This morning I was blessed and comforted by reading through Psalm 37. This has been a tumultuous week, filled with quarrels and disputes as Christians faced off against supporters of gay marriage, and used social networks as their battle ground.
It’s been a classic battle, with each side proudly displaying their team’s flag as their profile pic. Like any civil battle, the fighting got personal and there was division within families. Suddenly people found themselves anxiously scanning their “friends lists” to see which side of the battle their FB family had chosen.
The reasons for and against this matter have been posted in great detail, so I see no need to regurgitate them here.
As I read through Psalm 37, peace filled my heart. I was reassured by my Heavenly Father that I need not fret over who “wins” this battle. What I need to remain focused on is my walk and my testimony, and working on leading my family through the spiritual warfare we incur every day, not just this particular battle.
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.”
(Psalm 37:8-9 ESV)
The world is full of sin, and it isn’t likely that my opinion posted on a social media site will pursuade anyone to switch sides in the battle. It isn’t up to me to judge the sin in this world.
“And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV)
My duty as a Christian man is to lead my family along the narrow path that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ layed down for us when he gave his life for us on the cross two thousand plus years ago today. I need not concern myself over worldly matters such as gay marriage because it will be dealt with sufficiently by our God in His timing.
My duty as a Christian man is to put on the whole armor of God so that I may stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11), and to gird my family for this battle as well.
Gay marriage may be the hot topic this week, but there are a multitude of sins out there that directly threaten me and my family daily. Should any of these sins enter my home, be sure that I will attack swiftly and mightily. I can’t control the households of others, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15).
Psalm 37:
“Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose way is upright;
their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will remain forever;
they are not put to shame in evil times;
in the days of famine they have abundance.
But the wicked will perish;
the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the LORD upholds his hand.
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.
Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you dwell forever.
For the LORD loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.
The wicked watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
The LORD will not abandon him to his power
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
Wait for the LORD and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.
Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him."
(Psalm 37:1-40 ESV)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
What Legacy Will You Leave Behind?
What will be your legacy? .
As Christians we must look no further than the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as our legacy model. Will people remember you as a man of God? Will they recall Christ-like characteristics in your words and your deeds? How do you handle conflict in your life? Are you thought of as quarrelsome or as a peacemaker? Are you considered by others as prideful or humble? Do your words build others up or tear them down? Is your heart filled with the love of God and the desire to share that love with others or are you driven by selfish, hedonistic desires?
Being a man of God is a full time job. If someone meets you twice and on one occasion you are a quarrelsome, prideful, hedonistic jerk, and on the other occasion you are a reflection of Christ, which character trait will prevail? Sadly, your legacy will be not only remembered as the jerk, but you can now add hypocrite to the list as well!
Most of the time we don’t get second chances when it comes to making an impression on someone. The baseline to remember is whatever is buried in your heart will rise up in your words and actions. Immerse yourself in the Word of God and Christ will be reflected in your life. Drown yourself in the ways of the world, and well, you get the picture.
When we immerse ourselves we become completely enveloped or surrounded. If you are learning a foreign language, learning the words and phrases is a great start, but if you immerse yourself by living in that region where the dialect is spoken, you develop a richness and understanding of not only the language, but the culture thus making the new language a part of your life. You not just learn the language, you live it.
How many of you adults remember everything you learned in school? You learned it well enough to get a (hopefully) passing grade. But if you didn’t apply it in your daily life, you probably forgot most or all of it.
This becomes most relevant when it comes to our study and understanding of Scripture. Developing a head knowledge of God’s Word does not make us Christ-like in our words and actions. Satan can recite every word of the Bible, but it hasn’t done much to improve his character. Application of God’s Word is how we change our lives and bind His Word into our hearts. Until our hearts are filled with Christ, we aren’t going to act like Christ.
I have been blessed with some study time in the Book of James and here are two passages that speak to this subject:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:19-22 ESV)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:13-18 ESV)
We are all going to die. The one thing that doesn’t get buried with us in the grave is our legacy. Our character and how we lived our lives will live on in the hearts of those who’s lives we leave behind. Make sure every day you enjoy on this earth is a day lived for Christ. Don’t just learn it, live it. Be doers of His Word, not hearers only and reap a harvest of righteousness, sharing the bountiful harvest with those around you.
As Christians we must look no further than the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as our legacy model. Will people remember you as a man of God? Will they recall Christ-like characteristics in your words and your deeds? How do you handle conflict in your life? Are you thought of as quarrelsome or as a peacemaker? Are you considered by others as prideful or humble? Do your words build others up or tear them down? Is your heart filled with the love of God and the desire to share that love with others or are you driven by selfish, hedonistic desires?
Being a man of God is a full time job. If someone meets you twice and on one occasion you are a quarrelsome, prideful, hedonistic jerk, and on the other occasion you are a reflection of Christ, which character trait will prevail? Sadly, your legacy will be not only remembered as the jerk, but you can now add hypocrite to the list as well!
Most of the time we don’t get second chances when it comes to making an impression on someone. The baseline to remember is whatever is buried in your heart will rise up in your words and actions. Immerse yourself in the Word of God and Christ will be reflected in your life. Drown yourself in the ways of the world, and well, you get the picture.
When we immerse ourselves we become completely enveloped or surrounded. If you are learning a foreign language, learning the words and phrases is a great start, but if you immerse yourself by living in that region where the dialect is spoken, you develop a richness and understanding of not only the language, but the culture thus making the new language a part of your life. You not just learn the language, you live it.
How many of you adults remember everything you learned in school? You learned it well enough to get a (hopefully) passing grade. But if you didn’t apply it in your daily life, you probably forgot most or all of it.
This becomes most relevant when it comes to our study and understanding of Scripture. Developing a head knowledge of God’s Word does not make us Christ-like in our words and actions. Satan can recite every word of the Bible, but it hasn’t done much to improve his character. Application of God’s Word is how we change our lives and bind His Word into our hearts. Until our hearts are filled with Christ, we aren’t going to act like Christ.
I have been blessed with some study time in the Book of James and here are two passages that speak to this subject:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:19-22 ESV)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:13-18 ESV)
We are all going to die. The one thing that doesn’t get buried with us in the grave is our legacy. Our character and how we lived our lives will live on in the hearts of those who’s lives we leave behind. Make sure every day you enjoy on this earth is a day lived for Christ. Don’t just learn it, live it. Be doers of His Word, not hearers only and reap a harvest of righteousness, sharing the bountiful harvest with those around you.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Proverbs 26:11 ~ A Dog Returns to His Vomit
“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”
(Proverbs 26:11 ESV)
Sometimes Scripture is written as a parable or proverb that needs some unpacking or research to fully grasp the richness and meaning of it’s message. Then there are graphic verses such as this one that are plainly stated so that any fool like me can understand it.
There are times God speaks to us in a whisper, and then there are times when he smacks us in the face with a message so clear, it’s impossible for us to miss it.
I have a thorn in my side that I struggle with, and recently I had occasion to confess that sin to the LORD. Part of my prayer included praying through Proverbs 26:11. No more than 10 minutes later, I let our dogs outside into the yard to do their morning business. As I was standing there waiting, one of the dogs vomited on the grass, walked away, and then returned a moment later to his vomit.
I’m the first to admit that I’m not always the sharpest crayon in the box when it comes to reading retention, and I don’t always learn my life lessons on the first pass. Thankfully, my Father in Heaven knows this about me as well. So then, it came as no surprise that He gave me this visual reminder of His Word, just in case reading it didn’t quite present a clear enough image for me.
My pastor spoke recently of the parable of the sower and the seeds (Luke 8:4-8). A few days later I was in my garden pulling weeds and experienced how the weeds growing in the areas that had weed cloth were very easy to pull because their roots were shallow. However, the weeds growing in deep soil were much harder to uproot.
I love that my God knows me and is ready to meet me where I am. He knows how best to communicate with me, and I frequently get reminders of His Glory through how He reveals Himself to me in nature.
I’m praying that the next time I am tempted to judge a brother for his sin that God doesn’t find the need to illustrate Matthew 7:4-5 to me. That’s gonna hurt.
(Proverbs 26:11 ESV)
Sometimes Scripture is written as a parable or proverb that needs some unpacking or research to fully grasp the richness and meaning of it’s message. Then there are graphic verses such as this one that are plainly stated so that any fool like me can understand it.
There are times God speaks to us in a whisper, and then there are times when he smacks us in the face with a message so clear, it’s impossible for us to miss it.
I have a thorn in my side that I struggle with, and recently I had occasion to confess that sin to the LORD. Part of my prayer included praying through Proverbs 26:11. No more than 10 minutes later, I let our dogs outside into the yard to do their morning business. As I was standing there waiting, one of the dogs vomited on the grass, walked away, and then returned a moment later to his vomit.
I’m the first to admit that I’m not always the sharpest crayon in the box when it comes to reading retention, and I don’t always learn my life lessons on the first pass. Thankfully, my Father in Heaven knows this about me as well. So then, it came as no surprise that He gave me this visual reminder of His Word, just in case reading it didn’t quite present a clear enough image for me.
My pastor spoke recently of the parable of the sower and the seeds (Luke 8:4-8). A few days later I was in my garden pulling weeds and experienced how the weeds growing in the areas that had weed cloth were very easy to pull because their roots were shallow. However, the weeds growing in deep soil were much harder to uproot.
I love that my God knows me and is ready to meet me where I am. He knows how best to communicate with me, and I frequently get reminders of His Glory through how He reveals Himself to me in nature.
I’m praying that the next time I am tempted to judge a brother for his sin that God doesn’t find the need to illustrate Matthew 7:4-5 to me. That’s gonna hurt.
Was Peter A Coward?
Did the Apostle Peter have doubts about his faith? Was he a coward?
Let’s look at two incidents involving Peter. Turning to the Book of Matthew we read:
“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33 ESV).
Aside from being credited with reciting the shortest prayer in the Bible (“Lord, save me”), most of us think of this as Peter failing to trust Jesus completely, thus sinking into the water. But we should look at the fact that Peter even got out of the boat! The rest of the disciples were hanging on for dear life. None of them took that step of faith, did they?
Ok, here’s one more. After the Lord’s Supper, Jesus and the Apostles move to the Mount of Olives where Jesus foretells Peter’s denial.
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.” (Matthew 26:30-35 ESV)
Then, after the arrest and “trial” of Jesus, Peter is approached by several bystanders:
“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”
(Matthew 26:69-75 ESV)
Here Peter is often portrayed as a coward. But was he? Again, where are the other disciples? Only Peter was brave enough to risk jail and torture to follow behind Jesus and be present during the trial. Was Peter afraid? Of course he was. But again we have to put all of this in perspective. In today’s terms of being a born-again Christian, Peter would be considered a “Baby Christian”, barely three years into his faith. How many of you were willing to jump into a raging sea or risk persecution for your faith at that time in your walk? I suspect most “mature” Christians would still be sitting in the boat or hiding in the bushes. But not Peter.
Jesus knew the humble fisherman Simon was the one that would eventually lead the upcoming church age. That’s why he renamed him Peter (Aramaic = Cephas, which means “the rock”).
There will be times in our Christian life when our faith is tested. Sometimes our efforts to follow Jesus may mean taking a risk. We can not let fear keep us from taking that step of faith outside of the safety of the boat. We may indeed sink, but we must trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus to lift us up when we do.
One of my favorite authors T.S. Eliot wrote “If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are”. Peter knew exactly how tall he was. Do you?
Let’s look at two incidents involving Peter. Turning to the Book of Matthew we read:
“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33 ESV).
Aside from being credited with reciting the shortest prayer in the Bible (“Lord, save me”), most of us think of this as Peter failing to trust Jesus completely, thus sinking into the water. But we should look at the fact that Peter even got out of the boat! The rest of the disciples were hanging on for dear life. None of them took that step of faith, did they?
Ok, here’s one more. After the Lord’s Supper, Jesus and the Apostles move to the Mount of Olives where Jesus foretells Peter’s denial.
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.” (Matthew 26:30-35 ESV)
Then, after the arrest and “trial” of Jesus, Peter is approached by several bystanders:
“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”
(Matthew 26:69-75 ESV)
Here Peter is often portrayed as a coward. But was he? Again, where are the other disciples? Only Peter was brave enough to risk jail and torture to follow behind Jesus and be present during the trial. Was Peter afraid? Of course he was. But again we have to put all of this in perspective. In today’s terms of being a born-again Christian, Peter would be considered a “Baby Christian”, barely three years into his faith. How many of you were willing to jump into a raging sea or risk persecution for your faith at that time in your walk? I suspect most “mature” Christians would still be sitting in the boat or hiding in the bushes. But not Peter.
Jesus knew the humble fisherman Simon was the one that would eventually lead the upcoming church age. That’s why he renamed him Peter (Aramaic = Cephas, which means “the rock”).
There will be times in our Christian life when our faith is tested. Sometimes our efforts to follow Jesus may mean taking a risk. We can not let fear keep us from taking that step of faith outside of the safety of the boat. We may indeed sink, but we must trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus to lift us up when we do.
One of my favorite authors T.S. Eliot wrote “If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are”. Peter knew exactly how tall he was. Do you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)