Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
While brevity, clarity and fluidity are not hallmarks of my writing on a good day, today's entry will fall even shorter of those goals.
When I read today's verse, I was struck with the awesomeness of the two halves of the verse.
I have heard preached many times during the Easter season of Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross and how he bore all our sins. As a result of this sacrifice, we are forgiven for all of our sins. We are declared as righteous in the eyes of God.
But today's verse opened my eyes to the completeness of his sacrifice. Jesus did not simply take our sins upon his shoulders like a dirty cloak or heavy burden. He BECAME sin. The holy, blameless Lamb of God BECAME sin. His very essence was turned black and ugly for that brief time on the cross. He gave up all his beauty, all his righteousness, all his glory for me. A person he had never met. A weak, sinful man who lived 2000 years after he fed the multitudes. He BECAME sin for me.
But out of his incomprehensible sacrifice, he has given me the opportunity to BECOME the righteousness of God. I am not just a righteous person. God's righteousness is not just a cape I get to wear, but my very essence is God's righteousness. I BECOME the righteousness of God.
This verse drove home to me just how complete Jesus' sacrifice was. He didn't just bear our sins, he became sin. Because his sacrifice was so great and so complete, my reward is conversely just as great and just as complete. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, I became righteousness. Not just a righteous person, but righteousness itself. My very essence changed.
Do I still sin? Yes. But those are just things I do as a result of my sinful nature. They don't change who I am. My post salvation sins are not who I am. My righteousness is what defines me. It is who I am at the very core. Not an earned righteousness, but imparted through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
March 28, 2013
1 Timothy 2:5-6 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
Throughout scripture God shows the importance of not only His plan, but also Him timing. Noah was told to start on the ark just in time to have it ready for the flood. Joseph was sold into slavery in time for him to rise to power in Egypt in order to save his family from the famine. Jesus did not start his public ministry until his time had come. Jesus did not go to Lazrus' grave until enough time had passed to assure all onlookers that Lazarus was indeed dead.
Christ death on the cross came at exactly the time preordained by God in eternity past.
It can be very hard to wait on God's time table. Select a spouse too soon. Make an investment before enough time in prayer. Abandon a ministry that it not yielding fruit fast enough. Impatience.
But on the other side of timing, a Christian must be willing to act when the God-appointed time has arrived. When God says, "Go", then GO! If God commands, "Do", then DO! Inaction can be as much a sin as improper action. Sin is any disobedience to God's command.
The tricky part is having that assurance of not only what, but when. The right action can be the wrong time. (But does doing it at the wrong time make is the wrong action? Hmmm. . .) But the wrong action can never be at the right time.
Diligent, fevent prayer is the most important means by which we can determine the when and what. But meditation and Bible study are also necessary to making God-pleasing decisions. In addition to these solitary actions, I believe seeking Godly counsel is not only wise, but scripturally sound.
Finally, God has given each of us the ability to read, research and study. I don't believe it is wrong to allow Google, the Wall Street Journal or professional publications to help guide our decisions, but those are very much secondary resources when compared to God's guidance.
Wait on the Lord and wait in the Lord, but act when He says, "act". If we don't follow His guidance, why ask for it?
Throughout scripture God shows the importance of not only His plan, but also Him timing. Noah was told to start on the ark just in time to have it ready for the flood. Joseph was sold into slavery in time for him to rise to power in Egypt in order to save his family from the famine. Jesus did not start his public ministry until his time had come. Jesus did not go to Lazrus' grave until enough time had passed to assure all onlookers that Lazarus was indeed dead.
Christ death on the cross came at exactly the time preordained by God in eternity past.
It can be very hard to wait on God's time table. Select a spouse too soon. Make an investment before enough time in prayer. Abandon a ministry that it not yielding fruit fast enough. Impatience.
But on the other side of timing, a Christian must be willing to act when the God-appointed time has arrived. When God says, "Go", then GO! If God commands, "Do", then DO! Inaction can be as much a sin as improper action. Sin is any disobedience to God's command.
The tricky part is having that assurance of not only what, but when. The right action can be the wrong time. (But does doing it at the wrong time make is the wrong action? Hmmm. . .) But the wrong action can never be at the right time.
Diligent, fevent prayer is the most important means by which we can determine the when and what. But meditation and Bible study are also necessary to making God-pleasing decisions. In addition to these solitary actions, I believe seeking Godly counsel is not only wise, but scripturally sound.
Finally, God has given each of us the ability to read, research and study. I don't believe it is wrong to allow Google, the Wall Street Journal or professional publications to help guide our decisions, but those are very much secondary resources when compared to God's guidance.
Wait on the Lord and wait in the Lord, but act when He says, "act". If we don't follow His guidance, why ask for it?
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
March 27, 2013
Psalm 62:7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Each morning I run through the Yahoo lead articles. One of today's headlines read, "Why Walmart's Losing". The article went on to detail why some consumers are defecting to other retailers.
For over 100 years Lehman Brothers had been one of the major players on Wall Street. Then bankruptcy in 2008.
History is replete with the fall of the mighty. Individuals, corporations and even countries- all gone and many forgotten.
How shortsighted to pin our hopes, dreams and honor on a person or company that is temporary. "My honor depends on God." Bankruptcy is not a concern for the creator of the universe. Jehovah Jireh will never lose market share. He will never have to go on television to announce a personal or business failing.
Each morning I run through the Yahoo lead articles. One of today's headlines read, "Why Walmart's Losing". The article went on to detail why some consumers are defecting to other retailers.
For over 100 years Lehman Brothers had been one of the major players on Wall Street. Then bankruptcy in 2008.
History is replete with the fall of the mighty. Individuals, corporations and even countries- all gone and many forgotten.
How shortsighted to pin our hopes, dreams and honor on a person or company that is temporary. "My honor depends on God." Bankruptcy is not a concern for the creator of the universe. Jehovah Jireh will never lose market share. He will never have to go on television to announce a personal or business failing.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
March 26, 2013
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
How many of us only expect blessings from God? Peace. Comfort. Eternal life. Sign me up for those! But suffering? Deprevation? Discipline? Not quite as excited about that prospect.
What percentage of Christians in the United States over the past 200 years have really suffered as a result of their belifs? Not just inconvenienced, but really suffered? Left out of after work happy hour invites- perhaps. But suffered? Exteneded the life of a mortgage because of faithful tithing- sure. But suffered?
Why aren't American Christians suffering for Christ? We do live in a country that espouses religious freedom. (At least on paper we do, but don't try to sell that to the early Mormons.) For the most part our country was founded on Christian ideals.
Is our lack of suffering because we live in a religiously tolerant country or is it because we don't sell out completely for Christ?
I am not sure what Christian suffering would look like in America, but I do know that suffering for Christ in America is the exception, not the norm. What would our country look like if more Christians were willing to suffer for Christ?
(Sidebar thought--What guidelines should used when trying to make a specific passage or verse fit today's church or society. This verse from Philippians is a good example. Paul is writing to a particular group of early Christians. Should this "also suffer for him" phrase apply to all Christians today? To just a select group? To no one?)
How many of us only expect blessings from God? Peace. Comfort. Eternal life. Sign me up for those! But suffering? Deprevation? Discipline? Not quite as excited about that prospect.
What percentage of Christians in the United States over the past 200 years have really suffered as a result of their belifs? Not just inconvenienced, but really suffered? Left out of after work happy hour invites- perhaps. But suffered? Exteneded the life of a mortgage because of faithful tithing- sure. But suffered?
Why aren't American Christians suffering for Christ? We do live in a country that espouses religious freedom. (At least on paper we do, but don't try to sell that to the early Mormons.) For the most part our country was founded on Christian ideals.
Is our lack of suffering because we live in a religiously tolerant country or is it because we don't sell out completely for Christ?
I am not sure what Christian suffering would look like in America, but I do know that suffering for Christ in America is the exception, not the norm. What would our country look like if more Christians were willing to suffer for Christ?
(Sidebar thought--What guidelines should used when trying to make a specific passage or verse fit today's church or society. This verse from Philippians is a good example. Paul is writing to a particular group of early Christians. Should this "also suffer for him" phrase apply to all Christians today? To just a select group? To no one?)
Monday, March 25, 2013
March 25, 2013
Unfilled expectations lead to disappointment. Disappointment can lead to frustration. Frustration can lead to anger. Anger can lead to violence. So went Jesus' last week on earth.
Five days before his crucifixion, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem being hailed as a king. Not the King of Kings we sing about each December, but an earthly king who was going to challenge the tyranny of Rome. Jesus was going to lead the revolution that would reestablish Israel as an independent state. It didn't matter that Jesus had never once taught revolution. His message was one of love and forgiveness, not violent overthrow. In fact, one of Jesus' few political messages was to "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's".
Hope. Excitement. Anticipation. All misguided into thinking that Jesus was going to change the status quo. And he did, just not in the way the people of Jeresalem had expected.
What do we expect from God? Freedom from hardship? Financial security? A rubber-stamp "okay" on the plans we propose?
What can we expect from God? Comfort. Wisdom. Guidance. Companionship. Discipline. Eternal life.
Five days before his crucifixion, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem being hailed as a king. Not the King of Kings we sing about each December, but an earthly king who was going to challenge the tyranny of Rome. Jesus was going to lead the revolution that would reestablish Israel as an independent state. It didn't matter that Jesus had never once taught revolution. His message was one of love and forgiveness, not violent overthrow. In fact, one of Jesus' few political messages was to "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's".
Hope. Excitement. Anticipation. All misguided into thinking that Jesus was going to change the status quo. And he did, just not in the way the people of Jeresalem had expected.
What do we expect from God? Freedom from hardship? Financial security? A rubber-stamp "okay" on the plans we propose?
What can we expect from God? Comfort. Wisdom. Guidance. Companionship. Discipline. Eternal life.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
March 24, 2013
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift if God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 is referring to the eternal separation from God that will be the punishment of any person who dies without accepting God as personal savior. However, it could easily be expanded to include more than just eternal death.
"The wages of sin is death" of:
While the blood of Christ does cover a all a Believer's sin- past, present and future- that sin can damage, sometimes irreparably, things this side of heaven. This can be frustrating, even angering for a Christian. For all the talk of love, forgiveness, grace and mercy in the Bible, there are also many verses that remind us of the long lasting even permanency of consequences of sin.
Moses' forty years in the desert.
David was not allowed to build the temple.
The sword was never absent from David's lineage.
Samson's death at the hands of the Philistines.
(Help me out with some New Testament examples.)
Forgiveness of sin does not always equal avoidance from the natural consequence of that sin. Some things can be repaired, others not.
Romans 6:23 is referring to the eternal separation from God that will be the punishment of any person who dies without accepting God as personal savior. However, it could easily be expanded to include more than just eternal death.
"The wages of sin is death" of:
- a restful night's sleep
- a collegial work atmosphere
- a close relationship with your children
- intimacy with your spouse
- Christian growth
- a thriving ministry
- a healthy body
- financial security
- a successfully career
- a long life
- __________ (insert own example here)
While the blood of Christ does cover a all a Believer's sin- past, present and future- that sin can damage, sometimes irreparably, things this side of heaven. This can be frustrating, even angering for a Christian. For all the talk of love, forgiveness, grace and mercy in the Bible, there are also many verses that remind us of the long lasting even permanency of consequences of sin.
Moses' forty years in the desert.
David was not allowed to build the temple.
The sword was never absent from David's lineage.
Samson's death at the hands of the Philistines.
(Help me out with some New Testament examples.)
Forgiveness of sin does not always equal avoidance from the natural consequence of that sin. Some things can be repaired, others not.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
March 21, 2013
Jeremiah 17:7-8 7But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
I have never been one for personal mission statements, life goals or self-help mantras, but if I were to choose a life verse or two, Jeremiah 17:7-8 would be on the short list of choices.
No fear. No worries. Always bearing fruit. What more could/should a Christian desire?
There are some heavy theological truths in these two small verses.
First, the initial action/belief is the responsibility of the believer. We must trust in the Lord. We must place our confidence in him. It is foolhardy to expect the worry-free, fruit-bearing life promised if our trust is misplaced. God will not force his blessings on us. Will our trust and confidence waver at times? Most likely. Peter's did. But at the end of the day, we must reaffirm our trust and confidence in Jehova Jireh.
A second truth presented in these two verses is one we would like to forget. "When heat comes" and "in a year of drought" reminds us that there will be times of trials and challenges. Whether these are borne out of bad choices we make, sin we commit or tests brought forth by God, there will be heat and drought. To allow ourselves to think the Christian life will be trouble free is not only wrong-thinking, but also in opposition to scripture.
HOWEVER, the third truth of these verses gives us hope during those times of heat and drought. Even through the trials and troubles of this short time on earth God promises comfort and peace. We are not alone when a job is lost, a spouse walks away or a doctor delivers disastrous news. If our trust and confidence are in Him, our leaves will stay green, our lives will remain free of fear and we will bear fruit.
Oh the hours of lost sleep, bottles of Pepto-Bismol and gray hairs that could have been avoided if only I had claimed this verse years ago.
I have never been one for personal mission statements, life goals or self-help mantras, but if I were to choose a life verse or two, Jeremiah 17:7-8 would be on the short list of choices.
No fear. No worries. Always bearing fruit. What more could/should a Christian desire?
There are some heavy theological truths in these two small verses.
First, the initial action/belief is the responsibility of the believer. We must trust in the Lord. We must place our confidence in him. It is foolhardy to expect the worry-free, fruit-bearing life promised if our trust is misplaced. God will not force his blessings on us. Will our trust and confidence waver at times? Most likely. Peter's did. But at the end of the day, we must reaffirm our trust and confidence in Jehova Jireh.
A second truth presented in these two verses is one we would like to forget. "When heat comes" and "in a year of drought" reminds us that there will be times of trials and challenges. Whether these are borne out of bad choices we make, sin we commit or tests brought forth by God, there will be heat and drought. To allow ourselves to think the Christian life will be trouble free is not only wrong-thinking, but also in opposition to scripture.
HOWEVER, the third truth of these verses gives us hope during those times of heat and drought. Even through the trials and troubles of this short time on earth God promises comfort and peace. We are not alone when a job is lost, a spouse walks away or a doctor delivers disastrous news. If our trust and confidence are in Him, our leaves will stay green, our lives will remain free of fear and we will bear fruit.
Oh the hours of lost sleep, bottles of Pepto-Bismol and gray hairs that could have been avoided if only I had claimed this verse years ago.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
March 20, 2013
1 Peter 2:2-3 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
There it is again. A reminder that the Christian life is not a passive one. Crave- 1. to ask for earnestly: beg, demand; 2. to want greatly; to yearn for.
Can we create a craving, or is that something we have to ask God to create within us? I can spend time alone with God. Write blogs. Pray prayers. But crave?
When someone speaks of craving a certain food, cigarette or drink, is that a willful action or an inner reaction to a real or perceived need? In order for us to "crave pure spiritual milk" does God have to create that craving within us? Perhaps that is where the begging and demanding come into play.
In this verse from 1 Peter, "crave" would seem to be an action rather than a feeling.
I know there are certain things I can do to encourage the craving- consistent quiet time, kingdom-focused prayer, daily scripture reading. But is that inner craving something I can create?
There it is again. A reminder that the Christian life is not a passive one. Crave- 1. to ask for earnestly: beg, demand; 2. to want greatly; to yearn for.
Can we create a craving, or is that something we have to ask God to create within us? I can spend time alone with God. Write blogs. Pray prayers. But crave?
When someone speaks of craving a certain food, cigarette or drink, is that a willful action or an inner reaction to a real or perceived need? In order for us to "crave pure spiritual milk" does God have to create that craving within us? Perhaps that is where the begging and demanding come into play.
In this verse from 1 Peter, "crave" would seem to be an action rather than a feeling.
I know there are certain things I can do to encourage the craving- consistent quiet time, kingdom-focused prayer, daily scripture reading. But is that inner craving something I can create?
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
March 19, 2013
Jeremiah 29:13 13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Yesterday- placing my relationship with God as the preeminent desire in my life. Today- seeking God with all my heart. Seeing a pattern develop here.
Today's verse came from a random online devotional I found after a Google search. The OT passage revolved around a message God sent his people who were in exile. Among the things God told his people through his prophet, Jeremiah, was to "seek me with all your heart".
I did a quick web search and found one site that reported the word "seek" was used over 200 times in the Bible. When I think of the word "seek", the John Wayne movie, "The Searchers" comes to mind. While I have never seen the whole movie, the basic plot is that Ethan Edwards, played by John Wayne, sets out on a years' long search to find his true love who has been kidnapped. The movie takes The Duke across mountins, plains and rivers and through storms, blazing sun and hostile territory.
Am I willing to seek God through the deserts and storms of life? Is my search for an intimate relationship with him a years' long quest or an exercise in comfort for 20 minutes each morning? How badly do I desire a closer walk with Him?
Yesterday- placing my relationship with God as the preeminent desire in my life. Today- seeking God with all my heart. Seeing a pattern develop here.
Today's verse came from a random online devotional I found after a Google search. The OT passage revolved around a message God sent his people who were in exile. Among the things God told his people through his prophet, Jeremiah, was to "seek me with all your heart".
I did a quick web search and found one site that reported the word "seek" was used over 200 times in the Bible. When I think of the word "seek", the John Wayne movie, "The Searchers" comes to mind. While I have never seen the whole movie, the basic plot is that Ethan Edwards, played by John Wayne, sets out on a years' long search to find his true love who has been kidnapped. The movie takes The Duke across mountins, plains and rivers and through storms, blazing sun and hostile territory.
Am I willing to seek God through the deserts and storms of life? Is my search for an intimate relationship with him a years' long quest or an exercise in comfort for 20 minutes each morning? How badly do I desire a closer walk with Him?
Monday, March 18, 2013
March 18, 2013
Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
"Seek first his kingdom. . ." For years I have interpreted this verse too literally or too lightly and as a result have seen marginal growth in my relationship with God.
The Marriam-Webster online dictionary defines "first" as "preceding all others in time, order, or importance"
Interpreting this verse too literal has caused me to create a legalistic feel to my individual time with God. "First" before I walk the dog. "First" before I eat breakfast. "First" before I shower. I feel guilty if I do not seek his kingdom before I do anything else in the morning. This self-imposed ordinal requirement has become more important than the content of my time alone with God.
When I interpret Matthew 6:33 too lightly it causes me to spend very little time on seeking his kingdom before moving on to prayers for temporal things. A passing thought might be given to God's majesty, grace or love, but the bulk of seeking was all about the prayer request list, personal struggles, career concerns, etc.
First- "Preceding all others in importance." An importance that far outweighs the trials and tribulations of this world. An importance that eclipses my prayers of supplication. An importance that overshadows any other reason or purpose for time with Him.
First does not mean "B.C."- before coffee or "B.C."-barely considered. Seeking God first is a crying out to, a pleading with God to truly understand Him. To beg Him for his insight and revelation. Only after truly seeking him first will my relationship with God grow and mature.
"Seek first his kingdom. . ." For years I have interpreted this verse too literally or too lightly and as a result have seen marginal growth in my relationship with God.
The Marriam-Webster online dictionary defines "first" as "preceding all others in time, order, or importance"
Interpreting this verse too literal has caused me to create a legalistic feel to my individual time with God. "First" before I walk the dog. "First" before I eat breakfast. "First" before I shower. I feel guilty if I do not seek his kingdom before I do anything else in the morning. This self-imposed ordinal requirement has become more important than the content of my time alone with God.
When I interpret Matthew 6:33 too lightly it causes me to spend very little time on seeking his kingdom before moving on to prayers for temporal things. A passing thought might be given to God's majesty, grace or love, but the bulk of seeking was all about the prayer request list, personal struggles, career concerns, etc.
First- "Preceding all others in importance." An importance that far outweighs the trials and tribulations of this world. An importance that eclipses my prayers of supplication. An importance that overshadows any other reason or purpose for time with Him.
First does not mean "B.C."- before coffee or "B.C."-barely considered. Seeking God first is a crying out to, a pleading with God to truly understand Him. To beg Him for his insight and revelation. Only after truly seeking him first will my relationship with God grow and mature.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
March 16, 2013
James 1:22-25
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
As I was sitting in front of the screen today thinking about what verses to read for today's quiet time, James 1:23 came to mind.
Dagger. Shot to the heart. Conviction. Sore toes.
Since October 12 of 2010, I have posted over 340 blog entries all based on scripture or some spiritual insight. Some decent, most mediocre, but still time spent in reading and reflection of the Word.
But have I really grown as a result of all the time and effort? Am I a better person and witness than in October of 2010? Perhaps there has been some growth in a couple of areas. But is my progress commensurate with the effort?
Often I feel like the man in James 1:23-24 who looks in the mirror but walks away forgetting what he look like. My quiet time is not bearing the fruit it should. Too many times God is left at the keyboard. Conviction stays behind in the study. Resolve gets lost in the busyness of the work day.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
As I was sitting in front of the screen today thinking about what verses to read for today's quiet time, James 1:23 came to mind.
Dagger. Shot to the heart. Conviction. Sore toes.
Since October 12 of 2010, I have posted over 340 blog entries all based on scripture or some spiritual insight. Some decent, most mediocre, but still time spent in reading and reflection of the Word.
But have I really grown as a result of all the time and effort? Am I a better person and witness than in October of 2010? Perhaps there has been some growth in a couple of areas. But is my progress commensurate with the effort?
Often I feel like the man in James 1:23-24 who looks in the mirror but walks away forgetting what he look like. My quiet time is not bearing the fruit it should. Too many times God is left at the keyboard. Conviction stays behind in the study. Resolve gets lost in the busyness of the work day.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
March 7, 2013
Hosea 8:1-6
“Put the trumpet to your lips!
“Put the trumpet to your lips!
An eagle is over the house of the Lord
because the people have broken my covenant
and rebelled against my law.
2 Israel cries out to me,
‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’
3 But Israel has rejected what is good;
an enemy will pursue him.
4 They set up kings without my consent;
they choose princes without my approval.
With their silver and gold
they make idols for themselves
to their own destruction.
5 Samaria, throw out your calf-idol!
My anger burns against them.
How long will they be incapable of purity?
6 They are from Israel!
This calf—a metalworker has made it;
it is not God.
It will be broken in pieces,
that calf of Samaria.
"Israel cries out to me, 'Our God, we acknowledge you!' But Israel has rejected what is good."
"America cries out to me, 'Our God, we acknowledge you!' But American has rejected what is good."
What would a Christian democracy look like today? Ancient Israel was a theocracy. But a monotheistic democracy? Is that not almost an oxymoron?
So many people in churches across the nation bemoan the lack of Christian leadership at the state and national levels. They rail against the immorality of our leaders. I wonder if those same individuals worship at personal and societal "calf-idols".
The calf-idol of the snooze button.
The calf-idol of the stock portfolio.
The calf-idol of pleasure.
The calf-idol of career advancement.
The calf-idol of self.
While I would rather live in America than in any other nation on earth, it is not a perfect country, nor is it governed by priests and preachers. We live in a representative democracy that has a duty to protect the rights of all its citizens.
If there is decay in America, it is because of the individuals, not Washington, DC or Hollywood.
Several years ago the game Jenga became very popular. Those little wood rectangular prisms could be heard crashing down on the dining room table all across America. As blocks were removed the whole structure became increasingly weaker until it eventually collapsed.
America is like a large Jenga game with individuals making up the blocks. It is individuals that make up the strength of society, not the institutions. Individuals make up those institutions. Weak individuals = weak institutions.
If America is no longer a Christian nation, it is because the conscious or unconscious choices made by individual Americans. If we are to avoid God's judgement on our nation, each Christian living within its borders must first turn from his or her "calf-idols".
because the people have broken my covenant
and rebelled against my law.
2 Israel cries out to me,
‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’
3 But Israel has rejected what is good;
an enemy will pursue him.
4 They set up kings without my consent;
they choose princes without my approval.
With their silver and gold
they make idols for themselves
to their own destruction.
5 Samaria, throw out your calf-idol!
My anger burns against them.
How long will they be incapable of purity?
6 They are from Israel!
This calf—a metalworker has made it;
it is not God.
It will be broken in pieces,
that calf of Samaria.
"Israel cries out to me, 'Our God, we acknowledge you!' But Israel has rejected what is good."
"America cries out to me, 'Our God, we acknowledge you!' But American has rejected what is good."
What would a Christian democracy look like today? Ancient Israel was a theocracy. But a monotheistic democracy? Is that not almost an oxymoron?
So many people in churches across the nation bemoan the lack of Christian leadership at the state and national levels. They rail against the immorality of our leaders. I wonder if those same individuals worship at personal and societal "calf-idols".
The calf-idol of the snooze button.
The calf-idol of the stock portfolio.
The calf-idol of pleasure.
The calf-idol of career advancement.
The calf-idol of self.
While I would rather live in America than in any other nation on earth, it is not a perfect country, nor is it governed by priests and preachers. We live in a representative democracy that has a duty to protect the rights of all its citizens.
If there is decay in America, it is because of the individuals, not Washington, DC or Hollywood.
Several years ago the game Jenga became very popular. Those little wood rectangular prisms could be heard crashing down on the dining room table all across America. As blocks were removed the whole structure became increasingly weaker until it eventually collapsed.
America is like a large Jenga game with individuals making up the blocks. It is individuals that make up the strength of society, not the institutions. Individuals make up those institutions. Weak individuals = weak institutions.
If America is no longer a Christian nation, it is because the conscious or unconscious choices made by individual Americans. If we are to avoid God's judgement on our nation, each Christian living within its borders must first turn from his or her "calf-idols".
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
March 5, 2013
Hosea 7:1-7
1 whenever I would heal Israel,
1 whenever I would heal Israel,
the sins of Ephraim are exposed
and the crimes of Samaria revealed.
They practice deceit,
thieves break into houses,
bandits rob in the streets;
2 but they do not realize
that I remember all their evil deeds.
Their sins engulf them;
they are always before me.
and the crimes of Samaria revealed.
They practice deceit,
thieves break into houses,
bandits rob in the streets;
2 but they do not realize
that I remember all their evil deeds.
Their sins engulf them;
they are always before me.
3 “They
delight the king with their wickedness,
the princes with their lies.
4 They are all adulterers,
burning like an oven
whose fire the baker need not stir
from the kneading of the dough till it rises.
5 On the day of the festival of our king
the princes become inflamed with wine,
and he joins hands with the mockers.
6 Their hearts are like an oven;
they approach him with intrigue.
Their passion smolders all night;
in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.
7 All of them are hot as an oven;
they devour their rulers.
All their kings fall,
and none of them calls on me.
The last last six words of this passage made quite an impression on me this morning. "None of them calls on me." Why are we so unwilling to simply call on the Lord? As Christians we have immediate, constant access to the Creator of the Universe. The omnipotent, omnscienct I Am. The Alpha and Omega lives within each of His children. But so many times we fail to call on Him.
Depressed- Call on Him.
Frustrated- Call on Him.
Frightened- Call on Him.
Tempted- Call on Him.
Angry- Call on Him.
Ashamed- Call on Him.
There will never be a busy signal. We will never be out of range. At no time will we be put on hold or have to sift through a menu of press 1 choices. Immediate, unlimited access is ours.
We can cry, yell, laugh, sigh, talk, question, rejoice. God can take it. He wants to take it. He begs us to give it all to Him.
Nike had a slogan years ago, "Just Do It". Perhaps Christians' slogan should be "Just Call on Him".
the princes with their lies.
4 They are all adulterers,
burning like an oven
whose fire the baker need not stir
from the kneading of the dough till it rises.
5 On the day of the festival of our king
the princes become inflamed with wine,
and he joins hands with the mockers.
6 Their hearts are like an oven;
they approach him with intrigue.
Their passion smolders all night;
in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.
7 All of them are hot as an oven;
they devour their rulers.
All their kings fall,
and none of them calls on me.
The last last six words of this passage made quite an impression on me this morning. "None of them calls on me." Why are we so unwilling to simply call on the Lord? As Christians we have immediate, constant access to the Creator of the Universe. The omnipotent, omnscienct I Am. The Alpha and Omega lives within each of His children. But so many times we fail to call on Him.
Depressed- Call on Him.
Frustrated- Call on Him.
Frightened- Call on Him.
Tempted- Call on Him.
Angry- Call on Him.
Ashamed- Call on Him.
There will never be a busy signal. We will never be out of range. At no time will we be put on hold or have to sift through a menu of press 1 choices. Immediate, unlimited access is ours.
We can cry, yell, laugh, sigh, talk, question, rejoice. God can take it. He wants to take it. He begs us to give it all to Him.
Nike had a slogan years ago, "Just Do It". Perhaps Christians' slogan should be "Just Call on Him".
Monday, March 4, 2013
March 4, 2013
Perhaps the ancient Egyptians and Greeks would admonish me for not using it correctly, but the maxim, "know thyself" explains why I am back to my morning blogging.
My last entry expounded on the benfits of evening blog entries. I have to confess, over these past few evenings, the blog has not even crossed my mind and since I did not have a blog as an accountability "partner", I have fallen off morning quiet times. (Just realized how pathetic it sounds referring to a blog as an accountability partner.)
So here I am, back on morning blog duty.
Hosea 6:4-11
My last entry expounded on the benfits of evening blog entries. I have to confess, over these past few evenings, the blog has not even crossed my mind and since I did not have a blog as an accountability "partner", I have fallen off morning quiet times. (Just realized how pathetic it sounds referring to a blog as an accountability partner.)
So here I am, back on morning blog duty.
Hosea 6:4-11
Friday, March 1, 2013
March 1, 2013
Yesterday's blog-skip. As I wrote yesterday, I needed just be silent before God and not worry about references, hyperlinks, etc. I found the experience was much more of what I needed before going into the world than getting a blog entry. Soooooo. . .I hope to find the discipline to update this blog in the evenings as opposed to early morning entries.
I think the advantages will be several:
1. Start of the day with more God-focus.
2. Evenings will be spend with a God-focus as opposed to 2 hours of "The Big Bang Theory" on TBS.
3. Won't feel rushed on blog entries due to time contraints.
Please pray for me that I will have the discipline to forego the evening distractions in favor of blog entries.
I think the advantages will be several:
1. Start of the day with more God-focus.
2. Evenings will be spend with a God-focus as opposed to 2 hours of "The Big Bang Theory" on TBS.
3. Won't feel rushed on blog entries due to time contraints.
Please pray for me that I will have the discipline to forego the evening distractions in favor of blog entries.
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