As a young boy, I spent a great deal of time with my grandparents as they lived just across the street. I can remember spending the night in their home on many occasions. My grandmother was a little Irish woman with a big heart who served others before herself. She was a real prayer warrior and I am sure she prayed for me and my brothers often. I can remember spending time with her playing canasta, dominos, gin rummy and watching wrestling, roller derby and the Price is Right. But mostly, just spending time with her.
There is so much to be said for, patriarchal leadership in the body of Christ. Senior saints have so much to offer younger people, especially in the ways the Lord has worked in their lives. Just spending time together can be beneficial for both and can bring the body of Christ much closer, while knitting the Church together. I recently introduced myself to an elder saint at Church and spent about 20 minutes just talking with him about some of his life experiences. When our conversation was completed, we were both blessed by the experience and a true kinship had attached.
Solomon writes in Proverbs 16:31, "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." There is no substitute for experience. Those who are, "full of days in the Lord", have had many victories and times of struggle to share. I think of my own life and how I have matured in Christ - as a result of God's chastening and instruction over the years - and have come to realize,
I have plenty to share as well. How about you? Young or old, I pray our Lord brings someone new into your life. Someone you can pour into or that can mentor you as, "iron sharpens iron."
The Truth
"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18)
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
In Everything - Give Thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
How can grieving parents be thankful for losing their child? How can a man give thanks for being terminated from his employment? How can a victim of abuse be thankful for what has happened to them? These are difficult questions but they are the kinds of questions many ask whenever they read this passage of scripture. How do we give, (why should we), give thanks when our circumstances involve a tragedy?
Perhaps it will help us to better understand Paul’s intent if we look more closely at the language he uses – ‘in’ everything and not ‘for’ everything. Those two simple little words make a big difference.
Those who are thankful ‘for’ something are so because they find delight in the circumstances. The enjoyment of the event produces the thanksgiving. In other words – “I am so thankful for how much I have been blessed!” Yet it requires no faith or relationship with God to be thankful for a blessing. Even publicans can do the same. But to be thankful ‘in’ something, especially a tragedy, says that although our circumstances themselves may not be enjoyable, there can be joy in knowing that our heavenly Father is behind the scenes, working in our behalf.
Grieving parents are not be thankful for the sadness they feel with the loss of their child but, they can be thankful that God is the God of all comfort and that He can use them to help bring comfort to others. A man who is terminated from his job may not be thankful for the loss of employment but, he can be thankful that God will continue to supply all of his needs and that this closure may lead him to an even better opportunity. A victim of abuse is never thankful for the evil done to them but, they can be thankful that Christ’s is able to heal the broken-hearted.
Even in tragedy we can be thankful for God’s unfailing love.
The Truth
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Notice Paul does not say that everything is good or enjoyable, but that God is able to take all things, both the pleasant and the unpleasant, and to make them work together so that the ultimate end will be good for those who trust Him.
How can grieving parents be thankful for losing their child? How can a man give thanks for being terminated from his employment? How can a victim of abuse be thankful for what has happened to them? These are difficult questions but they are the kinds of questions many ask whenever they read this passage of scripture. How do we give, (why should we), give thanks when our circumstances involve a tragedy?
Perhaps it will help us to better understand Paul’s intent if we look more closely at the language he uses – ‘in’ everything and not ‘for’ everything. Those two simple little words make a big difference.
Those who are thankful ‘for’ something are so because they find delight in the circumstances. The enjoyment of the event produces the thanksgiving. In other words – “I am so thankful for how much I have been blessed!” Yet it requires no faith or relationship with God to be thankful for a blessing. Even publicans can do the same. But to be thankful ‘in’ something, especially a tragedy, says that although our circumstances themselves may not be enjoyable, there can be joy in knowing that our heavenly Father is behind the scenes, working in our behalf.
Grieving parents are not be thankful for the sadness they feel with the loss of their child but, they can be thankful that God is the God of all comfort and that He can use them to help bring comfort to others. A man who is terminated from his job may not be thankful for the loss of employment but, he can be thankful that God will continue to supply all of his needs and that this closure may lead him to an even better opportunity. A victim of abuse is never thankful for the evil done to them but, they can be thankful that Christ’s is able to heal the broken-hearted.
Even in tragedy we can be thankful for God’s unfailing love.
The Truth
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Notice Paul does not say that everything is good or enjoyable, but that God is able to take all things, both the pleasant and the unpleasant, and to make them work together so that the ultimate end will be good for those who trust Him.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The Corrective Hand Of God
"And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in what I have done: Oh Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant." (2 Samuel 24:10)
In the passage above, David is convicted in his own heart of not adhering to God's promise in Genesis 22:17. There God promised that, His people would be as innumerable as the stars of heaven, as the sand upon the seashore. Realizing he should have taken God at His Word, David confessed his sin, of submitting to the prompting of Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), to get statistics that would swell his head with pride and make him independent of God. Although he was forgiven, he also had to endure Gods punishment - three days of plague upon all of Israel. (2 Samuel 24:15) Likewise, when David had Uriah the Hittite killed with the sword and took his wife Bathsheba for his own - David was forgiven but, there were consequences for his sin - the loss of the child born to Bathsheba and the promise that, what David did in secret would be done to him openly before all of Israel. (2 Samuel 12:13-14)
The Holy Spirit will always convict the Christian, the blood of Jesus will always wash us clean and the Father will always correct, chasten, punish His children. Why? Because He loves us. God forgives us, He gives us peace, but He will not pamper us.
The Truth
"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:5-6)
In the passage above, David is convicted in his own heart of not adhering to God's promise in Genesis 22:17. There God promised that, His people would be as innumerable as the stars of heaven, as the sand upon the seashore. Realizing he should have taken God at His Word, David confessed his sin, of submitting to the prompting of Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), to get statistics that would swell his head with pride and make him independent of God. Although he was forgiven, he also had to endure Gods punishment - three days of plague upon all of Israel. (2 Samuel 24:15) Likewise, when David had Uriah the Hittite killed with the sword and took his wife Bathsheba for his own - David was forgiven but, there were consequences for his sin - the loss of the child born to Bathsheba and the promise that, what David did in secret would be done to him openly before all of Israel. (2 Samuel 12:13-14)
The Holy Spirit will always convict the Christian, the blood of Jesus will always wash us clean and the Father will always correct, chasten, punish His children. Why? Because He loves us. God forgives us, He gives us peace, but He will not pamper us.
The Truth
"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:5-6)
Monday, February 11, 2013
A Man After God's Own Heart
There is a big difference between love and unconditional love. Unconditional love has no strings attached. It does not require some action in return. It is simply the act of dying to self. Unconditional love says, no matter what you have done, I forgive you because I love you without reservation.
The Bible says that, "love is patient, kind, long-suffering. It does not envy; love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up; love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own way, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth;it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Wow, now that's love and although I have come a long way in learning to love unconditionally, I must confess, I am still working on this.
King David is described as, "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 16:7&13) yet, he certainly wasn't a sinless person. On the contrary, he committed adultery, murder, deception - a series of failures that would match or surpass any of ours. In fact, if he were on trial before the Christian community of his day, I dare say they would have written him off long ago. However, David did recognize when he had sinned against God and sought His forgiveness in true repentance. To know David's heart, all we need to do is read his Psalms. When David penned the Psalms, he did not know they would be preserved and studied for centuries. He was simply writing love letters, expressing his unconditional love for God - bearing his soul, praising His God no matter what he was going through.
Like David, we all have our own faults, sins, failures and struggles. God knows them because He knows us, our weaknesses. He knows we are imperfect, but He loves us unconditionally anyway. So much so that he has made a way of escape for our failures just as he did for David.
The Truth
"If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
The Bible says that, "love is patient, kind, long-suffering. It does not envy; love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up; love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own way, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth;it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Wow, now that's love and although I have come a long way in learning to love unconditionally, I must confess, I am still working on this.
King David is described as, "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 16:7&13) yet, he certainly wasn't a sinless person. On the contrary, he committed adultery, murder, deception - a series of failures that would match or surpass any of ours. In fact, if he were on trial before the Christian community of his day, I dare say they would have written him off long ago. However, David did recognize when he had sinned against God and sought His forgiveness in true repentance. To know David's heart, all we need to do is read his Psalms. When David penned the Psalms, he did not know they would be preserved and studied for centuries. He was simply writing love letters, expressing his unconditional love for God - bearing his soul, praising His God no matter what he was going through.
Like David, we all have our own faults, sins, failures and struggles. God knows them because He knows us, our weaknesses. He knows we are imperfect, but He loves us unconditionally anyway. So much so that he has made a way of escape for our failures just as he did for David.
The Truth
"If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Take Your Seat
In 2nd Samuel Chapter 9 we read of the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of the first king of Israel, King Saul. After Jonathan's death, David went forth to show kindness to Saul's house as he had vowed.(1 Samuel 20:14-15) He had learned through Ziba, a servant of the house of Saul, that Mephibosheth was the only remaining family that had not been shown his kindness. Mephiboshet had become lame at the young age of five — he had lived his entire life as a cripple. When David called for him, Mephibosheth replied "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" His identity had become completely based on his disability, when in fact he was the grandson of a king! He had forgotton his royal lineage and was wallowing in self pity. Yet David looked beyond his disability and recognizing who he was, offered him a place at the King's table.
The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us focused on our disabilities so that we are distracted from the calling of God on our lives. He wants us to have a "victim mentality". But let's not lose focus of the reality of who we are. In Jesus we are a chosen generation, part of a royal priesthood, and the King has offered us a place at His table! We are heirs of His great throne!! In Him, we should have a victor mentality! Press forward — know who you are in Him and take your rightful seat at the King's Table.
The Truth
" For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. (1 John 5:4)
The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us focused on our disabilities so that we are distracted from the calling of God on our lives. He wants us to have a "victim mentality". But let's not lose focus of the reality of who we are. In Jesus we are a chosen generation, part of a royal priesthood, and the King has offered us a place at His table! We are heirs of His great throne!! In Him, we should have a victor mentality! Press forward — know who you are in Him and take your rightful seat at the King's Table.
The Truth
" For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. (1 John 5:4)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Submit to His Lordship
Growing up in a Baptist home, the son of a cop and the grandson of a German oil refinery worker, I knew all about authority. Mostly I came to know how to respect and submit to it. In our culture, authority is ascribed through various means; position, wealth, title, seniority. It can also come by birth, education, knowledge and experience. However, none of these qualities can guarantee good leadership - just that we may need to submit to someone who ends up in a position of authority over us. How then do we conduct ourselves? The Bible, in 1 Samuel, gives us a good example.
The book of 1 Samuel describes a common picture of royalty and servitude. Specifically, the relationship between King Saul and David, the son of Jessie. Here we see how David, a Shepherd boy, faithfully served King Saul in many different capacities. The Bible tells us that David became so respected, that King Saul became jealous and developed a consuming desire to kill him. In the story, not only did David serve his King well but he did nothing worthy of death nor did he ever lose the perspective of who Saul was. Twice David had the opportunity to kill the King in his sleep but, he never raised his hand against, "God's elect". (1 Samuel 24:6-7, 1 Samuel 26:8-9) He never plotted revenge nor tried to undermine Saul's kingdom. On the contrary, David went out and came back, in the King's name and always sought peace with Saul.
Throughout most of Saul's reign, he made decisions in his own strength and of his own free will, not submitting to the King of Kings. Had Saul listened to the instruction of the prophet Samuel and submitted to the Lordship of his heavenly father, the hand of God would have been with him and his kingdom. (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Samuel 28:17-18) Tragically however, he did not.
How often do we try and do things in our own strength? As Christians we need to remember who is the true authority in our lives and submit to His lordship. My exhortation for you today is to; be still, be in His word, listen for His small voice guiding your heart and mind through your path in this life.
The Truth
"Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whoes leaf will not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper." (Psalms 1:1-3)
The book of 1 Samuel describes a common picture of royalty and servitude. Specifically, the relationship between King Saul and David, the son of Jessie. Here we see how David, a Shepherd boy, faithfully served King Saul in many different capacities. The Bible tells us that David became so respected, that King Saul became jealous and developed a consuming desire to kill him. In the story, not only did David serve his King well but he did nothing worthy of death nor did he ever lose the perspective of who Saul was. Twice David had the opportunity to kill the King in his sleep but, he never raised his hand against, "God's elect". (1 Samuel 24:6-7, 1 Samuel 26:8-9) He never plotted revenge nor tried to undermine Saul's kingdom. On the contrary, David went out and came back, in the King's name and always sought peace with Saul.
Throughout most of Saul's reign, he made decisions in his own strength and of his own free will, not submitting to the King of Kings. Had Saul listened to the instruction of the prophet Samuel and submitted to the Lordship of his heavenly father, the hand of God would have been with him and his kingdom. (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Samuel 28:17-18) Tragically however, he did not.
How often do we try and do things in our own strength? As Christians we need to remember who is the true authority in our lives and submit to His lordship. My exhortation for you today is to; be still, be in His word, listen for His small voice guiding your heart and mind through your path in this life.
The Truth
"Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whoes leaf will not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper." (Psalms 1:1-3)
Monday, January 21, 2013
Peoples Choice
There are many titles/positions, in our society, that are left
in the hands of the people to choose. These choices govern and
rule our land. If man has proven anything throughout his history,
it is - that he can not govern justly nor without impartiality.
In the days of Samuel, Israel had prophets, priests, judges and
God was their King. As Samuel became advanced in years and his
sons proved they did not walk as their father did, the elders
requested of Samuel, "a man" for a king. (1 Samuel 8:4-5)
Up until this time, Israel had been a theocracy and God was the
leader of the nation. Despite repeated warnings of the repercussions
of their request and although it was not in His plan for them, God
gave His people what they wanted, a man as king. (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
Saul then, became the first king of Israel, the peoples choice. The
Bible describes him as a "goodly" man, handsome, strong, brave,
tall - head and shoulders above any of the people. He seemed to be
a perfect choice to lead them. When Samuel presented Saul before
the people at Mizpah, they shouted their acceptance, "long live
the king!" (1 Samuel 10:24)
The problem is, man looks only on the outside (appearance) while
God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) It wasn't long before Saul
set himself above God and he began to make decisions, out of God's
will. These decisions had a rippling effect on his family, his
country, his rule and eventually his life. Don't make the same
mistake of leaving God out of your decisions.
The Truth
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
in the hands of the people to choose. These choices govern and
rule our land. If man has proven anything throughout his history,
it is - that he can not govern justly nor without impartiality.
In the days of Samuel, Israel had prophets, priests, judges and
God was their King. As Samuel became advanced in years and his
sons proved they did not walk as their father did, the elders
requested of Samuel, "a man" for a king. (1 Samuel 8:4-5)
Up until this time, Israel had been a theocracy and God was the
leader of the nation. Despite repeated warnings of the repercussions
of their request and although it was not in His plan for them, God
gave His people what they wanted, a man as king. (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
Saul then, became the first king of Israel, the peoples choice. The
Bible describes him as a "goodly" man, handsome, strong, brave,
tall - head and shoulders above any of the people. He seemed to be
a perfect choice to lead them. When Samuel presented Saul before
the people at Mizpah, they shouted their acceptance, "long live
the king!" (1 Samuel 10:24)
The problem is, man looks only on the outside (appearance) while
God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) It wasn't long before Saul
set himself above God and he began to make decisions, out of God's
will. These decisions had a rippling effect on his family, his
country, his rule and eventually his life. Don't make the same
mistake of leaving God out of your decisions.
The Truth
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New Beginnings
Beginning a new year is always a time of reflection. Looking back over the past and resolving to make changes in the future. Generally those changes center around something we would like to improve upon or a habit we would like to change. People often take stock of their lives and vow to; become a better person, stop drinking or doing drugs, become a better husband or wife.
These are all good and noble resolutions. The problem is, most of us just can’t brake our old habits or nature, in our own power. We are a product of thousands of decisions, made in our own free will over time. Each decision, has strengthen us into the person we are and has hardened us into our current state. We need help - We need to be freed up - We need, forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Paul also tells us in Ephesians 5:17-24 that being a new creation, we should, “no longer desire to involve ourselves in the former conduct but, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.”
Meaning, no matter what we have done, no matter how bad we have messed up, God will forgive us and we can then move forward into a new beginning in Christ, through His Word and guided by His Spirit. Happy New Year!
The Truth
“For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
These are all good and noble resolutions. The problem is, most of us just can’t brake our old habits or nature, in our own power. We are a product of thousands of decisions, made in our own free will over time. Each decision, has strengthen us into the person we are and has hardened us into our current state. We need help - We need to be freed up - We need, forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Paul also tells us in Ephesians 5:17-24 that being a new creation, we should, “no longer desire to involve ourselves in the former conduct but, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.”
Meaning, no matter what we have done, no matter how bad we have messed up, God will forgive us and we can then move forward into a new beginning in Christ, through His Word and guided by His Spirit. Happy New Year!
The Truth
“For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
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