2 Timothy 3:2
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
One of the marks of the ungodly, the one who either actively or passively opposes God, is unthankfulness. This is a sobering thought. We could turn it around and conclude that one of the marks of those who love God is thankfulness.
I know I fall short here because I am not thankful enough for all that God has done and for God himself, apart from what he has done.
Oh Lord God, make me a thanker!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
"The Land Shall Mourn"
Hosea 4:3
3 Therefore shall the land mourn,
and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish,
with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
The sins and unfaithfulness of Israel will extend to the land itself. It will mourn; those who dwell in it will languish; animals and fish "shall be taken away." This, on a small scale, is what it appears happened on a large scale at the fall of Adam and Eve. So prophesied; so done. Israel became desolate when the people were carried off into captivity.
This is the heinousness and outcome of sin, and why we need to run from it so persistently. It affects everything, and gets its tentacles deep and strong in unexpected areas.
Flee from sin, O Christian; flee from sin as if your life depended upon it.
3 Therefore shall the land mourn,
and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish,
with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
The sins and unfaithfulness of Israel will extend to the land itself. It will mourn; those who dwell in it will languish; animals and fish "shall be taken away." This, on a small scale, is what it appears happened on a large scale at the fall of Adam and Eve. So prophesied; so done. Israel became desolate when the people were carried off into captivity.
This is the heinousness and outcome of sin, and why we need to run from it so persistently. It affects everything, and gets its tentacles deep and strong in unexpected areas.
Flee from sin, O Christian; flee from sin as if your life depended upon it.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Giving Praise in all the Wrong Places
Dan 5:22-23 22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
Belshazzar was giving praise and worship in all the wrong places. He and his fellow partiers were praising the god of silver, gold, wood, and stone (which by the way are no gods at all); while drinking from vessels that belonged to the true God. They were not glorifying him, even though their very breath was in his hands.
The punishment: Belshazzar's life.
The result: The prophecy was carried out. Belshazzar was killed by the Persian army that very night after they breached the walls of Babylon.
A sobering story. What idols come between you and the true God?
Belshazzar was giving praise and worship in all the wrong places. He and his fellow partiers were praising the god of silver, gold, wood, and stone (which by the way are no gods at all); while drinking from vessels that belonged to the true God. They were not glorifying him, even though their very breath was in his hands.
The punishment: Belshazzar's life.
The result: The prophecy was carried out. Belshazzar was killed by the Persian army that very night after they breached the walls of Babylon.
A sobering story. What idols come between you and the true God?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Loud Songs; Sweet Meditation
I love Psalm 104. Few psalms go after the glory and majesty of the Lord more clearly and more thoroughly than this psalm. After describing the Lord's glory in specific parts of creation, and finally in man, the psalmist sums up his own reaction to all of this truth in vv. 33-34: I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing unto the Lord while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord. (KJV)
What ought my reaction be to God's greatness, glory, and majesty? Loud songs and sweet meditation! We only have so many breaths on this earth and so much time. What better way to spend that time, or expend those breaths than praising God our creator?
What ought my reaction be to God's greatness, glory, and majesty? Loud songs and sweet meditation! We only have so many breaths on this earth and so much time. What better way to spend that time, or expend those breaths than praising God our creator?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Old and Frail Gospel
1Kings 14:4 And Jeroboam’s wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.
Found an interesting tidbit in 1 Kings this morning. You've probably heard of the "health and wealth" gospel, which, despite being radically unbiblical is understandably popular (what's not to like about it?). Ahijah gives us a glimpse of what is REALLY in the scriptures which we might want to call the "Old and Frail" Gospel.
Ahijah was a faithful prophet of the living God. He was also old. Indeed, the text says that His eyes were set by reason of his age. Did you get that? He was subject to all of the ravages of old age, just like everyone else. Even though he was a faithful servant of God. So much for the good old "health and wealth" gospel, eh?
God calls us to faithful service, whenever and wherever we can. He does not promise us either health or wealth or comfort or ease. He only promises us himself, which is far, far better than health or wealth.
Found an interesting tidbit in 1 Kings this morning. You've probably heard of the "health and wealth" gospel, which, despite being radically unbiblical is understandably popular (what's not to like about it?). Ahijah gives us a glimpse of what is REALLY in the scriptures which we might want to call the "Old and Frail" Gospel.
Ahijah was a faithful prophet of the living God. He was also old. Indeed, the text says that His eyes were set by reason of his age. Did you get that? He was subject to all of the ravages of old age, just like everyone else. Even though he was a faithful servant of God. So much for the good old "health and wealth" gospel, eh?
God calls us to faithful service, whenever and wherever we can. He does not promise us either health or wealth or comfort or ease. He only promises us himself, which is far, far better than health or wealth.
Monday, October 10, 2011
"Especially those of Caesar's Household"
Phil. 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
Part of Paul's closing letter to the Philippians. This was perhaps 62 or 64ish AD, some 30 years after Christ's death and the gospel had not only traveledmall the way to Rome, but had penetrated—unbeknownst to Caesar himself no doubt—all the way into Nero's household. (c.f. 2Tim. 2:9)
This is a clear demonstration of the fact that the gospel will show up in the unlikeliest of places. Despite Paul's being in prison, the Word of God is never imprisoned!
Part of Paul's closing letter to the Philippians. This was perhaps 62 or 64ish AD, some 30 years after Christ's death and the gospel had not only traveledmall the way to Rome, but had penetrated—unbeknownst to Caesar himself no doubt—all the way into Nero's household. (c.f. 2Tim. 2:9)
This is a clear demonstration of the fact that the gospel will show up in the unlikeliest of places. Despite Paul's being in prison, the Word of God is never imprisoned!
Sunday, October 09, 2011
How to be an Enemy of God
Philippians 3:19
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
These are the characteristics of the enemies of the cross of Christ and therefore enemies of God.
1. Their God is their belly. They are ruled by physical appetites, food, sex drugs, parties, whatever feels good, they do it. They love what God has created more than the Creator.
2. Their glory is in their shame. What ought to make them filled with shame, they brag about. This is the sign of a people give over to wickedness.
3. They mind earthly things. They think about here and now, they do not think about eternity. Today is important. Tomorrow? Not so much.
4. Their end? Destruction.
Oh how foolish it is to live for today only when It fades so fast and is gone.
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
These are the characteristics of the enemies of the cross of Christ and therefore enemies of God.
1. Their God is their belly. They are ruled by physical appetites, food, sex drugs, parties, whatever feels good, they do it. They love what God has created more than the Creator.
2. Their glory is in their shame. What ought to make them filled with shame, they brag about. This is the sign of a people give over to wickedness.
3. They mind earthly things. They think about here and now, they do not think about eternity. Today is important. Tomorrow? Not so much.
4. Their end? Destruction.
Oh how foolish it is to live for today only when It fades so fast and is gone.
Friday, October 07, 2011
Terror as a Sign of Perdition?
Thank the Lord for modern translations because sometimes the KJV is quite confusing (as I make my way through the KJV celebrating the 400th year since it's publishing). Take Phil. 1.28
What is going on here? If I am not terrified by my adversaries that is an "evident token of perdition?" What does that mean? And if I am not terrified by my adversaries that is an evident token of my salvation? Huh?
I'd better check the ESV and see what it says.
“And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.” (Philippians 1:28, KJV 1900)
What is going on here? If I am not terrified by my adversaries that is an "evident token of perdition?" What does that mean? And if I am not terrified by my adversaries that is an evident token of my salvation? Huh?
I'd better check the ESV and see what it says.
“and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.” (Philippians 1:28, ESV). Ah...much better. Not being terrified by my opponents demonstrates to them that THEY are facing destruction, that we followers of Christ are content to let God's providence reign as God sees fit, and if (as Esther says) we perish, then we perish. When I am not terrified of my opponents (who, by the way, are also enemies of God) that demonstrates that I am a child of God and therefore facing salvation, not destruction (as God's enemies surely are).
The meaning becomes much more clear now that I've read a modern version. I love the KJV, but sometimes it is a little confusing. Thank the Lord for modern translations.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Redeeming the Time
Eph. 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. . Thinking about this verse this morning. The word "redeeming" means:
We are called to buy up the time, or more correctly to rescue it from loss. It would be easy to go overboard with this command and insist that every moment must be somehow linked to service of God; I do not think Paul meant to be legalistic like that here. Rather, I think he meant to make sure that we aren't letting life drift by without thinking about how we use time and how we might use it more profitably.
This phrase translates the Greek exagorazō, which can also mean “redeem” or “purchase.” Christians must actively take advantage of the opportunity to do good (cf. Ps. 90:12 ). Wisdom is especially needed in an evil age where the pathway of holiness is not always immediately clear until one reflects upon God's Word and discerns his holy will. ESV Study Bible
ἐξαγοράζω exagorazō; from 1537 and 59 ; to buy up, i.e. ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity): — redeem.
We are called to buy up the time, or more correctly to rescue it from loss. It would be easy to go overboard with this command and insist that every moment must be somehow linked to service of God; I do not think Paul meant to be legalistic like that here. Rather, I think he meant to make sure that we aren't letting life drift by without thinking about how we use time and how we might use it more profitably.
This phrase translates the Greek exagorazō, which can also mean “redeem” or “purchase.” Christians must actively take advantage of the opportunity to do good (cf. Ps. 90:12 ). Wisdom is especially needed in an evil age where the pathway of holiness is not always immediately clear until one reflects upon God's Word and discerns his holy will. ESV Study Bible
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Ephesians 4:17
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Paul calls followers of Christ to be different than the world. The world (here signified Gentiles) walks in vanity of mind, or in foolishness or futility. Louw-Nida defines "vnity" as: pertaining to being useless on the basis of being futile and lacking in content—‘useless, futile, empty, futility.’ There thoughts are futile and without (true) content; they think wrongly, because their minds are blinded by Satan.
We (followers of Christ) are to be different. We are to walk with a mind that follows Christ, or as Paul succinctly puts it the truth is in Christ, vs. 21.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Paul calls followers of Christ to be different than the world. The world (here signified Gentiles) walks in vanity of mind, or in foolishness or futility. Louw-Nida defines "vnity" as: pertaining to being useless on the basis of being futile and lacking in content—‘useless, futile, empty, futility.’ There thoughts are futile and without (true) content; they think wrongly, because their minds are blinded by Satan.
We (followers of Christ) are to be different. We are to walk with a mind that follows Christ, or as Paul succinctly puts it the truth is in Christ, vs. 21.
Monday, October 03, 2011
Mystery Revealed by Revelation
Eph. 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Paul says that his understanding that Gentiles along with Jews were able to receive the grace of God was given by revelation (apocalypse) from God. This matches with Peter's same revelation as recounted in Acts 10.9-16.
This is also our hope as non-Jews. What God had planned, but kept hidden from the foundation of the world, was now made clear in Christ. All people could follow Christ by faith.
Paul says that his understanding that Gentiles along with Jews were able to receive the grace of God was given by revelation (apocalypse) from God. This matches with Peter's same revelation as recounted in Acts 10.9-16.
This is also our hope as non-Jews. What God had planned, but kept hidden from the foundation of the world, was now made clear in Christ. All people could follow Christ by faith.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
The Middle Wall of Partiton
Ephesians 2:14 - For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
The middle wall of partition was a wall that separated the court of the Gentiles from the rest of the temple. Any Gentile that went beyond that partition was subject to the death sentence! In Christ? No longer. He broke down this wall making the two peoples one. Bringing both parties into peace with God. Christ is our peace! That is the point.
Peace with God means that we are no longer at war with him, no longer subject to his wrath, no longer in danger perdition. Christ has changed all of this in his body at the cross.
The middle wall of partition was a wall that separated the court of the Gentiles from the rest of the temple. Any Gentile that went beyond that partition was subject to the death sentence! In Christ? No longer. He broke down this wall making the two peoples one. Bringing both parties into peace with God. Christ is our peace! That is the point.
Peace with God means that we are no longer at war with him, no longer subject to his wrath, no longer in danger perdition. Christ has changed all of this in his body at the cross.
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