for forgiveness and restoration from the only one who can give it; Christ Himself? To assume to know the whole story or truth of another person’s heart and life is arrogant. Humility comes before honor; pride comes before a fall. Many find it easy and comfortable to maintain the appearance of being committed without deep and sincere loyalty. If you profess loyalty to God, back it up with your actions. Do you repent easily without seriously considering what changes need to take place in your life?
Obedience is far better than sacrifice. God doesn’t want sacrifices; he wants our loving loyalty. He doesn’t want offerings; he wants us to acknowledge him. God hates pretense and hypocrisy; he wants to see justice roll on like a river. God is not satisfied with offerings; he wants us to be fair and just and merciful, and to walk humbly with him. He wants us to be merciful as he is to us.
When we spend a lot of time with people, we can easily pick up their attitudes and begin to imitate their actions. When you work, live, or play with people that choose to deny God’s sovereignty; beware of the influence they may have on you. Instead of drifting into bad habits, see if you can have a positive influence and point these people to God.
It is easy to listen to a sermon and think of all the people we know who should be listening, or to read the Bible and think of those who should do what the passage teaches. The Israelites did this constantly, applying God’s laws to others but not to themselves. This is just another way to deflect God’s will and avoid making needed changes. As you think of others who need to apply what you are hearing or reading, check to see if the same application could fit you. Apply the lessons to your own life first because often our own faults are the very first ones we see in others.
Israel’s leaders vacillated between alliances with Egypt and Assyria and Hosea was saying that both were wrong. Breaking an alliance with untrustworthy Assyria and fleeing for help to the equally untrustworthy Egypt would not forestall Israel’s destruction. Their only hope was God. Have you ever vacillated between two choices or people when both were untrustworthy? Is it not better to choose your faithful God for guidance rather than the lesser of two evils? So many people settle in their choices out of fear of the unknown. Choosing to listen to God’s way is the safest choice in all situations.
We all listen and read selectively-focusing on what seems to support our present life-style, ignoring what demands a radical reordering of our priorities. In doing this, we are likely to miss the warnings we need most. Listen to people who think your approach is all wrong. Read articles that present viewpoints you would be unlikely to take. Ask yourself, “Is God speaking to me through these speakers and writers? Is there something I need to change?”
God was angry with the people of Israel for their insincere promises. Because the people did not keep their word, there were many lawsuits. People break their promises, but God always keeps his. Are you remaining true to your promises, both to other people and to God? If not, ask God for forgiveness and help to get back on track. Then be careful about the promises you make.
Never make a promise unless you are sure you can keep it.
“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord.”(Hosea 10:12) Here Hosea envisions a plowed field, earth that is ready to receive seeds. It is no longer hard; it has been carefully prepared and is available. Is your life ready for God to work in it? Break up the unplowed ground in your heart by admitting to God your mistakes and ask Him for forgiveness. He is waiting for you to take accountability and surrender to the greatest love that awaits you.
The Israelites trusted lies and people today believe the lies. Those who want to lead others astray often follow these rules for effective lying: make it big, keep it simple; repeat it often. You can avoid falling for lies by asking: 1) am I believing this because there is personal gain in it for me? 2) Am I discounting important facts? 3) Does this conflict with a direct command of Scripture? 4) Are there any Biblical parallels to the situation I’m facing that would help me know what to believe?
“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man-the Holy One among you. “(Hosea 11:8-9) God has always loved his children as a parent loves his stubborn children and that is why he would not release them from the consequences of their behavior. God consistently provides for us, but they refused to see what he had done, and they showed no interest in thanking him. Ungratefulness is a common human fault. Many of the benefits and privileges we enjoy are the result of loving actins done long ago. Look for hidden acts of nurturing, and thank those who make the world better through their love. God’s discipline always loves, and its object is always the well-being of the beloved. When you are called to discipline others, do not be rigid. Vary your approach according to the goals you are seeking to accomplish. In each case, ask yourself, “Does this person need guidance, or to be nurtured?”(Hosea 11:4) This is important to remember especially in friendships. When you don’t agree with friends’ decisions, do you judge them harshly and interfere in an attempt to control their life or do you see that they are struggling and decide to nurture them and allow God change their behavior? “Don’t forget your humble beginnings. What you have is not a result of your own efforts, but it is yours because God has been gracious to you.”
“In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ (Hosea 2:16) Have you ever felt like taking your fear of being alone and by the strength of God; punching it in the face? When you choose Jesus as your husband first; second to none; He fills the gap in your heart that once feared. “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.”(Hosea 2:19-20) Before we can be prepared for the partner that God may bless us with; we first must choose to invite Him into our hearts fully and have a relationship with Him that is so abundant that it alone is more than enough. Once our cups are overflowed, then we are better positioned for the Lord to entrust us with the next step of His will. God’s wedding gift is His COMPASSION. God forgives us and makes us right with Him. There is no way for us by our own efforts to reach God’s high standard for moral and spiritual life, but he graciously accepts us, forgives us, and draws us into a relationship with himself. In that relationship we have personal and intimate communion with him.
Spiritual Unfaithfulness:
Both spiritual and physical adultery begin with disappointment and dissatisfaction-either real or imagined-with an already existing relationship. The feeling that God disappoints can lead you away from him. Feelings of disappointment and dissatisfaction are normal and, when endured, will pass. Both spiritual and physical adultery begin with diverting affection from one object of devotion to another. The diverting of our affection is the first step in the blinding process that leads to sin. Both spiritual and physical adultery involve a process of deterioration; it is not usually an impulsive decision. The process is dangerous because you don’t always realize it is happening until it is too late. Both spiritual and physical adultery involve the creation of a fantasy about what a new object of love can do for you. Such fantasy creates unrealistic expectations of what a new relationship can do and only leads to disappointment in all existing and future relationships.
“But let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another…Because you have rejected my knowledge, I also reject you…They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. And it will be: Like people, like priests, I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.”(Hosea 4:4-9) Have you ever been falsely accused? Betrayed, rejected, judged and denied by your friends? The devil is our accuser and when man attacks another man, it leads to chaos which is Satan’s playground. Our battles are not against flesh; we are involved in spiritual battles everyday and each carry our own sin and brokenness. When we do not live in appreciation for the forgiveness, grace and mercy that we ourselves receive from God; it becomes easier to transfer our judgments and control onto other people. When you find yourself judging others; do you take a step back and recognize your own sin and immediately pray for forgiveness and restoration from the only one who can give it; Christ Himself? To assume to know the whole story or truth of another person’s heart and life is arrogant. Humility comes before honor; pride comes before a fall. Many find it easy and comfortable to maintain the appearance of being committed without deep and sincere loyalty. If you profess loyalty to God, back it up with your actions. Do you repent easily without seriously considering what changes need to take place in your life?
Obedience is far better than sacrifice. God doesn’t want sacrifices; he wants our loving loyalty. He doesn’t want offerings; he wants us to acknowledge him. God hates pretense and hypocrisy; he wants to see justice roll on like a river. God is not satisfied with offerings; he wants us to be fair and just and merciful, and to walk humbly with him. He wants us to be merciful as he is to us.
When we spend a lot of time with people, we can easily pick up their attitudes and begin to imitate their actions. When you work, live, or play with people that choose to deny God’s sovereignty; beware of the influence they may have on you. Instead of drifting into bad habits, see if you can have a positive influence and point these people to God.
It is easy to listen to a sermon and think of all the people we know who should be listening, or to read the Bible and think of those who should do what the passage teaches. The Israelites did this constantly, applying God’s laws to others but not to themselves. This is just another way to deflect God’s will and avoid making needed changes. As you think of others who need to apply what you are hearing or reading, check to see if the same application could fit you. Apply the lessons to your own life first because often our own faults are the very first ones we see in others.
Israel’s leaders vacillated between alliances with Egypt and Assyria and Hosea was saying that both were wrong. Breaking an alliance with untrustworthy Assyria and fleeing for help to the equally untrustworthy Egypt would not forestall Israel’s destruction. Their only hope was God. Have you ever vacillated between two choices or people when both were untrustworthy? Is it not better to choose your faithful God for guidance rather than the lesser of two evils? So many people settle in their choices out of fear of the unknown. Choosing to listen to God’s way is the safest choice in all situations.
We all listen and read selectively-focusing on what seems to support our present life-style, ignoring what demands a radical reordering of our priorities. In doing this, we are likely to miss the warnings we need most. Listen to people who think your approach is all wrong. Read articles that present viewpoints you would be unlikely to take. Ask yourself, “Is God speaking to me through these speakers and writers? Is there something I need to change?”
God was angry with the people of Israel for their insincere promises. Because the people did not keep their word, there were many lawsuits. People break their promises, but God always keeps his. Are you remaining true to your promises, both to other people and to God? If not, ask God for forgiveness and help to get back on track. Then be careful about the promises you make.
Never make a promise unless you are sure you can keep it.
“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord.”(Hosea 10:12) Here Hosea envisions a plowed field, earth that is ready to receive seeds. It is no longer hard; it has been carefully prepared and is available. Is your life ready for God to work in it? Break up the unplowed ground in your heart by admitting to God your mistakes and ask Him for forgiveness. He is waiting for you to take accountability and surrender to the greatest love that awaits you.
The Israelites trusted lies and people today believe the lies. Those who want to lead others astray often follow these rules for effective lying: make it big, keep it simple; repeat it often. You can avoid falling for lies by asking: 1) am I believing this because there is personal gain in it for me? 2) Am I discounting important facts? 3) Does this conflict with a direct command of Scripture? 4) Are there any Biblical parallels to the situation I’m facing that would help me know what to believe?
“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man-the Holy One among you. “(Hosea 11:8-9) God has always loved his children as a parent loves his stubborn children and that is why he would not release them from the consequences of their behavior. God consistently provides for us, but they refused to see what he had done, and they showed no interest in thanking him. Ungratefulness is a common human fault. Many of the benefits and privileges we enjoy are the result of loving actins done long ago. Look for hidden acts of nurturing, and thank those who make the world better through their love. God’s discipline always loves, and its object is always the well-being of the beloved. When you are called to discipline others, do not be rigid. Vary your approach according to the goals you are seeking to accomplish. In each case, ask yourself, “Does this person need guidance, or to be nurtured?”(Hosea 11:4) This is important to remember especially in friendships. When you don’t agree with friends’ decisions, do you judge them harshly and interfere in an attempt to control their life or do you see that they are struggling and decide to nurture them and allow God change their behavior? “Don’t forget your humble beginnings. What you have is not a result of your own efforts, but it is yours because God has been gracious to you.”
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Song of Songs 1-8
Song of Songs is a book of love, marriage and sex. This book was written by King Solomon as he writes of the intimacy between himself as the bridegroom and his bride. In our society, we have condoned the movement from love to lust; getting instead of giving; and a general lack of commitment, hence our high divorce rates. There are themes in this book that discuss sex, love, commitment, beauty and problems. Sex is God’s gift to creation. God wants sex to be motivated by love and commitment, not lust; for mutual pleasure, not self-gratification. Love is a powerful expression of feeling and commitment that should not be manipulative or prematurely encouraged in a relationship. The basis of true love is commitment; where there is genuine love, you won’t find fear of deceit, manipulation, or exploitation. Marriage is the celebration of daily commitment to each other. There is a misconception about beauty that plagues our society; physically attractive by superficial standards. Personality and moral purity are so often overlooked; a shame that lasting beauty is denied and transient beauty embraced. Sometimes problems arise in relationships; over time, feelings of indifference and loneliness entered into Solomon’s relationship with his wife. During those times, love grew cold and barriers were raised; as what happens in many relationships. Through careful communication, lovers can be reconciled, commitment can be renewed and romance refreshed. It is important to take care of problems while they are still small and not allow walls to come between you and your partner. Using languages of love is important for encouraging and appreciating the person you love. Telling your partner you love them is important as well as showing it. Lover says, “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves…Beloved says: ‘How handsome you are, my lover! Oh how charming!’”(1:15, 16)
“Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”(2:7) Feelings of love overpower your reason because feelings are not enough for a lasting relationship. This verse encourages us not to force romance where the love grows faster than the commitment needed to make love last. It’s important to patiently wait for feelings of love and commitment to develop together.
“All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves...I looked for him and I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves.”(3:2) The woman searched in the middle of the night for her love. When you love someone, you will do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and care for their needs at any cost.
“You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.”(4:15) Solomon’s bride was refreshing like a fountain. Do you refresh your significant other or do you complain, or focus on negativity and problems? Partners should continually work at refreshing each other by an encouraging word, and unexpected gift, a change of pace, a surprise note, or even having attention to timing to respect the other person’s needs. The rest of the world is not so refreshing; so being a haven for your partner is a great gift and way to keep your relationship healthy and growing.
“His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend.”(5:16) The bride calls Solomon her friend. Can you call your significant other your best friend? In a healthy marriage or relationship, the lovers are great friends. Taking the time to develop a deep friendship is important before allowing feelings of love and passion to drive you into marriage too early. Being friends involves listening, sharing, and showing understanding for the other’s likes and dislikes. Friendship takes time, but it makes a love relationship much deeper and far more satisfying.
“But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.”(8:12) Solomon’s bride willingly gave Solomon the fruit of her property. In a good marriage, there is no private property; there are no secrets. Everything should be shared between the partners. Devotion and commitment were the foundational components of this marriage and were the reasons that even through many trials; they honored each other. The faithfulness of our marital love should be a reflection of God’s perfect faithfulness to us.
“Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”(2:7) Feelings of love overpower your reason because feelings are not enough for a lasting relationship. This verse encourages us not to force romance where the love grows faster than the commitment needed to make love last. It’s important to patiently wait for feelings of love and commitment to develop together.
“All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves...I looked for him and I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves.”(3:2) The woman searched in the middle of the night for her love. When you love someone, you will do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and care for their needs at any cost.
“You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.”(4:15) Solomon’s bride was refreshing like a fountain. Do you refresh your significant other or do you complain, or focus on negativity and problems? Partners should continually work at refreshing each other by an encouraging word, and unexpected gift, a change of pace, a surprise note, or even having attention to timing to respect the other person’s needs. The rest of the world is not so refreshing; so being a haven for your partner is a great gift and way to keep your relationship healthy and growing.
“His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend.”(5:16) The bride calls Solomon her friend. Can you call your significant other your best friend? In a healthy marriage or relationship, the lovers are great friends. Taking the time to develop a deep friendship is important before allowing feelings of love and passion to drive you into marriage too early. Being friends involves listening, sharing, and showing understanding for the other’s likes and dislikes. Friendship takes time, but it makes a love relationship much deeper and far more satisfying.
“But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.”(8:12) Solomon’s bride willingly gave Solomon the fruit of her property. In a good marriage, there is no private property; there are no secrets. Everything should be shared between the partners. Devotion and commitment were the foundational components of this marriage and were the reasons that even through many trials; they honored each other. The faithfulness of our marital love should be a reflection of God’s perfect faithfulness to us.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Ecclesiastes 1-12
Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to describe that life apart from God is meaningless. Solomon was the wisest man ever known; he studied, taught, judged, and wrote. Kings and leaders traveled from afar to learn from him. Solomon had Godly wisdom and insight on life, but he failed to take his own advice and began a downward spiral in his own life. Solomon looked back on his life with an attitude of humility and repentance. He was hoping to spare his readers the bitterness of learning through his personal experience that life without God is empty and meaningless. In this book, Solomon affirms the value of knowledge, relationships, work, and pleasure, but only in their proper place according to God’s will.
Isn’t it interesting the amount of searching we do? True happiness is not in our power to accumulate or attain because we always want more than we can have. People continue to search, yet the more they try to get, the more they realize how little they really have. Without God, satisfaction is a lost search. Human wisdom doesn’t have all the answers. Knowledge and education have their limits. To really understand life and purpose is to seek the wisdom only God can give you. In order to have God’s wisdom in our lives, we first need to get to know him and honor him.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”(1:9) Many people feel dissatisfied and restless. People wonder and worry; If I am in God’s will, why am I so tired and unfulfilled? What is the meaning of life? Why do I feel burned out? What is to become of me? Solomon tests our faith challenging us to find true and lasting meaning in God alone.
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”(2:10) Solomon highlights two kinds of wisdom; 1)Human knowledge, reasoning, or philosophy and 2) the wisdom that comes from God. Solomon summarizes that attempts at finding life’s meaning as “chasing after the wind”. In all our accomplishments, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are not found in these accomplishments, and can easily feel like we are “chasing after the wind.” True enjoyment in life comes only as we follow God’s guidelines for living. Those who really know how to enjoy life are the ones who take life each day as a gift from God, being grateful and serving him.
“Again I saw something meaningless under the sun; there was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth….two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work...if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?”(4:8, 9, 11) Life is created for companionship; not isolation and for intimacy; not loneliness. We are not placed on this earth to serve ourselves; but to serve God and others. Beware of isolating yourself and going at life alone. Becoming a team player and having good companionship make our time here meaningful.
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”(5:10) Do you find yourself constantly wanting more than you have? Solomon observed that those who love money and seek it obsessively never find the happiness is falsely promises. Money in itself is not wrong; but loving money leads to all types of sin.
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”(7:8) To finish what we start requires hard work, wise guidance, self-discipline, and patience. Anyone with vision can start a project; but vision without wisdom often results in unfinished projects and goals.
“Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love…whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”(9:9) How sad it would be to be married and not appreciate the enjoyment and companionship God has given you.
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”(11:4) Waiting for perfect circumstances will lead to inactivity. Have you had someone tell you that their life is on hold until this or that; or before making a decision, they are waiting to have a certain amount of money in their bank account? If we wait for the perfect time and place, we may never begin. Take steps to do something today. Don’t wait for conditions that may never exist and waste your life. It is important to approach your decisions from God’s perspective; approach life with an attitude that although our lives are short; we will live with God forever.
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, whether it is good or evil.”(12:13) Our time on earth is so short, we should use the time to learn important truths that will affect this life and eternity. No matter the mysteries and contradictions of life, we must work toward the single purpose of knowing God. We should enjoy our lives as it is a gift from God and love him with all our hearts, minds and souls by following his commandments. In order to live properly, we must, recognize that human effort apart from God is futile; put God first now; receive everything that is good as a gift from God; realize that God will judge both evil and good; know that God will judge the quality of every person’s life. People strive for the very enjoyment that God gives for free, as a gift; isn’t that ironic?
Isn’t it interesting the amount of searching we do? True happiness is not in our power to accumulate or attain because we always want more than we can have. People continue to search, yet the more they try to get, the more they realize how little they really have. Without God, satisfaction is a lost search. Human wisdom doesn’t have all the answers. Knowledge and education have their limits. To really understand life and purpose is to seek the wisdom only God can give you. In order to have God’s wisdom in our lives, we first need to get to know him and honor him.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”(1:9) Many people feel dissatisfied and restless. People wonder and worry; If I am in God’s will, why am I so tired and unfulfilled? What is the meaning of life? Why do I feel burned out? What is to become of me? Solomon tests our faith challenging us to find true and lasting meaning in God alone.
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”(2:10) Solomon highlights two kinds of wisdom; 1)Human knowledge, reasoning, or philosophy and 2) the wisdom that comes from God. Solomon summarizes that attempts at finding life’s meaning as “chasing after the wind”. In all our accomplishments, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are not found in these accomplishments, and can easily feel like we are “chasing after the wind.” True enjoyment in life comes only as we follow God’s guidelines for living. Those who really know how to enjoy life are the ones who take life each day as a gift from God, being grateful and serving him.
“Again I saw something meaningless under the sun; there was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth….two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work...if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?”(4:8, 9, 11) Life is created for companionship; not isolation and for intimacy; not loneliness. We are not placed on this earth to serve ourselves; but to serve God and others. Beware of isolating yourself and going at life alone. Becoming a team player and having good companionship make our time here meaningful.
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”(5:10) Do you find yourself constantly wanting more than you have? Solomon observed that those who love money and seek it obsessively never find the happiness is falsely promises. Money in itself is not wrong; but loving money leads to all types of sin.
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”(7:8) To finish what we start requires hard work, wise guidance, self-discipline, and patience. Anyone with vision can start a project; but vision without wisdom often results in unfinished projects and goals.
“Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love…whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”(9:9) How sad it would be to be married and not appreciate the enjoyment and companionship God has given you.
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”(11:4) Waiting for perfect circumstances will lead to inactivity. Have you had someone tell you that their life is on hold until this or that; or before making a decision, they are waiting to have a certain amount of money in their bank account? If we wait for the perfect time and place, we may never begin. Take steps to do something today. Don’t wait for conditions that may never exist and waste your life. It is important to approach your decisions from God’s perspective; approach life with an attitude that although our lives are short; we will live with God forever.
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, whether it is good or evil.”(12:13) Our time on earth is so short, we should use the time to learn important truths that will affect this life and eternity. No matter the mysteries and contradictions of life, we must work toward the single purpose of knowing God. We should enjoy our lives as it is a gift from God and love him with all our hearts, minds and souls by following his commandments. In order to live properly, we must, recognize that human effort apart from God is futile; put God first now; receive everything that is good as a gift from God; realize that God will judge both evil and good; know that God will judge the quality of every person’s life. People strive for the very enjoyment that God gives for free, as a gift; isn’t that ironic?
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