For a while, I've been considering moving over to Wordpress and recently found an excuse.
The bugs seem to be (mostly) worked out.
And I'd be pleased to have interested readers join me at my new site.
Thank you.
Management
November 19, 2009
November 17, 2009
Reading Lesson 2: Jesus is The Fulfillment of the Law
Anyone else ever read the Bible and get discouraged because there is so much instruction and it seems an impossible task to actually take to heart and obey everything that is in there?
It doesn't help that there are (often well-meaning) voices everywhere that insist that we need to scrupulously adhere to the Law (at least the Ten Commandments) or Jesus' teachings (which actually are just an illumination of the heart of the Law), or some humanly-styled way of life that is supposedly the "true" way to be an obedient Christian. How frustrating to be saddled with such an impossible task!
I'm not saying we shouldn't study and obey--please stick with me on this.
Does it ever seem as though "trying harder" to understand and obey the Bible often ends in misery? And, like so many straws, the soul-condemning load of rules will eventually break the poor, weak back of the already sick and staggering camel upon which it is laid.
That is because true Christianity isn't about "following rules". In fact, being an Israelite was never about being a perfect Law-keeper, either.
Oh yeah, Mrs. Smart Pants? What about all those rules that required the death penalty? How about all the feasts and sacrifices? Circumcision?
Yes. What about those commands? God does expect us to obey Him, don't get me wrong. But I think we often miss a magnificently beautiful (and simple) point of all the OT writings.
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained by angels through an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one; but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not; for if a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. (Galatians 3:19-21)
There is nothing in the keeping of God's written Law that can save any of us. Even if it is followed to a "T". The law was given "because of transgressions". The farther we get from Edenic innocence, the more perverse humanity becomes. We need a standard by which to measure our behavior. Something to keep us from killing each other when our consciences are seared by our now naturally depraved minds.
(ETA) For those who have received the Holy Spirit, we can find strength ad comfort in Him--we're still not perfect but have had our consciences awakened to the acceptance of Truth and now have a desire to do what is right.
Also, the Law serves to point out just how bad we really are. Those whose hearts are convicted by exposure to the Law will find themselves in a very uncomfortable position. The agony of seeing our failure against the written reflection of God's righteous nature leaves some desperately saying "Then, who can be saved?"
Yet, the feasts and offerings were a constant reminder that God had promised a Deliverer Who would save us not only from God's wrath, but also from ourselves.
Now, I expect that most Christians already know most of that, so I don't want to appear as though I've discovered something "new" there.
But, God recently brought to my attention something really exciting.
For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. (1 Kings 11:4)
David and Solomon. The man who we say was "after God's own heart". And his son, who chose wisdom when God offered to give him whatever he wanted. We can read that God blessed Solomon for his choice and added riches and fame to the gift.
David wrote the Psalms. Solomon wrote a large portion of Proverbs and also Ecclesiastes.
So, in the writings of these two men, we see a reflection of the heart of God and the mind of God. Yet, between the two, I think they broke every one of the Ten Commandments before they died. In David we see a covetous, lying, murdering adulterer. And all of Solomon's wisdom didn't save him from eventually committing idolatry.
We can read that David's heart was crushed when confronted with his crimes. I'm not totally sure what happened to Solomon. Anyone know if he repented?
Anyway, our loving the Lord and knowing what He wants obviously is not good enough. We are incapable of perfectly loving and perfectly applying the knowledge that is of God. As I've said before, we were not designed to be able to handle the "knowledge of right and wrong". God reserved that for Himself.
Our Father knows we cannot ever measure up to His standards of perfection.
So, He mercifully sent the Son. Jesus of Nazareth was born of a virgin "clay vessel" in a similar manner to the way Adam was taken from the virgin earth. He took to His divine nature the frailty and limitations of previously innocent humanity.
We like to think that Jesus did what He did and knew what He knew only because He was God. And, it is true that only God can perfectly obey God, only God has the mind of God and only God can truly heal, give life and save us from our path of self-destruction.
But, He wasn't born knowing all the things God knows.
Jesus was a Jew and young Jewish boys spend hours memorizing Scripture--what we know today as the Old Testament. By the time He was 12 (entering into adulthood, in that culture), He had become so well-studied and in love with His Father that Luke records:
And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. (Luke 2:42-50)
In the above passage, we see Solomon's wisdom and David's heart. Together. Perfectly united.
The Lord brought this to my attention when I noticed that Solomon's Proverbs are written to "my son".
While I expect that Solomon actually had a son to whom he was writing, it "hit" me that hundreds of years later, Jesus would be reading those same words of God-inspired wisdom as a message from His Father. And right from the first, God made sure to lay the foundation that Adam and Eve cracked when they disobeyed in the Garden.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your mother's teaching;
Proverbs 1:9 for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.
Proverbs 1:8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your mother's teaching;
Proverbs 1:9 for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck.
The Father tells His Son straight up that only a fool chooses to disregard the command to respect God for Who He is.
In the Psalms there are "pictures" of Messiah and Jesus quotes from them as well.
The Ten Commandments are essentially the crimes that humanity as a whole is guilty of by simply being descendants of Adam and Eve. The rest of the Law elaborates on the details and pronounces death as the penalty for open rebellion of any sort. Go read the account of the Fall in Genesis and look for the breaking of the "Big Ten". When Jesus studied the Law, He was reading the formalized document of His death sentence.
Isn't that amazing? Jesus is God. Yet also a man. And, as a man, He learned what we want to know (how to be perfect like God).
And, where we constantly fail, He has overcome so that we can be reconciled with our loving, merciful and generous Daddy who desires for all His prodigal sons to return home to Him.
He's waiting, watching at the window---ready to run out and embrace any who would be willing to humble themselves and say "I've made a mess out of my life, I can't do this alone and am unworthy to be called 'son'".
While I don't know for sure, I believe Ecclesiastes is a recording of Solomon's life, so that we may have a "for real" picture of the Prodigal parable. He had it all. Wisdom, riches, power, fame, God's favor on his kingdom. Yet near the end of His life, we read that he turned to idolatry.
When I browse through Ecclesiastes, I see that (in spite of having all sorts of knowledge about how to live) it appears Solomon had wholeheartedly indulged in all sorts of experimentation concerning the "best way to live". All his knowledge did not save Him from making foolish choices. And, in the end, he wrote:
The Preacher sought to find pleasing words, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings which are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:10-14)
Even though we might say that he should have known better, Solomon discovered first hand the futility of looking for happiness in what this life has to offer. He summarized that everything points to our need for a loving Shepherd who will graciously cover us with His righteousness before the judgment seat of God.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with studying and memorizing God's word. It is His loving letter to His children--and it speaks to us of our need for His Son. And, as His children, we should be inspired to imitate our Lord in His humble obedience to the Father. When we read our Bibles, we need to be looking to meet there with Christ. If we only come away feeling guilty, thinking that we can do better, be more, need to try harder, (or worse, that we are doing everything right) we are not understanding what God is saying.
He's telling us that we need to be covered. And He wants to cover us. When we humble ourselves and trust in Christ's perfect obedience as well as His sacrifice, we are able to say we have kept all of God's commandments through Him. Then, it becomes a pleasure and joy to find out what pleases God and do those things that make Him happy. Awesome concept, yes?
So. Have you been covered?
November 16, 2009
Egyptian Sojourn 14: Curtain Call
Egypt. Land of slavery and false religion. Anyone else ever notice that it is symbolic of something in Revelation?
And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Revelation 11:8
At any rate...
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-ha-hi'roth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Ba'al-ze'phon; you shall encamp over against it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are entangled in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." And they did so. Exodus 14:1-4
Now, this is really interesting to me. God kept His promise to get the king to not only allow the Israelites to leave, but He tormented him to the point that Pharaoh was shoving from behind AND the Egyptian people were gladly paying the Hebrews to get away from them.
Yet, instead of leading them straight home, the Lord first took them one direction and then another. They appeared to be lost and according to the text, He was taunting the pompous king--tempting him to come after the Israelites.
And, to make the lure even more attractive, the Lord told His people to camp with their backs against the Red Sea. God's people were trapped with no place to go and the King couldn't resist the perfect opportunity to exact vengeance for all of the trouble the Egyptians had suffered.
The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-ha-hi'roth, in front of Ba'al-ze'phon. When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were in great fear....(Exodus 14:9-10)
I can understand a bit of this fear. These people had seen God do many wonders for them. They were not ignorant of His power. But surely, it was disheartening to see this wicked, and enraged Pharaoh pursuing them with his battle-savvy army. The Israelites had no place to go and were former slaves with families--not trained soldiers.
They turned on Moses (a shadow picture of Christ)
And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD; and they said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."
Exodus 14:10-12
Wow. How many times have I thought "being a Christian is so hard--I'm afraid I'm going to fail--why does it have to be such a struggle?" even after God has proved Himself to me over and over and over.
Now, I don't have a physical army bearing down on me and my family (at the moment, anyway), but Paul admonishes us to remember that we "wrestle not against flesh and blood". My battle is spiritual even though it sometimes manifests itself as physical. And fear of "what might happen" can be almost as overwhelming as hearing certain news that I'm about to be either viciously hauled back into slavery or murdered for resisting. What to do? The natural instinct is to give up ....or scratch and claw at the attacker in hopes that it causes him to back off (as if that would work).
In a way, I believe I see a bit of this attitude reflected in today's Christian culture. At least here in America. We see evil men with wicked plans moving into leadership positions in our government. We know that their agendas are blasphemous attacks on the God of the Bible and we want to avert His judgment upon our nation. In a way, though, we are no more able to save ourselves than were the Israelites under the cruel whips of the taskmasters. In fact, as God works to free us, we should expect the enemy to work even harder at distracting us and crushing our hopes. And we play right into his scaly talons.
We think we are "helping" God to save our country by returning it to "Christian roots". So, we picket and vote and fuss and debate and stew and blog about what is the best way to avert the advancing hordes which will surely destroy us if we allow them to remain in power. And things get worse.
We pray, but not for God's will to be done. Instead, we ask for God's help with selfish ulterior motives because we're secretly afraid of losing our jobs, homes, cars, families etc. Deep inside, we are pridefully thinking that we know what is best here. And we get reports of more bad news.
After all, it's the American way to be self-sufficient and strongly opposed to bullies who would dare tread on our precious (man-composed, btw) Constitution!
And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still. Exodus 14:13-14
WHAT? He said Don't be afraid. Stand still. And -----DO NOTHING???????
But, but, if we don't DO SOMETHING--or at least SAY something, we will all be slaughtered! God, you promised you'd take care of us----
Yes He did promise. He promised that HE would do it. Without help from anyone else. So that His people would know that He IS God and will learn that there is no one in the entire universe who can match His love and strength in His ability to care for that which is His.
The Lord God told Moses to stretch out His staff over the sea...
And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." Then the angel of God who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness; and the night passed without one coming near the other all night.Exodus 14:17-20
I'm not 100% certain of this, but have heard some maintain that when the Angel of the Lord appears in the old Testament, it is actually the second person of the Trinity--the Son.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down upon the host of the Egyptians, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its wonted flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it, and the LORD routed the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not so much as one of them remained. But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore. And Israel saw the great work which the LORD did against the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Exodus 14:21-31
What have I learned?
1. I haven't got a clue what God is doing behind the scenes, but He expects me to trust that He has everything under control.
2. Often, the way that seems right to me is exactly the opposite of what God wants. And unless I bother to humble myself and ASK Him, I may continue to swing wildly at my enemies and may get myself killed in the process.
3. When I ask, and He tells me what to do, I'd better be ready to move. Otherwise, I'm likely to fall behind and get washed away with the enemies. In my mind, this is not the same as "loss of salvation" but simply a determining moment concerning who I really trust.
4. God has given us pictures in the Bible. He wants us to pay attention and learn from them. He tends to choose the weakest, most helpless looking and least likely candidates for success. But because He is the One doing the fighting, those who hope in Him can expect to experience decisive victory.
5. Oh, and as with the Israelites, God is not hiding from me when things aren't going "my way". He just isn't going to help me do something He didn't tell me to do. If I strike out on my own, I can expect to encounter fear, failure and despair. There is no way I'm going to be able to pick up the devil's choice of tools on the devil's turf and beat him at his own game.
I'm not God. Never have been. Never will be. But now I see what it means to be on His side :o)
But He gives more grace; therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7
True humility begins on a heart level. The Bible says to
... rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. Joel 2:13
And
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Chronicles 7:13-14
So, there it is.
As the Lord told Hosea
I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress they seek me, saying,
"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 5:15, 6:1-3
God is waiting for His people to realize that we need Him and are willing to trust that He will take care of us.
When we're done doing things "our" way, He'll come to our rescue.
But He's not going to let us think we somehow "helped" Him.
And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Revelation 11:8
At any rate...
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-ha-hi'roth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Ba'al-ze'phon; you shall encamp over against it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are entangled in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." And they did so. Exodus 14:1-4
Now, this is really interesting to me. God kept His promise to get the king to not only allow the Israelites to leave, but He tormented him to the point that Pharaoh was shoving from behind AND the Egyptian people were gladly paying the Hebrews to get away from them.
Yet, instead of leading them straight home, the Lord first took them one direction and then another. They appeared to be lost and according to the text, He was taunting the pompous king--tempting him to come after the Israelites.
And, to make the lure even more attractive, the Lord told His people to camp with their backs against the Red Sea. God's people were trapped with no place to go and the King couldn't resist the perfect opportunity to exact vengeance for all of the trouble the Egyptians had suffered.
The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-ha-hi'roth, in front of Ba'al-ze'phon. When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were in great fear....(Exodus 14:9-10)
I can understand a bit of this fear. These people had seen God do many wonders for them. They were not ignorant of His power. But surely, it was disheartening to see this wicked, and enraged Pharaoh pursuing them with his battle-savvy army. The Israelites had no place to go and were former slaves with families--not trained soldiers.
They turned on Moses (a shadow picture of Christ)
And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD; and they said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."
Exodus 14:10-12
Wow. How many times have I thought "being a Christian is so hard--I'm afraid I'm going to fail--why does it have to be such a struggle?" even after God has proved Himself to me over and over and over.
Now, I don't have a physical army bearing down on me and my family (at the moment, anyway), but Paul admonishes us to remember that we "wrestle not against flesh and blood". My battle is spiritual even though it sometimes manifests itself as physical. And fear of "what might happen" can be almost as overwhelming as hearing certain news that I'm about to be either viciously hauled back into slavery or murdered for resisting. What to do? The natural instinct is to give up ....or scratch and claw at the attacker in hopes that it causes him to back off (as if that would work).
In a way, I believe I see a bit of this attitude reflected in today's Christian culture. At least here in America. We see evil men with wicked plans moving into leadership positions in our government. We know that their agendas are blasphemous attacks on the God of the Bible and we want to avert His judgment upon our nation. In a way, though, we are no more able to save ourselves than were the Israelites under the cruel whips of the taskmasters. In fact, as God works to free us, we should expect the enemy to work even harder at distracting us and crushing our hopes. And we play right into his scaly talons.
We think we are "helping" God to save our country by returning it to "Christian roots". So, we picket and vote and fuss and debate and stew and blog about what is the best way to avert the advancing hordes which will surely destroy us if we allow them to remain in power. And things get worse.
We pray, but not for God's will to be done. Instead, we ask for God's help with selfish ulterior motives because we're secretly afraid of losing our jobs, homes, cars, families etc. Deep inside, we are pridefully thinking that we know what is best here. And we get reports of more bad news.
After all, it's the American way to be self-sufficient and strongly opposed to bullies who would dare tread on our precious (man-composed, btw) Constitution!
And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still. Exodus 14:13-14
WHAT? He said Don't be afraid. Stand still. And -----DO NOTHING???????
But, but, if we don't DO SOMETHING--or at least SAY something, we will all be slaughtered! God, you promised you'd take care of us----
Yes He did promise. He promised that HE would do it. Without help from anyone else. So that His people would know that He IS God and will learn that there is no one in the entire universe who can match His love and strength in His ability to care for that which is His.
The Lord God told Moses to stretch out His staff over the sea...
And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." Then the angel of God who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness; and the night passed without one coming near the other all night.Exodus 14:17-20
I'm not 100% certain of this, but have heard some maintain that when the Angel of the Lord appears in the old Testament, it is actually the second person of the Trinity--the Son.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down upon the host of the Egyptians, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its wonted flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it, and the LORD routed the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not so much as one of them remained. But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore. And Israel saw the great work which the LORD did against the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Exodus 14:21-31
What have I learned?
1. I haven't got a clue what God is doing behind the scenes, but He expects me to trust that He has everything under control.
2. Often, the way that seems right to me is exactly the opposite of what God wants. And unless I bother to humble myself and ASK Him, I may continue to swing wildly at my enemies and may get myself killed in the process.
3. When I ask, and He tells me what to do, I'd better be ready to move. Otherwise, I'm likely to fall behind and get washed away with the enemies. In my mind, this is not the same as "loss of salvation" but simply a determining moment concerning who I really trust.
4. God has given us pictures in the Bible. He wants us to pay attention and learn from them. He tends to choose the weakest, most helpless looking and least likely candidates for success. But because He is the One doing the fighting, those who hope in Him can expect to experience decisive victory.
5. Oh, and as with the Israelites, God is not hiding from me when things aren't going "my way". He just isn't going to help me do something He didn't tell me to do. If I strike out on my own, I can expect to encounter fear, failure and despair. There is no way I'm going to be able to pick up the devil's choice of tools on the devil's turf and beat him at his own game.
I'm not God. Never have been. Never will be. But now I see what it means to be on His side :o)
But He gives more grace; therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7
True humility begins on a heart level. The Bible says to
... rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. Joel 2:13
And
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Chronicles 7:13-14
So, there it is.
As the Lord told Hosea
I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress they seek me, saying,
"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 5:15, 6:1-3
God is waiting for His people to realize that we need Him and are willing to trust that He will take care of us.
When we're done doing things "our" way, He'll come to our rescue.
But He's not going to let us think we somehow "helped" Him.
Midnight Musings
Can't sleep. Some things are on my mind and I feel the urge to write them down here.
Regular readers (or brief visitors who have taken time to poke through past posts) might have noted that I nearly had a nervous breakdown last spring, and have struggled with anxiety and depression. Much of it was due to my constant looking around and seeing how our society is becoming much more hostile to Christians who openly profess to believe that the Bible is God's revealed Word to man and that we are all instructed to repent of our sins and worship ONLY the God that is portrayed in it's pages.
Even in our zeal to uphold the Bible as true and inerrant, it seems as though many of us have forgotten what our First Love looks like or of what we are supposed to repent. After having been a Christian for most of my life, I must honestly admit that I just now was brought to the point where I needed to ask God personally what "repentance" actually looked like and whether I had truly obeyed this essential command.
I now have assurance that I am being obedient--and, if I continue to humble myself before the Lord, I can rest in the knowledge that I am indeed being saved. I am also being careful to present to my children an accurate picture of what it means to "repent and believe".
Several months ago, I was sent to Egypt with Joseph and the journey with God through that account has frequently been my refuge during this time of global financial/societal uncertainty. And I've been recently chewing on some ideas, and some of them oddly (or perhaps by design?), connect with various aspects of my Egyptian Sojourn.
Perhaps readers would consider with me:
1. Humanity's crime in the garden involved the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life. (1 John 2:16) Or, "looks good", "tastes/feels good" and "will bring me power, fame, etc" And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6 )
These are the same 3 sins that Satan used to tempt Jesus our Lord when He had been in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1)
Where man failed, God-as-man conquered. :o) Thank you, Jesus!!!!!
2. Pharaoh appears to me to be a "type" of the serpent overlord who desires to keep humanity in chains. When God began to do His work of freeing His people, the wicked king repeatedly flip-flopped on his promises to obey and it is recorded that during the process, he became more abusive to the helpless slaves who were under his rule. His stubborn refusal to "let go" regardless of the severity of the punishment is notable. And, ultimately, the death of his firstborn is what caused him to loosen his grip on the people.
One thing that I recall here is that the Egyptians basically considered their king to be a god-like figure. In essence, the war that was being waged was literally about "who is the true God?" In that picture, I can see the same thread of Satanically inspired rebellion that is depicted in the Garden. Fallen man has been convinced that He can be god.
3. When I compared Genesis 3 to Romans 1, I was surprised at how closely the two meshed. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised at the fact that I noticed OR that the two are similar. I did ask God to show me what is true, after all :o)
Anyway, I wanted to share something that I think is important but not yet sure of the significance.
The order of the Fall is Eve, Adam, shame and then Curse (pain and death). There may be more details that I've not caught, but these are the ones that currently stand out.
Some things have come to mind and I'm a little nervous about saying this publicly because I don't want to misrepresent God's Word. However, the thoughts won't leave me alone, so it may be that I'm supposed to say something.
Reader be warned, pray and check scripture yourself before accepting or rejecting my thoughts as true.
Okay. Romans 1:18-32 says:
Adam and Eve knew something about God and chose to reject it in favor of the Serpent's smoothly presented lies. They joined with him in damnable rebellion. First the woman. Then the man. Immediately afterward, they realized that what they had done was wicked and felt deep shame. They then discovered that they were unable to cover on their own nakedness. And God made it clear that although the wages of such sin is death (Romans 6:23), He had a plan to restore Life to His now hopeless creation.
Paul includes a list which describes the "fruit" of that rebellion. In other words, humanity's tendency to "do" the evil things that our flesh desires is because of an underlying attitude of prideful, thankless, greed.
Connecting some dots?
~ The fruit of God's work was pronounced by Him to be "good". In scripture, children have been referred to as "the fruit of the womb". I think it is appropriate then to view God-worshiping humanity in a similar manner.
~Eve appears to represent creation (the "crown" of which is seen in humanity, which was made in a unique way--(By God's hand, in His image, given the breath of His own life). She was to be a special helper, designed especially for her husband.
~Adam was the one given direct orders about how to tend the creation. He and the "Serpent" both knew firsthand that they were not to touch that which was meant for God alone. Still considering whether there is a more clear parallel, though, so I won't speculate farther than that.
~Adam and Eve felt shame over what they had done, even though they tried to pass the blame onto someone else. Yet it does not appear that Satan felt any remorse.
~In eating of the forbidden fruit, it appears that an unholy pact was made between humanity and rebellious angelic forces. Man-as-god must never be allowed to live forever in his "completed" form. It would be absolutely horrifying.
In society today, we see some physical parallels to the spiritual truths:
1. The startling rise of militant feminism and religious leanings that promote goddess/earth worship. (creation over creator)
2. The widespread perversion of masculinity--On one hand we see the neutering of it in the ecstatic embrace of h*m*s*xuality. On the other hand, we see the evil twisting of the protective, loving father figure in the form of abusive hyper-patriarchy.
This trend seriously obscures our ability to see that God is pure and loving and good and worthy of our unquestioning devotion. (Please note I am only talking about the deliberate embrace of such things and not attempting to condemn those who struggle to obey the Lord and daily fight temptation in order to be men who honor God. There is a difference between finding shame in a tendency and reveling in it).
3. The prevention/destruction of the "fruit of the womb"--in all it's many incarnations. (In his grab for power, our enemy is bent on destroying God's work)
4. The growing acceptance of such wickedness as "good". OR, at the very least, "a lifestyle option". (lack of shame over the manifestation of festering evil) (I'm noting also that Jesus said: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will become cold. Matthew 24:12
5. A seemingly increasing obsession with death. (Same verse in Matthew comes to mind). And, the attempt at making a determination over whether another is worthy to remain alive in this earthly "kingdom"
6. The fruit of man (or satan) as god is death, because the stance that is required for this position rejects the offer of the only Giver of Life.
I'm wondering. Something was begun in the Garden--and before Christ returns it is going to eventually come to completion, resulting in what Paul calls a "falling away" which will reveal the "man of sin".
Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition,(2 Thessalonians 2:3)
While I'm not going to try to play prophecy expert, I do think it might be wise to pay close attention to the enormous upsurge in the very things that appear to be represented in mankind's original decision to consort with God's enemy.
Most Bible-believing Christians will readily agree that there is something dreadfully "wrong" in this world. Even non-Christians attest to that reality.
But I've been wondering if we don't actually realize what we are seeing.
Is it possible that the "man of sin" (man-as-god) in all his disgusting perversion is now being revealed in humanity as a whole. That the "falling away" is the completion of the apostasy that humanity began thousands of years ago?
Only....... many of us don't notice it as such because we are expecting to be raptured away before "he" shows up? Or, perhaps we still think that if we could just get certain laws implemented or argue others onto "our" side, then society will somehow turn around? Even more terrifying--do we even see this evil as being a horrible, horrible thing that is spreading like an aggressive cancer throughout a large portion of the world's population?
I'm not sure I have any clear answers at this time. But have been definitely perking up my eyes and ears to any direction the Lord might give concerning the potential connections.
Guess I'll go back to bed and try to get some sleep.
Regular readers (or brief visitors who have taken time to poke through past posts) might have noted that I nearly had a nervous breakdown last spring, and have struggled with anxiety and depression. Much of it was due to my constant looking around and seeing how our society is becoming much more hostile to Christians who openly profess to believe that the Bible is God's revealed Word to man and that we are all instructed to repent of our sins and worship ONLY the God that is portrayed in it's pages.
Even in our zeal to uphold the Bible as true and inerrant, it seems as though many of us have forgotten what our First Love looks like or of what we are supposed to repent. After having been a Christian for most of my life, I must honestly admit that I just now was brought to the point where I needed to ask God personally what "repentance" actually looked like and whether I had truly obeyed this essential command.
I now have assurance that I am being obedient--and, if I continue to humble myself before the Lord, I can rest in the knowledge that I am indeed being saved. I am also being careful to present to my children an accurate picture of what it means to "repent and believe".
Several months ago, I was sent to Egypt with Joseph and the journey with God through that account has frequently been my refuge during this time of global financial/societal uncertainty. And I've been recently chewing on some ideas, and some of them oddly (or perhaps by design?), connect with various aspects of my Egyptian Sojourn.
Perhaps readers would consider with me:
1. Humanity's crime in the garden involved the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life. (1 John 2:16) Or, "looks good", "tastes/feels good" and "will bring me power, fame, etc" And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6 )
These are the same 3 sins that Satan used to tempt Jesus our Lord when He had been in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1)
Where man failed, God-as-man conquered. :o) Thank you, Jesus!!!!!
2. Pharaoh appears to me to be a "type" of the serpent overlord who desires to keep humanity in chains. When God began to do His work of freeing His people, the wicked king repeatedly flip-flopped on his promises to obey and it is recorded that during the process, he became more abusive to the helpless slaves who were under his rule. His stubborn refusal to "let go" regardless of the severity of the punishment is notable. And, ultimately, the death of his firstborn is what caused him to loosen his grip on the people.
One thing that I recall here is that the Egyptians basically considered their king to be a god-like figure. In essence, the war that was being waged was literally about "who is the true God?" In that picture, I can see the same thread of Satanically inspired rebellion that is depicted in the Garden. Fallen man has been convinced that He can be god.
3. When I compared Genesis 3 to Romans 1, I was surprised at how closely the two meshed. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised at the fact that I noticed OR that the two are similar. I did ask God to show me what is true, after all :o)
Anyway, I wanted to share something that I think is important but not yet sure of the significance.
The order of the Fall is Eve, Adam, shame and then Curse (pain and death). There may be more details that I've not caught, but these are the ones that currently stand out.
Some things have come to mind and I'm a little nervous about saying this publicly because I don't want to misrepresent God's Word. However, the thoughts won't leave me alone, so it may be that I'm supposed to say something.
Reader be warned, pray and check scripture yourself before accepting or rejecting my thoughts as true.
Okay. Romans 1:18-32 says:
For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it to them. For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause, God gave them up to dishonorable affections. For even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another; males with males working out shamefulness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error. And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them.
Adam and Eve knew something about God and chose to reject it in favor of the Serpent's smoothly presented lies. They joined with him in damnable rebellion. First the woman. Then the man. Immediately afterward, they realized that what they had done was wicked and felt deep shame. They then discovered that they were unable to cover on their own nakedness. And God made it clear that although the wages of such sin is death (Romans 6:23), He had a plan to restore Life to His now hopeless creation.
Paul includes a list which describes the "fruit" of that rebellion. In other words, humanity's tendency to "do" the evil things that our flesh desires is because of an underlying attitude of prideful, thankless, greed.
Connecting some dots?
~ The fruit of God's work was pronounced by Him to be "good". In scripture, children have been referred to as "the fruit of the womb". I think it is appropriate then to view God-worshiping humanity in a similar manner.
~Eve appears to represent creation (the "crown" of which is seen in humanity, which was made in a unique way--(By God's hand, in His image, given the breath of His own life). She was to be a special helper, designed especially for her husband.
~Adam was the one given direct orders about how to tend the creation. He and the "Serpent" both knew firsthand that they were not to touch that which was meant for God alone. Still considering whether there is a more clear parallel, though, so I won't speculate farther than that.
~Adam and Eve felt shame over what they had done, even though they tried to pass the blame onto someone else. Yet it does not appear that Satan felt any remorse.
~In eating of the forbidden fruit, it appears that an unholy pact was made between humanity and rebellious angelic forces. Man-as-god must never be allowed to live forever in his "completed" form. It would be absolutely horrifying.
In society today, we see some physical parallels to the spiritual truths:
1. The startling rise of militant feminism and religious leanings that promote goddess/earth worship. (creation over creator)
2. The widespread perversion of masculinity--On one hand we see the neutering of it in the ecstatic embrace of h*m*s*xuality. On the other hand, we see the evil twisting of the protective, loving father figure in the form of abusive hyper-patriarchy.
This trend seriously obscures our ability to see that God is pure and loving and good and worthy of our unquestioning devotion. (Please note I am only talking about the deliberate embrace of such things and not attempting to condemn those who struggle to obey the Lord and daily fight temptation in order to be men who honor God. There is a difference between finding shame in a tendency and reveling in it).
3. The prevention/destruction of the "fruit of the womb"--in all it's many incarnations. (In his grab for power, our enemy is bent on destroying God's work)
4. The growing acceptance of such wickedness as "good". OR, at the very least, "a lifestyle option". (lack of shame over the manifestation of festering evil) (I'm noting also that Jesus said: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will become cold. Matthew 24:12
5. A seemingly increasing obsession with death. (Same verse in Matthew comes to mind). And, the attempt at making a determination over whether another is worthy to remain alive in this earthly "kingdom"
6. The fruit of man (or satan) as god is death, because the stance that is required for this position rejects the offer of the only Giver of Life.
I'm wondering. Something was begun in the Garden--and before Christ returns it is going to eventually come to completion, resulting in what Paul calls a "falling away" which will reveal the "man of sin".
Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition,(2 Thessalonians 2:3)
While I'm not going to try to play prophecy expert, I do think it might be wise to pay close attention to the enormous upsurge in the very things that appear to be represented in mankind's original decision to consort with God's enemy.
Most Bible-believing Christians will readily agree that there is something dreadfully "wrong" in this world. Even non-Christians attest to that reality.
But I've been wondering if we don't actually realize what we are seeing.
Is it possible that the "man of sin" (man-as-god) in all his disgusting perversion is now being revealed in humanity as a whole. That the "falling away" is the completion of the apostasy that humanity began thousands of years ago?
Only....... many of us don't notice it as such because we are expecting to be raptured away before "he" shows up? Or, perhaps we still think that if we could just get certain laws implemented or argue others onto "our" side, then society will somehow turn around? Even more terrifying--do we even see this evil as being a horrible, horrible thing that is spreading like an aggressive cancer throughout a large portion of the world's population?
I'm not sure I have any clear answers at this time. But have been definitely perking up my eyes and ears to any direction the Lord might give concerning the potential connections.
Guess I'll go back to bed and try to get some sleep.
November 15, 2009
Sunday Afternoon Worship
For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." Romans 4:3
Then being always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord;
for we walk by faith, not by sight;
then we are confident and we are pleased rather to go away from home out of the body, and to come home to the Lord.
Therefore we are also laboring to be well-pleasing to Him, whether at home or away from home. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9
Through Scripture, God has told us that we need Him.
We are to believe Him and live accordingly.
November 13, 2009
Reading Lesson: The Gospel is A Divine Romance--The Ultimate Love Story
The Divine Romance begins in the throne room of a mighty King, Who is a just and benevolent Ruler to all of His loyal subjects. He is, in our estimation, the Ancient of Days Who existed before the dawn of time. His royal robes are blindingly spotless and His crown shines like the sun. His presence inspires a state of indescribable awe and His faithful servants bow in humble adoration. There exists within His being a radiant, life-giving Love that permeates His realm. Although we know nothing that could precisely describe this perfect state of Being, we might say it is similar to the way a Father and Son experience a unity of Spirit.
This Majestic Ruler wasn't a bit lonely or bored but delighted in creating things. The realm He spoke into existence was beautiful and expansive, filled with many devoted servants. But He desired to have a large family on which He could bestow His abundant measure of Love. And no where could He find a suitable wife.
He desired to have a close confidant and friend who He could completely enrapture with His lavish gifts and who wanted nothing more than to be close to the side of her husband. He wanted someone that was so insanely in love with Him that it would be as though they were "one flesh". And He wanted to care for her as a Father does His beloved child.
But there was no one. So, the King decided to design a bride for Himself. She was somewhat diminutive, weak and relatively insignificant. A mere peasant amidst the grandeur of His other creations. Really, no more impressive than a simple clay pot. But He had fashioned her with His own hand, loved her fiercely and felt that she was the perfect counterpoint to the unimaginable splendor of His own Being.
In her wide-eyed innocence, she wandered through the Garden He had planted for her, admiring it's breathtaking beauty. The only thing He withheld from her was a certain tree, which grew fruit that He alone was able to properly utilize. He understood that it would be a slow-working poison in her own body which, ultimately, would result in her death. For a time, she carefully avoided even touching the one tree whose fruit the King had forbidden her to eat.
The King intended to woo this innocent one into His embrace with his gentle care and tender affections. He was confident that when she realized the treasure she had in Him, she would, without hesitation, give herself into His arms to be His forever.
However, the bride-to-be was not a slave who had no ability to choose what she wanted. And a jealous servant desired to claim her for himself. He was not satisfied to be a favored steward in the King's presence. But rather, he wanted a kingdom of his own and went through the land, gathering to himself an army, bent on rebellion.Then, he waited for an opportunity to approach the young woman.
The king was aware that the insurrection was brewing. He would never let it get out of control--but recognized it as the perfect opportunity for His intended spouse to learn an important lesson. She needed to understand the necessity of thankfulness and the joy of simply being in communion with Him.
There is no one in the entire universe who is a better lover than He. If she did not realize this before entering into His palace, she would eventually become a discontented and ungrateful wife and the household would be torn apart by constant friction.
One day, the young, impressionable woman came upon a handsome stranger, lounging beneath the tree with the forbidden fruit. Wiping scarlet juice from his lips, he smiled somewhat lopsidedly and stood up to greet her.
After a bit of discussion, the woman allowed herself to be convinced by the stranger that the fruit was a desirable food for her. Her mind swirled with confused thoughts. How could the King have been so selfish as to deny her this one thing? The stranger pressed his offer to allow her to rule with him in his own counterfeit kingdom if she would agree to come live with him. Through the glittering allure of the promise of power and self-deception, the woman determined to take for herself a knowledge that she was never designed to be able to handle. She determined that she should be worshiped as a goddess.
In that moment of foolish rebellion, she became filled with the desire to break free from the safely constricting boundaries of Perfect Love. Her mind became darkly twisted and her heart developed a cancerous lesion, which, over time, would grow and sicken her to the point of death.
In horror, the woman realized she had made a grave error. But it was too late. The King was coming to greet her and the stranger had left her standing alone. Naked. Ashamed. Stained with the filth of her adultery.
Motivated by an insane terror of punishment, she attempted to hide from the King what she had done. Her desperate and pitiful efforts at covering her own guilt were obvious to Him and He was moved to sternly intervene. When questioned, the cowering child persisted in attempting to justify her own choice to disobey and desperately cast about for someone else to blame. Stubborn self-righteousness and lying were added to her crimes of idolatry, covetousness and adultery.
In measured rage, the King forever cursed the wicked servant and all who would willingly follow in his wide path of rebellious self-worship..
Then, with intense sorrow for the pain she was about to endure, He told the woman that in her current state she could never live forever with Him. She was irreparably damaged and unable to remain in His presence as it would be nothing but torment as she eternally degenerated into an ever more disgusting, loathsome crone that produced nothing but death.
In His infinite wisdom and mercy, He told her He would eventually allow her tainted body to die. Until then, she would labor in pain to deliver offspring that were also infected with the cancer she held in her heart. Many would be driven by greed and pride to continue the pact with their terrifying new master. A few would be humbled and awakened to the truth about the King who was waiting to heal and adopt back all those who had been born as children of this horrendous act of prostitution.
The King also gave his Word that He had a perfect Plan, and the weeping woman was instructed to trust the Promise that, when the time was right, He would Personally return to defend her honor and purchase back that which the enemy had attempted to steal. Afterward, He would finally crush His enemies forever and there would never again be any death or sorrow or shame. Their end is utter destruction, and rightly so. Who could blame the King for exacting such vengeance on those who would dare to rape His wife and enslave His children?
In order for her to be able to enter His perfect Sabbath rest, the King's own Son would have to die in her place. The guilt of murder was added to the indictment against her.
He sent the woman into the wilderness of sin so that she and her children might be tested and purified in the Refiner's fiery furnace.
The King is ever watching. Always ready to forgive. Seeking diligently for that which was lost and rejoicing greatly when His precious vessels of gold are finally recovered from the smelting pot of this cursed world.
He only applies as much heat and pressure as is necessary to transform stone-dead hearts into soft, living, Loving ones which have learned to abide in the Life-giving Vine of Truth.
And throughout the ages, His soft, sweet voice whispers, urges...
"The lion roars.
The nations rage.
The destroyer has surrounded you.
The accuser insists you are worthless.
But I will rescue you, My beloved.
I will wear your shame.
I will learn what you wanted to know and live in the perfect way that you cannot.
I will exchange My life for yours so that you may rise again from the grave that has threatened to swallow you.
But you need to learn to trust Me.
Stop trying to battle your destroyer with the tools that he chooses.
Come.
Lay down your weapons of prideful self destruction.
Lean against My strong arm.
Rest in My shade.
Let Me fight for you.
Drink deeply from the Life-giving water and you will be healed."
The imagery can be found throughout Scripture, if the reader has "eyes to see and ears to hear" Even the Law, summed up in the Ten Commandments, points us to the amazing love and mercy of our Lord. Read the Genesis account of the Fall. Look for the sins that Adam and Eve committed. The Law expanded on the severity of their transgression, and was what Jesus Christ took upon Himself when He endured crucifixion at the hand of His thankless creation. All because we think we want to know what He knows and become gods of our own imagination.
The price God paid to restore honor to His faithless, thankless, harlot of a lover is unfathomable. The Maker of the universe was mocked, mercilessly whipped, spat upon, had His beard ripped out by the roots, and ultimately nailed to the "tree" that signifies the essence of our sin. And then, He drank the cup of wrath that is being filled by the innumerable iniquities of His enemies.
While the rebellious torturers divided his clothing and gambled for a share of the spoils, Jesus cried out "Father forgive them, for they know NOT what they do!" (Luke 23:34)
This Majestic Ruler wasn't a bit lonely or bored but delighted in creating things. The realm He spoke into existence was beautiful and expansive, filled with many devoted servants. But He desired to have a large family on which He could bestow His abundant measure of Love. And no where could He find a suitable wife.
He desired to have a close confidant and friend who He could completely enrapture with His lavish gifts and who wanted nothing more than to be close to the side of her husband. He wanted someone that was so insanely in love with Him that it would be as though they were "one flesh". And He wanted to care for her as a Father does His beloved child.
But there was no one. So, the King decided to design a bride for Himself. She was somewhat diminutive, weak and relatively insignificant. A mere peasant amidst the grandeur of His other creations. Really, no more impressive than a simple clay pot. But He had fashioned her with His own hand, loved her fiercely and felt that she was the perfect counterpoint to the unimaginable splendor of His own Being.
In her wide-eyed innocence, she wandered through the Garden He had planted for her, admiring it's breathtaking beauty. The only thing He withheld from her was a certain tree, which grew fruit that He alone was able to properly utilize. He understood that it would be a slow-working poison in her own body which, ultimately, would result in her death. For a time, she carefully avoided even touching the one tree whose fruit the King had forbidden her to eat.
The King intended to woo this innocent one into His embrace with his gentle care and tender affections. He was confident that when she realized the treasure she had in Him, she would, without hesitation, give herself into His arms to be His forever.
However, the bride-to-be was not a slave who had no ability to choose what she wanted. And a jealous servant desired to claim her for himself. He was not satisfied to be a favored steward in the King's presence. But rather, he wanted a kingdom of his own and went through the land, gathering to himself an army, bent on rebellion.Then, he waited for an opportunity to approach the young woman.
The king was aware that the insurrection was brewing. He would never let it get out of control--but recognized it as the perfect opportunity for His intended spouse to learn an important lesson. She needed to understand the necessity of thankfulness and the joy of simply being in communion with Him.
There is no one in the entire universe who is a better lover than He. If she did not realize this before entering into His palace, she would eventually become a discontented and ungrateful wife and the household would be torn apart by constant friction.
One day, the young, impressionable woman came upon a handsome stranger, lounging beneath the tree with the forbidden fruit. Wiping scarlet juice from his lips, he smiled somewhat lopsidedly and stood up to greet her.
After a bit of discussion, the woman allowed herself to be convinced by the stranger that the fruit was a desirable food for her. Her mind swirled with confused thoughts. How could the King have been so selfish as to deny her this one thing? The stranger pressed his offer to allow her to rule with him in his own counterfeit kingdom if she would agree to come live with him. Through the glittering allure of the promise of power and self-deception, the woman determined to take for herself a knowledge that she was never designed to be able to handle. She determined that she should be worshiped as a goddess.
In that moment of foolish rebellion, she became filled with the desire to break free from the safely constricting boundaries of Perfect Love. Her mind became darkly twisted and her heart developed a cancerous lesion, which, over time, would grow and sicken her to the point of death.
In horror, the woman realized she had made a grave error. But it was too late. The King was coming to greet her and the stranger had left her standing alone. Naked. Ashamed. Stained with the filth of her adultery.
Motivated by an insane terror of punishment, she attempted to hide from the King what she had done. Her desperate and pitiful efforts at covering her own guilt were obvious to Him and He was moved to sternly intervene. When questioned, the cowering child persisted in attempting to justify her own choice to disobey and desperately cast about for someone else to blame. Stubborn self-righteousness and lying were added to her crimes of idolatry, covetousness and adultery.
In measured rage, the King forever cursed the wicked servant and all who would willingly follow in his wide path of rebellious self-worship..
Then, with intense sorrow for the pain she was about to endure, He told the woman that in her current state she could never live forever with Him. She was irreparably damaged and unable to remain in His presence as it would be nothing but torment as she eternally degenerated into an ever more disgusting, loathsome crone that produced nothing but death.
In His infinite wisdom and mercy, He told her He would eventually allow her tainted body to die. Until then, she would labor in pain to deliver offspring that were also infected with the cancer she held in her heart. Many would be driven by greed and pride to continue the pact with their terrifying new master. A few would be humbled and awakened to the truth about the King who was waiting to heal and adopt back all those who had been born as children of this horrendous act of prostitution.
The King also gave his Word that He had a perfect Plan, and the weeping woman was instructed to trust the Promise that, when the time was right, He would Personally return to defend her honor and purchase back that which the enemy had attempted to steal. Afterward, He would finally crush His enemies forever and there would never again be any death or sorrow or shame. Their end is utter destruction, and rightly so. Who could blame the King for exacting such vengeance on those who would dare to rape His wife and enslave His children?
In order for her to be able to enter His perfect Sabbath rest, the King's own Son would have to die in her place. The guilt of murder was added to the indictment against her.
He sent the woman into the wilderness of sin so that she and her children might be tested and purified in the Refiner's fiery furnace.
The King is ever watching. Always ready to forgive. Seeking diligently for that which was lost and rejoicing greatly when His precious vessels of gold are finally recovered from the smelting pot of this cursed world.
He only applies as much heat and pressure as is necessary to transform stone-dead hearts into soft, living, Loving ones which have learned to abide in the Life-giving Vine of Truth.
And throughout the ages, His soft, sweet voice whispers, urges...
"The lion roars.
The nations rage.
The destroyer has surrounded you.
The accuser insists you are worthless.
But I will rescue you, My beloved.
I will wear your shame.
I will learn what you wanted to know and live in the perfect way that you cannot.
I will exchange My life for yours so that you may rise again from the grave that has threatened to swallow you.
But you need to learn to trust Me.
Stop trying to battle your destroyer with the tools that he chooses.
Come.
Lay down your weapons of prideful self destruction.
Lean against My strong arm.
Rest in My shade.
Let Me fight for you.
Drink deeply from the Life-giving water and you will be healed."
The imagery can be found throughout Scripture, if the reader has "eyes to see and ears to hear" Even the Law, summed up in the Ten Commandments, points us to the amazing love and mercy of our Lord. Read the Genesis account of the Fall. Look for the sins that Adam and Eve committed. The Law expanded on the severity of their transgression, and was what Jesus Christ took upon Himself when He endured crucifixion at the hand of His thankless creation. All because we think we want to know what He knows and become gods of our own imagination.
The price God paid to restore honor to His faithless, thankless, harlot of a lover is unfathomable. The Maker of the universe was mocked, mercilessly whipped, spat upon, had His beard ripped out by the roots, and ultimately nailed to the "tree" that signifies the essence of our sin. And then, He drank the cup of wrath that is being filled by the innumerable iniquities of His enemies.
While the rebellious torturers divided his clothing and gambled for a share of the spoils, Jesus cried out "Father forgive them, for they know NOT what they do!" (Luke 23:34)
O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the
strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God who gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. So that, my beloved brothers, be
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing
that your labor is not without fruit in the Lord. 1 (Corinthians
15:56-58)
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.
He who believes on the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not
believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon
him. (John 3:35-36)
The Bible is primarily an everlasting Story of personal relationship, desperate need, fierce devotion, completely
unwarranted forgiveness, and the supremely self-sacrificing nature of the God of
the Universe. Our Creator looks with compassion and mercy upon his
scattered, wounded sheep. He knows we are blind, foolish and helpless
and He's working to get us to recognize this reality so we will run
back to our faithful, ever patient True Shepherd.
We
need to learn to read Scripture from God's perspective. If you read your Bible and cannot see EVERYWHERE the evidence of this Divine Romance, then run to
Him and beg Him to anoint your eyes so that the scales of deception
will fall away. He will not fail to show you Who He really is if you
honestly want to know.
Please note also that I'm not attempting to paint a "Christian's versus non" neither am I writing from a particular doctrinal perspective.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:12-18
Challenge: Read John 8 or the book of Hosea. Look for the themes I outlined here.
Please note also that I'm not attempting to paint a "Christian's versus non" neither am I writing from a particular doctrinal perspective.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:12-18
Challenge: Read John 8 or the book of Hosea. Look for the themes I outlined here.
November 11, 2009
The Slow Learner Gets Reading Glasses
I'm back.
And before I share what the Lord showed me, I would ask readers to please set aside any preconceived notions about doctrine or eschatology. I promise, I'm not a crazy heretic who's pushing some "new and improved" version of salvation. And I'm sure our study of God's Word is never pointless. But the "extra" stuff WILL cloud our vision if we don't already clearly see the "big picture". God's people have been stuck too long contemplating such details as how works "work", who is "elect" and why some believers are "gifted" when others are not.
Please pray that the Lord would help you weigh carefully what I say here. Facing the whole truth and choosing to continue believing partial truths is not a light matter and I'm frightened at having been given such a precious treasure to share. I don't want to do this the wrong way.
And no. This is not Heather being dramatic. If we want to see the truth, we have to ask the One who IS truth. Otherwise, we will stubbornly continue in unbelief.
Alright. The simple, basic truth is really not so different than my father's summation of the Bible.
1. I am God. You are not
2. And I love you anyway.
There is much wisdom there. But I would change it to say:
1. I am your Father. And I know what is best. Leave the hard things to Me.
2. But even though you don't want to see this, I love you anyway. Come back and let Me take care of you.
Do you see what I see?
Read Genesis and Exodus. Everything Jesus said. John's Gospel and his epistles. Paul's writings. It's all over Scripture.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
"But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.".....(NASB)
The foundation of our faith is simple. It is a pure devotion to our Lord. But we make it hard because of our stubborn, sinful flesh that does not want to admit that we were made to need a Gentle Shepherd who will take care of us. We want to have it our way and try to scheme and plan and figure out a better path to everlasting life.
The foundation of our faith is simple. It is a pure devotion to our Lord. But we make it hard because of our stubborn, sinful flesh that does not want to admit that we were made to need a Gentle Shepherd who will take care of us. We want to have it our way and try to scheme and plan and figure out a better path to everlasting life.
Look carefully at the "photographs" in the Old Testament. Look at the terminology in the New Testamrnt. Father, mother, Sister, Brother, birth, children....
God needs absolutely NOTHING from us. But He wants us to trust Him as little children would trust a loving Father. God wants a family. The "Kingdom" of God is a Royal Family and we are all to act as though we believe that. Our sinful pride (attitude of "I want to be the boss") messes with us constantly. And our greed causes us to reach for that which was not ours to take. Namely, the "knowledge of right and wrong": the right to BE God.
Now, I'm sure this is not a "new" concept to most professing Christians. But I have to ask, how many of us honestly believe this simple profession of faith? How many of us actually trust that God's wisdom and care is sufficient instead of relying on our doctrinal creeds or Calvinistic/Arminian/Lutheran/Catholic/Baptist/Charismatic/Reformed etc. teachings? Or perhaps we are obsessed with church programs, "uplifting" song services and social justice?
How many of us will stand up to "defend God's Word" against all opposition, yet we do it in our own "intellectual" way..totally missing the family portrait that is painted there? How many of us have reduced a relationship with our Father and His children to being a mechanical set of "Sunday-go-to-church-because -we're -not -supposed -to -forsake -the -assembly" rituals? Or, we've abandoned church altogether because no one cares?
Do we care when a Family member is sick, sad, hurt, going bankrupt, abandoned, struggling with alcoholism, p*rn*graphy or h*m*s*xuality? Are we concerned for the welfare of another professing believer who is known to be stuck in a pattern of sin? Do we care enough to go say "Daddy told us to not behave like that"-let's go together and ask Him to help you trust Him in this trial. Do we even notice the blatant disregard for the wisdom of the Father which runs rampant in the church? Does it break our hearts and cause us to plead with Him to open the eyes of those who are perishing? Or, do we shudder in self-righteous indignation, call down heavenly condemnation and then begin the 3-step "Church discipline" process?
That brings me to Matthew 18.
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. (v 11-16)
I only copied part of it, but I highly recommend a thorough reading of the whole context. Look at the words Jesus is using and please recognize that he is not laying out a formula by which we kick people out of our elite club. Our job is to first humbly, privately offer to help, fully acknowledging that any of us is a potential offender simply because we are living in cursed carcasses.
If our sibling in Christ chooses to not repent, then we are to bring in an ELDER sibling (this has nothing to do with some organizational hierarchy, BTW--it is acknowledgment of Family order, pure and simple). Call for one who's faith is recognized to be more mature and who might be able to better hear from Daddy what to do. If that doesn't work, get the whole local Family together so that they can all urge the errant brother back into the protective arms of his Father. The purpose here is reconciliation with Daddy, not the merciless gang-beating of one of His children by the rest. If the person still refuses to repent (Post on that topic), and will not act as though he believes Dad knows what He's saying, then we need to recognize that he most likely doesn't know Dad and doesn't want to be disciplined by Him. For, through Solomon, God said "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12
We are to hand that errant person back over to the Lord for punishment (put him out of the "assembly"). The Lord will not fail to deal with him. And if he responds, we are to welcome him back with open arms---no questions asked. That is the forgiveness of agape.
But while He yet talked with the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, desiring to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers stand outside, desiring to speak with You. And He answered and said to him who told Him, Who is My mother? And who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever shall do the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother. Matthew 12:46-50
If our sibling in Christ chooses to not repent, then we are to bring in an ELDER sibling (this has nothing to do with some organizational hierarchy, BTW--it is acknowledgment of Family order, pure and simple). Call for one who's faith is recognized to be more mature and who might be able to better hear from Daddy what to do. If that doesn't work, get the whole local Family together so that they can all urge the errant brother back into the protective arms of his Father. The purpose here is reconciliation with Daddy, not the merciless gang-beating of one of His children by the rest. If the person still refuses to repent (Post on that topic), and will not act as though he believes Dad knows what He's saying, then we need to recognize that he most likely doesn't know Dad and doesn't want to be disciplined by Him. For, through Solomon, God said "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12
We are to hand that errant person back over to the Lord for punishment (put him out of the "assembly"). The Lord will not fail to deal with him. And if he responds, we are to welcome him back with open arms---no questions asked. That is the forgiveness of agape.
But while He yet talked with the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, desiring to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers stand outside, desiring to speak with You. And He answered and said to him who told Him, Who is My mother? And who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever shall do the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother. Matthew 12:46-50
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God wants a big family and "we" are the way He has chosen to go about it. I'm not going to speculate as to how certain doctrines fit that concept. Obviously, there is only one safe way to the Father-- through His Son, who purchased us for a price none of us can begin to imagine.
Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be "born again". We are to be stripped naked before Him and allow Him to cover us as He intended from the beginning.
If we are His children, we need to behave as though we believe that Daddy knows what is best.
There are many, many things in the Bible that are hard to understand and I don't think we are supposed to try to wrap our minds around every bit. Instead, we are to allow God to wrap His heart around us and show us what He wants us to know.
Then, we are to do what He has told us to do, as we seek Him and He reveals it to us as individuals. Just as a large natural family can have babies, preschoolers, elementary-aged, teenagers, young adults, middle aged, older adults...we should expect God's family to have similar stages of growth happening at any given time. We need to be careful to not consider others as being unworthy of adoption. And if we really believe He's building a family based in mercifully forgiving Love, it changes the way we look at our spouses, children, neighbors, bosses--even complete strangers.
My goal as a family member is to learn to trust my Father by accepting His discipline and to remember to encourage other family members to do the same. When I fail (commit acts of sin), I need to admit that I am helpless without Him, then turn from my own foolish dimwittedness and ask Him to teach me to love and trust Him more. In this, I am set free from the law of sin and death--because death is simply what happens when Life is taken away. Salvation really is that simple.
A word of caution to the proud and perverse:
The essence of sin is in not trusting that Daddy loves us and will take care of us. It is the rejection of His loving discipline that destroys our faith in Him. Causing anyone else to stumble in their simple, childlike faith is not a crime the Lord will simply overlook.
I must be humbled and learn to cry "Abba, Father! Help me, for I am helpless! Adopt me, for I am Fatherless. Discipline me, for I am foolish. Teach me to walk in Your ways so that I will no longer be stubbornly rebellious to your precious, life-giving care!"
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us. If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.
One last thing. I have read through the Gospel of John a couple of times. The last time, we read it as a family about 6 months ago. And for the first time in my life, I noticed the way Resurrected Jesus addressed his fishing disciples...
Then Jesus said to them, Children, do you have anything to eat? They answered Him, No. John 21:5
Read the rest of that passage. As we read the Bible, we need to strive to catch a glimpse of the family that God is building. We need to beg him to take the scales off of our eyes and cause us to SEE what He's doing. Jesus' death and resurrection makes it possible for all of mankind to be reconciled with the Father. How He does it and who He chooses is none of my business. But I'd better not get in His way.
Love created us. It walked among us. Love is saving us and is building a permanent home for us. Love ran to us when we had wasted our beautiful inheritance. It hugged us while we smelled like manure. It rejoices when any previously thankless child turns and comes, filthy and broken, back to the Father. It washes us. It places royal robes on our shoulders and holds a feast out of pure joy...............
Love instructs us to touch others in the same way and we can't do it without Him.
Can you see it?
If this concept doesn't absolutely rock your world, beg God to tip you out of the boat--in the middle of the lake--during a storm--with no life jacket. He will not fail to lift you up when you plead with Him to save you.
He's promised. And His Promise is trustworthy.
Will return to the concept of the Bible as a love story ASAP
November 10, 2009
The Slow Learner in the Remedial Reading Room
Ever read some passage of the Bible and wonder what message God is trying to convey?
My dad tends to sum up all of Scripture by saying that God's message to mankind is
1. I'm God. Your not.
2. And I love you anyway.
Of course, that is a tad simplistic and it is difficult to fully subscribe to the second point as my dad states it. God is indeed patient and kind to all of us but has sent out a call to repentance. There is no way to benefit from His love unless we accept it in the way He desires for us to. So, while talking with my dad, I would find myself racing in my mind to thoughts concerning God's anger and wrath toward humanity and then want to strenuously protest. But my dad's smarter than I am. So I tend to keep my mouth shut.
After much asking, seeking and knocking (not to mention desperate crying, crawling and begging), the Lord has given me a peek at the heart of His revelation to us. And I wanted to pass it on.
The Bible is not primarily a "manufacturer's instruction manual" from which we are to extract certain principles for daily life. That implies that we could somehow fix what is wrong in our own lives.
It isn't a self-help book full of handy tips on how to be a "better" person--thus working our way into God's favor. That would offer suggestion of good works and good behavior resulting in clean conscience and material blessing.
And it's not (as some would claim) a horror story in which an angry, terrifying, bloodthirsty deity is determined to force men into worshiping Him --even if it means He would murder His own son to get what He wants. God is not a maliciously vengeful tyrant Who is looking for the perfect opportunity to simply crush and destroy people who He specifically made to not be able to meet His qualifications.
I've noticed that the more I read, the more I realize that I do not measure up to the standard that God is. Left to my own efforts and wisdom, I could never be able to be considered worthy to stand in His presence. We certainly should heed the instruction on what good behavior looks like. And the consequences of rebelling against God are indeed terrifying.
And, not being remotely perfect, I have often felt Scripture weigh down my heart til it feels as though it is being crushed under the enormity of my imperfection.
The Bible is a book of condemnation. A testimony against all unrighteousness--and a Holy declaration of what that unrighteousness justly deserves.
But if that is all we see, we have missed the main theme. For God is LOVE.
For a while I thought the Bible might be something of a photograph album, with random pictures of the predicted Messiah sprinkled throughout. In a way, it is. But while I was busy examining snapshots, I didn't notice how they made up the details of a much larger portrait.
At the risk of sounding irreverent, I've come to think of the Bible as a Divine Romance novel (with hundreds of illustrations) depicting God's ferociously sacrificial love for His creation, which initially spurned His advances.
Sound weird? I would have thought so until about a week ago. Then God taught me how to read and He even showed me how His wrath fits perfectly into the scenario.
:o)
Hopefully will post more on this later.
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