Fasting

Fasting, in my mind, is refraining from some activity for a time in order to draw closer to God. I rarely fast from anything, because I love to indulge myself in the things of this world. A sad statement. Jesus said his followers would fast after he rose to heaven. Why don't I do it? Because I want the things of this world more than I want to draw closer to God. The things I need to periodically fast from are food (to teach me to rely on God for my provision); bicycling (to teach me to put God before my interests on earth); the internet (to teach me to set my mind on things above); and anything else the Spirit of God brings to my attention. Is fasting a formula for spiritual growth or success? No, but it is a discipline which if done for the right reasons alway leaves me in closer communiion with the Lord.

Seeking God's Kingdom

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.....But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:25, 33.

Jesus says he will assume responsibility for providing for our needs if we seek first his kingdom. He guarantees this. This implies that if we are following him, we should look to him for provision for food, clothing, shelter, protection. Our occupations and work become therefore a vehicle through which we serve Jesus our king thereby seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness. Our occupations should not be looked upon as a means to gain provision for our needs since Christ has stated he would take care of these. Therefore, whether in the professional ministry or in manual labor, our occupations are a means to be used by God for his glory. If we view our occupations as "the means whereby we earn our livings, we will not be able to seek adeuately the kingdom of God (Walt Henrichsen, Diary of a Desperate Man)." To seek God's kingdom means to seek God's rulership in our lives and the lives of others. All of us are therefore in the ministry of our Lord. In the words of Walt Henrichsen, "The only difference between a vocational Christian worker and the laity (an average Christian church member) is how the ministry is funded."

Mr. Henrichsen goes on to say, "If you are unhappy with your job because God wants you elsewhere, you should change jobs and do the will of God. If you are discontent with your job, but believe that is where God wants you, then you need to repent." Ouch.

Ideas from Walt Henrichsen's daily devotional Diary of a Desperate Man Day 176.

Deity of Jesus

Jesus is either God or he was a lunatic. This is the argument put forth by C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. In his words-"We are not given the option based on the Biblical text of believing he was a great man, philosopher or prophet alone (paraphrase)."

What Biblical texts reveal Jesus' divinity?

Jesus is the creator of all things
-John 1:1: Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made that has been made.
-Colossians 1:16: For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
See also: Genesis 1:26; Acts 3:15; Hebrews 1:3

Jesus is without sin
-1 Peter 2:22: He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
-Hebrews 4:15: ...He was tempted "yet was without sin."
See also: John 8:46; Hebrews 7:26; 1 John 3:5

Jesus is eternal
-Micah 5:2: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
-John 8:58: Jesus said--"Before Abraham was born, I am."
See also: John 17:5; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 13:8

Jesus is the revelation of the Father
-Hebrews 1:3: The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.
-Colossians 1:15: He is the image of the invisible God.
See also: Colossians 1:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4

Jesus is called God
-John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
-Colossians 2:9: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.
-Philippians 2:6: Speaking of Jesus-..."being in very nature God..."
See also: Isa 9:6; Matthew 1:23; Jeremiah 23:5-6; John 1:18; John 6:38; John 5:18; John 8:58; John 10:30, 33; John 14:9; John 17:5; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20; 2 Peter 1:1; Revelation 1:17

Jesus is worshipped
-Worshipped by: Magi (Mattew 2:2, 11); by leper (Mathew 8:2); by synagogue ruler (Mathew 9:18); by disciples (Mathew 14:33); by women at Tyre (Mathew 15:25); by angels (Hebrews 1:6); by 24 elders, four living creatures, angels, all creatures (Revelation 5:8-14).
See also: Mathew 20:20, 28:9, 17; uke 24:52, John 9:38

Note above in light of Jesus words: "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." Mathew 4:10 (quoting Deuteronomy 6:13).

Note above in light of:
-Peter's refusal to accept worship (Acts 10:25, 26)
-Angel's refusal to accept worshp (Revelation 19:10, 22:8,9)

Jesus is prayed to
-Acts 7:59,60: While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
See also: Matthew 11:28; John 14:13,14; 15:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 10:12; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Corinthians 5:4

Jesus forgives sins
-Mark 2:5-11: Jesus said to the paralytic: " Son your sins are forgiven."

Jesus gives Life
-John 5:21: For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

Jesus honored as the Father is
-John 5:23: ...that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

Jesus Lead a Miracle Filled Life
-Heals the sick: John 9:7
-Raises the dead: John chapter 11
-Control over the weather: Matthew chapter 14
-Control over the physical aspects of life: John 2:7, Mathew 14:25
-Control over demons: Mark 3:11

Both God the Father and Jesus are described as having the below attributes or characteristics:

Eternal Thrown
-Ps 93:2 & Heb 1:8

First and Last
-Isa 44:6 & Rev 1:17,18

Immutable
-Mal 3:6 & Heb 13:8

Almighty
-Gen 17:1 & Rev 1:8

Unfathomable
-Job 11:7 & Matt 11:27

Holy
-Isa 43:3 & Acts 3:14

The Truth-Without Sin
-Deut 32:4 & Heb 4:15

Eternal Creator
-Gen 1:1 & Jn 1:1-3

Preserver of All
-Neh 9:6 & Col 1:17

King of Kings
-1 Tim 6:15 & Rev 19:16

Everlasting Dominion
-Ps 145:3 & Dan 7:14

Knows Our Hearts
-1 Ki 8:39 & Rev 2:23

Judge
-Gen 18:25 & Matt 25:31

Lord of All
-Ps 103:19 & Acts 10:36

Rewarder
-Ps 62:12 & Rev 22:12

Protector
-Ps 91:4 & Matt 23:37

Savior
-Isa 43:11 & Matt 1:21

Death's Destroyer
-Hos 13:14 & Heb 2:14,15

Worthy of Worship
-Isa 45:23 & Phil 2:10-11

Our Righteousness
-Isa 45:24 & Jer 23:5,6

Sender of the Holy Spirit
-Joel 2:28 & Jn 16:6

For a valuable resource on the Trinity and the deity of Christ see The Forgotten Trinity by James White. Much of the above was derived from his work.

Disappointment

I am currently disappointed with a few things in life. This has just developed over the last couple of days and is a minor thing. But I have been thinking about this situation quite a bit. The observation I have noted is that disappointment comes because of one of two things: putting my hope in things other than God and/or an improper understanding of who God is and what he has promised. Sometimes I put my hope in people or in material things or even in myself (achievements and so forth). If I hope in these things, I am setting myself up for failure, because of sin and personal flaws, I cannot trust even myself. Also, there is nothing that can fill the "hole in my soul" other than God. When I hope in material things or worldly relationships, there is no possibility of fulfillment. God, on the other hand, is completely trustworthy, and he promises us good things in the future. We are not promised good things here on earth, though he may mercifully give them to us. If we hope for God to give us material blessing or good health or lack of suffering here on earth, we also set ourselves up for disappointment. God has not promised this. For me, I need to spend a lot of time with God so that my hope is "pointed in the right direction" and so I truly know what God promises and who he is.

Risk

Faith is God inspired risk taking. God expects us to obey his commands, some of which are either risky or don't make sense from a worldly standpoint. He says: seek first the kingdom of God (put the kingdom before self-Matthew 6:33); lose your life for his sake (Luke 9:24); deny yourself (Luke 9:23); give money/talents/time to the church and the less fortunate (2 Corinthians 9:7); and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) when people persecute you. We may risk our reputations, our friendships, our material wealth, possibly our health and even our lives. If someone truly believes in Jesus as his Lord, that person will be obedient. Even though he struggles with living out the application...dying to self....the long-- slow-- death-- of self. The struggle to mold the will to make it conform to God's will for us and the sacrifice that follows an obedient decision leads to perseverence and perseverence to character and character to hope (Romans 5:3-4). Courage is doing what is "right" despite fear. The Christian is courageous in his faith. As God said to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous." (Joshua 1). Faith produces God inspired risk taking.

Chariots

I want control over everything. If something in life is not going in the direction I want it to, I analyze the situation, come up with a plan and do my best to "fix it." I have trouble entrusting things I feel are really important to other people. So, it's easy to worry if there is a problem with my job or family or with finances. I need to to "fix" the situation. I look to my own power for a solution--my mental capacity, physical strength, earning ability, material possessions etc. I worry because I am not in reality powerful or in control . But is this the proper perspective? I am turning to my personal resources to solve the problem, but those resources originate from almighty God. While my resources are finite, his are infinite. He is the giver of my mind, of my strength, of my abilities-including my ability to earn financially, and he is the protector of my reputation. We are called to use the gifts God has given us and to fill the earth and subdue it. But, to think that we actually have achieved anything in this world on our own is laughable. Surrendering all to God is letting go of our will to control situational outcomes in deference to his will, realizing that he cares for us, is all powerful and omniscient. We worry if we trust in the "chariots" of this world rather than the one who controls all things.

Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Calling Out Your Name

Well the moon moved past Nebraska
And spilled laughter on them cold Dakota Hills
And angels danced on Jacob's stairs
Yeah, they danced on Jacob's stairs

There is this silence in the Badlands
And over Kansas the whole universe was stilled
By the whisper of a prayer
The whisper of a prayer

And the single hawk bursts into flight
And in the east the whole horizon is in flames
I feel thunder in the sky I see the sky about to rain
And I hear the prairies calling out Your name

I can feel the earth tremble
Beneath the rumbling of the buffalo hooves
And the fury in the pheasant's wings
And there's fury in a pheasant's wings

It tells me the Lord is in His temple
And there is still a faith that can make the mountains move
And a love that can make the heavens ring
And I've seen love make heaven ring

Where the sacred rivers meet
Beneath the shadow of the Keeper of the plains
I feel thunder in the sky
I see the sky about to rain
And I hear the prairies calling out Your name

From the place where morning gathers
You can look sometimes forever 'til you see
What time may never know
What time may never know

How the Lord takes by its corners this old world
And shakes us forward and shakes us free
To run wild with the hope
To run wild with the hope

The hope that this thirst will not last long
That it will soon drown in the song not sung in vain
And I feel thunder in the sky
I see the sky about to rain
And I hear the prairies calling out Your name

And I know this thirst will not last long
That it will soon drown in the song not sung in vain
I feel thunder in the sky I see the sky about to rain
And with the prairies I am calling out Your name.

Rich Mullins

Holiness.

"Without holiness no one will see the Lord". Hebrews 12:14.

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written : "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Talking To Yourself.

'Most unhappiness in life is due to the fact that we are listening to ourselves instead of talking to ourselves." (paraphrase D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones).

Sounds somewhat nonsensical?

Spiritual depression is influenced by our negative thoughts. These thoughts are spontaneous and often uninvited but are frequently entertained over and over again. They might be thoughts about our sinfulness or our lack of success and our failures. These negative thoughts render the Christian ineffective and unhappy. The Bible calls us to take ourselves in hand (as Lloyd-Jones puts it) and tell ourselves (talk to ourselves about) the truth of God's word. Preach the gospel every day to ourselves. The facts and promises God has given us. Imagine, we are seen as righteous in God's eyes because of Jesus. God loves us as sons and daughters and promises us an inheritance with him forever. He promises us good things! We do not have to do anything to earn our place. We are valuable the way we are because God created us this way and values us.

Our minds need to be continuously renewed by the word of God (Romans 12:2). Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2), not on ourselves but on God and his promises.

See Spiritual Depression, It's Causes and It's Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Life

Life here can be a struggle. Jesus told us it would be. But, God has a plan for a great future for those who believe.

Jesus said..."In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:16-17

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Jesus said...."I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 21:1-7.

God's Wrath

God is a just God. He hates sin and will justly act to rid it from his presence. His wrath toward sin and evil are turned toward us, because we are by nature sinful. Look at the world. Read the headlines. Can anyone disagree that mankind is not right? I know in my heart how sinful I am. Even if it doesn't appear by my actions that I am broken, I know deep down what a wretched man I am. What makes it even worse is the fact that I cannot stop my sins completely even if I try. I am a wretch. Every sin I have committed and will commit incites the wrath of God. I have no hope.

Or do I?

When Christ hung on the cross God's wrath was poured out on him for all of my sins. Think about that. My sin from the past, present and future was attributed to Jesus, and he suffered the full wrath of God for what I have done, am doing and will do. This means that there is no wrath left. It has already been spent. God sees me as a righteous man because of what Jesus has done.

We are obedient to God's commands because we love him. Not to earn our way into heaven.

"Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found; was blind but now I see."

1 Peter Opening

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect, strangers in the world, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: (1 Peter 1:1-2).

There is an amazing amount of information in this text.

Observations:

• -This is not our home. (Heaven is).
• -The trinity is seen clearly (Father, Spirit, Jesus).
• -Believers are chosen by God according to his foreknowledge or forthought.
• -God's foreknowledge speaks to his knowing of the future, in this case of our individual acceptance of his free gift of salvation.
• -The Spirit enters our lives and begins to sanctify us or mold us to the image of Christ.
• -We are sprinkled by Christ's blood through faith receiving forgiveness for our sins. Christ's righteousness in God's eyes is given to us or imputed to us in this transaction.
• -Real faith in Christ mandates obedience to his commands.

Take The Bullet

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:19,21,23.

Observations:
-We are called to suffer in a way that glorifies God even if persecuted or punished unjustly.
-No whining (Phillipians 2:14).
-Retaliation by us for perceived wrongs is sin. (Hebrews 10:30).
-This includes "thinking" about retaliation.
-God is the protector of our reputations and our lives.
-The Lord is just so we can trust him with our reputations and our lives.

I am really not doing the above well. Help me Lord to want to honor you more that I want to protect myself.

Proof.

Why hasn't God demonstrated his existence in "terms" which are incontrovertible?

God could present himself on the earth or in the heavens in all his glory for all to see and speak to us making his existence unquestionable. Carl Sagan (an atheist) asked why God does not just put a huge cross in the sky if he is real. Why doesn't he? It wouldn't be difficult for him. He created the heavens and the earth. Why does God not make himself obvious?

Love. Love is the answer. God is love (1 John 4:16). Love cannot be coerced. It cannot be forced. The only way for people to love God is if they have the opportunity to not love God. When I first met my wife, if I pointed a gun at her and said you will love me at this moment or I will shoot, she would have been unable to love me even to save herself. We cannot truly love God unless we have the opportunity to reject him. God loves us and wants us to love him. This has to be our choice by definition. In order for it to be our choice, God could not present the evidence for himself in incontrovertable terms.

Having said that, God has revealed himself to all people in atleast amounts that are enough to result in belief in him. Man has no excuse for rejecting him for the heavens declare the glory of God (Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1).

Reward For Believers.

God is the creator of joy.

Obedience to God requires faith that God exists and belief that God rewards those who are obedient. To seek the reward God offers is a sign of faith in the reward giver.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross....(Hebrews 12:2).

Does God want us to be joyful? Does God want us to be obedient without promising us reward for doing so? Is the Christian to be motivated by duty to do what's right or by personal benefit if what's right is done? I have always thought that we are obligated to do God's will, to be obedient to him solely because he is God, and we are obligated. But, does a man (or woman) ever act in ways that bring no self benefit?

Pascal said, "All men seek happiness without exception. They all aim at this goal however different the means they use to attain it. . . .They will never make the smallest move but with this as its goal. This is the motive of all the actions of all men, even those who contemplate suicide." Pascal was a Christian. He saw the nature of man and the bent of the word of God.

Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Part of faith is believing the promises of reward that God has given. If we act with a sense of duty and without a sense of the blessing God has for us, we forfeit the joy God has planned. The tendency is to become lukewarm in our walk with Christ. The problem is we don't often think of God offering reward for obedience. We only think of God's wrath toward disobedience.

God has planned and promised blessing (Malachi 3:10, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Corinthians 9:23-24), joy (Nehemia 8:10, Psalm 16:11, John 15:10-12), glory (1 Corinthians 2:7, Romans 8:17-18) and an inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4) to those who believe. We should seek the rewards of God and rejoice in his provision for an "abundant life." (John 10:10).

"Resolved, To endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of." Jonathon Edwards.

See John Piper's profitable writing on Christian Hedonism which inspired much of this post.

John 14:21

Jesus said, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Observations:
-We cannot "have" Jesus' commands without reading and knowing the Bible.
-Willful ignorance of Christ's commands is not an acceptable excuse.
-Obedience to Christ is evidence of love for Christ. Disobedience suggests abscence of faith.
-Obedience leads to further revelation.

Paradise.

"Remember me when you come into your kingdom," said the thief to Jesus. Each hung on a cross in excrutiating pain. Jesus replied, "Today you will be with me in paradise."

The thief had lived a life full of sin, had never been baptized, but believed in the last hours of his life in the power of Jesus Christ to save him. God later that day received his spirit into paradise.

Paradise sounds good doesn't it? Paul speaks in the third person about himself in 2 Corinthians when he says: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven*. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things that man is not permitted to tell." (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Paul saw paradise, but was not permitted to "discuss the details." Ever wonder why Paul had the strength to live the life he did? He knew who he was going to be with (Jesus/Acts chapter 9), and he knew the inheritance he was to receive. About eternity Paul writes: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9). Anything we imagine is less than what God has planned! Think of the most awesome beautiful place on earth, and it is nothing in comparison to the eternal dwelling of those who allow Jesus to become Lord of their life.

*Third heaven: the first heaven is the sky, the second heaven is the stars and space, the third heaven is the spiritual realm.

The Desert.

I have been in the desert for a week. Dry. Missing God, but too frustrated with myself and life to seek him. I get this way atleast for a few days every six or eight weeks. This episode started with being busy doing the "work of a Christian"...accountability groups, Bible studies, etc. I was so busy I didn't spend time in the morning with God. I began taking more interest in worldly things which led to more disappointment and frustration. Like Martha, I wasn't sitting at Jesus' feet and just listening. After getting caught up in worldliness, I usually begin to feel depressed with my sin. This lasts a day or two and then God in his great mercy lifts me out of the miry pit (Ps 40:2). Right now I am being lifted out and God is showing me the joy of my salvation (Ps 51:12). What a good God he is!

God, thank you that no one can snatch me out of your hand. Thank you for your mercy. You have never and will never leave me or forsake me. Help me to first seek you as seeking treasure. Help me to rest in you and rejoice in you. Help me to remember I am a stranger in this place. This is not my home.

The Man in Black

"How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell.
There is a deep, wide gulf, a chasm, and in that chasm is no place for any man."
- Johnny Cash

Help Me!

Lord--
I praise you-
Help me to praise you.
I worship you-
Help me to worship you.
I submit to you-
Help me to submit to you.
I release me life to you-
Help me to release my life to you.
I believe-
Help my unbelief.
I am weak-
Make me strong in you.
I am forgiven-
Help me to forgive myself.
I am content-
Help me discontent.
I love you-
Help me to love you!
Amen.

The Word

Today a group of my friends met and studied a bit of the book of Hebrews. The key thought of our discussion that I came away with was that God's word is very important. I should be in it daily. I should "dig" in it consistently for the "gems" revealed to me by God's Holy Spirit. Some verses to ponder:

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

God's word is alive, active and purposeful.

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.
John 14:21

We are called to read, consider, meditate on and obey God's word. We cannot accomplish this without reading it over and over, memorizing it and studying it.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

God guides us, protects us and sanctifies us through his word.

God Didn't Want It This Way.

I just spent a few minutes with a friend telling he and his wife he might have a brain tumor. My heart aches for them, not knowing what this means for the future. I long to make it go away but don't have the ability. I know they are sad and frustrated and are wrestling with what life is all about and why this is happening. Where is God in all this?

God doesn't want it this way. When he created the world it was very good (Genesis 1:31). I don't believe there was disease or suffering as we see everywhere today. But, God, for reasons that escape me, wanted a personal relationship with each individual of mankind....A relationship fostered on his love for us but also on our love for him. For us to love God, we had to have the ability to not love God. Love is voluntary, a choice, a decision. God gave Adam and Eve a choice, and they decided to resist his plan. Sin entered the world with all it's associated problems: illness, evil, selfishness, disaster and death. God is all powerful and could have prevented this. He could intervene and end it now. He chooses not to so that all who will accept him may accept him. We each individually have the chance to believe and love him. And I believe his heart aches for those that are suffering. His heart aches for my friend. Someday God will make things very good again for those that trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Until then, all creation groans waiting in eager expectation for that time (Romans 8:19-22).

To Believe...

John Piper has an interesting comment on what it means to believe in Jesus Christ on his website (see here). Essentially, he notes that even Satan believes that God is real and that Jesus is the Son of God (James 2:19). To be a Christian implies that we cherish, value, love and honor Jesus, and that we long to spend time with him. Satan hates Christ. But what is in between these two opposing perspectives is the ambivalent person...the person who knows about Jesus but neither loves nor hates him. We cannot love, cherish, value and honor someone we do not spend time with, and we can only spend time with God through prayer, worship and in the reading of his word. O Lord help me to make the time to be with you, to not get caught up in the busyness of this world, to honor, glorify and love you.

Faith

What is faith and what does it mean to believe in God? There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and believing in Jesus. If I stand on the side of a cliff looking out over a deep gorge and I see a wood slat and rope bridge traversing that chasm, I know the bridge is there. My eyes can see it. Faith in the structural integrity of that bridge and it's ability to carry me to the other side of the gorge is only manifested as I walk across to the other side. There is no proof that the bridge will hold up under my weight. I must believe in my assessment of the sturdiness that is apparent to my mind through my vision or in the ability of those who constructed the bridge. Faith in God is like faith in the bridge. Knowing God is there is not enough by God's own definition. We are called to step out and put our weight on the words and promises of God. We are called to live our lives as God called us to because we believe in the structural integrity of his word. So, it is the man who walks across the bridge and the man who lives his life like he believes God's word is true that truly has faith. Which am I and which are you?

The Wind...

God is invisible right? Atleast, I haven't seen him. So, how can we believe there is a God if we cannot visualize him? These are questions some of my friends bring up in discussions about whether there is a "higher power." They imply that if God is invisible that he cannot be real. I then ask if they can see the wind. This usually leads to a blank stare and a glazed look without verbal response. The fact is that we can know about the existence of persons or things through nonvisual evidence of that existence. In the winds case, we can see the evidence in the swaying of tree branches, the movement of clouds in a thunder storm, or the white caps that develop on the water. God has given evidence of himself in multiple ways. Creation declares the glory of God. Who can look at the stars and not wonder about the existence of a transcendent creator. God's Spirit moves in people in ways that glorify God-ways that make no sense outside of his existence. The Spirit is like the wind. We cannot see him, but we can see the people he moves as the wind nudges a tree branch. God's ultimate revelation is in his son Jesus and his story which is written throughout scripture. We do not have an excuse for disbelief as God has revealed himself to all people in significant ways.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20.