"But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death; And their body is fat. they are not in trouble as other men; Nor are they plagued like mankind. . " Psalm 73:2-5
""It was troublesome in my sight. Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end." Psalm 73:16-b17
Lately, the stories that some of my clients have been telling me are very sad. Most of the clients I have heard about lately talk about parents who either neglected or abused them. They talk about times when parents neglected to be watchful, was physically abusive or permissive or sexually abused them. I told my supervisor that in some cases, I think it would have been better if they had been raised by wolves. At least wolves would feed and clean their young.
In fact, a look at the world around us would make it seem that if there is a god he is rather cruel. Since the innocent often die young or are ill treated by those who are evil. Children are often victims of abuse and neglect and those who don't know better are taken advantage of. I think that is part of what the psalmist was seeing here. That if we simply look at what is going on around us, we see that life is often times very unfair. That is the part where he says, "my feet almost slipped." In other words, I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing. How could a loving God allow this to happen. I think if your going to be honest as a christian, at some point you have to struggle and come to terms with the fact that we don't live in a safe or always kind world. The beautful things of this world often get run over and crushed by the ambitious or greedy.
That is exactly how I have felt several times lately. I recall one man telling me how he was physically and emotionally abused as a child and it left me speechless. As I thought about what it must have been like growing up in that family, I just could not find a word to say. Finally, I just said, "That is incredibly sad." A person growing up in a environment like that, what do they even think when we refer to God as "Father"? When that word "Father" brings to mine a tyrant who beats his children. Not only that, but often times these evil people, despite what CPS does or whatever else happens, seem to get away with it.
The psalmist said that he felt that way until he entered the sanctuary of God. Then he realized that at the end of their lives, they had to stand and face God. They may have had safety and security here on earth, but all of their deeds would be one day answered for. That God will take the wounded under his wing and bring healing and will judge and deal with the abuser. That there is no "getting away with things."
"The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry." Psalm 34:15
"The righteous cry and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. And saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Church Part 2
This post is a response to a comment made in a previous post about the church. I mentioned what my ideal church would be like knowing full well that there is no ideal church. Because the church is made up of imperfect people. Many people lead to many different viewpoints and many different places in maturity in the faith. I also think, that there are probably many people who go to church week in and week out that are not really believers at all, but think that they are. Jesus said that until the end, the wheat and the tares would grow together. That is what you have today.
So what needs to change to make the church better? One thing, is honest to God revival of the true church. I don't mean meetings and a guest speaker or special music. I'm not sure that singing is necessary at all. In fact, singing sometimes seems to me a little like the orchestra playing while the Titanic was sinking. Rather revival starts with personal acknowledgement of sin and repentance. It starts with honest to God soul searching about what we have done wrong and asking God to forgive us for it. It starts with honest sorrow over sin and how it grieves God. Without true revival, I'm afraid the church will slip into an apostacy that the Bible warns about. Maybe it already has. Without it, the church has grow complacent with sin in its midst.
I think one of the things that the church needs to repent of is a lukewarm relationship with God. I know that there are times when my prayer life has been better than it is now. To some degree, most of us have grown use to keeping God at a distance. At a distance from certain areas of our lives and certain subjects that we don't mention in prayer. A truly vital relationship with God, which is the key to true revival, starts when we are willing to surrender every area of our lives to God. Without that surrender, we are just making noise.
The other thing I have already mentioned numerous times on this blog, it is christians getting right with their neighbors and each other. It is hypocrisy to say that you love God and then hate other people. God doesn't buy it and neither does the world that watches us. If church members have things against each other then they need to stop what they are doing and go to each other and ask for forgiveness. Make it right and make amends. Stop and ask for forgiveness. Show some mercy. You can't get right with God and then continue on holding on to grudges and complaints against each other. John said in 1 John that your a liar if you say you love God and don't love your neighbor.
Along with what I mentioned earlier about a lukewarm relationship with God is a determination that things will change and making a concrete plan for change. If you keep doing the same thing and expect different results then your a fool. As unspiritual as it may sound, I think making a plan about how your going to grow in your faith is important. Maybe the plan is setting aside a place and time to meet with God daily or reading through a part of the Bible you haven't read or buying a devotional. Something that will help you work toward progress in a concrete and meaningful way.
So what needs to change to make the church better? One thing, is honest to God revival of the true church. I don't mean meetings and a guest speaker or special music. I'm not sure that singing is necessary at all. In fact, singing sometimes seems to me a little like the orchestra playing while the Titanic was sinking. Rather revival starts with personal acknowledgement of sin and repentance. It starts with honest to God soul searching about what we have done wrong and asking God to forgive us for it. It starts with honest sorrow over sin and how it grieves God. Without true revival, I'm afraid the church will slip into an apostacy that the Bible warns about. Maybe it already has. Without it, the church has grow complacent with sin in its midst.
I think one of the things that the church needs to repent of is a lukewarm relationship with God. I know that there are times when my prayer life has been better than it is now. To some degree, most of us have grown use to keeping God at a distance. At a distance from certain areas of our lives and certain subjects that we don't mention in prayer. A truly vital relationship with God, which is the key to true revival, starts when we are willing to surrender every area of our lives to God. Without that surrender, we are just making noise.
The other thing I have already mentioned numerous times on this blog, it is christians getting right with their neighbors and each other. It is hypocrisy to say that you love God and then hate other people. God doesn't buy it and neither does the world that watches us. If church members have things against each other then they need to stop what they are doing and go to each other and ask for forgiveness. Make it right and make amends. Stop and ask for forgiveness. Show some mercy. You can't get right with God and then continue on holding on to grudges and complaints against each other. John said in 1 John that your a liar if you say you love God and don't love your neighbor.
Along with what I mentioned earlier about a lukewarm relationship with God is a determination that things will change and making a concrete plan for change. If you keep doing the same thing and expect different results then your a fool. As unspiritual as it may sound, I think making a plan about how your going to grow in your faith is important. Maybe the plan is setting aside a place and time to meet with God daily or reading through a part of the Bible you haven't read or buying a devotional. Something that will help you work toward progress in a concrete and meaningful way.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Church
I know people may get sick of hearing my rantings against the church. I don't want for this post to be a continuation of that. The church has its problems, but I want to get beyond that. I want to talk a little about what I wish for and what I want in a church.
I grew up in a church that was in a area that was really growing and during the time of my childhood we saw the church grow from a few dozen members to well over two thousand. It seems a least from the outside looking in that everyone got along with each other. Though I am sure that was an illusion now. But, it is easier to overlook some things and feel good about things when the church is growing and the bills are getting paid. It seems we have the tendency the most to turn on each other when money is tight and membership is dropping. Unfortunately for me, both the churches I pastored were in areas of stagnant growth or declining growth.
In my ideal church, it would be nice to see a church where people loved each other despite their problems. A lot of times people assume the worst in each other. I had a lot of times when people made assumptions about me without all the facts. The other thing that people may not realize is that when you gossip about someone a lot of times word gets back to the person about what you said and it hurts. I really think if you really thought the person was listening to what you were saying about them then most of us would have a whole lot less to say.
It really makes me wonder what God thinks of our worship when our actions and our words don't line up with each other. I mean, in the Old Testament, when that happened God said to Israel that their worship was an offense to him. He actually told them to stop bringing to them their sacrifices and to start actually doing what they were suppose to. We may be good at seperating our daily life from worship, but it doesn't appear to me that God is. In fact, it seems that how I live my life is a kind of worship to God. It is a way of honoring God by doing what I say.
I grew up in a church that was in a area that was really growing and during the time of my childhood we saw the church grow from a few dozen members to well over two thousand. It seems a least from the outside looking in that everyone got along with each other. Though I am sure that was an illusion now. But, it is easier to overlook some things and feel good about things when the church is growing and the bills are getting paid. It seems we have the tendency the most to turn on each other when money is tight and membership is dropping. Unfortunately for me, both the churches I pastored were in areas of stagnant growth or declining growth.
In my ideal church, it would be nice to see a church where people loved each other despite their problems. A lot of times people assume the worst in each other. I had a lot of times when people made assumptions about me without all the facts. The other thing that people may not realize is that when you gossip about someone a lot of times word gets back to the person about what you said and it hurts. I really think if you really thought the person was listening to what you were saying about them then most of us would have a whole lot less to say.
It really makes me wonder what God thinks of our worship when our actions and our words don't line up with each other. I mean, in the Old Testament, when that happened God said to Israel that their worship was an offense to him. He actually told them to stop bringing to them their sacrifices and to start actually doing what they were suppose to. We may be good at seperating our daily life from worship, but it doesn't appear to me that God is. In fact, it seems that how I live my life is a kind of worship to God. It is a way of honoring God by doing what I say.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Grieving God
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30
I've spent most of my life until recently in the church. As someone who has been a part of numerous congregations over the years, I don't think we take the command in Ephesians 4:30 seriously enough. How can we actually grieve the heart of God? I believe it is in the way we treat each other. God's commands to us are firm, love God and love each other.
Typically, it seems most church fights and disagreements don't start over big things. Most churches fight not over whether or not Jesus is God or some point of theology, but rather what color carpet they are going to buy or something that in the long run is not that important after all. We'll go 10 rounds with each other over something trivial because it is an issue of control and power, not something spiritual, but carnal. The world sees that and we end up losing our witness also. Because the world realizes that we aren't any different than them.
In doing so, God sees the fights that go on between believers and takes his hand of blessing off the church. The church loses its power and effectiveness. And you know what? God would allow a church like that to completely die and close its doors rather than continue. That is how serious he takes it when his children fight each other. He would rather have no church at all that a lukewarm, ineffective church. The truth of the matter is, that he doesn't really need us that bad.
Jesus said that if you come to the altar and there realize you have something against your brother to leave your offering at the altar and go and be reconciled with your brother. The thing is, that many churches don't take that to heart. And believer sits in the congregation with believer and they aren't even speaking to each other, yet expect God to still bless the church. Then wonder why he isn't. It's because God has removed his hand of blessing on things until we do things his way and not our own. This is the key I think to revival in the church in this country. We need to realize God isn't going to honor things until it is done his way. The answer isn't to have some new program or youth group or a guest speaker. The key is to honor God and get right with each other.
When I was in Philippi, West Virginia, there was a church outside of town where the church voted out the trustees of the church. As a result, the trustees responded by locking the doors of the church and not letting anyone inside to worship. The church actually met out in the parking lot for several weeks for worship service because they couldn't get inside! Sometimes I think it is at least as difficult for the Holy Spirit to get inside some churches.
I heard about a man who went to a church dressed in jeans and was dressed down for the particular church he was going to. The church members kinda looked at him and made remarks but nobody said anything to him. Nobody greeted him until the pastor came over and spoke to the man and asked him to go home and pray about what God would have him wear to church.
A week goes by and the man comes back to church dressed pretty much the same way. The pastor sees him from the pulpit and to congregation looking back at him and making remarks. Again, nobody bothers to greet him or welcome him. The pastor approaches the man after the service and asks him, "Did you go home and pray about what the Lord would have you wear to church here?" The man replied, "Yes, I did. And God said, that He wouldn't know since he hasn't ever been in that church."
God forgive us for the way we treat each other. Let me finish the chapter I quoted at the beginning, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
I've spent most of my life until recently in the church. As someone who has been a part of numerous congregations over the years, I don't think we take the command in Ephesians 4:30 seriously enough. How can we actually grieve the heart of God? I believe it is in the way we treat each other. God's commands to us are firm, love God and love each other.
Typically, it seems most church fights and disagreements don't start over big things. Most churches fight not over whether or not Jesus is God or some point of theology, but rather what color carpet they are going to buy or something that in the long run is not that important after all. We'll go 10 rounds with each other over something trivial because it is an issue of control and power, not something spiritual, but carnal. The world sees that and we end up losing our witness also. Because the world realizes that we aren't any different than them.
In doing so, God sees the fights that go on between believers and takes his hand of blessing off the church. The church loses its power and effectiveness. And you know what? God would allow a church like that to completely die and close its doors rather than continue. That is how serious he takes it when his children fight each other. He would rather have no church at all that a lukewarm, ineffective church. The truth of the matter is, that he doesn't really need us that bad.
Jesus said that if you come to the altar and there realize you have something against your brother to leave your offering at the altar and go and be reconciled with your brother. The thing is, that many churches don't take that to heart. And believer sits in the congregation with believer and they aren't even speaking to each other, yet expect God to still bless the church. Then wonder why he isn't. It's because God has removed his hand of blessing on things until we do things his way and not our own. This is the key I think to revival in the church in this country. We need to realize God isn't going to honor things until it is done his way. The answer isn't to have some new program or youth group or a guest speaker. The key is to honor God and get right with each other.
When I was in Philippi, West Virginia, there was a church outside of town where the church voted out the trustees of the church. As a result, the trustees responded by locking the doors of the church and not letting anyone inside to worship. The church actually met out in the parking lot for several weeks for worship service because they couldn't get inside! Sometimes I think it is at least as difficult for the Holy Spirit to get inside some churches.
I heard about a man who went to a church dressed in jeans and was dressed down for the particular church he was going to. The church members kinda looked at him and made remarks but nobody said anything to him. Nobody greeted him until the pastor came over and spoke to the man and asked him to go home and pray about what God would have him wear to church.
A week goes by and the man comes back to church dressed pretty much the same way. The pastor sees him from the pulpit and to congregation looking back at him and making remarks. Again, nobody bothers to greet him or welcome him. The pastor approaches the man after the service and asks him, "Did you go home and pray about what the Lord would have you wear to church here?" The man replied, "Yes, I did. And God said, that He wouldn't know since he hasn't ever been in that church."
God forgive us for the way we treat each other. Let me finish the chapter I quoted at the beginning, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
Friday, October 15, 2010
Dark Days for David
1 Samuel 30 tells the story of David and his victory over the Amalekites. In those days David lived among the Philistines because he had fled from Saul who was seeking to kill him. But, the Philistines still mistrusted David because he had at one time been in Saul's army and leader of his forces. So, when they are preparing to go into battle against Israel, they tell David that he cannot go with them.
So, it happens that as David returns home he finds that the village that his family lives in has been attacked. All of his children and wives and those of his army have been taken captive. In 1 Samuel 30:5-6 it says that the men were in so much distress that they thought of killing David by stoning him. But, then it goes on to say that "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." verse 6. David then took steps to seek God's face by calling for the priest and what is called the ephod.
David's question to the Lord at that time was "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" verse 8 I like it that David doesn't assume anything. David asked for God's guidance and was prepared to wait on God's word to come to him. It seems that when God's people do make assumptions as to God's will they get into trouble. But, when they wait on the Lord they grow stronger. It is easy to be impatient and to assume. Or to neglect to even ask what God wants in the matter. But, that is what David took the time to do. God not only answers him, but tells him that he will achieve a victory and rescue "all". Important words of comfort to a man who is worried he just lost his entire family.
A good example of a time when the people of God didn't seek the guidance of God is found in Joshua 7. The people are really feeling proud of themselves for the victory over the people of Jericho. Immediately after that battle they faced a place called Ai. Joshua sends spies out to Ai to see how big the city is. A report comes back from the spies that says in essence, "Don't send all the people. Just a few thousand will be enough to defeat them." Joshua never does seek guidance from God. As a result, the people are chased home in defeat. It is an example to us of the importance of giving our plans and goals to God. Allowing him to change them, bless them or reject them as he sees fit.
So, it happens that as David returns home he finds that the village that his family lives in has been attacked. All of his children and wives and those of his army have been taken captive. In 1 Samuel 30:5-6 it says that the men were in so much distress that they thought of killing David by stoning him. But, then it goes on to say that "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." verse 6. David then took steps to seek God's face by calling for the priest and what is called the ephod.
David's question to the Lord at that time was "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" verse 8 I like it that David doesn't assume anything. David asked for God's guidance and was prepared to wait on God's word to come to him. It seems that when God's people do make assumptions as to God's will they get into trouble. But, when they wait on the Lord they grow stronger. It is easy to be impatient and to assume. Or to neglect to even ask what God wants in the matter. But, that is what David took the time to do. God not only answers him, but tells him that he will achieve a victory and rescue "all". Important words of comfort to a man who is worried he just lost his entire family.
A good example of a time when the people of God didn't seek the guidance of God is found in Joshua 7. The people are really feeling proud of themselves for the victory over the people of Jericho. Immediately after that battle they faced a place called Ai. Joshua sends spies out to Ai to see how big the city is. A report comes back from the spies that says in essence, "Don't send all the people. Just a few thousand will be enough to defeat them." Joshua never does seek guidance from God. As a result, the people are chased home in defeat. It is an example to us of the importance of giving our plans and goals to God. Allowing him to change them, bless them or reject them as he sees fit.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Captain of the army
I was driving by the library a little earlier today in town. This is where the voting booths usually are and I was wondering if they were doing early voting. It appeared that many people were in the room that is usually reserved for voting or the ongoing and never ending book sale they have the rest of the time. It got me to thinking if Jesus were on earth would he vote? Who would he vote for? That led me to think about a passage where many think Jesus make a preincarnate visitation to earth to speak with Joshua. It is found in Joshua 5:13-15
"Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or our adversaries?"
"And he said, "No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord." It response to this Joshua bows down to him. The captain of the Lord's hosts responds,
"Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." and Joshua did so."
I say that this is a preincarnate Jesus because of the response of the captain is to tell Joshua to take off his shoes. Much like God commanded Moses when he went to look at the burning bush. The ground is holy due to the presence of the Lord. One thing that struck me about this passage is that when asked if he was for or against them, the Lord did not respond, "Of course, I am with you." But, rather Jesus responds here by saying, "No. I am a captain of the Lord's hosts." He had an opportunity to say that he was a part of Israel and that was the flag that he was for, but he doesn't say that. Rather, Jesus is not as concerned about Joshua's kingdom or Israel's or anyone else's rather than God's kingdom.
That just seems like a very important distinction to make to me.
Another preincarnate vision of Jesus is at Daniel 3:24-25
"Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or our adversaries?"
"And he said, "No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord." It response to this Joshua bows down to him. The captain of the Lord's hosts responds,
"Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." and Joshua did so."
I say that this is a preincarnate Jesus because of the response of the captain is to tell Joshua to take off his shoes. Much like God commanded Moses when he went to look at the burning bush. The ground is holy due to the presence of the Lord. One thing that struck me about this passage is that when asked if he was for or against them, the Lord did not respond, "Of course, I am with you." But, rather Jesus responds here by saying, "No. I am a captain of the Lord's hosts." He had an opportunity to say that he was a part of Israel and that was the flag that he was for, but he doesn't say that. Rather, Jesus is not as concerned about Joshua's kingdom or Israel's or anyone else's rather than God's kingdom.
That just seems like a very important distinction to make to me.
Another preincarnate vision of Jesus is at Daniel 3:24-25
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Water to Wine
"And when the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus, said to Him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."" John 2:4-5 NASV
I was recently looking at a book by Jack Miles about Jesus. He talks at length about this exchange from Jesus and Mary. Jesus has begun to establish his earthly ministry and has started to gather disciples around him and they are invited to a wedding. Some days in the ceremony, the wine gives out. Some think that perhaps Mary had some role in the wedding to help provide for the ceremony, but that is not necessary to the story. Mary realizes that this is a huge embarrasement to the family and in her own way tries to help. Somewhere along the way, she has realized that it is a good idea to bring these kinds of problems to her eldest son, who happens to be Jesus.
Jesus' words sound harsh to us because we don't particularly know for certain how this was phrased or caught by Mary. It seems though, that Jesus was stating to her that though he obeyed her under her roof for many years as her son, now things were changing. No longer was she the one who would be telling Jesus what to do. Now Jesus is following the leading of the Spirit to do the work of the Father. Yet, it is a good example for us to follow that Mary shows us, that we should bring things to Jesus.
Another good lesson from Mary is what she tells the servants. It seems to suggest from her words that she has seen Jesus solve problems before, if not to do miralces. It also seems to suggest that she wants the servants to understand that no matter how odd or unusal the request may be, they are not to question, but to obey. Mary has come to see that sometimes Jesus' words and commands did not always make sense at first, but to trust Him anyway. That is a good lesson for us as well.
Unlike raising Lazarus from the dead or healing the blind to see this miralce may have gone unnoticed by many in the party that day. Jesus himself did not raise his hands or shout or draw attention to himself. Yet, he responds in compassion to those in need. He simply says, "Fill the waterpots with water." Seems like an odd thing to do. The waterpots were for ceremonial washing. Some have said that this is to show that the need for the old ceremonies are over and that something new has come. As much as wine is better than water. Perhaps that is part of the idea, but I don't think John had that in mind when he wrote it. Rather, it seems these pots, which were pretty large, were the ones available at the time.
After Jesus is born, we hear very little from Mary throughout the gospels only to see her briefly once or twice and then again at the cross and resurrection. Yet, Jesus has shown to her through the way he was raised and by his wisdom that he understands how to solve problems. He cares about the little and big things. And it would be right for us to do what Mary says and does here and to bring it to him and then to do what he says.
I was recently looking at a book by Jack Miles about Jesus. He talks at length about this exchange from Jesus and Mary. Jesus has begun to establish his earthly ministry and has started to gather disciples around him and they are invited to a wedding. Some days in the ceremony, the wine gives out. Some think that perhaps Mary had some role in the wedding to help provide for the ceremony, but that is not necessary to the story. Mary realizes that this is a huge embarrasement to the family and in her own way tries to help. Somewhere along the way, she has realized that it is a good idea to bring these kinds of problems to her eldest son, who happens to be Jesus.
Jesus' words sound harsh to us because we don't particularly know for certain how this was phrased or caught by Mary. It seems though, that Jesus was stating to her that though he obeyed her under her roof for many years as her son, now things were changing. No longer was she the one who would be telling Jesus what to do. Now Jesus is following the leading of the Spirit to do the work of the Father. Yet, it is a good example for us to follow that Mary shows us, that we should bring things to Jesus.
Another good lesson from Mary is what she tells the servants. It seems to suggest from her words that she has seen Jesus solve problems before, if not to do miralces. It also seems to suggest that she wants the servants to understand that no matter how odd or unusal the request may be, they are not to question, but to obey. Mary has come to see that sometimes Jesus' words and commands did not always make sense at first, but to trust Him anyway. That is a good lesson for us as well.
Unlike raising Lazarus from the dead or healing the blind to see this miralce may have gone unnoticed by many in the party that day. Jesus himself did not raise his hands or shout or draw attention to himself. Yet, he responds in compassion to those in need. He simply says, "Fill the waterpots with water." Seems like an odd thing to do. The waterpots were for ceremonial washing. Some have said that this is to show that the need for the old ceremonies are over and that something new has come. As much as wine is better than water. Perhaps that is part of the idea, but I don't think John had that in mind when he wrote it. Rather, it seems these pots, which were pretty large, were the ones available at the time.
After Jesus is born, we hear very little from Mary throughout the gospels only to see her briefly once or twice and then again at the cross and resurrection. Yet, Jesus has shown to her through the way he was raised and by his wisdom that he understands how to solve problems. He cares about the little and big things. And it would be right for us to do what Mary says and does here and to bring it to him and then to do what he says.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
God is Spirit
In the gospel of John, Jesus is talking to a woman who came to a well. It says that Jesus spoke to her asking for water (John 4:7). Then came a long discussion about where the place was that it was appropriate to worship God. Jesus replied to her that God is Spirit and those who worship Him, must worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). I was thinking about what this means that God is spirit.
The last few weeks, there have been a lot of football games on television. It isn't uncommon for there to be a hundred thousand people gathered for one game. A lot of times you will see pictures taken from a blimp from the sky looking down on the stadium. The people simply look like dots on the ground. When I see a picture like that, I think to myself that all those people and God knows each one of them. God not only knows them, but knows even how many hairs are on each head (Luke 12:7). God not only knows those people, but everyone else as well. God not only sees them, but sees everyone else as well, whether hidden or in plain sight, God sees it all.
God can do this because God is in infinite, but also because God is spirit (Jeremiah 23:23-24). In other words, He isn't limited to time and space and a body. He sees what is happening on distant stars that our satellite and telescopes can't even see, but also sees you and me. Not only does he see us, but he sees our motives and intentions and our hearts. He sees it all in a moment in time, with no review needed, no pondering, no doubt, no questioning. How in the world God can keep track of the almost 6 billion people in the world is something only God knows. But, part of my point here, is that God is not like us. God doesn't have the same limitations that we do. That God doesn't get sleepy or tired or was out shopping and not paying attention.
I have a tendency to think of God as a person to the point that I limit him sometimes. But, though he is friend, he is also transcendant over all. Though he is an active part in redeeming mankind, he is not a man. His ways are infinitely higher than mine as much as the heaven are over the earth (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The last few weeks, there have been a lot of football games on television. It isn't uncommon for there to be a hundred thousand people gathered for one game. A lot of times you will see pictures taken from a blimp from the sky looking down on the stadium. The people simply look like dots on the ground. When I see a picture like that, I think to myself that all those people and God knows each one of them. God not only knows them, but knows even how many hairs are on each head (Luke 12:7). God not only knows those people, but everyone else as well. God not only sees them, but sees everyone else as well, whether hidden or in plain sight, God sees it all.
God can do this because God is in infinite, but also because God is spirit (Jeremiah 23:23-24). In other words, He isn't limited to time and space and a body. He sees what is happening on distant stars that our satellite and telescopes can't even see, but also sees you and me. Not only does he see us, but he sees our motives and intentions and our hearts. He sees it all in a moment in time, with no review needed, no pondering, no doubt, no questioning. How in the world God can keep track of the almost 6 billion people in the world is something only God knows. But, part of my point here, is that God is not like us. God doesn't have the same limitations that we do. That God doesn't get sleepy or tired or was out shopping and not paying attention.
I have a tendency to think of God as a person to the point that I limit him sometimes. But, though he is friend, he is also transcendant over all. Though he is an active part in redeeming mankind, he is not a man. His ways are infinitely higher than mine as much as the heaven are over the earth (Isaiah 55:8-9).
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