One of the most amazing stories in the Old Testament is the story of Hosea. In the beginning of this prophetic book God tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute. This relationship between Hosea, the prostitute named Gomer and they're children are going to be an analogy between God and his relationship with his unfaithful people Israel.
It really makes you think about what people must have thought to see Hosea, a good and righteous man, go out and propose marriage to a known prostitute! You know people tried to talk him out of it. You know people probably thought he was crazy or worse. But, by doing this God was trying to point to his relationship with Israel. That though God deserved loyalty and faithfulness, what he got was spiritual adultery and illegitimate children. In fact, he compares Israel and Judah's loyalty to the morning mist and the dew on the ground. Hosea 6:4
For me, the most amazing part comes in Hosea 3. Something has happened, but we are not told all the details. Gomer has left the marriage and found herself being sold into slavery. Maybe she had an outstanding debt or simply wandered off and gotten mixed up in some kind of trouble. You can imagine if you knew your spouse had been unfaithful and then gotten into legal trouble. You might be tempted to let the person reap the consequences. But, here in verses 1 and 2 of Hoses 3, God tells Hosea to buy her back. This is a picture of the absurd and radical forgiveness and redemption of God towards those he loves.
If Hosea is the picture of God here, then he has every reason in the world to leave Gomer where she is. Nobody would expect for him to buy her back. She has created her own mess and Hosea doesn't owe her a thing. All he has done is been kind to her and she turned on that love. Everyone has reminded Hosea they told him, "What do you expect? She is a prostitute after all. You can't expect her to be faithful. We told you so." That's what I imagine Hosea had heard that day. There is his wife on full display at the slavery auction. Then, Hosea does the thing that nobody expects. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out fifteen shekels of silver and some barley for trade and buys her back. This is love and compassion so great that it is almost unheard of, radical and almost embarrasing to watch.
God is sometimes accused of being the God of wrath in the Old Testament, while being the God of love in the New. But, here is a vivid picture demonstrated in the live of Hosea of love. Over and over again, God accuses the people of Judah of spiritual unfaithfulness and dealing treacherously against him. Yet, God is so willing to forgive that he is willing to reach out at the slightest need of his people. His holiness demands that he judge the sin in the lives of his people. But, the yearning of his heart is to redeem and forgive.
I think this is a good reminder to us of how anxious God is to forgive and redeem us as well. We don't really deserve it anymore than Gomer did. The Bible tells us that we were helpless to redeem ourselves and dead in trespasses and sins. That is all of us. The debt was one that we couldn't pay any more than Gomer could.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
My Anger
One of the things that the CPE program at Alamance Regional Hospital in Burlington taught me was the importance of understanding myself. That means understanding my weaknesses, my tendencies, my reactions, so that I can really help people. I learned a lot about myself through that experience at the hospital. One of the things I learned about myself is that I have a horrible temper at times. It is one of the things that I really dislike about myself and try hard to keep in check.
I don't think, I may be wrong here, that when people first meet me they see this about me. I tend to come across as fairly quiet until you get to know me. I am by nature an introvert, so sometimes people underestimate me and think they can walk over me. They did when I was younger and I allowed them to. But, that isn't the case for me as an adult.
I say all this because the Bible says alot about controlling you tongue and temper. It is one of those things that you can talk about, but it is very hard to do at times. Particularly if your embarrased or your pride has been wounded. This actually happened to me earlier today. I went to a garage to get my vehicle inspected. Instead of asking me about the problem they found and fixing it, they simply didn't pass my vehicle. I was very surprised and asked the man why he didn't tell me what was wrong, so it can be fixed and my vehicle could pass. In all the 27 years that I have been driving this is what they would have done. It means more money for them if they do this. In fact, when my Kia Spectra needed two new tires to pass inspection at another garage, they did tell me and we fixed that so it would pass. But, instead I find myself being charged for a failed inspection. It really got me upset at the time that was wasted today. But, then the man has the nerve to raise his voice at me and point his finger at me.
Wow! I can't believe that this guy had the nerve to do this. I was going to start yelling at him, then thought about the fact that my two kids and a neighborhood friend are with me. I was embarrased and humilitated, but I decided that I would carry this conversation further and that I would file a complaint with his boss about him. I paid my bill and left and came home and called the corporate office. I have to say, the old Jeff would have launched into a verbal assault on this guy and called him names. That is what my flesh wanted to do. I was embarrased. He has no right to do this to me. My pride was wounded. The hardest thing to do was to walk away, without a parting shot and shut my mouth, until I got home to complaint to the proper supervisor.
I am not sure that what I did showed much maturity or not. But, I know that it shows some sign of growth for me. I have a long ways to go. I still say stupid things at the wrong time that I shouldn't. I still gossip sometimes when tempted. I still have a hard time controlling my temper. It is a bear that has had its baby cubs taken away, cross this line if you dare kind of anger. Though I may have a long ways to go to maturity and I think that I do, I see a little bit of progress here.
To learn more about CPE look at this site
http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/cpe-career.html
For a good article about what the Bible says about anger
http://preachersfiles.com/anger/
For a Bible study about anger look at
http://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/onlinebiblestudies-irritationandangermanagement/whatgodsaysinthebibleaboutanger.php
I don't think, I may be wrong here, that when people first meet me they see this about me. I tend to come across as fairly quiet until you get to know me. I am by nature an introvert, so sometimes people underestimate me and think they can walk over me. They did when I was younger and I allowed them to. But, that isn't the case for me as an adult.
I say all this because the Bible says alot about controlling you tongue and temper. It is one of those things that you can talk about, but it is very hard to do at times. Particularly if your embarrased or your pride has been wounded. This actually happened to me earlier today. I went to a garage to get my vehicle inspected. Instead of asking me about the problem they found and fixing it, they simply didn't pass my vehicle. I was very surprised and asked the man why he didn't tell me what was wrong, so it can be fixed and my vehicle could pass. In all the 27 years that I have been driving this is what they would have done. It means more money for them if they do this. In fact, when my Kia Spectra needed two new tires to pass inspection at another garage, they did tell me and we fixed that so it would pass. But, instead I find myself being charged for a failed inspection. It really got me upset at the time that was wasted today. But, then the man has the nerve to raise his voice at me and point his finger at me.
Wow! I can't believe that this guy had the nerve to do this. I was going to start yelling at him, then thought about the fact that my two kids and a neighborhood friend are with me. I was embarrased and humilitated, but I decided that I would carry this conversation further and that I would file a complaint with his boss about him. I paid my bill and left and came home and called the corporate office. I have to say, the old Jeff would have launched into a verbal assault on this guy and called him names. That is what my flesh wanted to do. I was embarrased. He has no right to do this to me. My pride was wounded. The hardest thing to do was to walk away, without a parting shot and shut my mouth, until I got home to complaint to the proper supervisor.
I am not sure that what I did showed much maturity or not. But, I know that it shows some sign of growth for me. I have a long ways to go. I still say stupid things at the wrong time that I shouldn't. I still gossip sometimes when tempted. I still have a hard time controlling my temper. It is a bear that has had its baby cubs taken away, cross this line if you dare kind of anger. Though I may have a long ways to go to maturity and I think that I do, I see a little bit of progress here.
To learn more about CPE look at this site
http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/cpe-career.html
For a good article about what the Bible says about anger
http://preachersfiles.com/anger/
For a Bible study about anger look at
http://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/onlinebiblestudies-irritationandangermanagement/whatgodsaysinthebibleaboutanger.php
Friday, August 27, 2010
Reflecting on the Last Week
So, recently, I came back from 10 days off from work. I felt refreshed and renewed and ready to come back to work. I was even looking forward to seeing friends at work. The enthusiasm last a whole two days, after that it felt like vacation was a year ago. Then, I think about why is it that work seems so draining at times. There is nothing particularly difficult or demanding about my job physically. Most of the problems that I have seen I have seen before, so there really aren't that many surprises anymore. I think maybe it is because most of the problems I see are avoidable. It seems we can be our own worst enemy at times.
I think maybe this is in part what Paul was talking about in Romans 7 when he said, "For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do; but I am doing the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15 Then again in verse 18 "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh, for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not." Rom 7:18
Paul is talking about the battle between the flesh and the spirit. The battle between doing God's will and doing our own. The battle between being led by the Spirit and the flesh. The thing is, that sometimes the flesh is winning and sometimes it is the spirit, but they are never in harmony. They are always at war. Nobody knows this better than the believer who is truly trying to live for the Lord. For someone who is carnal and does whatever they want doesn't have this battle, for there is no conflict. But, for the believer there is always a war. For friendship with the world is hostility to God.
So, sometimes sin can look attractive and fun. It can come in many forms, but it tells us with a subtle, quiet voice "Don't think about the consequences, do what you want." Only, the truth of it is, that the consequences always come home. That check has to be cashed sooner or later. When I decide to live by my rules instead of God's and ignore his warning then there will be a day of accounting. In many cases, the truth is also that the one I am hurting the most is myself.
A personal example would be my battle with diabetes. When I eat a snack full of sugar, unless I was low at that point, my blood sugar is going to spike upwards. If I don't give myself insulin then that damages my body. If I do this long enough, then damage occurs. If I do this day in and day out, then I could be causing all sorts of damage to kidneys, heart, nerves and eyes. So, the main person who is going to bear consequences of that action is also me. Sin is also at times like that. Whatever I may want to indulge in at the moment, a fit of anger, an unkind word, a unkind or ungodly thought etc. Eventually, there are consequences that I don't want.
I think this is why it is so important to remember that the battle for each one of us begins in the mind. Jesus says in Matthew 15:18 But the things that proceed ouf of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and slanders. These are thing things which defile the man; . . . ." I think this is because what the mind and the spirit dwells on comes through in what we do and say. It is born in the mind and that bears itself out in attitudes and emotions and actions. So, if my mind is dwelling on negative thoughts then my actions will bear this out.
I think maybe this is in part what Paul was talking about in Romans 7 when he said, "For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do; but I am doing the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15 Then again in verse 18 "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh, for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not." Rom 7:18
Paul is talking about the battle between the flesh and the spirit. The battle between doing God's will and doing our own. The battle between being led by the Spirit and the flesh. The thing is, that sometimes the flesh is winning and sometimes it is the spirit, but they are never in harmony. They are always at war. Nobody knows this better than the believer who is truly trying to live for the Lord. For someone who is carnal and does whatever they want doesn't have this battle, for there is no conflict. But, for the believer there is always a war. For friendship with the world is hostility to God.
So, sometimes sin can look attractive and fun. It can come in many forms, but it tells us with a subtle, quiet voice "Don't think about the consequences, do what you want." Only, the truth of it is, that the consequences always come home. That check has to be cashed sooner or later. When I decide to live by my rules instead of God's and ignore his warning then there will be a day of accounting. In many cases, the truth is also that the one I am hurting the most is myself.
A personal example would be my battle with diabetes. When I eat a snack full of sugar, unless I was low at that point, my blood sugar is going to spike upwards. If I don't give myself insulin then that damages my body. If I do this long enough, then damage occurs. If I do this day in and day out, then I could be causing all sorts of damage to kidneys, heart, nerves and eyes. So, the main person who is going to bear consequences of that action is also me. Sin is also at times like that. Whatever I may want to indulge in at the moment, a fit of anger, an unkind word, a unkind or ungodly thought etc. Eventually, there are consequences that I don't want.
I think this is why it is so important to remember that the battle for each one of us begins in the mind. Jesus says in Matthew 15:18 But the things that proceed ouf of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and slanders. These are thing things which defile the man; . . . ." I think this is because what the mind and the spirit dwells on comes through in what we do and say. It is born in the mind and that bears itself out in attitudes and emotions and actions. So, if my mind is dwelling on negative thoughts then my actions will bear this out.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Conforming
One of the things that you notice reading the scriptures is that it doesn't appear that people have changed much over the centuries. Whether it is John and James asking to be at the right and left hand of Jesus when he sits on his throne. Or whether it is the disciples arguing about how great they are. People don't appear to have changed very much. We also see that when we look at the history of the Israelites. They had the same frail mind set that we do some times. Yet, though God disciplined them at times, he did not give up on them.
One of those moments is during the time of Samuel. Samuel was at the time this occurred an older man and he had two sons. His sons did not follow after the Lord like he did and were corrupt. Partly because of them the people decided they did not want Samuel's sons ruling over them. They looked around at the nations before them and decided they wanted to be like the other nations. A kind of corporate peer pressure to conform to the norms of their day. They were a little uncomfortable being different than everyone else.
They said, "Behold, you have grown old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like the nations."
When Samuel prayed to the Lord about this request of the people, the Lord said, "They have rejected Me from being a king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day- n that they have forsaken Me and served other gods- so they are doing to you also." 1 Samuel 8:8
This is what happened when we conform as believers to the world and establish a worldview that is secular. Ultimately, we are saying that we know best and rejecting the Lord and His ways. We are saying that we know better than God. The Bible warns us as believers not to fall in love with this world and its ways. It tells us to be conformed to the Spirit and not to the world. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 Then again also in Ephesians 4:23 "And that you be renewed in the spirit of you mind."
I think this is why it is so important to get into God's Word on a daily basis. Because our minds have a tendency to conform to those around us. We don't really feel any more comfortable being different than the Israelites did thousands of years ago. So, we have to renew our minds and to dwell on the Word of God to renew our faith and our vision for what God wants for us. Without it, we cannot remain fruitful for long.
One of those moments is during the time of Samuel. Samuel was at the time this occurred an older man and he had two sons. His sons did not follow after the Lord like he did and were corrupt. Partly because of them the people decided they did not want Samuel's sons ruling over them. They looked around at the nations before them and decided they wanted to be like the other nations. A kind of corporate peer pressure to conform to the norms of their day. They were a little uncomfortable being different than everyone else.
They said, "Behold, you have grown old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like the nations."
When Samuel prayed to the Lord about this request of the people, the Lord said, "They have rejected Me from being a king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day- n that they have forsaken Me and served other gods- so they are doing to you also." 1 Samuel 8:8
This is what happened when we conform as believers to the world and establish a worldview that is secular. Ultimately, we are saying that we know best and rejecting the Lord and His ways. We are saying that we know better than God. The Bible warns us as believers not to fall in love with this world and its ways. It tells us to be conformed to the Spirit and not to the world. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 Then again also in Ephesians 4:23 "And that you be renewed in the spirit of you mind."
I think this is why it is so important to get into God's Word on a daily basis. Because our minds have a tendency to conform to those around us. We don't really feel any more comfortable being different than the Israelites did thousands of years ago. So, we have to renew our minds and to dwell on the Word of God to renew our faith and our vision for what God wants for us. Without it, we cannot remain fruitful for long.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Waiting
Psalm 62:5-6 "My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold, I shall not be shaken."
What does it mean to wait on God in silence? I have heard it said that someone has said that there is an activity that springs from faith and an activity which shows the lack of faith." Faith sometimes causes us to act, despite signs that plans or dreams may not work out. On the other hand, there is a time when action is also a clear sign of a lack of faith. When Ahaz sought out the help from the King of Assyria in 2 Chronicles 28:16, he was trusting in man not God. His actions stemmed from a lack of faith and a lack of a relationship in God.
The same may be true for us at times. Sometimes our faith may not truly be in God,but in other people or in ourselves. God may allow us to be rocked to the core because our faith is misplaced. Our call as believers is not in independence, but in dependence. So, even if our faith is in ourselves it is a misplaced faith. It is easy to fall into the trap of self-reliance when things are going well though.
There are other times though when God says to us that this battle is not ours, but God's alone. We are not told to act, but to pray and to wait. It reminds me of what God said to Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:17 when he told the king that they would go out and face the enemy, but he added "You need not fight in this battle: station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem, Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrw, go out and face them, for the Lord is with you." Notice that idea of "be not dismayed". I think that is part of what being "quiet" is about.
I love this story because the enemy clearly had Jehoshaphat and his people very troubled before this time. But, built up with the Word and with worship they determined in their hearts to focus on God and to take God at his word. They're faith was enlarged and then walked out to the battlefield the story says with the singers of praise in front. The story goes that the enemy then destroyed themselves and the King and the people walked out onto the battlefield where the enemy was already dead. The question then becomes why go out at all?
God calls us to walk by faith and that walking out to the battlefield was a demonstration of faith. When we do as God asks us to do you can be sure that God will honor it. God did honor it with Jehoshaphat and the victory was his. But, he could not have claimed it back in the stronghold. He had to take steps of faith and trust God. God also calls us to "be not dismayed" and to silently and without anxiety to trust Him. It may appear that God doesn't have a firm grasp on the situation or that He is asleep, but apparent inactivity doesn't mean that God is not paying attention. God wants us to firmly trust in Him and to rest in that faith.
What does it mean to wait on God in silence? I have heard it said that someone has said that there is an activity that springs from faith and an activity which shows the lack of faith." Faith sometimes causes us to act, despite signs that plans or dreams may not work out. On the other hand, there is a time when action is also a clear sign of a lack of faith. When Ahaz sought out the help from the King of Assyria in 2 Chronicles 28:16, he was trusting in man not God. His actions stemmed from a lack of faith and a lack of a relationship in God.
The same may be true for us at times. Sometimes our faith may not truly be in God,but in other people or in ourselves. God may allow us to be rocked to the core because our faith is misplaced. Our call as believers is not in independence, but in dependence. So, even if our faith is in ourselves it is a misplaced faith. It is easy to fall into the trap of self-reliance when things are going well though.
There are other times though when God says to us that this battle is not ours, but God's alone. We are not told to act, but to pray and to wait. It reminds me of what God said to Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:17 when he told the king that they would go out and face the enemy, but he added "You need not fight in this battle: station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem, Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrw, go out and face them, for the Lord is with you." Notice that idea of "be not dismayed". I think that is part of what being "quiet" is about.
I love this story because the enemy clearly had Jehoshaphat and his people very troubled before this time. But, built up with the Word and with worship they determined in their hearts to focus on God and to take God at his word. They're faith was enlarged and then walked out to the battlefield the story says with the singers of praise in front. The story goes that the enemy then destroyed themselves and the King and the people walked out onto the battlefield where the enemy was already dead. The question then becomes why go out at all?
God calls us to walk by faith and that walking out to the battlefield was a demonstration of faith. When we do as God asks us to do you can be sure that God will honor it. God did honor it with Jehoshaphat and the victory was his. But, he could not have claimed it back in the stronghold. He had to take steps of faith and trust God. God also calls us to "be not dismayed" and to silently and without anxiety to trust Him. It may appear that God doesn't have a firm grasp on the situation or that He is asleep, but apparent inactivity doesn't mean that God is not paying attention. God wants us to firmly trust in Him and to rest in that faith.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Our Salvation
In reading through 1 Peter today, I was noticing how many times Peter mentions how we are saved. The emphasis, according to Peter, is not on what we have done, but on what Jesus did on the cross and through the resurrection. This is not to say that we do not have a responsibility as believers. But, look at what Peter actually says throughout this letter.
1 Peter 1:3b "caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
"you were not redeemed with perishable things. . . .but with precious blood. . . .the blood of Christ." 1:18-19
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24
"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God. . ." 3:18
You notice that the emphasis in redeeming is on what Jesus did, first through the cross and then through the resurrection. Then, Peter exhorts us that since we are redeemed through this imperishable and blood of Christ, then we should respond by living holy lives. Peter tells us that our response to living in the world in which we live is that we should "gird our minds for action, keeping sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13
This is the thing that people often bring up when you talk about how we are saved by grace. They say "Yes, but what about works?" We do have a responsbility." And that really is true. We have a response in our understanding for what Jesus has done for us. Grace is grace, but it is not free. Sometimes we must make tough choices. We must remember that God calls us to live lives that reflect that we know him. Does that mean that we will be perfect? Far from it. Rather, we know that we are not. It is with humility that we accept the grace and mercy of God knowing that we don't deserve it.
To read more:
http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp
1 Peter 1:3b "caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
"you were not redeemed with perishable things. . . .but with precious blood. . . .the blood of Christ." 1:18-19
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24
"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God. . ." 3:18
You notice that the emphasis in redeeming is on what Jesus did, first through the cross and then through the resurrection. Then, Peter exhorts us that since we are redeemed through this imperishable and blood of Christ, then we should respond by living holy lives. Peter tells us that our response to living in the world in which we live is that we should "gird our minds for action, keeping sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13
This is the thing that people often bring up when you talk about how we are saved by grace. They say "Yes, but what about works?" We do have a responsbility." And that really is true. We have a response in our understanding for what Jesus has done for us. Grace is grace, but it is not free. Sometimes we must make tough choices. We must remember that God calls us to live lives that reflect that we know him. Does that mean that we will be perfect? Far from it. Rather, we know that we are not. It is with humility that we accept the grace and mercy of God knowing that we don't deserve it.
To read more:
http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Help My Unbelief
Jesus said to him "If you can? All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the boy's father cried out and began saying "I do believe, help my unbelief."" Mark 9:23-24
I often wonder what it felt like for the disciples to come back down from the mount of transfiguration to encounter a problem like the one they face in Mark 9. They come down from the mountain top experience of seeing Jesus illuminated with glory and hearing a voice from the sky and then get plucked down into utter chaos when they come down from the mountain. No sooner do they get to the crowd then they hear the accusation of the father of the young boy in question say "I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it." Mark 9:18. I also wonder if there wasn't some sense of shame on the part of the disciples who got left behind that they were not able to handle the situation.
At any rate, I am sure they were glad to see Jesus coming with James, John and Peter back down the mountain. This boy clearly had a huge problems, he was rolling around on the ground, foaming at the mouth, convulsing. Maybe the disciples got intimidated by the situation. But, when we often focus on the lack of faith of the father, let me first point out that there was also a problem of faith with the remaining disciples. They clearly felt over their heads and initimated by the situation and their faith wavered. It is hard to point a finger of accusation because I am so often there myself.
So, after seeing the disciples fail miserably at healing his son, the father's faith is wavering. He has heard so much about the multitude that Jesus has healed over the years. That might be why after bringing the boy to Jesus the father is starting to have doubts. It is that word of doubt that Jesus seek to deal with the "If you can". To the father's credit, at least he admits his doubts and struggles and doesn't deny them. But, he is also a man of faith, so he says to Jesus, "I do believe, help my unbelief." Mark 9:24. I think that is a great statement and sometimes a great prayer also. To be transparent enough before God to say to God, "Yes, I believe in you, but I am really struggling to understand right now. Please help anyway." The great news for us when we read this story is that Jesus does respond and helps him despite his struggles.
There are so many awful things that happen in our world today, that is would be a person who has either been in a coma or worse that doesn't see that our world can be a cold and miserable place sometimes. In light of that, it can seem like Jesus is on the mountain while we are still here struggling and having difficulties. We may be tempted to thing that Jesus isn't paying attention or seeing our heartache. Clearly, this father was a man with a lot of pain. Most parents would tell you, they would rather hurt themselves than see their children hurt. I'll tell you from my experience, you mess with my kids and your pulling the wrong tail. You don't want any of that. It would be far better for you to mess with me than to mess with my kids.
An abbreviated version of this story is also told in the gospel of Matthew in Matthew 17:14-18. The disciples ask Jesus after the crowds are gone what went wrong. Jesus says to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, "Move from here to there, and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible for you." So, here we see again, that the problem was a lack of faith. But, the good news is that Jesus says it doesn't take a lot to move a mountain. Even it is as small as a mustard seed then God will honor it.
At any rate, I am sure they were glad to see Jesus coming with James, John and Peter back down the mountain. This boy clearly had a huge problems, he was rolling around on the ground, foaming at the mouth, convulsing. Maybe the disciples got intimidated by the situation. But, when we often focus on the lack of faith of the father, let me first point out that there was also a problem of faith with the remaining disciples. They clearly felt over their heads and initimated by the situation and their faith wavered. It is hard to point a finger of accusation because I am so often there myself.
So, after seeing the disciples fail miserably at healing his son, the father's faith is wavering. He has heard so much about the multitude that Jesus has healed over the years. That might be why after bringing the boy to Jesus the father is starting to have doubts. It is that word of doubt that Jesus seek to deal with the "If you can". To the father's credit, at least he admits his doubts and struggles and doesn't deny them. But, he is also a man of faith, so he says to Jesus, "I do believe, help my unbelief." Mark 9:24. I think that is a great statement and sometimes a great prayer also. To be transparent enough before God to say to God, "Yes, I believe in you, but I am really struggling to understand right now. Please help anyway." The great news for us when we read this story is that Jesus does respond and helps him despite his struggles.
There are so many awful things that happen in our world today, that is would be a person who has either been in a coma or worse that doesn't see that our world can be a cold and miserable place sometimes. In light of that, it can seem like Jesus is on the mountain while we are still here struggling and having difficulties. We may be tempted to thing that Jesus isn't paying attention or seeing our heartache. Clearly, this father was a man with a lot of pain. Most parents would tell you, they would rather hurt themselves than see their children hurt. I'll tell you from my experience, you mess with my kids and your pulling the wrong tail. You don't want any of that. It would be far better for you to mess with me than to mess with my kids.
An abbreviated version of this story is also told in the gospel of Matthew in Matthew 17:14-18. The disciples ask Jesus after the crowds are gone what went wrong. Jesus says to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, "Move from here to there, and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible for you." So, here we see again, that the problem was a lack of faith. But, the good news is that Jesus says it doesn't take a lot to move a mountain. Even it is as small as a mustard seed then God will honor it.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Politics
I am going to mention something that up to now I have not and that is politics. Over the last few years, we have seen a political campaign and an election, followed by a new President coming to lead our nation in America. At first, it seemed there was a lot of good feelings for this man, but now his popularity has been sinking. People are upset that so much money has been spent and so little has come out of it that is good. Also, it seems that this President is interested in big government and not in making small and mid size businesses more competitive. He wouldn't know anything about that since he has never led a big or mid size company in any way, but that is not my point. What I am getting at, is what should my response be as a christian to politics and to what Obama and Congress are doing? Or is there any response at all?
When we look back at Jesus and his words, we see that Jesus actually appeared to say little about the government of his day. The Romans ruled over the Jews in his time, yet he never directly speaks about Herod or Pilate or Caesar. With the exception of one statement when they were trying to trick Jesus you would see him avoiding the subject more than directly speaking about any ruler or leader. Is this simply avoidance on the part of the writers or did this actually happen? The one word by the way that Jesus did say is in Luke 20:25 "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."
I don't believe that Jesus would be bashing Obama any more than bashing Clinton or Bush. I don't think that God is a republican or democrat. But, do we have a responsibility to those who we elect to office? Yes, I believe we do. What is our responsibility and what is theirs. First, I think we have a responsibility to pray for our leaders. They have a complicated and hard job. It is difficult to pass laws and to get people to agree on courses of actions sometimes. If you think some of the decisions made recently have been stupid then let me ask you: How long have you prayed that God would give Obama wisdom in decisions?
The second thing is that we have a right and ability to have our say. On their side of things, I think they have the responsibility to be honest with how they vote and why. I can influence for the good my officials by talking to them. I can pick up a phone and tell them what is wrong. I can send a letter and ask them to do something I feel strongly about. I admit I have not done this many times on a local or state level with one exception when they recently changed laws effecting mental health, then I did get on the phone and send a letter. I can sign a petition or I can vote them out of office if I don't like what they are doing. What I should not do, is to act as though what they are doing is not important or to bury my head in the sand and ignore them. That is how people like Hitler came to power because people gave their authority away.
The third thing is, that some of the choices that politicians make really are moral choices. I'm going to say something that isn't popular here, but is it right to extend unemployment benefits indefinitely and enable people to sit at home and get a paycheck or should I require people to get off their butts and work? Should I ask them to look for work? Since when is it a good idea to enable people to be lazy? I'm not saying that there should be no help at all for people looking for work. That is a moral and ethical decision and not just a political one. That is just one issue among many that have moral and ethical implications that I should think about as believers. Many of our decisions today from immigration reform to abortion and civil rights have their answers in the Bible. I think as a christian, I should be enabling people for good and not for laziness or dependence. I think as a believer, I am suppose to let my light shine and to tell people what God's word says and not to just silently go along with what is popular.
The fourth thing that i will say is that for all the good that is going on here we should remember that our focus as believers is always God's kingdom and His righteousness. This is where our true citizenship is, it is in heaven. Our world is sometimes great and often good, but it is not the end. As Daniel saw in his vision of the great kingdoms on earth, one day they will all pass away, but God's kingdom will never pass away. I need to be kingdom focused and be storing up treasures in heaven and not just in the bank down the street.
Matthew 6:33;
When we look back at Jesus and his words, we see that Jesus actually appeared to say little about the government of his day. The Romans ruled over the Jews in his time, yet he never directly speaks about Herod or Pilate or Caesar. With the exception of one statement when they were trying to trick Jesus you would see him avoiding the subject more than directly speaking about any ruler or leader. Is this simply avoidance on the part of the writers or did this actually happen? The one word by the way that Jesus did say is in Luke 20:25 "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."
I don't believe that Jesus would be bashing Obama any more than bashing Clinton or Bush. I don't think that God is a republican or democrat. But, do we have a responsibility to those who we elect to office? Yes, I believe we do. What is our responsibility and what is theirs. First, I think we have a responsibility to pray for our leaders. They have a complicated and hard job. It is difficult to pass laws and to get people to agree on courses of actions sometimes. If you think some of the decisions made recently have been stupid then let me ask you: How long have you prayed that God would give Obama wisdom in decisions?
The second thing is that we have a right and ability to have our say. On their side of things, I think they have the responsibility to be honest with how they vote and why. I can influence for the good my officials by talking to them. I can pick up a phone and tell them what is wrong. I can send a letter and ask them to do something I feel strongly about. I admit I have not done this many times on a local or state level with one exception when they recently changed laws effecting mental health, then I did get on the phone and send a letter. I can sign a petition or I can vote them out of office if I don't like what they are doing. What I should not do, is to act as though what they are doing is not important or to bury my head in the sand and ignore them. That is how people like Hitler came to power because people gave their authority away.
The third thing is, that some of the choices that politicians make really are moral choices. I'm going to say something that isn't popular here, but is it right to extend unemployment benefits indefinitely and enable people to sit at home and get a paycheck or should I require people to get off their butts and work? Should I ask them to look for work? Since when is it a good idea to enable people to be lazy? I'm not saying that there should be no help at all for people looking for work. That is a moral and ethical decision and not just a political one. That is just one issue among many that have moral and ethical implications that I should think about as believers. Many of our decisions today from immigration reform to abortion and civil rights have their answers in the Bible. I think as a christian, I should be enabling people for good and not for laziness or dependence. I think as a believer, I am suppose to let my light shine and to tell people what God's word says and not to just silently go along with what is popular.
The fourth thing that i will say is that for all the good that is going on here we should remember that our focus as believers is always God's kingdom and His righteousness. This is where our true citizenship is, it is in heaven. Our world is sometimes great and often good, but it is not the end. As Daniel saw in his vision of the great kingdoms on earth, one day they will all pass away, but God's kingdom will never pass away. I need to be kingdom focused and be storing up treasures in heaven and not just in the bank down the street.
Matthew 6:33;
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
no great insights here
I have a confession to make, I haven't felt very spiritual lately. I haven't felt very insightful or very wise. I haven't felt like I am learning something extremely insightful or helpful. Lately, I've been plodding along, most days productive, but some days just frustrated with how things have gone. So, when thinking about what to write in this blog, for some reason I thought about a passage that my pastor in Lufkin, Texas gave to me when I had gotten laid off a job. It is in Nahum 1:7.
"The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him."
When I think about that verse, I think about the troubles I was going through. I had just been laid off for the first and only time in my life. Looking back on it, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me, but I didn't see it that way at the time. I really needed a stronghold then and also do every day of this hot, boring summer we are going through now. I need just as much now for God to be that stronghold to protect me from harm and to guide my path and to help me avoid sin and trouble.
Jersualem was a stronghold like what the prophet is talking about. It was a walled city on a mountain referred to in scripture as Mt.Zion. David picked it as his capital for that reason. Because it would be hard to defeat someone in that kind of stronghold. God has also promised to be that kind of stronghold for us. He doesn't forget like I do. If you tell me two things i will forget one. God doesn't forget those who are His or what they have done. You will be rewarded for being faithful. You'll be rewarded for the little things, the people you helped, the encouraging words you said, the faithfulness at your job, the cold cup of water you gave someone on a hot day. The Bible tells us that when we do it to the least of these it is like we are doing it for Him and He won't forget it.
The first part of that verse is also critical. "God is good." John said that God is light and in Him is no darkenss at all. James said that God cannot be tempted by sin and doesn't tempt anyone. This world may lie to us, fool us and leave us shaking our heads at how stupid people can be and how backwards, but God is still good. Some days we may feel like the hind end of a dog that has been kicked, but God is still good. Terrible things may happen, but God is still good. Everything may change in my life, my dog might try to bite me, but God is still good. I can count on that truth and depend on it. It is a constant in the universe.
"The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him."
When I think about that verse, I think about the troubles I was going through. I had just been laid off for the first and only time in my life. Looking back on it, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me, but I didn't see it that way at the time. I really needed a stronghold then and also do every day of this hot, boring summer we are going through now. I need just as much now for God to be that stronghold to protect me from harm and to guide my path and to help me avoid sin and trouble.
Jersualem was a stronghold like what the prophet is talking about. It was a walled city on a mountain referred to in scripture as Mt.Zion. David picked it as his capital for that reason. Because it would be hard to defeat someone in that kind of stronghold. God has also promised to be that kind of stronghold for us. He doesn't forget like I do. If you tell me two things i will forget one. God doesn't forget those who are His or what they have done. You will be rewarded for being faithful. You'll be rewarded for the little things, the people you helped, the encouraging words you said, the faithfulness at your job, the cold cup of water you gave someone on a hot day. The Bible tells us that when we do it to the least of these it is like we are doing it for Him and He won't forget it.
The first part of that verse is also critical. "God is good." John said that God is light and in Him is no darkenss at all. James said that God cannot be tempted by sin and doesn't tempt anyone. This world may lie to us, fool us and leave us shaking our heads at how stupid people can be and how backwards, but God is still good. Some days we may feel like the hind end of a dog that has been kicked, but God is still good. Terrible things may happen, but God is still good. Everything may change in my life, my dog might try to bite me, but God is still good. I can count on that truth and depend on it. It is a constant in the universe.
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