Amos 8:11 "The days are coming, " declares the Sovereign Lord, "when I will send a famine through the land-- not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord."
When I read today's verse, a sense if dis-ease came over me. I began to think, "How frightening and overwhelming would life be without God's voice in my life." There have been, and still are, times when I allow life to drown out God's still small voice. But this verse speaks to an even more dire situation. A life lived where God simply refuses to speak, to lead, to guide, to comfort. I have placed myself in that situation also.
Blackaby discusses several reasons why God might withhold His communication from His children. Disobedience to His last instruction-- God may not give you the next "move" until you have been faithful in His most recent directive. Unconfessed sin. A damaged relationship that needs repair. Too much talking during prayers and not enough listening.
God can, but seldom, forces Himself into our lives.
James 4:8a,10 8aCome near to God and He will draw near to you. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
I am reminded of the story of the elderly man and his wife of 50 years who were driving down a back road in his old pickup. She began to lament about how he used to put his arm around her and hold her close when they were driving around. Oh, how she longed for those days. On and on she went.
After listening patiently for a while, the husband turned to his wife and said, "Well, honey, I haven't moved."
God has not moved. He has so many things He can share with us. But are our lives in a state of obedience, expectancy and quietude so that He will speak to us?
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
May 30, 2012
It's ironic, but the less I "have" to do, the fewer of the "have-to's" I get done. Since school has been out, my mornings have been a bit more more my own, and during that that time, I have not had one blog post or genuine Bible study/prayer time. I could never be a work-at-home person.
Thank you God for not ignoring me even when I ignore you.
Acts 12:2-3a 2He (King Herod) had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.
Blackaby makes an interesting point with this scripture. He writes that "it is an affront to your Lord to continue pleading with Him when He has clearly said no." James- executed. Peter- spared. Surely the church in Jerusalem prayed for James also, but to no avail. Were the prayers less fervent for James? Did the Sunday School class that prayed for Peter have greater faith? Or maybe, just maybe, it was God's will that James should perish and Peter live a while longer.
I would agree that once "no" has been given as an answer it becomes wearisome to have the request continually repeated. BUT, how do we differentiate between a "no" and a "not now"? In 2 Corinthians we learn that Paul prayed three times to have the "thorn from in (his) flesh" removed. Yet God chose to not heal Paul. In fact, Paul took that affliction and turned in into a matter of praise.
Should we ever stop praying for the healing of a family member? Does even that prayer "heal so-and-so, but if it be your will he/she remain sick, then Your will be done" even grate on God's nerves when He has answered, "No."? Hmmm. . .
Thank you God for not ignoring me even when I ignore you.
Acts 12:2-3a 2He (King Herod) had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.
Blackaby makes an interesting point with this scripture. He writes that "it is an affront to your Lord to continue pleading with Him when He has clearly said no." James- executed. Peter- spared. Surely the church in Jerusalem prayed for James also, but to no avail. Were the prayers less fervent for James? Did the Sunday School class that prayed for Peter have greater faith? Or maybe, just maybe, it was God's will that James should perish and Peter live a while longer.
I would agree that once "no" has been given as an answer it becomes wearisome to have the request continually repeated. BUT, how do we differentiate between a "no" and a "not now"? In 2 Corinthians we learn that Paul prayed three times to have the "thorn from in (his) flesh" removed. Yet God chose to not heal Paul. In fact, Paul took that affliction and turned in into a matter of praise.
Should we ever stop praying for the healing of a family member? Does even that prayer "heal so-and-so, but if it be your will he/she remain sick, then Your will be done" even grate on God's nerves when He has answered, "No."? Hmmm. . .
Monday, May 21, 2012
May 21, 2012
Acts 12:14-15 14When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
15"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so they said, "It must be his angel."
When does confident prayer become presumptuous prayer? Is the line many of use in our prayer life, "But if (fill in your prayer request) is not to be, then Your will be done, not mine." I know that this was the prayer of our Lord and Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane, so I am certainly not discounting it, but for the majority of Christians, is that line what we truly mean, or a way out for God because we don't really believe He will answer our prayers?
In today's verse, Blackaby points out that the believers who were praying for Peter had some belief issues. They had been praying for Peter's release from prison. When Peter showed up at the door and Rhoda told them he was there, they didn't believe her. "It must be his angel", was their response. Where was their confidence in their prayers? Did they believe God could not or would not?
The upside to this verse is that God still answers prayer at times regardless of the supplicant's faith. However, if we continually prayer without expectation that God will answer the prayer, then how fervent and consistent a prayer life we will have?
When God answers a prayer will I say, "It surely can't be?" Or will my response be that of Rhoda- an eagerness to share God's goodness with others?
15"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so they said, "It must be his angel."
When does confident prayer become presumptuous prayer? Is the line many of use in our prayer life, "But if (fill in your prayer request) is not to be, then Your will be done, not mine." I know that this was the prayer of our Lord and Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane, so I am certainly not discounting it, but for the majority of Christians, is that line what we truly mean, or a way out for God because we don't really believe He will answer our prayers?
In today's verse, Blackaby points out that the believers who were praying for Peter had some belief issues. They had been praying for Peter's release from prison. When Peter showed up at the door and Rhoda told them he was there, they didn't believe her. "It must be his angel", was their response. Where was their confidence in their prayers? Did they believe God could not or would not?
The upside to this verse is that God still answers prayer at times regardless of the supplicant's faith. However, if we continually prayer without expectation that God will answer the prayer, then how fervent and consistent a prayer life we will have?
When God answers a prayer will I say, "It surely can't be?" Or will my response be that of Rhoda- an eagerness to share God's goodness with others?
Thursday, May 17, 2012
May 17, 2012
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Blackaby discusses one of the aspects of the believers life I continue to question and ponder. That is how can we be sure we are following the Holy Spirit's leading in the decisions we make. I know the procedure--Bible study, prayer, Christian counsel, etc. But when it comes down to crunch time, short of a finger writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5) or a dry fleece (Judges 6:39), how can we REALLY know God's will when we pull the proverbial trigger?
A few months ago on the radio, I heard a preacher say, "Satan wants us to settle for good, while God wants us to have the best." He went on to talk about how Satan may actually open the doors for "good" things to come into our lives. (2 Corinthians 11:14) If we quit searching for God's ultimate "best" then we will live a life short of all the joy, peace and love God desires for His children.
I think the best advice from Blackaby's journal entry today is "take time (emphasis mine) to seek the Holy Spirit's direction. . ." I am guilty of praying superficially over an issue 2-3 mornings, then doing what I want to do and justifying it by saying, "I prayed about it." Pffttt! Using puny prayer to justify decisions is perhaps worse than not praying at all.
While I may never receive writing on the wall or other miraculous signs about a decision, I can certainly be much more fervent and intentional in my prayers about decisions.
One other thought I just had as I was closing the Blackaby book- If I know a decision is looming in my future (or might be a decision I have to make), I should start praying about that decision as soon as I know about the possibility. I need to give God as large a window as possible to clearly make His will known to me.
Blackaby discusses one of the aspects of the believers life I continue to question and ponder. That is how can we be sure we are following the Holy Spirit's leading in the decisions we make. I know the procedure--Bible study, prayer, Christian counsel, etc. But when it comes down to crunch time, short of a finger writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5) or a dry fleece (Judges 6:39), how can we REALLY know God's will when we pull the proverbial trigger?
A few months ago on the radio, I heard a preacher say, "Satan wants us to settle for good, while God wants us to have the best." He went on to talk about how Satan may actually open the doors for "good" things to come into our lives. (2 Corinthians 11:14) If we quit searching for God's ultimate "best" then we will live a life short of all the joy, peace and love God desires for His children.
I think the best advice from Blackaby's journal entry today is "take time (emphasis mine) to seek the Holy Spirit's direction. . ." I am guilty of praying superficially over an issue 2-3 mornings, then doing what I want to do and justifying it by saying, "I prayed about it." Pffttt! Using puny prayer to justify decisions is perhaps worse than not praying at all.
While I may never receive writing on the wall or other miraculous signs about a decision, I can certainly be much more fervent and intentional in my prayers about decisions.
One other thought I just had as I was closing the Blackaby book- If I know a decision is looming in my future (or might be a decision I have to make), I should start praying about that decision as soon as I know about the possibility. I need to give God as large a window as possible to clearly make His will known to me.
Monday, May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012
Galatians 4:6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
I didn't get past listing the verse yesterday, so I am returning to it today.
Blackaby uses this verse to discuss the "Fatherness" of God. He focuses on how God is the perfect father. The word "father" conjures up a wide variety of remembrances for people--from ballgames in Shea Stadium to physical and verbal abuse. While no person has a father that was perfect, some were far better than others. Blackaby tells his readers that the "key is not to understand the Bible based on your experience, but to understand your experience in light of the Bible." The more time spent reading scripture, the better our understanding of the perfect Father.
One item from Galatians 4:6 that has been rolling around in my mind is the phrase "God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts". I am not sure I can articulate all my thoughts at this point, but I'll give it the ol' college try.
An oft used phrase in Sou Bap camp meetings and Sunday services is "ask Jesus to come into your heart". Another is to be "filled with the Holy Spirit". (The term was Holy "Ghost" when I was a wee lad. Guess that conjured up images of Casper thus the change to Spirit.) I think one result of such thinking was to create a separation in the two entities of the Trinity--Jesus and the Holy Spirit. For me Galatians 4:6 helps to unify these two.
While the Holy Spirit is the third part if the Trinity, it is much more. It is the actual essence of Christ. The Holy Spirit is both God and Jesus Christ in a different form--a form that can inhabit our human bodies. Understanding the Holy Spirit is a difficult task for many. However, an understanding of Christ's life on earth is a much easier task. We are human, therefore we can better identify with Christ's struggles, temptations, decisions and actions.
That very same person who resisted temptation, loved all those around him, was patient and winsome, laughed and cried lives begs to take up residence in our lives. Granted it is in the form of the Holy Spirit, but that spirit is the very essence of Jesus--the "Spirit of his Son". He doesn't walk beside us. He doesn't carry us on the beach during hard times. He doesn't live in the Holy of Holys. He indwells believers. Can't get any closer than that.
There is only one reason we don't access all that is available to us through Christ- choice. We simply chose not to allow the in-dwelling Christ to direct our thoughts and actions. That may sound simplistic and many will disagree, but 99% of life is in fact made up of the choices we make. Christ is available to all who believe in Him to help guide and direct all those choices.
Blackaby uses this verse to discuss the "Fatherness" of God. He focuses on how God is the perfect father. The word "father" conjures up a wide variety of remembrances for people--from ballgames in Shea Stadium to physical and verbal abuse. While no person has a father that was perfect, some were far better than others. Blackaby tells his readers that the "key is not to understand the Bible based on your experience, but to understand your experience in light of the Bible." The more time spent reading scripture, the better our understanding of the perfect Father.
One item from Galatians 4:6 that has been rolling around in my mind is the phrase "God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts". I am not sure I can articulate all my thoughts at this point, but I'll give it the ol' college try.
An oft used phrase in Sou Bap camp meetings and Sunday services is "ask Jesus to come into your heart". Another is to be "filled with the Holy Spirit". (The term was Holy "Ghost" when I was a wee lad. Guess that conjured up images of Casper thus the change to Spirit.) I think one result of such thinking was to create a separation in the two entities of the Trinity--Jesus and the Holy Spirit. For me Galatians 4:6 helps to unify these two.
While the Holy Spirit is the third part if the Trinity, it is much more. It is the actual essence of Christ. The Holy Spirit is both God and Jesus Christ in a different form--a form that can inhabit our human bodies. Understanding the Holy Spirit is a difficult task for many. However, an understanding of Christ's life on earth is a much easier task. We are human, therefore we can better identify with Christ's struggles, temptations, decisions and actions.
That very same person who resisted temptation, loved all those around him, was patient and winsome, laughed and cried lives begs to take up residence in our lives. Granted it is in the form of the Holy Spirit, but that spirit is the very essence of Jesus--the "Spirit of his Son". He doesn't walk beside us. He doesn't carry us on the beach during hard times. He doesn't live in the Holy of Holys. He indwells believers. Can't get any closer than that.
There is only one reason we don't access all that is available to us through Christ- choice. We simply chose not to allow the in-dwelling Christ to direct our thoughts and actions. That may sound simplistic and many will disagree, but 99% of life is in fact made up of the choices we make. Christ is available to all who believe in Him to help guide and direct all those choices.
Friday, May 11, 2012
May 11, 2012
Romans 8:16-17 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are his children then we are his heirs--heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
"Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." Imagine all the power, peace, love and wisdom of an infinite God, the Creator of the Universe. I am not sure our finite minds can truly comprehend the fullness of God, but we are capable of realizing the awesomeness of Him and his resources. Now, take a few minutes and realize, really grasp, the fact that, as Christians, we have 24/7 access to all those resources.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing in the human condition that God cannot and will not equip the believer to handle in a way that will please Him. Even more than just helping us "handle" life's challenges, we can be "conquerors" in all things. (Romans 8:37)
God is about more than just getting by. He is about VICTORY. Average is not part of God's lexicon for His children. We are God's children. We have unlimited access to all He has.
Take a minute to thank Jesus Christ for his death, suffering and resurrection that allowed us to become joint heirs with him, which in turn gives us access to all God has and is.
"Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." Imagine all the power, peace, love and wisdom of an infinite God, the Creator of the Universe. I am not sure our finite minds can truly comprehend the fullness of God, but we are capable of realizing the awesomeness of Him and his resources. Now, take a few minutes and realize, really grasp, the fact that, as Christians, we have 24/7 access to all those resources.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing in the human condition that God cannot and will not equip the believer to handle in a way that will please Him. Even more than just helping us "handle" life's challenges, we can be "conquerors" in all things. (Romans 8:37)
God is about more than just getting by. He is about VICTORY. Average is not part of God's lexicon for His children. We are God's children. We have unlimited access to all He has.
Take a minute to thank Jesus Christ for his death, suffering and resurrection that allowed us to become joint heirs with him, which in turn gives us access to all God has and is.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
May 9, 2012
Genesis 7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation."
Thank God for writers like Blackaby. So many of the Old Testament Bible stories have been hijacked by vacation Bible school, Sunday School quarterlies and surface preaching so that only the big picture gets preached/taught. Noah and the ark is one such story. Flood, pairs of animals and the rainbow are important aspects of the story and certainly fodder for Cecil B. DeMille, but verses like the one today have just as much meat on the bone and are perhaps contain a greater caution/message than the often recounted sections of the story.
We all know that Noah was chosen by God because he was a righteous and faithful man. His life was one of devotion to God. However, Noah's three sons and their wives were also saved from death. No where in Genesis is the faithfulness or righteous living of the sons or wives listed as a reason for their inclusion on the ark. It appears they were spared a watery grave simply because their father, Noah, was living in obedience to God.
While it is true the sons/wives still had to make the choice to get on the ark, it was their father's lifestyle that presented them with that opportunity. For argument's sake, let's assume that the sons were living a God-centered life. With the world in Noah's time so far removed from God, their only example of godly living would have come from their father, Noah. Quite a bit of pressure on fathers!
Is my life leaving people toward the "ark"? Do my daily interactions lead people toward salvation or toward destruction. Sure I may not be inviting people to do a line of blow, visit a strip club after work or cheat on a spouse, but is my life "convincing those around me of the wisdom of following God". (p. 167)
May my life be a witness to God's peace, love and wisdom. My lifestyle should point people to the ark of salvation not the floods of destruction.
Thank God for writers like Blackaby. So many of the Old Testament Bible stories have been hijacked by vacation Bible school, Sunday School quarterlies and surface preaching so that only the big picture gets preached/taught. Noah and the ark is one such story. Flood, pairs of animals and the rainbow are important aspects of the story and certainly fodder for Cecil B. DeMille, but verses like the one today have just as much meat on the bone and are perhaps contain a greater caution/message than the often recounted sections of the story.
We all know that Noah was chosen by God because he was a righteous and faithful man. His life was one of devotion to God. However, Noah's three sons and their wives were also saved from death. No where in Genesis is the faithfulness or righteous living of the sons or wives listed as a reason for their inclusion on the ark. It appears they were spared a watery grave simply because their father, Noah, was living in obedience to God.
While it is true the sons/wives still had to make the choice to get on the ark, it was their father's lifestyle that presented them with that opportunity. For argument's sake, let's assume that the sons were living a God-centered life. With the world in Noah's time so far removed from God, their only example of godly living would have come from their father, Noah. Quite a bit of pressure on fathers!
Is my life leaving people toward the "ark"? Do my daily interactions lead people toward salvation or toward destruction. Sure I may not be inviting people to do a line of blow, visit a strip club after work or cheat on a spouse, but is my life "convincing those around me of the wisdom of following God". (p. 167)
May my life be a witness to God's peace, love and wisdom. My lifestyle should point people to the ark of salvation not the floods of destruction.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
May 8, 2012
Genesis 6:8-9 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. . .Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.
I am guilty of forgetting just how lucky I am to be a Christian not just in Springfield, but also at this time in history. In Springfield, as in most parts of America, a person cannot swing a cat without hitting a church. Megachurches, starter churches, storefront churches. If a person cannot find a place to worship in Springfield, he/she is just simply not wanting to worship.
Contrast today's Springfield to Noah's world where "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." Genesis 6:5 Noah had no men's group or Wednesday night Bible study. Except for Noah's family, there was no one who shared his world view. In fact, the human race had become so sinful that "the Lord regretted that He had made human beings on the earth." But even living in such a perverse, evil time, Noah remained faithful and blameless. What faith Noah must have had!
If Noah could remain true to God living in the world he inhabited, surely I can make a much better showing at living a Christian life. I work with many Christians, have a family who prays for me daily and am involved in a caring small group at church. There are simply no excuses for me to not be in close communion with God on a minute-to-minute basis. Christian growth should be a given for believers in America today.
It is also amazing that Noah remained faithful without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. His contact with God was through sacrifices and oral stories handed down through generations. He did not the scripture to read and ponder. The struggles of Daniel had not yet taken place. No David and Goliath. The joy of an Easter morning was unknown to Noah, yet he was still a "righteous man" and "walked faithfully with God." I wonder if the story of the flood has overshadowed the life of Noah in most Christians' minds. Yes, his obedience in building the ark is amazing and the organization to collect all those animals without an Excel spreadsheet is mind-boggling. But to live a Godly life in a world so off-track that God destroyed His creation, that is as amazing to me as a big boat.
May my life each day more closely parallel Noah's "faithful and blameless" walk with God.
I am guilty of forgetting just how lucky I am to be a Christian not just in Springfield, but also at this time in history. In Springfield, as in most parts of America, a person cannot swing a cat without hitting a church. Megachurches, starter churches, storefront churches. If a person cannot find a place to worship in Springfield, he/she is just simply not wanting to worship.
Contrast today's Springfield to Noah's world where "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." Genesis 6:5 Noah had no men's group or Wednesday night Bible study. Except for Noah's family, there was no one who shared his world view. In fact, the human race had become so sinful that "the Lord regretted that He had made human beings on the earth." But even living in such a perverse, evil time, Noah remained faithful and blameless. What faith Noah must have had!
If Noah could remain true to God living in the world he inhabited, surely I can make a much better showing at living a Christian life. I work with many Christians, have a family who prays for me daily and am involved in a caring small group at church. There are simply no excuses for me to not be in close communion with God on a minute-to-minute basis. Christian growth should be a given for believers in America today.
It is also amazing that Noah remained faithful without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. His contact with God was through sacrifices and oral stories handed down through generations. He did not the scripture to read and ponder. The struggles of Daniel had not yet taken place. No David and Goliath. The joy of an Easter morning was unknown to Noah, yet he was still a "righteous man" and "walked faithfully with God." I wonder if the story of the flood has overshadowed the life of Noah in most Christians' minds. Yes, his obedience in building the ark is amazing and the organization to collect all those animals without an Excel spreadsheet is mind-boggling. But to live a Godly life in a world so off-track that God destroyed His creation, that is as amazing to me as a big boat.
May my life each day more closely parallel Noah's "faithful and blameless" walk with God.
Monday, May 7, 2012
May 7, 2012
Matthew 15:18 "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these things defile them."
I was running late this morning and almost didn't take the time to read today's devotional. Boy, am I glad I did. This week at school promises to be one of the busiest of the year. Night events, field trips, end-of-year planning. Along with the hectic schedule comes lost sleep, weariness and irritability. It is in these times I find it the most difficult to apply Ephesians 4:29- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it might benefit those who listen.
We have heard the old adage, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." While this is a good place to start, I don't believe it is the ultimate goal. I aspire to, "If you can't say something nice, you are not trying hard enough." Even the most challenging student, most arduous co-worker or most difficult parent has some redeeming quality or practice that can be mentioned.
Please pray for me that this week I will be a positive encourager in the office, break room, hallways and living room.
Friday, May 4, 2012
May 4, 2012
Matthew 16:19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Okay, in 30 seconds or less give me a definitive, exact, no-room-for-reinterpretation explanation of that verse. 30...29...28...27... Didn't think so.
There are some verses in the Bible that are so open to interpretation we may never know the "exact" meaning this side of heaven. For me, Matthew 16:19 is one such verse.
In his devotional journal, Experiencing God Day-by-Day, Blackaby writes "the keys to the kingdom represent the access you have to the Father through your relationship to Jesus Christ. With this relationship you have access to everything that is accessible to Christ." Hmmm. . . . If this truly is the correct interpretation of this verse, then I too can literally walk on water, curse fig trees and raise the dead.
I am not sure I agree with Blackaby on this one. The context of this verse was a conversation between Christ and Simon Peter. When reading the whole chapter, I don't find anywhere where Christ offers this to all believers. In fact, the very next verse (Matthew 16:20) is "then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone he was the Messiah." Which, to me, even reinforces the fact that the promise in verse 19 was a very specific promise to Simon Peter and not meant for general consumption. Perhaps I am missing out on seeing the Lord work miracles through me as a result of my interpretation/disbelief, but. . .
I do agree with Blackaby when he wrote, "you do not have need for an intermediary, for you to have an unobstructed access to God. With that access comes all the resources you need to face any circumstance." p. 164. But access does not equal power. My immediate, 24/7 access to God the Father is equal to Christ's, but not the unlimited power of Christ.
My boss, Dr. Hackenwerth, can give me 24/7 access to him through email, text messages and phone calls; however, that doesn't mean I can make budgetary decisions, assign building principals, etc.
With that said, the comfort, guidance, strength and wisdom available to each believer through unlimited access to God the Father is far more than enough to get us through this life here on earth. If we took advantage of that access more frequently I wonder how many bad decisions would be avoided, restful nights' sleep would be gained and relationships would be restored.
Okay, in 30 seconds or less give me a definitive, exact, no-room-for-reinterpretation explanation of that verse. 30...29...28...27... Didn't think so.
There are some verses in the Bible that are so open to interpretation we may never know the "exact" meaning this side of heaven. For me, Matthew 16:19 is one such verse.
In his devotional journal, Experiencing God Day-by-Day, Blackaby writes "the keys to the kingdom represent the access you have to the Father through your relationship to Jesus Christ. With this relationship you have access to everything that is accessible to Christ." Hmmm. . . . If this truly is the correct interpretation of this verse, then I too can literally walk on water, curse fig trees and raise the dead.
I am not sure I agree with Blackaby on this one. The context of this verse was a conversation between Christ and Simon Peter. When reading the whole chapter, I don't find anywhere where Christ offers this to all believers. In fact, the very next verse (Matthew 16:20) is "then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone he was the Messiah." Which, to me, even reinforces the fact that the promise in verse 19 was a very specific promise to Simon Peter and not meant for general consumption. Perhaps I am missing out on seeing the Lord work miracles through me as a result of my interpretation/disbelief, but. . .
I do agree with Blackaby when he wrote, "you do not have need for an intermediary, for you to have an unobstructed access to God. With that access comes all the resources you need to face any circumstance." p. 164. But access does not equal power. My immediate, 24/7 access to God the Father is equal to Christ's, but not the unlimited power of Christ.
My boss, Dr. Hackenwerth, can give me 24/7 access to him through email, text messages and phone calls; however, that doesn't mean I can make budgetary decisions, assign building principals, etc.
With that said, the comfort, guidance, strength and wisdom available to each believer through unlimited access to God the Father is far more than enough to get us through this life here on earth. If we took advantage of that access more frequently I wonder how many bad decisions would be avoided, restful nights' sleep would be gained and relationships would be restored.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May 1, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Blackaby gives a short nod to each of the fruit of the Spirit in his entry for today. And while I agree with him that God desires each item in the list manifest itself in our lives, I am a bit dubious about Blackaby's statement, "It (the growth of the fruits of the Spirit) automatically begins the moment you become a believer. How quickly it happens depends upon how completely you yield yourself to the Holy Spirit's activity."
My concern over that statement is that it makes the process sound so passive. Just yield to the Spirit and all these things will naturally grow like fruit on a tree. As a person who has for years and continues to struggle with many of the fruits listed, I believe a far more active roll is necessary to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit. Prayer, Bible study, meditation, and more are all necessary, and even then are no guarantee.
I have found the fruit of the Spirit to be extremely elusive.
Blackaby gives a short nod to each of the fruit of the Spirit in his entry for today. And while I agree with him that God desires each item in the list manifest itself in our lives, I am a bit dubious about Blackaby's statement, "It (the growth of the fruits of the Spirit) automatically begins the moment you become a believer. How quickly it happens depends upon how completely you yield yourself to the Holy Spirit's activity."
My concern over that statement is that it makes the process sound so passive. Just yield to the Spirit and all these things will naturally grow like fruit on a tree. As a person who has for years and continues to struggle with many of the fruits listed, I believe a far more active roll is necessary to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit. Prayer, Bible study, meditation, and more are all necessary, and even then are no guarantee.
I have found the fruit of the Spirit to be extremely elusive.
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