Sunday, January 10, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Your Heart Has Reins...Use Them!
I would like to think I am more a "glass half full" kind of gal. I tend to always give people the benefit of the doubt. Since I was a little girl I have longed to help people. Maybe all the time I spent in the refugee camps of Asia aided in that desire. If anything it gave me a keen sense of the suffering and injustice man has caused in this world.
Isn't it interesting than man though the ages has always had cause for justice and fighting the lack there of. A longing to be treated the way he deserves. To have rights to certain things and have freedom from others. This fight is unique to mankind. You don't see the family of the murdered antelope taking the lion that killed him to a court of justice. So what is it in mankind that rejoices at justice and sympathizes with injustice? It is because man above all other things in this creation has value. Mankind is the crown of God's creation. Man was created in the image of God, little lower than the angels. He was crated with a will, an intellect and with emotions. Animals do not have these to the capacity that man does if at all. Animals have instinct; man has a conscience. A notion of the difference between good and bad, just and unjust.
For the most part people think they are good people. More often than not you will hear the same words spoken at a funeral. "He was such a good man." "She really led a good life." In fact one of the most common responses man has in the face of suffering is "Why is this happening to me? I know that I am a good person." So if most non-Christians hold this believe why is it that we as Christians get so caught up in the all consuming wickedness of man's heart? The mantra for Christians such as these seems to be found in Jeremiah.
"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it?" Jer. 17:9 KJV
Let's break this verse down into the original Hebrew. Using only the Hebrew words it looks like this "deceitful the heart all desperately who understands?" Well we did away with the word wicked pretty quickly didn't we. The word wicked is not there in the Hebrew. The Hebrew word for desperately is anash meaning weak or sick. The Hebrew word for deceitful is aqob meaning crooked or polluted. It is from the root word aqab meaning take by the heel or tracked with footprints. People...who is the one that bruises the heel? Genesis 3:15 says the devil will strike at the heel but the seed of the woman {Jesus} will crush his head. The heart of man is sick and has been invaded by the footprints of the enemy. Wicked & deceitful is not the way God created you. Let's read on to the next verse.
"I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jer. 17:10
God know that the relentless attack of the enemy on the heart of man has caused deception. So we are to not only judge by the heart but by the reins as well. What are reins? Think in terms of a horse and rider. The reins are a means of restraint and guidance. The reins control which direction the horse is to go. In the same way man has reins to control his heart. I believe that is exactly what God is saying in these verses. The heart is easily deceived so keep it in check with the reins. He goes on to say that you will be held responsible for your deeds and whether you allowed your heart to be deceived or not. Here are some other verses that link the heart with the reins. Ps 7:9, Ps 16:7, Jer 11:20, Jer 20:12, Rev 2:23. A couple more with just reins Ps 16:7, Is 11:5. Be sure to look in the King James Version. The NIV and others have the Hebrew word kilyah (reins) mistranslated as heart, mind etc. How do we know this? Because the Hebrew word kilyah also means kidneys. Confused? Allow me to explain.
If you look at the blood sacrifices in the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy you will see that the kidneys are specifically mentioned. The kidneys were the last or most inward part of the animal to be seen when preparing it for sacrifice. This is where we get "my inner most parts" in Psalm 139:13. The kidneys were also covered in fat making them most hidden. Because of this the ancient Hebrews believed that the kidneys were the seat of emotion.
What comes to mind when I say emotions? Feelings...happy, sad, love, hate, excitement, fear. Now also think of moral emotions or virtues. The cardinal virtues are known as prudence {discretion}, temperance {self-control}, fortitude {strength/courage} and finally justice. These put simply in the Bible are faith, hope and love. So it could be said the virtue is the control of your emotions. These are the reins to your heart.
What is interesting then is that the kidneys were specifically burned in the alter as sacrifice to God. A kind of "not my will but thy will be done" of the old testament. What it also tells us is that God built something into us to help guide our emotions. A sort of moral compass if you will. Kind of the benefit of the doubt I was talking about earlier. Now not to say there are not people who are deceived. Yes there are. But the key is exactly that...they are deceived not born wicked. Deception is a twisting of something away from the truth. So it is with the heart of man. But also note the deception is from the devil not from man himself.
If anything I hope this is an encouragement to you. To see that God did create man good. You don't have to be a slave to your emotions. He created you fool proof. He created you and everyone else to be free. God knew of the schemes of the devil when He created you. That is why He created us in a way to be able to resist! Just as we teach children how to be aware of their emotions we can do the same. Your choice along with the will of God is powerful. But you have to believe it first. The longer that we tell ourselves that we are just desperately wicked sinners the longer we stay broken and lost. Usually it leads to more sin! People who believe they are just sinners live as just sinners. People that believe they can be or are free by the power of God move in a much healthier direction.
Look guys the message of the gospel should never be "You horrible, worthless, wicked thing!" Many have fled from the church having been under that constant ridicule. If we few the lost this way we devalue who God created them to be. Thinking that people were desperately wicked was the attitude that spurred burning people at the stake in the middle ages. That was the mantra of the crusades and other holy wars "Kill the wretched wicked!" That is not the heart of God. I bet you the man on the street corner with the poster reading "ALL WICKED SINNERS DESERVE TO BURN IN HELL. REPENT OR DIE." has never brought anyone to Christ. If he has it was out of fear on behalf of the "sinner" and that is not God.
The lost are deceived and misguided. They are hurting people that need compassion and freedom from injustice. Young people that have been called worthless and rejected their whole lives. They don't need to hear that they are wicked or that there is no hope for them. We need to be building them up and putting them on the right track. Yes, we all have sinned. But the sin is gone before we even finish saying "God forgive me." We are the ones that choose to continue to carry it around. This will only prolong healing. When you sin repent quickly and move on.
God called us to shepherd the lost. Not to wait and see if they have a change of heart. We need to seek them out and show them before it is too late. Many proclaim that God must move on the heart of man before he can change. But God says that we Christians will be held responsible for how his flock was treated. Not the church the lost. I'd say we better be putting our pious sinner pity party to an end and start looking for some sheep.
"Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not the shepherds take care of the flock?...You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally...they were scattered and became food for wild animals...no one searched or looked for them. Therefore I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock." Ezekiel 34:2-10
Isn't it interesting than man though the ages has always had cause for justice and fighting the lack there of. A longing to be treated the way he deserves. To have rights to certain things and have freedom from others. This fight is unique to mankind. You don't see the family of the murdered antelope taking the lion that killed him to a court of justice. So what is it in mankind that rejoices at justice and sympathizes with injustice? It is because man above all other things in this creation has value. Mankind is the crown of God's creation. Man was created in the image of God, little lower than the angels. He was crated with a will, an intellect and with emotions. Animals do not have these to the capacity that man does if at all. Animals have instinct; man has a conscience. A notion of the difference between good and bad, just and unjust.
For the most part people think they are good people. More often than not you will hear the same words spoken at a funeral. "He was such a good man." "She really led a good life." In fact one of the most common responses man has in the face of suffering is "Why is this happening to me? I know that I am a good person." So if most non-Christians hold this believe why is it that we as Christians get so caught up in the all consuming wickedness of man's heart? The mantra for Christians such as these seems to be found in Jeremiah.
"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it?" Jer. 17:9 KJV
Let's break this verse down into the original Hebrew. Using only the Hebrew words it looks like this "deceitful the heart all desperately who understands?" Well we did away with the word wicked pretty quickly didn't we. The word wicked is not there in the Hebrew. The Hebrew word for desperately is anash meaning weak or sick. The Hebrew word for deceitful is aqob meaning crooked or polluted. It is from the root word aqab meaning take by the heel or tracked with footprints. People...who is the one that bruises the heel? Genesis 3:15 says the devil will strike at the heel but the seed of the woman {Jesus} will crush his head. The heart of man is sick and has been invaded by the footprints of the enemy. Wicked & deceitful is not the way God created you. Let's read on to the next verse.
"I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jer. 17:10
God know that the relentless attack of the enemy on the heart of man has caused deception. So we are to not only judge by the heart but by the reins as well. What are reins? Think in terms of a horse and rider. The reins are a means of restraint and guidance. The reins control which direction the horse is to go. In the same way man has reins to control his heart. I believe that is exactly what God is saying in these verses. The heart is easily deceived so keep it in check with the reins. He goes on to say that you will be held responsible for your deeds and whether you allowed your heart to be deceived or not. Here are some other verses that link the heart with the reins. Ps 7:9, Ps 16:7, Jer 11:20, Jer 20:12, Rev 2:23. A couple more with just reins Ps 16:7, Is 11:5. Be sure to look in the King James Version. The NIV and others have the Hebrew word kilyah (reins) mistranslated as heart, mind etc. How do we know this? Because the Hebrew word kilyah also means kidneys. Confused? Allow me to explain.
If you look at the blood sacrifices in the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy you will see that the kidneys are specifically mentioned. The kidneys were the last or most inward part of the animal to be seen when preparing it for sacrifice. This is where we get "my inner most parts" in Psalm 139:13. The kidneys were also covered in fat making them most hidden. Because of this the ancient Hebrews believed that the kidneys were the seat of emotion.
What comes to mind when I say emotions? Feelings...happy, sad, love, hate, excitement, fear. Now also think of moral emotions or virtues. The cardinal virtues are known as prudence {discretion}, temperance {self-control}, fortitude {strength/courage} and finally justice. These put simply in the Bible are faith, hope and love. So it could be said the virtue is the control of your emotions. These are the reins to your heart.
What is interesting then is that the kidneys were specifically burned in the alter as sacrifice to God. A kind of "not my will but thy will be done" of the old testament. What it also tells us is that God built something into us to help guide our emotions. A sort of moral compass if you will. Kind of the benefit of the doubt I was talking about earlier. Now not to say there are not people who are deceived. Yes there are. But the key is exactly that...they are deceived not born wicked. Deception is a twisting of something away from the truth. So it is with the heart of man. But also note the deception is from the devil not from man himself.
If anything I hope this is an encouragement to you. To see that God did create man good. You don't have to be a slave to your emotions. He created you fool proof. He created you and everyone else to be free. God knew of the schemes of the devil when He created you. That is why He created us in a way to be able to resist! Just as we teach children how to be aware of their emotions we can do the same. Your choice along with the will of God is powerful. But you have to believe it first. The longer that we tell ourselves that we are just desperately wicked sinners the longer we stay broken and lost. Usually it leads to more sin! People who believe they are just sinners live as just sinners. People that believe they can be or are free by the power of God move in a much healthier direction.
Look guys the message of the gospel should never be "You horrible, worthless, wicked thing!" Many have fled from the church having been under that constant ridicule. If we few the lost this way we devalue who God created them to be. Thinking that people were desperately wicked was the attitude that spurred burning people at the stake in the middle ages. That was the mantra of the crusades and other holy wars "Kill the wretched wicked!" That is not the heart of God. I bet you the man on the street corner with the poster reading "ALL WICKED SINNERS DESERVE TO BURN IN HELL. REPENT OR DIE." has never brought anyone to Christ. If he has it was out of fear on behalf of the "sinner" and that is not God.
The lost are deceived and misguided. They are hurting people that need compassion and freedom from injustice. Young people that have been called worthless and rejected their whole lives. They don't need to hear that they are wicked or that there is no hope for them. We need to be building them up and putting them on the right track. Yes, we all have sinned. But the sin is gone before we even finish saying "God forgive me." We are the ones that choose to continue to carry it around. This will only prolong healing. When you sin repent quickly and move on.
God called us to shepherd the lost. Not to wait and see if they have a change of heart. We need to seek them out and show them before it is too late. Many proclaim that God must move on the heart of man before he can change. But God says that we Christians will be held responsible for how his flock was treated. Not the church the lost. I'd say we better be putting our pious sinner pity party to an end and start looking for some sheep.
"Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not the shepherds take care of the flock?...You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally...they were scattered and became food for wild animals...no one searched or looked for them. Therefore I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock." Ezekiel 34:2-10
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Who Stole Your Identity? {Part Two}
Continued from part one...click here.
How come God allowed this crushing blow of the enemy? How come He didn't step in and save them? How come He didn't work His Spirit into them? Because He didn't want to override the choice that they had made. Notice the cry of the prophets in the old testament. It was always in the form of a warning. A warning telling the people to cry out and turn back before they are crushed by the enemy. Unfortunately the ravishing and deception had taken it's toll and they choose not to turn back. They kept sinning and self destructing. This led to the crushing blow and devastation of the enemy. Bondage ensued.
The Israelites were in Egypt nearly 350 years before they cried out to God for deliverance. They were in Babylon 70 years. Listen to the warning of Hosea prior to the exile in Babylon.
"I long to redeem them but they speak lies against me. They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail upon their beds." Hosea 7:13-14
Even after God had responded to the cries from Egypt they were so broken they didn't believe it.
"Moses reported this [deliverance] to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage." Exodus 6:9
They had completely lost their identity. I can hear people saying "Nope. This is just who I am. This is my life now. I guess this was meant to be. I'm just a sinner." Lie from the pit of hell! God created you with loving intention and good purpose from His image. If you choose to cry out God He will be faithful to bring you back to that good purpose. But we like the Israelites trade this truth for a lie.
"But they will reply 'there is no hope': but we will walk after our own devices, and we will everyone do the imagination of his evil heart." Jeremiah 18:12
See how the crown of God's creation now in fact thought they were evil. The oppression had totally robbed their identity. Again the Hebrew word for evil is 'ra; which simply means bad or dysfunctional as was discussed in the prior post. The Hebrew word for imagination in this verse is sheriruth meaning stubborn. It is from the root word sharar in the sense of twisted. This Hebrew word is also sometimes translated as the word lust. See it is a twisting of reality, a lie. Their heart is not evil just as lust is not love.
But the choice of the people usually swayed the response from God to the situation. When they did not choose to repent he would hand them over to the enemy.
"So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices." Psalm 81:12
But at the same time God would always leave the door of hope open. He always gave the option to return to Him and the identity that He had created.
"...remove all it's vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 11:18b-19
So what was to become of this virgin who had been ravished and deceived? This people who had lost their identity. This people who were broken and in bondage. This people that were now giving themselves to prostitution. They repented and turned back to God. God forgave them and comforted them. That was the first step to a process of healing. In the next step God called to rebuild the foundation and walls, rebuild the temple, rebuild the intimacy. In the book of Nehemiah they rebuild the wall. In Ezra they rebuild the temple. Isaiah calls for all those things.
"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise the age old foundations." Isaiah 58:12
Countless times in the old testament God calls people to "Be holy, for I am Holy", "Seek righteousness", "Follow my laws, decrees and celebrations." Other times He says "Choose this day whom you will serve." or "Choose life." In this process of healing God comforts, gives hope and teaches righteousness. Moreover He takes this broken, blemished prostitute and make her clean and married.
"No longer will they call you deserted or name your land desolate...for the Lord will delight in you, and your land will be married." Hosea 2:15
"In that day you will call me 'my husband' you will no longer call me 'my master'...I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion." Hosea 2:18-19
Remember that it takes a long time to recover from abuse. It takes the support of God and others. It takes a daily renewing of the mind, heart and spirit. The Israelites were in the wilderness 40 years trying to work through the damage bondage in Egypt had caused. They were no longer in Egypt but still had the oppressed identity that had formed there. Heck some of them even wanted to go back. They didn't know how to live free of bondage. Like a battered wife returning to her husband. Like Stockholm Syndrome where the person taken hostage falls in love with the captor. Their vessel was shattered. That vessel had to be rebuilt before God could fill it. This is why the time in the desert learning the law and sacrifice was so intense. They were on house arrest and in rehabilitation all at the same time.
The point to remember is that no one is a lost cause. God did not ask them to do anything He didn't think they could achieve. Why? Because God is a loving God. Now I am not saying that anyone could perfect the law. No man could do that. But when God was telling them "Be holy for I am Holy" He meant it. But how could He have such high expectations for man? Because man was created in the holy image of God. He gave man an image of His mind, of His heart and of His spirit. He created man out of love with good intention and for good purpose. So when he called man to be holy what He was really saying was "Be who I created you to be!"
What I hope you take from these last couple of blogs is a new sense of identity. God took special care in creating you. You are not a mistake. You are not wicked or evil. You are not beyond repair. Yes we all make mistakes but no one needs to be in bondage. Don't take on the dysfunctional identity of sin and the devil. Don't believe the lies that he tells you. Repent and be comforted by God. Then start on the road to healing. There is hope! You can't be worse than the Israelites with houses full of idols, the temple of God defiled with worship to other gods. Sacrificing their children to Molech and then having orgies with the temple prostitutes in the sacricifial blood. And if you are in fact that mixed up there is still hope for you because there was hope for the Israelites.
We are even better off than the Israelites! We have the benefit of Jesus and the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There was neither of these things in the old testament. They had to sacrifice and follow the law only by command of the Lord and their own volition. It was this way until the time Jesus came. Jesus came as the atoning sacrifice for all mankind. He came to bind up the broken hearted and to set the captives in bondage free. The Holy Spirit was sent to comfort, give grace and power. To give us supernatural power to overcome the schemes of the enemy and resist temptation to sin.
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak though the flesh, God did by sending His son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin. And so condemned sin in the flesh." Romans 8:3
Now we have a vessel that has not only been repaired but made new. We have a vessel that can be permanently filled and fortified with the Holy Spirit. This doesn't make us impervious to temptation. But it should give you a new start. A new identity. You are a new creature created in the image of God, washed clean in the blood of Jesus and fortified by the Spirit. Stay on track to renew your mind, heart, and spirit. Seek the will of God, seek righteousness and be free. This is your starting point. Everything doesn't happen instantaneously it's a process. But I will tell you you will NEVER be free from bondage if you keep the identity of a sinner. You must start with the foundation of freedom. Don't settle for anything less. Don't believe the lie that "this is just who I am and that's that." I believe that when Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life that it was two fold. Like this...
WAY- 1}the way we should follow here on earth; Jesus. 2}the way to the Father in heaven.
TRUTH- 1} the truth of who God is. 2} the truth of who you were created to be.
LIFE- 1}victory on earth over sin. 2}victory over death; that is eternal life.
Use this as your guide. Be patient and press on toward the goal of fullness and intimacy with Christ. I will be spending some more time on this subject in regards to what the new testament says. Specifically exploring the concept of the flesh and the Spirit. Also discussing some of my own bondage and how I got through it. So stay posted.
How come God allowed this crushing blow of the enemy? How come He didn't step in and save them? How come He didn't work His Spirit into them? Because He didn't want to override the choice that they had made. Notice the cry of the prophets in the old testament. It was always in the form of a warning. A warning telling the people to cry out and turn back before they are crushed by the enemy. Unfortunately the ravishing and deception had taken it's toll and they choose not to turn back. They kept sinning and self destructing. This led to the crushing blow and devastation of the enemy. Bondage ensued.
The Israelites were in Egypt nearly 350 years before they cried out to God for deliverance. They were in Babylon 70 years. Listen to the warning of Hosea prior to the exile in Babylon.
"I long to redeem them but they speak lies against me. They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail upon their beds." Hosea 7:13-14
Even after God had responded to the cries from Egypt they were so broken they didn't believe it.
"Moses reported this [deliverance] to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage." Exodus 6:9
They had completely lost their identity. I can hear people saying "Nope. This is just who I am. This is my life now. I guess this was meant to be. I'm just a sinner." Lie from the pit of hell! God created you with loving intention and good purpose from His image. If you choose to cry out God He will be faithful to bring you back to that good purpose. But we like the Israelites trade this truth for a lie.
"But they will reply 'there is no hope': but we will walk after our own devices, and we will everyone do the imagination of his evil heart." Jeremiah 18:12
See how the crown of God's creation now in fact thought they were evil. The oppression had totally robbed their identity. Again the Hebrew word for evil is 'ra; which simply means bad or dysfunctional as was discussed in the prior post. The Hebrew word for imagination in this verse is sheriruth meaning stubborn. It is from the root word sharar in the sense of twisted. This Hebrew word is also sometimes translated as the word lust. See it is a twisting of reality, a lie. Their heart is not evil just as lust is not love.
But the choice of the people usually swayed the response from God to the situation. When they did not choose to repent he would hand them over to the enemy.
"So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices." Psalm 81:12
But at the same time God would always leave the door of hope open. He always gave the option to return to Him and the identity that He had created.
"...remove all it's vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 11:18b-19
So what was to become of this virgin who had been ravished and deceived? This people who had lost their identity. This people who were broken and in bondage. This people that were now giving themselves to prostitution. They repented and turned back to God. God forgave them and comforted them. That was the first step to a process of healing. In the next step God called to rebuild the foundation and walls, rebuild the temple, rebuild the intimacy. In the book of Nehemiah they rebuild the wall. In Ezra they rebuild the temple. Isaiah calls for all those things.
"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise the age old foundations." Isaiah 58:12
Countless times in the old testament God calls people to "Be holy, for I am Holy", "Seek righteousness", "Follow my laws, decrees and celebrations." Other times He says "Choose this day whom you will serve." or "Choose life." In this process of healing God comforts, gives hope and teaches righteousness. Moreover He takes this broken, blemished prostitute and make her clean and married.
"No longer will they call you deserted or name your land desolate...for the Lord will delight in you, and your land will be married." Hosea 2:15
"In that day you will call me 'my husband' you will no longer call me 'my master'...I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion." Hosea 2:18-19
Remember that it takes a long time to recover from abuse. It takes the support of God and others. It takes a daily renewing of the mind, heart and spirit. The Israelites were in the wilderness 40 years trying to work through the damage bondage in Egypt had caused. They were no longer in Egypt but still had the oppressed identity that had formed there. Heck some of them even wanted to go back. They didn't know how to live free of bondage. Like a battered wife returning to her husband. Like Stockholm Syndrome where the person taken hostage falls in love with the captor. Their vessel was shattered. That vessel had to be rebuilt before God could fill it. This is why the time in the desert learning the law and sacrifice was so intense. They were on house arrest and in rehabilitation all at the same time.
The point to remember is that no one is a lost cause. God did not ask them to do anything He didn't think they could achieve. Why? Because God is a loving God. Now I am not saying that anyone could perfect the law. No man could do that. But when God was telling them "Be holy for I am Holy" He meant it. But how could He have such high expectations for man? Because man was created in the holy image of God. He gave man an image of His mind, of His heart and of His spirit. He created man out of love with good intention and for good purpose. So when he called man to be holy what He was really saying was "Be who I created you to be!"
What I hope you take from these last couple of blogs is a new sense of identity. God took special care in creating you. You are not a mistake. You are not wicked or evil. You are not beyond repair. Yes we all make mistakes but no one needs to be in bondage. Don't take on the dysfunctional identity of sin and the devil. Don't believe the lies that he tells you. Repent and be comforted by God. Then start on the road to healing. There is hope! You can't be worse than the Israelites with houses full of idols, the temple of God defiled with worship to other gods. Sacrificing their children to Molech and then having orgies with the temple prostitutes in the sacricifial blood. And if you are in fact that mixed up there is still hope for you because there was hope for the Israelites.
We are even better off than the Israelites! We have the benefit of Jesus and the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There was neither of these things in the old testament. They had to sacrifice and follow the law only by command of the Lord and their own volition. It was this way until the time Jesus came. Jesus came as the atoning sacrifice for all mankind. He came to bind up the broken hearted and to set the captives in bondage free. The Holy Spirit was sent to comfort, give grace and power. To give us supernatural power to overcome the schemes of the enemy and resist temptation to sin.
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak though the flesh, God did by sending His son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin. And so condemned sin in the flesh." Romans 8:3
Now we have a vessel that has not only been repaired but made new. We have a vessel that can be permanently filled and fortified with the Holy Spirit. This doesn't make us impervious to temptation. But it should give you a new start. A new identity. You are a new creature created in the image of God, washed clean in the blood of Jesus and fortified by the Spirit. Stay on track to renew your mind, heart, and spirit. Seek the will of God, seek righteousness and be free. This is your starting point. Everything doesn't happen instantaneously it's a process. But I will tell you you will NEVER be free from bondage if you keep the identity of a sinner. You must start with the foundation of freedom. Don't settle for anything less. Don't believe the lie that "this is just who I am and that's that." I believe that when Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life that it was two fold. Like this...
WAY- 1}the way we should follow here on earth; Jesus. 2}the way to the Father in heaven.
TRUTH- 1} the truth of who God is. 2} the truth of who you were created to be.
LIFE- 1}victory on earth over sin. 2}victory over death; that is eternal life.
Use this as your guide. Be patient and press on toward the goal of fullness and intimacy with Christ. I will be spending some more time on this subject in regards to what the new testament says. Specifically exploring the concept of the flesh and the Spirit. Also discussing some of my own bondage and how I got through it. So stay posted.
Who Stole Your Identity? {Part One}
One of the first verses I remember learning as a little girl was in the book of Psalms. I remember the day in school, probably about 1st grade, that we we told to draw a self portrait. Once we completed that picture we were to write this.
"For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, my soul knows full well."
Psalm 139:13-14
That verse along with knowing that when God created man He said he was "very good" gave me a great understanding of the character of God. Even though I was only about 6 years old these verses told me that God loved me and knew me. That I was special, unique and created in His image. As I got older I learn about sin and the enemy. How the devil seeks to destroy what God has created. How he tempts you to take you off the path of relationship with God. So like any good parents do I was taught to make good choices. Choices that would keep me in the good and prosperous plan that God had for me. Choices that steered clear of the lies and deception of the enemy. My parents taught me that we were born into battle between God and the devil. That we were created as a vessel that was to be filled with God. When we don't the devil will chip away at your vessel till it breaks.
"If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you don't do well sin is crouching at the door; and it's desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:6
This gave me a real sense of responsibility. It gave me an understanding that my choices on a day to day basis had an effect in the spirit realm. My choices would either glorify God or give way to the temptation of the devil. Remember in the garden we didn't just sin. We were tempted and deceived by the devil to sin. If the serpent wasn't there would we still have disobeyed? I don't think so. But God knowing the will and the character of the devil set boundaries to protect us. I learned to do the same in my own life.
"Do not remove the ancient boundary with your forefathers have set." Proverbs 22:28
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." Deuteronomy 6:4-6
I also learned to quickly repent when I had made a mistake. To take responsibility for my choice and get back on the right path. There was no "the devil made me do it" or "that was just my sinful nature acting up" in our house! If I ever said anything like that my dad would sit me down and say "No, Cherie that is not who you are or who you were created to be. You are a child of God in His image so act like it!" He would go on to say "Don't glorify the devil to say he has that much power over you. 'Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world' anything other than that is a lie from the pit of hell!" Ahhhh...I can hear those words as if it were yesterday, not 30 years ago. Maybe it is because I am now using those same word with my 6 year old daughter. A strong foundation is not easily broken. Boy was I glad about that. Years later the rebellion of the teenager began to brew. The foundation my parents had instilled in me was to be a saving grace.
What is sin? The Hebrew word for sin means to wander from the way. In other words you believe the lie of the enemy and turn from God. When we repent, we acknowledge the above and take responsibility then turn to God. The Hebrew word for repent means regret. It also means comfort...to comfort oneself or God's comfort. Now if you do not repent for a sin right away and just heap sin upon sin something different happens. The desire that you had to repent lessens. You sink deeper into the lies and deception of the enemy. You begin to forget who God created you to be and you still refuse to be comforted. Now you have wandered so far from the right path you have lost your identity all together. Not only is your vessel empty of God it is smashed by the bondage of the devil. You are lost, broken and in total despair.
Now a few things to point out here. Bondage and oppression is brought on by the relentless chipping away of the enemy. It is solidified by the choice of the person not to turn around. What often times happens is that the oppressed take on the identity of the oppressor. The person is not only in bondage the are putting others in bondage as well. Let's look at the old testament for examples of this.
Here you have a group of somewhat righteous people that God often refers to as virgin Israel. So God warns virgin Israel not to be deceived by foreign gods {the devil} but to keep their eyes on their first love God. But virgin Israel was deceived and forgot their fist love. The begin to act as an adulteress and their hearts deteriorate to that of a prostitute. See the progression?
"It {wisdom} will save you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with all her words which flatter, who has left the partner of her youth." Proverbs 2:16
"Why will my son be ravished by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of a foreign woman?" Proverbs 5:20
"They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosom caressed." Ezekiel 23:3
The Hebrew word for virgin when referring to Israel means pure, unblemished. Another interesting note. The English words ravish, rape and rob come from the same root word meaning to carry off. Rapture is in the same family. In french rape' means the refuse of grapes after the extraction of the juice in wine making. The oppressive rule of the Egyptians in the bible is described with the Hebrew word radah. This word means to tread as in a wine press. Can you tell I love word etymology? Really though where am I going with all this?
God created man good and in His image. It was a combination of the ravishing of the devil and personal choice to lead him away from God. The relentless attack of the enemy can lead a sinful person into bondage. The point being no one started out that way. No one is born a prostitute. Prostitutes or porn stars are usually people that have been abused, lost their identity and lead a broken life. The same was true of the Israelites when they turned from God. This grieved the heart of God to see the crown of his creation, man, to act so wickedly. Meaning they were not functioning in the way they were created; for good purpose and relationship with God.
In the Hebrew there really is no word for wicked or evil. Anytime you see either one of those words in the bible they are a translation of the Hebrew word 'ra. 'Ra simply means bad. It is my understanding that the ancient Hebrews didn't think in terms of good and evil but more along the lines of functional and dysfunctional. Good is functioning properly; how you were created. What does dysfunctional mean? Impaired or abnormal function. Can you see the difference? Sin and bondage to sin is not because you are evil. It is because you are broken. This breaks the heart of God who crated you whole.
"Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing. For my virgin daughter-my people-have suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow." Jeremiah 14:17
Click here for Part Two of this blog.
"For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, my soul knows full well."
Psalm 139:13-14
That verse along with knowing that when God created man He said he was "very good" gave me a great understanding of the character of God. Even though I was only about 6 years old these verses told me that God loved me and knew me. That I was special, unique and created in His image. As I got older I learn about sin and the enemy. How the devil seeks to destroy what God has created. How he tempts you to take you off the path of relationship with God. So like any good parents do I was taught to make good choices. Choices that would keep me in the good and prosperous plan that God had for me. Choices that steered clear of the lies and deception of the enemy. My parents taught me that we were born into battle between God and the devil. That we were created as a vessel that was to be filled with God. When we don't the devil will chip away at your vessel till it breaks.
"If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you don't do well sin is crouching at the door; and it's desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:6
This gave me a real sense of responsibility. It gave me an understanding that my choices on a day to day basis had an effect in the spirit realm. My choices would either glorify God or give way to the temptation of the devil. Remember in the garden we didn't just sin. We were tempted and deceived by the devil to sin. If the serpent wasn't there would we still have disobeyed? I don't think so. But God knowing the will and the character of the devil set boundaries to protect us. I learned to do the same in my own life.
"Do not remove the ancient boundary with your forefathers have set." Proverbs 22:28
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." Deuteronomy 6:4-6
I also learned to quickly repent when I had made a mistake. To take responsibility for my choice and get back on the right path. There was no "the devil made me do it" or "that was just my sinful nature acting up" in our house! If I ever said anything like that my dad would sit me down and say "No, Cherie that is not who you are or who you were created to be. You are a child of God in His image so act like it!" He would go on to say "Don't glorify the devil to say he has that much power over you. 'Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world' anything other than that is a lie from the pit of hell!" Ahhhh...I can hear those words as if it were yesterday, not 30 years ago. Maybe it is because I am now using those same word with my 6 year old daughter. A strong foundation is not easily broken. Boy was I glad about that. Years later the rebellion of the teenager began to brew. The foundation my parents had instilled in me was to be a saving grace.
What is sin? The Hebrew word for sin means to wander from the way. In other words you believe the lie of the enemy and turn from God. When we repent, we acknowledge the above and take responsibility then turn to God. The Hebrew word for repent means regret. It also means comfort...to comfort oneself or God's comfort. Now if you do not repent for a sin right away and just heap sin upon sin something different happens. The desire that you had to repent lessens. You sink deeper into the lies and deception of the enemy. You begin to forget who God created you to be and you still refuse to be comforted. Now you have wandered so far from the right path you have lost your identity all together. Not only is your vessel empty of God it is smashed by the bondage of the devil. You are lost, broken and in total despair.
Now a few things to point out here. Bondage and oppression is brought on by the relentless chipping away of the enemy. It is solidified by the choice of the person not to turn around. What often times happens is that the oppressed take on the identity of the oppressor. The person is not only in bondage the are putting others in bondage as well. Let's look at the old testament for examples of this.
Here you have a group of somewhat righteous people that God often refers to as virgin Israel. So God warns virgin Israel not to be deceived by foreign gods {the devil} but to keep their eyes on their first love God. But virgin Israel was deceived and forgot their fist love. The begin to act as an adulteress and their hearts deteriorate to that of a prostitute. See the progression?
"It {wisdom} will save you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with all her words which flatter, who has left the partner of her youth." Proverbs 2:16
"Why will my son be ravished by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of a foreign woman?" Proverbs 5:20
"They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosom caressed." Ezekiel 23:3
The Hebrew word for virgin when referring to Israel means pure, unblemished. Another interesting note. The English words ravish, rape and rob come from the same root word meaning to carry off. Rapture is in the same family. In french rape' means the refuse of grapes after the extraction of the juice in wine making. The oppressive rule of the Egyptians in the bible is described with the Hebrew word radah. This word means to tread as in a wine press. Can you tell I love word etymology? Really though where am I going with all this?
God created man good and in His image. It was a combination of the ravishing of the devil and personal choice to lead him away from God. The relentless attack of the enemy can lead a sinful person into bondage. The point being no one started out that way. No one is born a prostitute. Prostitutes or porn stars are usually people that have been abused, lost their identity and lead a broken life. The same was true of the Israelites when they turned from God. This grieved the heart of God to see the crown of his creation, man, to act so wickedly. Meaning they were not functioning in the way they were created; for good purpose and relationship with God.
In the Hebrew there really is no word for wicked or evil. Anytime you see either one of those words in the bible they are a translation of the Hebrew word 'ra. 'Ra simply means bad. It is my understanding that the ancient Hebrews didn't think in terms of good and evil but more along the lines of functional and dysfunctional. Good is functioning properly; how you were created. What does dysfunctional mean? Impaired or abnormal function. Can you see the difference? Sin and bondage to sin is not because you are evil. It is because you are broken. This breaks the heart of God who crated you whole.
"Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing. For my virgin daughter-my people-have suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow." Jeremiah 14:17
Click here for Part Two of this blog.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Be A Better Christian
So the other day I was thinking about the end of the decade. I was thinking about what I could do to boost my faith a little more in the next year. What would make me a better Christian? What would make me a more proactive person of faith? Not just a "got my ticket heaven so I don't care about anything else" Christian. So I set out to find a good passage of scripture that really laid it all out. A verse that really sums up what being a Christian should mean. Most of the new testament epistles talk about what it means to be a follower of Christ. I however wanted something in the words of Jesus Himself.
After a bit of thought and meditation I felt drawn to Luke chapter 7. I felt to read the whole chapter not just a specific verse. So upon completing the 50 verses I thought "OK, that seems a little random, I don't get it." The chapter is comprised of four totally different stories during Jesus' ministry. They didn't have a common theme or message. So I read it again hoping to get some insight. The second time around things became magnificently clear. Lets first look at the four stories of Luke 7 separately.
Luke 7:1-10 Jesus healing the servant of a Roman Centurion.
Luke 7:11-17 Jesus raising a man from the dead.
Luke 7:18-35 Jesus discussing John the Baptist.
Luke 7:36-50 A woman washing and anointing the feet of Jesus.
So how in the world do these stories tell how to be a better, proactive Christian? Well lets start at the top. A Centurion was a Roman military officer in charge of about 100 men. This particular Centurion was a good master to his servant {vs.2}. He had respect for people of faith {vs.4-5}. He was a man with authority {vs.8} and respected the authority of Jesus {vs.7}. So Jesus heals the Centurion's servant because of his faith.
The next story in chapter 7 is that of a widow whose only son had died {vs.12}. Jesus comes upon the funeral precession and sees the mother weeping for her son. His heart goes out to her and tells her not to weep {vs.13}. Jesus then touches the coffin and commands the son to "get up" {vs.14}. The man comes back to life and begins talking {vs.15}.
Next we have two servants of John the Baptist coming to Jesus to ask him a question for John who is in jail {vs.18}. They want to know if Jesus is the messiah whom has been expected {vs.20}. At that question Jesus proceeds to heals many who are there and frees people of demons {vs.21}. Jesus tells the men to report back to John "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." {vs.22} Quick side note here---the word "poor" in the Bible doesn't exclusively mean lacking finances. The Greek word for poor is "ptochos" meaning afflicted, helpless, powerless, or someone lacking in anything.
After John's servants leave Jesus begins to talk to the people about the ministry of John {vs.24}. He tells them that John is not like a reed blown in the wind {vs.24}. That he is not a man concerned with things of the world {vs.25}. Jesus says John is a prophet and messenger of God {vs.26-27}. Jesus also explains the rejection they share though for different reasons. John removed himself from the worldly company and was said to have a demon {vs.33}. Jesus put himself in the company of sinners and was also rejected {vs.34}. Jesus sums up by saying that "wisdom is proved right by her children." {vs.35} Meaning both extremes had bore fruit.
The last story in Luke chapter 7 is that of a "sinful" woman. She finds Jesus eating a meal at the house of a Pharisee {vs.37}. She proceeds to fall at His feet weeping {vs.38}. She then washed His feet with her tears, kissed them and anointed them with a fine ointment {vs.38}. The Pharisees are horrified by this display because the woman is a sinner {vs.39}. Jesus points out that the woman had done what the Pharisees should have done. {vs.45-46}. It was customary in ancient times to welcome a guest into your home with a kiss and a washing of feet. I had the privilege of living in Jerusalem for 3 months in 1999. After walking around the old city for hours each day I got to see how dusty and dirty you feet get. I could have done well with a good foot washing or two.
So how do all these stories tell us to be better, proactive Christians? Look at the picture below.
So to be a Luke 7 Christian you need to be a respectable person of authority. A good soldier has disipline and leads by example. God has given us power and authority though Jesus and the Holy Spirit. With that authority we need to not fight against flesh and blood, but instead in the spirit realm. We need to have a respect for other people's of faith. The centurion was not a Jew, but he had a respect for the people and their faith. He also had a respect for Jesus. So use your God given authority to respect God, respect people and battle the enemy. Don't shame God by doing things in His name that are not edifying to others and to God.
Next we need to die to the sinful nature and raise again to a life in the Spirit. This isn't a one time thing. This should be a daily decision. Put off the old self and be alive in Christ! When Jesus raised this man from the dead he didn't just simply come back to life; the man began to talk. He was proactive in his new life. Don't be a Christian who is not proactive. Be a Christian that is alive not just living.
John the Baptist was a man that was totally committed to Christ and the message that He would bring. He was a man who live out in the wilderness separate from the society of worldly possessions. He did the work of the Lord and the Spirit testified through him. We need to do the same. Be separate for the world and totally committed to God. Speak His truth, testify His goodness, and save the lost. Stand firm in your faith. Don't be swayed in the wind by falsehood. Find the balance of being in the world but not of the world. Look at the comparison of Jesus and John in Luke 7:33-35. John had totally abstained from the world and Jesus was in the world surrounded by sinners. With God's wisdom you will know the balance by the fruit you bear. Be in the world but don't become the world. Be a new creature of light in the darkness and prepare the way.
Finally the servant heart of the sinful woman. Do you know that servanthood by default is worship to God? When we serve one another God is glorified. This service should be to one another in the body of Christ and then to the world. For how can we testify the humility and love of servanthood if we can't even get along with other believers? Get along with each other people! Serve people at your church. Serve people at your work. Serve each other in your marriage. Serve each other in your family. Then your will be a testimony in your service. Then you can reach out to the lost. This is worship in action. This glorifies the Lord! Get involved in your community. Get involved at your child's school. Get involved in anything really! Be an example of the servant heart of God and in turn worship Him. He is the reason that you have a second chance. Do all that you can to not let that go to waste.
So there you have the Luke 7 Christian. Use this as a challenge for the new year. Be proactive in your faith. Faith means two things 1} to trust in God 2} to obey God. Believe it then do it. Be a light that shines. Use your authority to edify and battle. Be alive and move forward. Be a testimony of Christ firm in your faith. Worship God and serve one another.
After a bit of thought and meditation I felt drawn to Luke chapter 7. I felt to read the whole chapter not just a specific verse. So upon completing the 50 verses I thought "OK, that seems a little random, I don't get it." The chapter is comprised of four totally different stories during Jesus' ministry. They didn't have a common theme or message. So I read it again hoping to get some insight. The second time around things became magnificently clear. Lets first look at the four stories of Luke 7 separately.
Luke 7:1-10 Jesus healing the servant of a Roman Centurion.
Luke 7:11-17 Jesus raising a man from the dead.
Luke 7:18-35 Jesus discussing John the Baptist.
Luke 7:36-50 A woman washing and anointing the feet of Jesus.
So how in the world do these stories tell how to be a better, proactive Christian? Well lets start at the top. A Centurion was a Roman military officer in charge of about 100 men. This particular Centurion was a good master to his servant {vs.2}. He had respect for people of faith {vs.4-5}. He was a man with authority {vs.8} and respected the authority of Jesus {vs.7}. So Jesus heals the Centurion's servant because of his faith.
The next story in chapter 7 is that of a widow whose only son had died {vs.12}. Jesus comes upon the funeral precession and sees the mother weeping for her son. His heart goes out to her and tells her not to weep {vs.13}. Jesus then touches the coffin and commands the son to "get up" {vs.14}. The man comes back to life and begins talking {vs.15}.
Next we have two servants of John the Baptist coming to Jesus to ask him a question for John who is in jail {vs.18}. They want to know if Jesus is the messiah whom has been expected {vs.20}. At that question Jesus proceeds to heals many who are there and frees people of demons {vs.21}. Jesus tells the men to report back to John "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." {vs.22} Quick side note here---the word "poor" in the Bible doesn't exclusively mean lacking finances. The Greek word for poor is "ptochos" meaning afflicted, helpless, powerless, or someone lacking in anything.
After John's servants leave Jesus begins to talk to the people about the ministry of John {vs.24}. He tells them that John is not like a reed blown in the wind {vs.24}. That he is not a man concerned with things of the world {vs.25}. Jesus says John is a prophet and messenger of God {vs.26-27}. Jesus also explains the rejection they share though for different reasons. John removed himself from the worldly company and was said to have a demon {vs.33}. Jesus put himself in the company of sinners and was also rejected {vs.34}. Jesus sums up by saying that "wisdom is proved right by her children." {vs.35} Meaning both extremes had bore fruit.
The last story in Luke chapter 7 is that of a "sinful" woman. She finds Jesus eating a meal at the house of a Pharisee {vs.37}. She proceeds to fall at His feet weeping {vs.38}. She then washed His feet with her tears, kissed them and anointed them with a fine ointment {vs.38}. The Pharisees are horrified by this display because the woman is a sinner {vs.39}. Jesus points out that the woman had done what the Pharisees should have done. {vs.45-46}. It was customary in ancient times to welcome a guest into your home with a kiss and a washing of feet. I had the privilege of living in Jerusalem for 3 months in 1999. After walking around the old city for hours each day I got to see how dusty and dirty you feet get. I could have done well with a good foot washing or two.
So how do all these stories tell us to be better, proactive Christians? Look at the picture below.
So to be a Luke 7 Christian you need to be a respectable person of authority. A good soldier has disipline and leads by example. God has given us power and authority though Jesus and the Holy Spirit. With that authority we need to not fight against flesh and blood, but instead in the spirit realm. We need to have a respect for other people's of faith. The centurion was not a Jew, but he had a respect for the people and their faith. He also had a respect for Jesus. So use your God given authority to respect God, respect people and battle the enemy. Don't shame God by doing things in His name that are not edifying to others and to God.Next we need to die to the sinful nature and raise again to a life in the Spirit. This isn't a one time thing. This should be a daily decision. Put off the old self and be alive in Christ! When Jesus raised this man from the dead he didn't just simply come back to life; the man began to talk. He was proactive in his new life. Don't be a Christian who is not proactive. Be a Christian that is alive not just living.
John the Baptist was a man that was totally committed to Christ and the message that He would bring. He was a man who live out in the wilderness separate from the society of worldly possessions. He did the work of the Lord and the Spirit testified through him. We need to do the same. Be separate for the world and totally committed to God. Speak His truth, testify His goodness, and save the lost. Stand firm in your faith. Don't be swayed in the wind by falsehood. Find the balance of being in the world but not of the world. Look at the comparison of Jesus and John in Luke 7:33-35. John had totally abstained from the world and Jesus was in the world surrounded by sinners. With God's wisdom you will know the balance by the fruit you bear. Be in the world but don't become the world. Be a new creature of light in the darkness and prepare the way.
Finally the servant heart of the sinful woman. Do you know that servanthood by default is worship to God? When we serve one another God is glorified. This service should be to one another in the body of Christ and then to the world. For how can we testify the humility and love of servanthood if we can't even get along with other believers? Get along with each other people! Serve people at your church. Serve people at your work. Serve each other in your marriage. Serve each other in your family. Then your will be a testimony in your service. Then you can reach out to the lost. This is worship in action. This glorifies the Lord! Get involved in your community. Get involved at your child's school. Get involved in anything really! Be an example of the servant heart of God and in turn worship Him. He is the reason that you have a second chance. Do all that you can to not let that go to waste.
So there you have the Luke 7 Christian. Use this as a challenge for the new year. Be proactive in your faith. Faith means two things 1} to trust in God 2} to obey God. Believe it then do it. Be a light that shines. Use your authority to edify and battle. Be alive and move forward. Be a testimony of Christ firm in your faith. Worship God and serve one another.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Modern Day Jesus
I came across this website via a friend on facebook. With my love for photography and the Lord these were right up my alley! I don't usually like "Jesus" pictures but Mr. Belk has done a fantastic job with these images. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do. Really they need no explanation. There are plenty thought provoking in and of themselves.
Click here to go to the official website for more amazing shots. http://www.thejourneysproject.com/
Click here to go to the official website for more amazing shots. http://www.thejourneysproject.com/
Let Me Know What You Think
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Deus Amor Vincit Omnia
It is difficult for man to think of the omnipotence of God as being immune to corruptibility. As the saying goes "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". There should be no doubt that God is all powerful. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in it. He is sovereign over all things. But does that mean He is in control of all things? As you may know from reading my blog I believe whole-heartily that God created all beings with freewill. Creating some thing without freewill would not be loving. God, along with His omnipotence is all-loving and there in lies His power.
"But the only thing that has power completely is love, because when a man loves, he seeks no power, and therefore has power." Alan Patan
This quote describes the essence of God's omnipotence, that is love. Now be clear that God is love, but not all love is God. There are many things done in the name of "love" that are not of God. But God is always loving. With any being other than God, namely man or the devil, absolute power is dependent on those whom the power is over. Think of an earthly ruler. He is only as powerful as much as his subjects give him power. The same is true of the devil. So with man and the devil unless power is given to the power seeker he has no power.
There is fear then because of the subjectiveness of freewill that usually prompts the power seeker to use control of those he seeks power over. With God however His omnipotence is subjective to no one. That is why He was at liberty to create beings with freewill. His power is not limited by lack of worship. It is the lack of fear that gives foundation for relationship. A king who knows he can be usurped by no one is free to love all. It is the unconditional love of God that gives both power and freedom with no need for control. He loves us regardless if we love Him. Freewill does not in fringe on His omnipotence or sovereignty.
We must force our brains to understand that just because God is all-powerful doesn't mean that everything that happens is by His power. Because of the freewill of man and the devil many things happen outside the will of God. That is why sin is sin. Sin is choosing something outside the will of God. Anything that happens in this world that is not loving is not God!
"There's too much tendency to attribute to God the evils that man does of his own freewill." Agatha Christie
God created man in His image. God's image is love. So when man chooses anything other than love he is sinning against the image of God. On the same note being that every man was created in the image of God; God desires that all mankind be reconciled unto Him. All of mankind was predestined to have relationship with God. All of mankind was predestined to partake of the grace and atonement of Jesus. All of mankind was predestined to have the freewill to choose otherwise.
"There are only two kinds of people in the end; those who say to God "Thy will be done", and those to whom God says "Thy will be done." CS Lewis
So God's power is not corruptible and is always loving. His power is not subjective to our worship but He does long to have relationship with us. Freewill permits us to choose that relationship or not. But make no mistake in the reason you were created. Why does someone create? Usually to share love and beauty. God created you to share His love and beauty. He did NOT create you to endure the pain and suffering of evil. This is where the passion of God's love for you demands His righteous justice.
"Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love." Martin Luther King
This is the relationship of love and justice that we see throughout the entire old testament. God longing to have relationship with His created. His created is rebelling against that love in sin. So God in His love, that is His power, battled against the sin that stood in the way of His love for His created. Now you may think God is starting to sound a little controlling. Well not really.
What you have to remember when we look at the Israelites in the old testament is that God had made a two way agreement with these people. The Israelites were chosen not because of their righteousness, but because of the other peoples wickedness. God was trying to show that relationship with Him(since He created you and loves you) was the only way to have fruitful rest and protection from the enemy. This was the agreement...choose God which is life or choose sin and evil that is death.
In the entire old testament God's justice and power was always operating out of love. There were no random acts of violence. There were no fits of rage and control. There was no breech of contract on God's part. However there were all these things on the part of the Israelites and peoples influenced by the devil. They were the ones that choose the death and destruction of sin. God and sin do not mix. Think of it like this. God in His love is fire. Sin in its rebellion is ice. When ice comes into the presence of fire it will always melt.
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its ardor unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame."
Song of Solomon 8:6
The old testament was a battle for intimacy and relationship with God. It was not a battle for freewill. The fact that the death and destruction was there is an indicator that freewill was in full swing. God's justice is not deciding who should die by His power. God's justice is love in the face of the freewill choice to choose something other than love. In the old testament that meant death.
Today the love and justice of God is Jesus. God's love and power is made perfect in His grace. Jesus paid the consequence of sin that is death. He did this so that we wouldn't have to die. God out of His love sent Jesus so that there would be no barrier between Him and man if man so chooses. Again God's love trumps all. God's love conquers all. God does not require you to worship Him to be powerful. He will not use His power to force anything on you. But He does long to have free relationship with you because He loved you first. Man will continue to do evil. The devil will continue to destroy. God will continue to love all who will accept Him. His power is made perfect in our weakness. His power is love.
"But the only thing that has power completely is love, because when a man loves, he seeks no power, and therefore has power." Alan Patan
This quote describes the essence of God's omnipotence, that is love. Now be clear that God is love, but not all love is God. There are many things done in the name of "love" that are not of God. But God is always loving. With any being other than God, namely man or the devil, absolute power is dependent on those whom the power is over. Think of an earthly ruler. He is only as powerful as much as his subjects give him power. The same is true of the devil. So with man and the devil unless power is given to the power seeker he has no power.
There is fear then because of the subjectiveness of freewill that usually prompts the power seeker to use control of those he seeks power over. With God however His omnipotence is subjective to no one. That is why He was at liberty to create beings with freewill. His power is not limited by lack of worship. It is the lack of fear that gives foundation for relationship. A king who knows he can be usurped by no one is free to love all. It is the unconditional love of God that gives both power and freedom with no need for control. He loves us regardless if we love Him. Freewill does not in fringe on His omnipotence or sovereignty.
We must force our brains to understand that just because God is all-powerful doesn't mean that everything that happens is by His power. Because of the freewill of man and the devil many things happen outside the will of God. That is why sin is sin. Sin is choosing something outside the will of God. Anything that happens in this world that is not loving is not God!
"There's too much tendency to attribute to God the evils that man does of his own freewill." Agatha Christie
God created man in His image. God's image is love. So when man chooses anything other than love he is sinning against the image of God. On the same note being that every man was created in the image of God; God desires that all mankind be reconciled unto Him. All of mankind was predestined to have relationship with God. All of mankind was predestined to partake of the grace and atonement of Jesus. All of mankind was predestined to have the freewill to choose otherwise.
"There are only two kinds of people in the end; those who say to God "Thy will be done", and those to whom God says "Thy will be done." CS Lewis
So God's power is not corruptible and is always loving. His power is not subjective to our worship but He does long to have relationship with us. Freewill permits us to choose that relationship or not. But make no mistake in the reason you were created. Why does someone create? Usually to share love and beauty. God created you to share His love and beauty. He did NOT create you to endure the pain and suffering of evil. This is where the passion of God's love for you demands His righteous justice.
"Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love." Martin Luther King
This is the relationship of love and justice that we see throughout the entire old testament. God longing to have relationship with His created. His created is rebelling against that love in sin. So God in His love, that is His power, battled against the sin that stood in the way of His love for His created. Now you may think God is starting to sound a little controlling. Well not really.
What you have to remember when we look at the Israelites in the old testament is that God had made a two way agreement with these people. The Israelites were chosen not because of their righteousness, but because of the other peoples wickedness. God was trying to show that relationship with Him(since He created you and loves you) was the only way to have fruitful rest and protection from the enemy. This was the agreement...choose God which is life or choose sin and evil that is death.
In the entire old testament God's justice and power was always operating out of love. There were no random acts of violence. There were no fits of rage and control. There was no breech of contract on God's part. However there were all these things on the part of the Israelites and peoples influenced by the devil. They were the ones that choose the death and destruction of sin. God and sin do not mix. Think of it like this. God in His love is fire. Sin in its rebellion is ice. When ice comes into the presence of fire it will always melt.
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its ardor unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame."
Song of Solomon 8:6
The old testament was a battle for intimacy and relationship with God. It was not a battle for freewill. The fact that the death and destruction was there is an indicator that freewill was in full swing. God's justice is not deciding who should die by His power. God's justice is love in the face of the freewill choice to choose something other than love. In the old testament that meant death.
Today the love and justice of God is Jesus. God's love and power is made perfect in His grace. Jesus paid the consequence of sin that is death. He did this so that we wouldn't have to die. God out of His love sent Jesus so that there would be no barrier between Him and man if man so chooses. Again God's love trumps all. God's love conquers all. God does not require you to worship Him to be powerful. He will not use His power to force anything on you. But He does long to have free relationship with you because He loved you first. Man will continue to do evil. The devil will continue to destroy. God will continue to love all who will accept Him. His power is made perfect in our weakness. His power is love.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Don't Panic!
This post is in connection with the new "Panic Button" on my sidebar. Just a post of encouragement and prayer in a time of trouble or need. Hope it helps! ;D
This is a crazy, fallen world that we live in. Because man and the devil have freewill all sorts of hardship and oppression seem to prevail. To a certain extent this is true. This is why bad things happen to good people. This is why even those that believe and have relationship with Jesus are subject to this world of decay. But there is hope in Jesus to live victoriously within the battle.
I am not saying that bad things won't continue to happen; unfortunately they will. Man and the devil will continue this destruction till the end of this world. We will also continue to make our own mistakes that have certain consequences. I am also not saying that bad things that happen are the will of God for you. God's will for you is always loving, fullness and rest. Anything other than that is not God. But sometimes we get pushed out of that will by man, the devil or by our own sin. This is why our loving God gives us grace through His Spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Romans 8:26,28 "...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us...and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..."
Romans 8:37-39 "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."
So take heart today. God can take the very worst situation and turn it into something good. The verse above says that God will allow NOTHING to separate us from Him. The trick is for us to agree. Don't let bad things that happen separate you from the love of God. God's heart is grieved at the state of things in this world. He longs for the time when we will be gathered unto Him in heaven. Where He will wipe the tears from our eyes. Where there will be no more death, pain and fear. But He is waiting so that all might be saved.
Until that time partake of God's grace everyday and for all situations. Cast your burdens on God and take His rest. Stand firm against the enemy, that is the devil. Be victorious in this life. Be a witness of God's power, grace and love. If need be forgive. There is no freedom in unforgiveness.
Let's pray!
Father God we come before you today with our problems, burdens and oppressions and lay them at your feet. We are unable to make it through this life without your love, grace and provision. Lord we know that you seek good things for us. We know that the enemy seeks to thwart those plans. So God we come before you asking you to gather us up in your arms. To set us on the path of Your will once again. To give us power to stand against the enemy. To give us the love to forgive those that have wronged us and if need be the humility to forgive ourselves. God give us the grace to continue forward. Give us a willing heart to learn from this situation. For we know that when the world pulls the rug from beneath our feet it gives us the opportunity to fall into deeper intimacy with you. Thank you God for your grace. Thank you God for your love. Thank you God that you care about me and all that concerns me. You are my provider and strong tower in times of trouble. You are a good God. Thank you Jesus. Amen!
This is a crazy, fallen world that we live in. Because man and the devil have freewill all sorts of hardship and oppression seem to prevail. To a certain extent this is true. This is why bad things happen to good people. This is why even those that believe and have relationship with Jesus are subject to this world of decay. But there is hope in Jesus to live victoriously within the battle.
I am not saying that bad things won't continue to happen; unfortunately they will. Man and the devil will continue this destruction till the end of this world. We will also continue to make our own mistakes that have certain consequences. I am also not saying that bad things that happen are the will of God for you. God's will for you is always loving, fullness and rest. Anything other than that is not God. But sometimes we get pushed out of that will by man, the devil or by our own sin. This is why our loving God gives us grace through His Spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Romans 8:26,28 "...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us...and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..."
Romans 8:37-39 "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."
So take heart today. God can take the very worst situation and turn it into something good. The verse above says that God will allow NOTHING to separate us from Him. The trick is for us to agree. Don't let bad things that happen separate you from the love of God. God's heart is grieved at the state of things in this world. He longs for the time when we will be gathered unto Him in heaven. Where He will wipe the tears from our eyes. Where there will be no more death, pain and fear. But He is waiting so that all might be saved.
Until that time partake of God's grace everyday and for all situations. Cast your burdens on God and take His rest. Stand firm against the enemy, that is the devil. Be victorious in this life. Be a witness of God's power, grace and love. If need be forgive. There is no freedom in unforgiveness.
Let's pray!
Father God we come before you today with our problems, burdens and oppressions and lay them at your feet. We are unable to make it through this life without your love, grace and provision. Lord we know that you seek good things for us. We know that the enemy seeks to thwart those plans. So God we come before you asking you to gather us up in your arms. To set us on the path of Your will once again. To give us power to stand against the enemy. To give us the love to forgive those that have wronged us and if need be the humility to forgive ourselves. God give us the grace to continue forward. Give us a willing heart to learn from this situation. For we know that when the world pulls the rug from beneath our feet it gives us the opportunity to fall into deeper intimacy with you. Thank you God for your grace. Thank you God for your love. Thank you God that you care about me and all that concerns me. You are my provider and strong tower in times of trouble. You are a good God. Thank you Jesus. Amen!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
To Be{lieve} or Not To Be{lieve}
I believe that God the Father created the heavens and the earth and all its inhabitants.
I believe that God created all things out of love and for good purpose.
I believe He created us for loving relationship with Him and each other.
I believe God created angels and man with freewill.
I believe that sin was created via the freewill choice of the devil,
putting enmity between himself and God.
putting enmity between himself and God.
I believe that sin entered the world via the freewill choice of man. Thus putting the barrier of sin between God and man that is death.
I believe the devil is the father of all lies, destruction and death.
I believe that God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
I believe that for this reason God the Father sent His son Jesus to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free from sin.
I believe that for this reason God the Father sent His son Jesus to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free from sin.
I believe Jesus by His own choice laid down His life, paying the price of death for man's sin
and thus removing the barrier between God and man.
I believe that all mankind has the choice to partake in the atonement of this sacrifice that is Jesus.
I believe that Jesus' death on the cross took back control of death from the devil.
I believe that Jesus rose from the dead, was seen by many and then ascended into heaven.
I believe the Holy Spirit to be the power of God to enable man to battle NOT against flesh and blood but against the enemy, that is the devil.
I believe in the fruit of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness, gentleness and self-control.
I believe in the fruit of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness, gentleness and self-control.
I believe in the acts of the Holy Spirit that is wisdom & understanding, deliverance,
healing, spiritual tongues, prophecy and intercession.
I believe in specific callings of the Spirit to teach, worship, witness, pastor and counsel.
I believe that the fruit, acts and callings of the Holy Spirit are to be the testimony of Jesus
through all that choose Him. It is the grace given to us who remain in the world
to have spiritual power over the world. It is also to minister to the body of Christ and to the lost.
I believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit three in one as the only Truth and the Word. The principles of truth are the principles of God and may be spoken by many but Jesus is the only way to the Father and eternal life.
I believe the Bible to be the one and only Word of God;
Truth never changing and therefore relevant to all generations.
I believe that one day Jesus will return to earth. At that time man must choose(if he hasn't already) where he will spend eternity. This earth will pass away. Eternity is either spent with God or the devil.
I believe only those who choose Jesus will live in the eternal fullness of
God's presence that is eternal life forever.
I believe that ultimately God is the Judge of man's heart. He is far more gracious than any man.
When the time comes He will gather as many of His created that He can back unto Himself. But He will not gather those who's heart is unwilling. He will not override man's freedom to choose.
At the close of 2009 I wanted to remind myself what I believe. I wanted to again make a declaration to myself and God that this is what I commit my life to. To remind me of His love and His grace. But also to remind me of my commitment to testimony and servant hood to others in His name.
See when we give our lives to God He takes them and cleans them but then gives them back to us. Salvation should never just be a ticket to heaven. It is a commitment to now use your life to testify who God is and minister to the lost. Notice I say minister not judge and rebuke. A starving, broken heart needs food and care. It is with that food and care that you win the heart of man for Christ. Condemnation and shame is not the message of the cross. A wounded heart must be bound up before the damage can be assessed. Then the heart can confess freely and by it's own choice without fear.
So that is what I believe. What do you believe? Have you made a commitment? Think about it and when you are ready just declare out loud these 5 things. Out loud so you can hear yourself say it and remember it. Also as a statement to God and the devil that today you chose LIFE.
1} Believe it! Jesus loves me and wants to save me; just as I am...right now.
2} Say it! I admit that I need Jesus to take away my sin and give me eternal life.
3} Receive it! I ask to be filled with His Holy Spirit to give me power to be a changed person.
4} Do it! I commit to reading His word, prayer, worship and fellowship with other believers.
5} Testify! I will be an example of Christ. I will minister to those in need spiritually & physically.
These 5 steps should be an ongoing declaration for anybody who chooses to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Not that we always need to be groveling at the cross for forgiveness. On the contrary we need to be laying the burdens of this world down at the cross. Daily asking for the Holy Spirit to give us power against the enemy, grace for dealing with hard situations and a heart for the lost. Also to be joyful at the love, grace and salvation of God. To partake of peace that passes understanding. Most of all to put yourself in active conversation with God so that you can remind Him that you love Him because He first loved you.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
To All Mankind...
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve...to bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:1-3
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"But the angels said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all men." Luke 2:10
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Wonder of a Snowflake
"Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity, so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand."
Henry David Thoreau
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Henry David Thoreau
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Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Star of Bethlehem
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world.In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes it's circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making the wise simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous." Ps. 19:1-9
I came across this very cool website of a man who believes he has figured out the mystery of the star of Bethlehem. He is a Christian scientist of astronomy. He has some excellent insight into the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. What is really cool is that he is using science to prove it. This is exactly what we have been discussing. Using the laws of our scientific God to point people towards Him and His son Jesus. Glorifying God with science! I love it. Click on the links below and with a humble heart prepare to be amazed at the wisdom of God.
http://www.bethlehemstar.net/
http://www.thestarofbethlehemmovie.com/index.php
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