Deuteronomy 15:7-11
We all have seen them, standing on the sides of the roads, often near the intersection, with the handwritten sign asking for a handout. Maybe we’ve seen them when we are leaving the grocery store or the local McDonald’s, asking for change to get a bite to eat. The poor, the down-and-out, the homeless. In our Old Testament reading today, we read of the way the Lord God wishes us to treat them.
People generally have one of three reactions to the poor. Many people feel that the poor are in their circumstance through some fault of their own. This may be the case in some instances, but certainly not always. There are some people who do have compassion on the poor, and help to the best of their ability. The third group of people, possibly the largest group, are those who just prefer to not see the poor. They don’t especially judge them, but on the other hand they don’t want to feel compelled to part with their own hard-earned, often meager resources.
What does God’s Word say? This is something that really almost doesn’t need to be asked, as there are countless verses that speak of God’s care and compassion for the poor. He cares about the poor, the orphans, and the widows. Both the books of Proverbs and Psalms contain many verses that give both comfort to the poor, and admonitions for us to help them. Many of the Old Testament prophets spoke out to both the people of Israel and Judah, saying that the judgment of the Lord would come upon them, partly due to their oppression of the poor, orphans, and widows.
As we read from our Scripture passage, God warns His people from being hard-hearted and tight fisted against the poor (vs 7). We see them on the street, or hear a pledge drive for a local homeless shelter, and do we think to ourselves that it’s their own fault, they got that way due to drugs or alcohol, and then use that to justify in our minds why we shouldn’t help? God rebukes both hardness of heart and the closed hand. God wants us to respond with love to the poor, no matter who or what is the cause, and not use that as an excuse to turn away.
Instead, He wants us to be kind-hearted and generous when we help the less fortunate (vs 8, 10). Some people fear that if they give to help the poor, they might become one of the poor themselves. God has promised we will lack nothing when we give to the poor (Proverbs 28:27). The Lord Jesus promised that when we give, what we give will be multiplied back and overflowing (Luke 6:38).
When we do follow that prick to our conscience and give, how do we feel? Are we quietly sighing within ourselves, thinking there goes that movie we wanted to go see or that dinner out at the new restaurant in town? Are we fishing in our wallet for the smallest bill we can find? How many feel that way when the offering basket is passed during church? God tells us here to open our hands wide and willingly give. Our attitude should not be of grudgingly giving, but instead one of warmth and generosity. As Paul said in II Corinthians 9:7, God loves a cheerful giver.
The idea of verse 11 is also one that Jesus repeated when people were criticising a woman for anointing Him, saying that she should have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. Jesus responded to their hypocrisy by saying there will always be the poor among us (Matthew 26:11). Since there will always be poor, we are always to be generous.
One thing we should always keep in mind, everything we have has come from God. He blesses us so that we can bless others.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 29, 2018
When Storms Rage
Mark 4:35-41
The wind howls with a heavy downpour of rain. Bolts of lightning flash across the sky, followed by loud claps of thunder. Where I live in the Chicago area, we get frequent strong thunderstorms like this. My son and I enjoy sitting on the front porch in safety, and watch these storms. However we’ve never been in a storm on the sea, which can be dangerous. Today we read of the disciples out on the Sea of Galilee in the midst of such a storm. Let’s read of their experience, and see how it can strengthen our faith.
After a very busy time of teaching and ministering to the crowds of people, Jesus wanted to take the apostles off by themselves to rest, so He instructs them to get in a boat and cross over the Sea of Galilee (vs 35 - 36). The Sea of Galilee is actually a lake, with the Jordan River entering in the north and exiting in the south. It is approximately 8 miles wide and 13 miles long at its greatest points. The Sea of Galilee lies approximately 680 feet below sea level, making it the lowest freshwater lake on earth. The lake is surrounded by large hills, and winds tend to intensify there. These can cause frequent strong and unexpected storms on the lake.
It was one of these sudden storms that hit the disciples that day. Several of the disciples, such as Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen, and earned their living on the Sea of Galilee. Several other of the twelve disciples grew up near the lake, and were familiar with these storms, and yet this storm was so severe it caused them to fear and panic. The waves were extraordinarily high, washing over the sides of the boat, threatening to bring it down (vs 37). Satan frequently throws such storms into our lives.
As the storm was raging, the disciples look over to Jesus. He could help them in this situation, they must have thought. However when they looked around for Him, there was Jesus in the back of the boat, fast asleep (vs 38). Doesn’t He care they wondered, and even asked Him when they woke Him up.
We may not be on a boat during a storm, but we all are in, or have gone through, a storm of some sort. Our storm may be a catastrophic illness we, or someone we love faces. Perhaps someone has been unemployed, or at a low paying job, and the bills are piling up. The house may be slipping into foreclosure. Those are lightning strikes in the storm! How about a marriage falling apart, a spouse or parent who is violent and abusive. The types of storms we face are countless, and never seem to end.
We cry out to Jesus for help, just as these disciples did. Sometimes it seems as if He is asleep when we don’t get a response. It seemed to the disciples that Jesus was unaware or unconcerned. Jesus, though, does care. Jesus was asleep because, though He was fully God, He was also fully human and was exhausted. He knew that whatever He would face each day, He could trust and rest in the Father. In our storms we can either worry and assume Jesus doesn’t care, or we can resist fear and trust Him.
When Jesus awoke and saw the fear of the disciples, He immediately came to their rescue and spoke to the storm, bringing a halt to its force (vs 39). Storms normally subside gradually, but when the Creator gave the order the storm obeyed and stopped instantly.
After Jesus had calmed the storm, and the disciples were now safe, they questioned among themselves as to who exactly Jesus was. They had witnessed healings, and feeding multitudes, but here He was controlling nature! The disciples underestimated Him. Jesus was revealing to them that He was Lord of all nature. He was the Creator.
His power does apply to our own situation, as well. Jesus has the power to handle whatever crisis is in our life right now. When we have a storm outside of our boat, let the Master and Creator into our boat!
The wind howls with a heavy downpour of rain. Bolts of lightning flash across the sky, followed by loud claps of thunder. Where I live in the Chicago area, we get frequent strong thunderstorms like this. My son and I enjoy sitting on the front porch in safety, and watch these storms. However we’ve never been in a storm on the sea, which can be dangerous. Today we read of the disciples out on the Sea of Galilee in the midst of such a storm. Let’s read of their experience, and see how it can strengthen our faith.
After a very busy time of teaching and ministering to the crowds of people, Jesus wanted to take the apostles off by themselves to rest, so He instructs them to get in a boat and cross over the Sea of Galilee (vs 35 - 36). The Sea of Galilee is actually a lake, with the Jordan River entering in the north and exiting in the south. It is approximately 8 miles wide and 13 miles long at its greatest points. The Sea of Galilee lies approximately 680 feet below sea level, making it the lowest freshwater lake on earth. The lake is surrounded by large hills, and winds tend to intensify there. These can cause frequent strong and unexpected storms on the lake.
It was one of these sudden storms that hit the disciples that day. Several of the disciples, such as Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen, and earned their living on the Sea of Galilee. Several other of the twelve disciples grew up near the lake, and were familiar with these storms, and yet this storm was so severe it caused them to fear and panic. The waves were extraordinarily high, washing over the sides of the boat, threatening to bring it down (vs 37). Satan frequently throws such storms into our lives.
As the storm was raging, the disciples look over to Jesus. He could help them in this situation, they must have thought. However when they looked around for Him, there was Jesus in the back of the boat, fast asleep (vs 38). Doesn’t He care they wondered, and even asked Him when they woke Him up.
We may not be on a boat during a storm, but we all are in, or have gone through, a storm of some sort. Our storm may be a catastrophic illness we, or someone we love faces. Perhaps someone has been unemployed, or at a low paying job, and the bills are piling up. The house may be slipping into foreclosure. Those are lightning strikes in the storm! How about a marriage falling apart, a spouse or parent who is violent and abusive. The types of storms we face are countless, and never seem to end.
We cry out to Jesus for help, just as these disciples did. Sometimes it seems as if He is asleep when we don’t get a response. It seemed to the disciples that Jesus was unaware or unconcerned. Jesus, though, does care. Jesus was asleep because, though He was fully God, He was also fully human and was exhausted. He knew that whatever He would face each day, He could trust and rest in the Father. In our storms we can either worry and assume Jesus doesn’t care, or we can resist fear and trust Him.
When Jesus awoke and saw the fear of the disciples, He immediately came to their rescue and spoke to the storm, bringing a halt to its force (vs 39). Storms normally subside gradually, but when the Creator gave the order the storm obeyed and stopped instantly.
After Jesus had calmed the storm, and the disciples were now safe, they questioned among themselves as to who exactly Jesus was. They had witnessed healings, and feeding multitudes, but here He was controlling nature! The disciples underestimated Him. Jesus was revealing to them that He was Lord of all nature. He was the Creator.
His power does apply to our own situation, as well. Jesus has the power to handle whatever crisis is in our life right now. When we have a storm outside of our boat, let the Master and Creator into our boat!
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Ambassadors For Christ
II Corinthians 5:14-21
Occasionally in life two people in a family or a friendship have some type of disagreement and become estranged. They are no longer on good terms with each other. When this happens, sometimes it takes a third party to come between the two estranged parties and try to bring a reconciliation. In our Scripture passage today Paul writes to the Corinthians about the reconciling of God and mankind through His Son, Jesus.
There are two significant points Paul makes in this passage written to the Corinthian believers. The first is that when we come to Jesus for salvation, we become a new creation (vs 17). When we are saved our sins are forgiven, our guilt is removed, and we receive the Holy Spirit. We are born into His life with a new spirit and a new nature. When we were saved we didn’t just decide to change our ways. We began a new life with a new Master. Our desires and our goals should be conformed to His.
Paul said that “old things have passed away” when we become believers. Our old nature, its systems, priorities, beliefs, loves, and plans should leave and no longer control us. We are now living for eternity, not for temporal desires. A true believer cannot excuse their bad behavior and sinful attitudes by saying “that’s just the way I am”. That is the way you were. That person died with Christ. You are now a new creation. We should not let some bad behavior keep someone from coming to Christ. We no longer have to be defined by who we were before salvation.
The second significant point in our passage today is that because all are sinners, we are separated from God, but through the sacrificial death of Jesus, we can be reconciled with Him. God wants sinful people to be reconciled to Him. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He brings us back to Himself, reconciling us to Himself, and blotting out our sins. We are no longer God’s enemies when we trust Christ (vs 18-19).
Now that we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege, the job, of encouraging others to do the same. We have the ministry of reconciliation. God has entrusted us with the job of telling the world the message of the Gospel of salvation. Jesus’s death on our behalf is the only thing that will reconcile the world to the Father, and He has given us the task to tell that to the world.
Not only has God given us the task of bringing the word of reconciliation, He has called us to be His ambassadors (vs 20). An ambassador is a diplomat sent by one country to represent them to another country. We are Christ’s ambassadors to the world. A country takes special care to make sure that their ambassador will properly represent them, and not bring them shame. Similarly, we should not take this responsibility lightly.
As Paul closes this passage he give us another verse to describe what happened when Jesus died on the cross on our behalf (vs 21). On the cross, Jesus, He who had never once sinned, took on the sins of the world. This was so that we would not have to bear the penalty of our sins, which is eternal separation from God in hell. We exchange our sin for Jesus’s righteousness. Our sin was put on Him at His crucifixion. Jesus’s righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. Usually people will exchange things of equal value, but not here. God gave us something of immeasurable worth - Jesus’s righteousness, for something completely worthless - our sin.
We represent the family of God. the world judges God based on our behavior. Our deeds reflect an image of God, good or bad. We are to represent Jesus wherever we go. Who in your circle of influence needs to be reconciled to God? Who needs to find a friend in Jesus? He is making His appeal to the world through us.
Occasionally in life two people in a family or a friendship have some type of disagreement and become estranged. They are no longer on good terms with each other. When this happens, sometimes it takes a third party to come between the two estranged parties and try to bring a reconciliation. In our Scripture passage today Paul writes to the Corinthians about the reconciling of God and mankind through His Son, Jesus.
There are two significant points Paul makes in this passage written to the Corinthian believers. The first is that when we come to Jesus for salvation, we become a new creation (vs 17). When we are saved our sins are forgiven, our guilt is removed, and we receive the Holy Spirit. We are born into His life with a new spirit and a new nature. When we were saved we didn’t just decide to change our ways. We began a new life with a new Master. Our desires and our goals should be conformed to His.
Paul said that “old things have passed away” when we become believers. Our old nature, its systems, priorities, beliefs, loves, and plans should leave and no longer control us. We are now living for eternity, not for temporal desires. A true believer cannot excuse their bad behavior and sinful attitudes by saying “that’s just the way I am”. That is the way you were. That person died with Christ. You are now a new creation. We should not let some bad behavior keep someone from coming to Christ. We no longer have to be defined by who we were before salvation.
The second significant point in our passage today is that because all are sinners, we are separated from God, but through the sacrificial death of Jesus, we can be reconciled with Him. God wants sinful people to be reconciled to Him. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He brings us back to Himself, reconciling us to Himself, and blotting out our sins. We are no longer God’s enemies when we trust Christ (vs 18-19).
Now that we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege, the job, of encouraging others to do the same. We have the ministry of reconciliation. God has entrusted us with the job of telling the world the message of the Gospel of salvation. Jesus’s death on our behalf is the only thing that will reconcile the world to the Father, and He has given us the task to tell that to the world.
Not only has God given us the task of bringing the word of reconciliation, He has called us to be His ambassadors (vs 20). An ambassador is a diplomat sent by one country to represent them to another country. We are Christ’s ambassadors to the world. A country takes special care to make sure that their ambassador will properly represent them, and not bring them shame. Similarly, we should not take this responsibility lightly.
As Paul closes this passage he give us another verse to describe what happened when Jesus died on the cross on our behalf (vs 21). On the cross, Jesus, He who had never once sinned, took on the sins of the world. This was so that we would not have to bear the penalty of our sins, which is eternal separation from God in hell. We exchange our sin for Jesus’s righteousness. Our sin was put on Him at His crucifixion. Jesus’s righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. Usually people will exchange things of equal value, but not here. God gave us something of immeasurable worth - Jesus’s righteousness, for something completely worthless - our sin.
We represent the family of God. the world judges God based on our behavior. Our deeds reflect an image of God, good or bad. We are to represent Jesus wherever we go. Who in your circle of influence needs to be reconciled to God? Who needs to find a friend in Jesus? He is making His appeal to the world through us.
Monday, June 25, 2018
The Lord Brings Deliverance
Psalm 107
Like most Christians, I have several favorite psalms. Over the last few years our psalm today, Psalm 107, has joined the ranks as one of my several favorite psalms. All throughout this psalm the author proclaims that the Lord can bring us deliverance from anything that we go through. Let’s look at this psalm together and see the Lord’s deliverance for us, giving Him thanks and praise, and then tell everyone what He has done for us (vs 1 - 2).
As we read Psalm 107 we see how this psalm tells of four different types of people in distress, and how God rescues them. First there are those who are lost and wandering (vs 4-9). Then there are those in prison (vs 10-16). Thirdly are those who are sick (vs 17-20). Finally, the last group are those in storms (vs 23 - 30).
The first group the psalmist discusses are those who are lost and wandering (vs 4 - 9). Many folks at one time or another may find themselves physically lost. Perhaps the GPS failed them, or they misread a map, a wrong turn is made, and now they are lost. Sometimes if one is out in the wilderness getting lost can be quite serious, with a lack of food, water, or suitable shelter. Being lost also refers to each of us before we have come to Christ for salvation. Anyone who has not found salvation in Jesus is lost, hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that He alone is the Way. For those who are hungry and thirsty, Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:33), and Living Water (John 4:10-14). He is also the Giver of Rest (Matthew 11:28-30). God brings deliverance to all those who are lost and wandering from Him.
The second group our psalmist describes are those in prison (vs 10-16). People can find themselves in either a literal prison or a figurative one - one of addictions or emotional torments. Sometimes our prison is brought about because of our own sin (vs 11 - 12). However, when we cry out to God, He promises to bring us deliverance.
The third group who cry out to God in our Scripture passage today are those who are sick (vs 17 - 22). By no means is every sickness caused by sin. However, there are some times when poor choices in lifestyle or in one’s behavior will bring on illnesses, and it seems to be this that our psalmist is addressing here. Regardless of the reason for an illness, there is deliverance found in Jesus.
The final circumstance that the psalmist describes here is of those who find themselves in storms (vs 23 - 32). Again, this can refer to both literal storms or figurative storms. Though I enjoy watching thunderstorms from my front porch, if they get too wild they can be scary. I’m sure storms at sea, like described here, are even scarier. Storms in life can be equally scary. These storms seemingly toss us around just like a sailor on board a ship. Most of us have been through just such storms in life, or we are currently in one. The waves are towering over us, and our little boat is in danger of capsizing!
Where do we turn to? We are at wit’s end! (vs 27). As the psalmist says throughout this psalm, we need to cry out to the Lord in our trouble, and He will bring us out of our distress. Sometimes troubles can be a blessing in disguise if it is a problem that drives us to God. Let the trouble we face compel us to call upon Him. He wants to rescue us!
Like most Christians, I have several favorite psalms. Over the last few years our psalm today, Psalm 107, has joined the ranks as one of my several favorite psalms. All throughout this psalm the author proclaims that the Lord can bring us deliverance from anything that we go through. Let’s look at this psalm together and see the Lord’s deliverance for us, giving Him thanks and praise, and then tell everyone what He has done for us (vs 1 - 2).
As we read Psalm 107 we see how this psalm tells of four different types of people in distress, and how God rescues them. First there are those who are lost and wandering (vs 4-9). Then there are those in prison (vs 10-16). Thirdly are those who are sick (vs 17-20). Finally, the last group are those in storms (vs 23 - 30).
The first group the psalmist discusses are those who are lost and wandering (vs 4 - 9). Many folks at one time or another may find themselves physically lost. Perhaps the GPS failed them, or they misread a map, a wrong turn is made, and now they are lost. Sometimes if one is out in the wilderness getting lost can be quite serious, with a lack of food, water, or suitable shelter. Being lost also refers to each of us before we have come to Christ for salvation. Anyone who has not found salvation in Jesus is lost, hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that He alone is the Way. For those who are hungry and thirsty, Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:33), and Living Water (John 4:10-14). He is also the Giver of Rest (Matthew 11:28-30). God brings deliverance to all those who are lost and wandering from Him.
The second group our psalmist describes are those in prison (vs 10-16). People can find themselves in either a literal prison or a figurative one - one of addictions or emotional torments. Sometimes our prison is brought about because of our own sin (vs 11 - 12). However, when we cry out to God, He promises to bring us deliverance.
The third group who cry out to God in our Scripture passage today are those who are sick (vs 17 - 22). By no means is every sickness caused by sin. However, there are some times when poor choices in lifestyle or in one’s behavior will bring on illnesses, and it seems to be this that our psalmist is addressing here. Regardless of the reason for an illness, there is deliverance found in Jesus.
The final circumstance that the psalmist describes here is of those who find themselves in storms (vs 23 - 32). Again, this can refer to both literal storms or figurative storms. Though I enjoy watching thunderstorms from my front porch, if they get too wild they can be scary. I’m sure storms at sea, like described here, are even scarier. Storms in life can be equally scary. These storms seemingly toss us around just like a sailor on board a ship. Most of us have been through just such storms in life, or we are currently in one. The waves are towering over us, and our little boat is in danger of capsizing!
Where do we turn to? We are at wit’s end! (vs 27). As the psalmist says throughout this psalm, we need to cry out to the Lord in our trouble, and He will bring us out of our distress. Sometimes troubles can be a blessing in disguise if it is a problem that drives us to God. Let the trouble we face compel us to call upon Him. He wants to rescue us!
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Trials
Job 38:1-18
Our Old Testament reading today comes from the Book of Job. Many of you will know the account of Job recorded in the first several chapters of his book. He was a very wealthy, God-fearing man. Job had many herds of sheep, camels, and other cattle, along with ten children. However, unbeknownst to Job, Satan met with God, and he challenged the Almighty to take everything from Job, including his health, in order to see if Job would still be faithful to Him. Satan had permission then to destroy the herds and all he had, slay the children, and take away his health (Job 1-2).
The majority of the Book of Job relates the discourse between Job and his friends, how they were discussing why Job was going through these trials. His friends generally felt that there must have been something Job did to be so cursed, but he continually protested his innocence of doing anything to merit these judgments.
As the book progresses Job becomes more frustrated and upset with God, especially when he feels God is not answering his questions. He starts to become bitter. Here in Chapter 38, where our Scripture passage today picks up, God enters the scene. As verse 1 states, the Lord God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind. God has spoken to His children in many ways, most often through His Word, the Bible. God also speaks through the words of other believers, like He spoke to David through the words of the prophet Nathan (II Samuel 12:1-15). He has spoken to people through dreams, such as with both the Old Testament Joseph (Genesis 37:5-11), and the New Testament Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21), and through visions as He did to Peter (Acts 10:9-16). God spoke to many people through angels, as He did to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Here the Lord spoke to Job in a whirlwind. Are we alert and listening for His voice?
Because of all the things he was going through, Job had much anger and bitterness. Many of us, while going through very intense trials, have become angry with God. Job wanted answers from God, and was becoming very bitter. In chapters 38 - 41, God answers Job. Throughout this discourse God is speaking to Job, his friends, and to everyone. Here He redefines who is who in the universe. His words are intended to stun us, awaken us, and to cause us to bend our knee in homage to Him. God owes no man anything.
Often when we are upset at God due to our circumstances, we forget exactly to Whom we are addressing, as Job did. God is God, not ourselves. He is the Creator, and we are the created, as our passage today declares. God is the absolute authority. As believers, He is our Friend, but He is not our peer!
While Job was going through his trials, God did not reveal why these things were happening. So many of us question God as to why this or that happened. There is nothing wrong with that. It is when we forget our place and let our anger grow out of hand, even turning into bitterness, that it becomes sin. God owes no one any explanations. Are we as eternal, great, powerful, wise, and perfect as God? If not, then we are much better off to be quiet and trust Him.
We go through trials, and maybe even feel abandoned as Job did, but we need to remember that God has always been shown to be faithful. As Job learned after his discourse with God, whatever we go through, we need to submit to God’s authority, and rest in His care.
Our Old Testament reading today comes from the Book of Job. Many of you will know the account of Job recorded in the first several chapters of his book. He was a very wealthy, God-fearing man. Job had many herds of sheep, camels, and other cattle, along with ten children. However, unbeknownst to Job, Satan met with God, and he challenged the Almighty to take everything from Job, including his health, in order to see if Job would still be faithful to Him. Satan had permission then to destroy the herds and all he had, slay the children, and take away his health (Job 1-2).
The majority of the Book of Job relates the discourse between Job and his friends, how they were discussing why Job was going through these trials. His friends generally felt that there must have been something Job did to be so cursed, but he continually protested his innocence of doing anything to merit these judgments.
As the book progresses Job becomes more frustrated and upset with God, especially when he feels God is not answering his questions. He starts to become bitter. Here in Chapter 38, where our Scripture passage today picks up, God enters the scene. As verse 1 states, the Lord God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind. God has spoken to His children in many ways, most often through His Word, the Bible. God also speaks through the words of other believers, like He spoke to David through the words of the prophet Nathan (II Samuel 12:1-15). He has spoken to people through dreams, such as with both the Old Testament Joseph (Genesis 37:5-11), and the New Testament Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21), and through visions as He did to Peter (Acts 10:9-16). God spoke to many people through angels, as He did to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Here the Lord spoke to Job in a whirlwind. Are we alert and listening for His voice?
Because of all the things he was going through, Job had much anger and bitterness. Many of us, while going through very intense trials, have become angry with God. Job wanted answers from God, and was becoming very bitter. In chapters 38 - 41, God answers Job. Throughout this discourse God is speaking to Job, his friends, and to everyone. Here He redefines who is who in the universe. His words are intended to stun us, awaken us, and to cause us to bend our knee in homage to Him. God owes no man anything.
Often when we are upset at God due to our circumstances, we forget exactly to Whom we are addressing, as Job did. God is God, not ourselves. He is the Creator, and we are the created, as our passage today declares. God is the absolute authority. As believers, He is our Friend, but He is not our peer!
While Job was going through his trials, God did not reveal why these things were happening. So many of us question God as to why this or that happened. There is nothing wrong with that. It is when we forget our place and let our anger grow out of hand, even turning into bitterness, that it becomes sin. God owes no one any explanations. Are we as eternal, great, powerful, wise, and perfect as God? If not, then we are much better off to be quiet and trust Him.
We go through trials, and maybe even feel abandoned as Job did, but we need to remember that God has always been shown to be faithful. As Job learned after his discourse with God, whatever we go through, we need to submit to God’s authority, and rest in His care.
Friday, June 22, 2018
The Growing Seed And The Tiny Seed
Mark 4:26-34
Our Scripture reading today from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer continues the study from the Gospel of Mark. Today we take a look at a couple of very short parables Jesus told the people.
The first of these parables is the parable of the growing seed in verses 26 - 29. A person plants seeds in the earth. Days and nights pass, and the seeds slowly start to grow, though we cannot really fully explain how the germination and growth actually happens. Jesus tells His listeners that this can be compared to the Kingdom of God. When a person is saved, becoming a child of God, they do not have instant full insight into the Bible, or instant spirituality. The disciples spent three years learning directly under Jesus, and even then they had occasional faltering. Also the great Apostle Paul, after he was saved, spent several years apart with God in Arabia learning from Him, and then time with other believers before he started his ministry (Galatians 1:17-19). Spiritual growth is a continual process, which finally comes to fruition with spiritual maturity. It can be compared to the slow but steady growth of a plant. Plants need good soil in order to have good growth. In order to have good spiritual growth we need to feed ourselves regularly and daily with the Word of God.
When we witness to others, frequently the results may be slow in coming, just like the growth of a plant. When witnessing, the Word of God is presented to an individual. Some may get saved right away, or shortly thereafter. Many, however, take awhile to turn to the Lord. God is working in their hearts, and at the right moment He will reap a harvest in that individual, and save them (vs 29).
The second parable that Jesus told that day was one about the mustard seed, and is found in verses 30 - 32. Again, Jesus takes this parable to explain another point of the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed is not the smallest seed in existence, but it was the smallest seed the Jews at that time typically would have sowed in Israel. This very small seed grows into a large plant, one that birds can nest in. Christianity started very small, beginning with only 12 apostles, and having about 500 disciples by the time of the Ascension (I Corinthians 15:5-6), still a relatively small number. However, Christianity has since grown into a worldwide community of believers. There are times when we may feel alone, but we are not. There are faithful believers all around the world. Just like a tiny seed, like the mustard seed, the Church started small and grows large.
Finally, as our Scripture passage closes, Mark tells how Jesus frequently spoke to the people in parables, later explaining them to His apostles (vs. 33-34). Why did Jesus speak in parables? A lot of Jesus’s teachings were against people having hypocritical and impure motives. These were often characteristics of the Pharisees and other religious leaders who kept a watch over and were critical of His ministry. Sometimes Jesus did speak out against them, but if He had spoken against the religious leaders each and every time they deserved it, His public ministry would have been hampered. Thus, Jesus spoke frequently in parables. Those who listened carefully knew what He was talking about. Those who have no heart for God and who oppose His truth and Word, treat His message just as if it is a story and as nothing serious. Then there were those who came only for what they could get, such as a healing or meal. They weren’t interested in Jesus’s message, so He spoke in parables, knowing that those who were truly interested would glean the true message. To those who truly seek Him and His truth, Jesus will reveal Himself and His message.
Our Scripture reading today from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer continues the study from the Gospel of Mark. Today we take a look at a couple of very short parables Jesus told the people.
The first of these parables is the parable of the growing seed in verses 26 - 29. A person plants seeds in the earth. Days and nights pass, and the seeds slowly start to grow, though we cannot really fully explain how the germination and growth actually happens. Jesus tells His listeners that this can be compared to the Kingdom of God. When a person is saved, becoming a child of God, they do not have instant full insight into the Bible, or instant spirituality. The disciples spent three years learning directly under Jesus, and even then they had occasional faltering. Also the great Apostle Paul, after he was saved, spent several years apart with God in Arabia learning from Him, and then time with other believers before he started his ministry (Galatians 1:17-19). Spiritual growth is a continual process, which finally comes to fruition with spiritual maturity. It can be compared to the slow but steady growth of a plant. Plants need good soil in order to have good growth. In order to have good spiritual growth we need to feed ourselves regularly and daily with the Word of God.
When we witness to others, frequently the results may be slow in coming, just like the growth of a plant. When witnessing, the Word of God is presented to an individual. Some may get saved right away, or shortly thereafter. Many, however, take awhile to turn to the Lord. God is working in their hearts, and at the right moment He will reap a harvest in that individual, and save them (vs 29).
The second parable that Jesus told that day was one about the mustard seed, and is found in verses 30 - 32. Again, Jesus takes this parable to explain another point of the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed is not the smallest seed in existence, but it was the smallest seed the Jews at that time typically would have sowed in Israel. This very small seed grows into a large plant, one that birds can nest in. Christianity started very small, beginning with only 12 apostles, and having about 500 disciples by the time of the Ascension (I Corinthians 15:5-6), still a relatively small number. However, Christianity has since grown into a worldwide community of believers. There are times when we may feel alone, but we are not. There are faithful believers all around the world. Just like a tiny seed, like the mustard seed, the Church started small and grows large.
Finally, as our Scripture passage closes, Mark tells how Jesus frequently spoke to the people in parables, later explaining them to His apostles (vs. 33-34). Why did Jesus speak in parables? A lot of Jesus’s teachings were against people having hypocritical and impure motives. These were often characteristics of the Pharisees and other religious leaders who kept a watch over and were critical of His ministry. Sometimes Jesus did speak out against them, but if He had spoken against the religious leaders each and every time they deserved it, His public ministry would have been hampered. Thus, Jesus spoke frequently in parables. Those who listened carefully knew what He was talking about. Those who have no heart for God and who oppose His truth and Word, treat His message just as if it is a story and as nothing serious. Then there were those who came only for what they could get, such as a healing or meal. They weren’t interested in Jesus’s message, so He spoke in parables, knowing that those who were truly interested would glean the true message. To those who truly seek Him and His truth, Jesus will reveal Himself and His message.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
The Best Is Yet To Come
II Corinthians 5:1-10
As most of us grow older, we find our bodies wearing down. We can’t do the things we used to when younger, and certainly not as fast or as efficiently as before. For many, thoughts of aging can be depressing, along with fears of death. Here in Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, he gives believers hope for the future. Let’s take a look at this Scripture.
As Paul begins this passage he uses some metaphors, comparing our human, physical body with that of an earthly house or tent (vs 1). Like an earthly dwelling, our bodies wear down, and are also temporary. The “building from God” represents the believer’s resurrected, glorified body. Our earthly bodies make us groan. When we die we are not spirits without bodies (vs 2-3). We will have new, perfect bodies, without sickness, disease, or pain. Many of us have, or had, major illnesses or crippling accidents, which continue to afflict us day after day. These will all be gone when we receive our new bodies.
Unlike many people today, including some believers, Paul was not afraid to die (vs 6-8). Paul knew that when he passed from this life he would be immediately in the presence of Jesus. All pain and sorrow will then be gone and we will have fellowship with Jesus forever. For this reason, too, we need not fear death, either. The unknown can cause anxiety, but we have the hope and confidence of eternal life.
Here in the middle of our passage Paul gives a statement that should be a hallmark of believers who walk closely with the Lord (vs 7). As Christians we are to walk by faith, not by sight. When pilots are taught to fly an airplane they are instructed to trust the controls on the control panel, and not their own sight or feelings. This is particularly true when weather conditions like fog, clouds, or blizzards occur. Just like these pilots, we need to trust God, not what we see in our life or our circumstances, living by faith not our feelings. Worry and trust cannot abide together. Trusting in God will allow Him to work within us. We can walk by faith and not by sight because we have faith in the resurrection of our body. We do not need to fear death or suffering. When we get to heaven we will receive a perfect body, one that does not bear the marks of sin or this broken world. In verse 9, Paul instructs us that our aim and delight should be to please the Lord. No matter what the circumstances we face are, we need to trust and obey Jesus.
Finally, as Paul closes up our Scripture passage, he speaks of one event that will occur for believers after they have passed from this life. In verse 10 we read that all Christians must give an account for how they have lived. We also read of this, both in the Gospels and other of Paul’s Epistles (Matthew 16:27; Romans 14:10-12; and I Corinthians 3:10-15).
There are two different and distinct final judgments spoken of in the Bible. One is the Great White Throne Judgment, which is for the unsaved (Revelation 20:11-15). All believers’ names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). Believers will go before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is not a place of condemnation (Romans 8:1), but of accountability. We will be rewarded for the things we have done for Jesus, and our obedience to Him. Our good works do not save us, as the Bible make it very clear we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. However, after salvation we should be living lives and doing works that please the Lord (Ephesians 2:8-10). It is these works, those done after we are saved, that we are judged on, and rewarded for or not, accordingly.
Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Believers have the hope of both eternal life and a new glorified body to replace this worn out one we currently have. For those who have faith in Jesus, the best is yet to come!
As most of us grow older, we find our bodies wearing down. We can’t do the things we used to when younger, and certainly not as fast or as efficiently as before. For many, thoughts of aging can be depressing, along with fears of death. Here in Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, he gives believers hope for the future. Let’s take a look at this Scripture.
As Paul begins this passage he uses some metaphors, comparing our human, physical body with that of an earthly house or tent (vs 1). Like an earthly dwelling, our bodies wear down, and are also temporary. The “building from God” represents the believer’s resurrected, glorified body. Our earthly bodies make us groan. When we die we are not spirits without bodies (vs 2-3). We will have new, perfect bodies, without sickness, disease, or pain. Many of us have, or had, major illnesses or crippling accidents, which continue to afflict us day after day. These will all be gone when we receive our new bodies.
Unlike many people today, including some believers, Paul was not afraid to die (vs 6-8). Paul knew that when he passed from this life he would be immediately in the presence of Jesus. All pain and sorrow will then be gone and we will have fellowship with Jesus forever. For this reason, too, we need not fear death, either. The unknown can cause anxiety, but we have the hope and confidence of eternal life.
Here in the middle of our passage Paul gives a statement that should be a hallmark of believers who walk closely with the Lord (vs 7). As Christians we are to walk by faith, not by sight. When pilots are taught to fly an airplane they are instructed to trust the controls on the control panel, and not their own sight or feelings. This is particularly true when weather conditions like fog, clouds, or blizzards occur. Just like these pilots, we need to trust God, not what we see in our life or our circumstances, living by faith not our feelings. Worry and trust cannot abide together. Trusting in God will allow Him to work within us. We can walk by faith and not by sight because we have faith in the resurrection of our body. We do not need to fear death or suffering. When we get to heaven we will receive a perfect body, one that does not bear the marks of sin or this broken world. In verse 9, Paul instructs us that our aim and delight should be to please the Lord. No matter what the circumstances we face are, we need to trust and obey Jesus.
Finally, as Paul closes up our Scripture passage, he speaks of one event that will occur for believers after they have passed from this life. In verse 10 we read that all Christians must give an account for how they have lived. We also read of this, both in the Gospels and other of Paul’s Epistles (Matthew 16:27; Romans 14:10-12; and I Corinthians 3:10-15).
There are two different and distinct final judgments spoken of in the Bible. One is the Great White Throne Judgment, which is for the unsaved (Revelation 20:11-15). All believers’ names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). Believers will go before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is not a place of condemnation (Romans 8:1), but of accountability. We will be rewarded for the things we have done for Jesus, and our obedience to Him. Our good works do not save us, as the Bible make it very clear we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. However, after salvation we should be living lives and doing works that please the Lord (Ephesians 2:8-10). It is these works, those done after we are saved, that we are judged on, and rewarded for or not, accordingly.
Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Believers have the hope of both eternal life and a new glorified body to replace this worn out one we currently have. For those who have faith in Jesus, the best is yet to come!
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