Monday, November 25, 2013
Ways God Guides: Acts 15-16
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
The Final Answer to All Arguments, Thoughts, and Opinions
"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." - Deuteronomy 4:2
"Every word of God [is] pure; He [is] a shield to those who put their trust in Him." - Proverbs 30:5
"But He said, "More than that, blessed [are] those who hear the word of God and keep it!" - Luke 11:28
"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." - 1 Thessalonians 2:13
"For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12
This day and age, “I think”, “my opinion is…” and “what I think the truth is…” are phrases that tend to be the end-all-be-all in the world of debate and discussion. If a person thinks something is true, who are we to question their thoughts?
Same is true when people post links to other’s opinions on different topics. The post speaks for itself so if a person has written something, they are the “expert” and who are we to question such articles of knowledge?
However, the fact of the matter is there is only one “opinion” that matters and that is the Lord’s and the good news is, He has already spoken it to us in His Word! His isn’t an opinion but fact and therefore our opinions, thoughts, etc. need to be rooted in the Word of God.
“But there are so many opinions of what Scripture teaches!” one may state. The Bible is very clear in regards to sin and moral living, anyone who says otherwise is trying to read things into Scripture that aren’t there. If one has to add to Scripture to make it fit their views, their views are wrong.
Want to know what it means to live/dress modestly? Go to the Word of God.
It matters not what an “expert” has to say, what does God’s Word say? (and oh by the way, “experts” once said the world was flat, that leeches were the best way to cure some ailments, that man would never travel faster than 35mph because their skin would fall off their bones, etc. – “expert” opinion changes all the time). So when you read “expert” (or even anyone’s, including mine) thoughts, make sure you know what they think of the Word of God. Do they hold is as 100% accurate or do they plug their own opinion into it?
But after you go to the Word, make sure you obey it. If you don’t, James 1:23-24 has something to say for you. It also will harden you to listening to truth and before you know it, you’ll be the next “expert” stating their opinion that isn’t grounded in the Word of God at all!
So can we question others’ thoughts/opinions/statements and show their falsehood? Absolutely if they don’t line up with Scripture.
It matters not what our opinion is, what has Jesus already spoken on the subject!
"Every word of God [is] pure; He [is] a shield to those who put their trust in Him." - Proverbs 30:5
"But He said, "More than that, blessed [are] those who hear the word of God and keep it!" - Luke 11:28
"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." - 1 Thessalonians 2:13
"For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12
This day and age, “I think”, “my opinion is…” and “what I think the truth is…” are phrases that tend to be the end-all-be-all in the world of debate and discussion. If a person thinks something is true, who are we to question their thoughts?
Same is true when people post links to other’s opinions on different topics. The post speaks for itself so if a person has written something, they are the “expert” and who are we to question such articles of knowledge?
However, the fact of the matter is there is only one “opinion” that matters and that is the Lord’s and the good news is, He has already spoken it to us in His Word! His isn’t an opinion but fact and therefore our opinions, thoughts, etc. need to be rooted in the Word of God.
“But there are so many opinions of what Scripture teaches!” one may state. The Bible is very clear in regards to sin and moral living, anyone who says otherwise is trying to read things into Scripture that aren’t there. If one has to add to Scripture to make it fit their views, their views are wrong.
Want to know what it means to live/dress modestly? Go to the Word of God.
Want to know how we should treat others or go to others who has fallen into sin? Go to the Word of God.
Want to know how to manage your money, have a great marriage, grow in your faith, walk in the light, grow in wisdom, and countless other things we desperately need? Go to the Word of God.
It matters not what an “expert” has to say, what does God’s Word say? (and oh by the way, “experts” once said the world was flat, that leeches were the best way to cure some ailments, that man would never travel faster than 35mph because their skin would fall off their bones, etc. – “expert” opinion changes all the time). So when you read “expert” (or even anyone’s, including mine) thoughts, make sure you know what they think of the Word of God. Do they hold is as 100% accurate or do they plug their own opinion into it?
But after you go to the Word, make sure you obey it. If you don’t, James 1:23-24 has something to say for you. It also will harden you to listening to truth and before you know it, you’ll be the next “expert” stating their opinion that isn’t grounded in the Word of God at all!
So can we question others’ thoughts/opinions/statements and show their falsehood? Absolutely if they don’t line up with Scripture.
It matters not what our opinion is, what has Jesus already spoken on the subject!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Cliches, Catch Phrases & the Word of God
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" - Psalm 119:105
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
Been a while since I’ve “blogged” (though honestly I’m more teacher than blogger and thus I just haven’t made the time to once again seek to teach) though a few thoughts have been rattling around in my mind that it’s about time I put proverbial pen to paper and write.
One of the dangers with clichés and catch phrases is that they can too often be mistaken for truth because they sound so good although Scripture would argue against it.
For example:
“Cleanliness is next to godliness” – sure having a clean house can be a great thing (and if you are a parent with kids, more props to you), but it doesn’t make you a better Christian. In fact, it doesn’t even make you “godlier”. It’s not Scripture but many believe it is in Proverbs. Sorry, just a nice catch phrase that spread.
“God helps those who help themselves“ – another “Bible verse” people tend to tell others who are looking for God to answer their prayers. Problem is, not only is it not found in the Bible (in reality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government) it isn’t even congruent with Biblical teaching as God helps those who can’t help themselves (see verses such as Isaiah 25:4, Romans 5:6). Now we shouldn’t sit on our behinds and not do anything, but there is patience to be had in waiting for God to work. If you need a job, pray but also go put in applications, but that doesn’t prove that God helps those who help themselves.
The latest one that I’ve heard that has bugged me (perhaps being too cynical) is “plan like it depends on you; pray like it depends on God.”
Sounds good, but if you’re planning like it depends on you, how are you really praying like it depends on God? And if plans work out according to your plans, who gets the glory?
Let me note that I am not saying you shouldn’t plan or that planning is somehow wrong. In fact, a person should plan. However, before one plans, one needs to pray and seek God’s plan then go the direction one feels they are being led by Him, not by their own ingenuity. Abraham planned like it depended on him and that led to the birth of Ismael and a history of wars between Israel and Ismael’s seed (many Arab nations today spring from). In fact, Abraham probably received Hagar as a maid servant for Sarah because he planned himself how to save his life by lying in regard to Sarah as his sister (see Genesis chapters 12, 16, & 21). Had Joshua planned as if it depended on him, he never would have thought about marching around the walls of Jericho until God brought them down. And there are countless other examples from Scripture that would be against planning like it depended on us.
What is the danger to all this?
In a society that has become social media driven, we are quick to jump on 140 character or less phrases as a way to live our lives, rather than seeking what Scripture has to say. We can develop theology and worldviews based on nice catch phrases or clichés rather than the Word of God. Just because a great leader states something on Twitter or Facebook, doesn’t necessarily mean it is right. Paul the apostle taught the Bereans but they went back to make sure everything he said was right (Acts 17:10-11). The point in writing this isn't to attack anyone or make you feel bad if you retweeted something or liked the saying. The point is rather being careful with what we accept without checking its accuracy.
Know the Word and its principles. Pray for the Lord to come through in your situations and wisdom for what your role should be. Double check those things you hear against the Scriptures (in fact, after reading this post, check to be sure things are so – if you feel they aren’t, feel free to comment).
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
Been a while since I’ve “blogged” (though honestly I’m more teacher than blogger and thus I just haven’t made the time to once again seek to teach) though a few thoughts have been rattling around in my mind that it’s about time I put proverbial pen to paper and write.
One of the dangers with clichés and catch phrases is that they can too often be mistaken for truth because they sound so good although Scripture would argue against it.
For example:
“Cleanliness is next to godliness” – sure having a clean house can be a great thing (and if you are a parent with kids, more props to you), but it doesn’t make you a better Christian. In fact, it doesn’t even make you “godlier”. It’s not Scripture but many believe it is in Proverbs. Sorry, just a nice catch phrase that spread.
“God helps those who help themselves“ – another “Bible verse” people tend to tell others who are looking for God to answer their prayers. Problem is, not only is it not found in the Bible (in reality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government) it isn’t even congruent with Biblical teaching as God helps those who can’t help themselves (see verses such as Isaiah 25:4, Romans 5:6). Now we shouldn’t sit on our behinds and not do anything, but there is patience to be had in waiting for God to work. If you need a job, pray but also go put in applications, but that doesn’t prove that God helps those who help themselves.
The latest one that I’ve heard that has bugged me (perhaps being too cynical) is “plan like it depends on you; pray like it depends on God.”
Sounds good, but if you’re planning like it depends on you, how are you really praying like it depends on God? And if plans work out according to your plans, who gets the glory?
Let me note that I am not saying you shouldn’t plan or that planning is somehow wrong. In fact, a person should plan. However, before one plans, one needs to pray and seek God’s plan then go the direction one feels they are being led by Him, not by their own ingenuity. Abraham planned like it depended on him and that led to the birth of Ismael and a history of wars between Israel and Ismael’s seed (many Arab nations today spring from). In fact, Abraham probably received Hagar as a maid servant for Sarah because he planned himself how to save his life by lying in regard to Sarah as his sister (see Genesis chapters 12, 16, & 21). Had Joshua planned as if it depended on him, he never would have thought about marching around the walls of Jericho until God brought them down. And there are countless other examples from Scripture that would be against planning like it depended on us.
What is the danger to all this?
In a society that has become social media driven, we are quick to jump on 140 character or less phrases as a way to live our lives, rather than seeking what Scripture has to say. We can develop theology and worldviews based on nice catch phrases or clichés rather than the Word of God. Just because a great leader states something on Twitter or Facebook, doesn’t necessarily mean it is right. Paul the apostle taught the Bereans but they went back to make sure everything he said was right (Acts 17:10-11). The point in writing this isn't to attack anyone or make you feel bad if you retweeted something or liked the saying. The point is rather being careful with what we accept without checking its accuracy.
Know the Word and its principles. Pray for the Lord to come through in your situations and wisdom for what your role should be. Double check those things you hear against the Scriptures (in fact, after reading this post, check to be sure things are so – if you feel they aren’t, feel free to comment).
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Grace and Bell Ringing
"Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt" - Romans 4:4
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7
Second, want to just share some highlights of ringing the
bell. I can say I feel the Lord has done
a work in me since the first time I wrote about bell ringing some 3-4 years ago
and am more generous (though the Lord is still working). I was also excited to do it this time and was
glad I was allowed to volunteer to be part of the city’s volunteer force to
help out. Though cold and two hours of
bell ringing, I had a blast (my frozen toes would beg to differ but they don’t
have a say). If people were to ask how
do you pass that long of time, standing ringing a bell, well my answers in no
specific order: I like people watching and “to myself time” which it provided,
I started praying for those who walked out past me (which when you start doing
that you can be overwhelmed with just how much there can be to pray for and
just how many people there are and how many need Jesus), and I had fun coming
up with tunes on the bell (not sure if anyone noticed any beats or not but I
did). Plus, when you’ve walked into
random people’s houses for your job, or simply visited various countries doing
ministry on the street and in homes, standing ringing a bell is quite easy, and
I like people anyhow. I’m still continually
blessed by those who love to give. One
man gave change and then came back go give some cash from his wallet. Another woman slipped a $10 bill in. I love seeing parents give their kids money
to put in and (as my original blog on subject talked about) we do that with our
kids as well since it is a great way to teach them to be givers.
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7
Seems like I’ve become an annual blogger and only around
Christmas time, so for all 5 of you have noticed my lack of writing, I
apologize. However, I once again got to
serve ringing the bell for Salvation Army (this time it truly was a volunteered
for, as opposed to the other times, see previous blog link below) for two hours
in front of Sam’s Club and with that much time, you get to thinking, and that
thinking led to this desire to write another blog.
First let’s look at grace.
In the Christian context, grace is unrequited, undeserved favor from
God. When we show grace it should be the
same way. I was thinking about this last
month when we were helping to deliver Thanksgiving food “baskets” (they were
hardly anything but baskets, but huge bags of food) from a local church to our
clients (and of course the church served over 100+ others these as well). It can be easy to look at the few who have no
desire to work and only live off the government and charities, and think they
don’t deserve the food. But if they did
deserve it, that wouldn’t be grace! We
don’t ever deserve favor or blessing or forgiveness from the Lord – our acts of
kindness or Christian service don’t entitle us to anything. We are blessed regardless and that is grace! And the Salvation Army uses the resources
from your giving to show the Lord’s grace onto others who are in need. Having been one who benefited from other’s
generosity during our out of work time last year, I am glad to help an
organization that is generous to others.
Second, want to just share some highlights of ringing the
bell. I can say I feel the Lord has done
a work in me since the first time I wrote about bell ringing some 3-4 years ago
and am more generous (though the Lord is still working). I was also excited to do it this time and was
glad I was allowed to volunteer to be part of the city’s volunteer force to
help out. Though cold and two hours of
bell ringing, I had a blast (my frozen toes would beg to differ but they don’t
have a say). If people were to ask how
do you pass that long of time, standing ringing a bell, well my answers in no
specific order: I like people watching and “to myself time” which it provided,
I started praying for those who walked out past me (which when you start doing
that you can be overwhelmed with just how much there can be to pray for and
just how many people there are and how many need Jesus), and I had fun coming
up with tunes on the bell (not sure if anyone noticed any beats or not but I
did). Plus, when you’ve walked into
random people’s houses for your job, or simply visited various countries doing
ministry on the street and in homes, standing ringing a bell is quite easy, and
I like people anyhow. I’m still continually
blessed by those who love to give. One
man gave change and then came back go give some cash from his wallet. Another woman slipped a $10 bill in. I love seeing parents give their kids money
to put in and (as my original blog on subject talked about) we do that with our
kids as well since it is a great way to teach them to be givers.
Unlike most of my blogs, there isn’t a strong lesson in
this, but simply wanted to get some observations out. However, I would say as you pass the bell
ringers, say Merry Christmas to them and look them in the eye, whether or not
you give. No need to feel guilty if you
don’t give (unless the Lord is telling you otherwise), but a simple greeting
will make their time ringing that much more enjoyable. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas this
year!
Original bell ringing post can be found here: http://ccedge.blogspot.com/2009/11/repost-my-hour-and-3-minutes-of-life-as.html
Original bell ringing post can be found here: http://ccedge.blogspot.com/2009/11/repost-my-hour-and-3-minutes-of-life-as.html
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
What's So Great About Christmas?
"And she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger [feeding trough of dirty, smelly animals] because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:7
"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief..." - Isaiah 53:10a
"God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 3:10 (NLT)
“The things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels desire to look into.” - 1 Peter 1:12
Think with me for a moment about one of your heroes or rather, someone you know personally who was of noble and great character. It could be a boss or a pastor or a good friend, just someone who you would trust with your life and follow practically anywhere. I can think of an old boss like this. Now imagine if this person told you he/she was going to give up everything, their position, livelihood, power, etc., and leave to go scrub toilets and remove gum from railings in New York City and not get paid while taking constant grief and beatings from the local gangs. Would you question what they were up to? Would it amaze you that they would do such a thing? Not only are they leaving you behind, but also laying down their greatness for such a lowly task and position.
Now put yourselves in an angel's place and what their thoughts might have been. They, as we know, are not divine nor even close to being all powerful like God. They, like us, possess a finite knowledge (they aren't all knowing like God) and get to be amazed by God's works. They, like us, do not see the future. Though, not like us, they were in constant fellowship with the Triune God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then one day (though prophesied thousand years ahead of time and known by God before angels or time were created), the Son of God leaves Heaven's glories and empties Himself be to be born a man, the incarnation as we call it. Now we think being a man is great, but compared to God it's a huge step downward. It's worse than going from being a CEO of a huge company to being a shoe shiner for a penny a shoe. It's worse than being a human and being made into a chiwawa in a pound full of pitbulls. It's too huge a step down for us to even comprehend or make close comparisons!
But Jesus did not become a man because we were so hip and so cool and worthy for Him to be one of us. It was because we were hopeless, lost and trapped in sin, and even enemies of God (and if you don't know Jesus you still are). He was born in fact to die - to die a horrible, bloody, painful death as a criminal rejected by the very ones He loved and came to save.
But again, back to the angels. They, even as they sang to shepherds (which were not glamorous people), probably had to be wondering what in the world was going on. Why would the King of kings be born and be a human, to a lowly family, in an animals stall and laid in a dirty feeding trough, in a way that was unknown to most of the world? And worst off, to humans who had constantly followed after sin and rebelled against God! The voice of God now cryed as an infant to strangers who could not comprehend what they held. This amazing grace was something that had to just overwhelm them. In fact, they still learn about God as they see Him work in the lives of the saints (see Ephesians 3).
Have you ever just stopped and pondered that? I know it is so easy to take Christmas for granted or get lost in the busyness of shopping for gifts, watching the movies and trying to suck as much out of the Christmas "season" as possible, enjoying this special time for all it's worth.
BUT GOD BECAME A HUMAN BORN TO DIE!!!
How amazing, how astounding, how breathtaking, how extraordinary, how mind-boggling, how overwhelming and remarkable, how prodigious and miraculous, how staggering, stupendous, stunning, wondrous and wonderful is that?!? Or perhaps, like so many, it simply elicits a yawn, a slight smile and simple thoughts of the manger scenes we have on our mantles or church lawns.
He was not born handsome or rich. He lived a lowly life and was unknown to the world for 30 years before He even began His public ministry. And then He did that for only 3 years while He was insulted, antagonized, and rejected even by His own family, before being beaten, beard ripped out, spit on, and crucified, by those He came to save and those He loved. And He did all this knowing in advance everything that would happen to Him.
That is what is so great about Christmas and why we should celebrate it. He came to us to be born to die. Our Christmas trees can elicit thoughts of the cross, the tree He hung on and our lights the Light of the World. We give gifts (hopefully) in remembrance of the gift that was given to us - His very life.
But if the story only ended with His death, then it wouldn't be much for us. He rose again 3 days later giving eternal life to all who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord (following Him) and believe in their heart God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).
I pray you'll stop and just ponder the birth of Christ. That you'll allow your mind to try and take on what the angels' minds might have been thinking. That you will be humbled by the awesome love and grace of Jesus Christ. That you'll be blown away by the humility and craziness of it all. And that Christmas would be great to you for all the right reasons!
author's suggested listening: "Born to Die" by Bebo Norman
"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief..." - Isaiah 53:10a
"God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 3:10 (NLT)
“The things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels desire to look into.” - 1 Peter 1:12
Think with me for a moment about one of your heroes or rather, someone you know personally who was of noble and great character. It could be a boss or a pastor or a good friend, just someone who you would trust with your life and follow practically anywhere. I can think of an old boss like this. Now imagine if this person told you he/she was going to give up everything, their position, livelihood, power, etc., and leave to go scrub toilets and remove gum from railings in New York City and not get paid while taking constant grief and beatings from the local gangs. Would you question what they were up to? Would it amaze you that they would do such a thing? Not only are they leaving you behind, but also laying down their greatness for such a lowly task and position.
Now put yourselves in an angel's place and what their thoughts might have been. They, as we know, are not divine nor even close to being all powerful like God. They, like us, possess a finite knowledge (they aren't all knowing like God) and get to be amazed by God's works. They, like us, do not see the future. Though, not like us, they were in constant fellowship with the Triune God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then one day (though prophesied thousand years ahead of time and known by God before angels or time were created), the Son of God leaves Heaven's glories and empties Himself be to be born a man, the incarnation as we call it. Now we think being a man is great, but compared to God it's a huge step downward. It's worse than going from being a CEO of a huge company to being a shoe shiner for a penny a shoe. It's worse than being a human and being made into a chiwawa in a pound full of pitbulls. It's too huge a step down for us to even comprehend or make close comparisons!
But Jesus did not become a man because we were so hip and so cool and worthy for Him to be one of us. It was because we were hopeless, lost and trapped in sin, and even enemies of God (and if you don't know Jesus you still are). He was born in fact to die - to die a horrible, bloody, painful death as a criminal rejected by the very ones He loved and came to save.
But again, back to the angels. They, even as they sang to shepherds (which were not glamorous people), probably had to be wondering what in the world was going on. Why would the King of kings be born and be a human, to a lowly family, in an animals stall and laid in a dirty feeding trough, in a way that was unknown to most of the world? And worst off, to humans who had constantly followed after sin and rebelled against God! The voice of God now cryed as an infant to strangers who could not comprehend what they held. This amazing grace was something that had to just overwhelm them. In fact, they still learn about God as they see Him work in the lives of the saints (see Ephesians 3).
Have you ever just stopped and pondered that? I know it is so easy to take Christmas for granted or get lost in the busyness of shopping for gifts, watching the movies and trying to suck as much out of the Christmas "season" as possible, enjoying this special time for all it's worth.
BUT GOD BECAME A HUMAN BORN TO DIE!!!
How amazing, how astounding, how breathtaking, how extraordinary, how mind-boggling, how overwhelming and remarkable, how prodigious and miraculous, how staggering, stupendous, stunning, wondrous and wonderful is that?!? Or perhaps, like so many, it simply elicits a yawn, a slight smile and simple thoughts of the manger scenes we have on our mantles or church lawns.
He was not born handsome or rich. He lived a lowly life and was unknown to the world for 30 years before He even began His public ministry. And then He did that for only 3 years while He was insulted, antagonized, and rejected even by His own family, before being beaten, beard ripped out, spit on, and crucified, by those He came to save and those He loved. And He did all this knowing in advance everything that would happen to Him.
That is what is so great about Christmas and why we should celebrate it. He came to us to be born to die. Our Christmas trees can elicit thoughts of the cross, the tree He hung on and our lights the Light of the World. We give gifts (hopefully) in remembrance of the gift that was given to us - His very life.
But if the story only ended with His death, then it wouldn't be much for us. He rose again 3 days later giving eternal life to all who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord (following Him) and believe in their heart God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).
I pray you'll stop and just ponder the birth of Christ. That you'll allow your mind to try and take on what the angels' minds might have been thinking. That you will be humbled by the awesome love and grace of Jesus Christ. That you'll be blown away by the humility and craziness of it all. And that Christmas would be great to you for all the right reasons!
author's suggested listening: "Born to Die" by Bebo Norman
Monday, July 11, 2011
Intellectualism vs. Faith
"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25
For me it was my four year old son's leg, which, literally, broke.
A bad bounce on the trampoline and he was down, and I was suddenly faced with a chance to examine what was in my heart when it came to God's goodness and His power. As we brought my son inside the house, still grasping his knee, crying and writhing with pain, those of us at our men's get together began praying for him. It was at this time that I began my Job like questioning.
Now in my mind, there was never any question as to whether God could heal him or not, but it was question of whether He wanted to or was willing. I've seen the Lord Jesus miraculously heal a fractured rib at a men's retreat and even fully heal my sprained ankle on my first missions trip to Russia, but yet I found I had zero faith that He would miraculously heal my first born. Here I am, a pastor to so many college aged and twenty-somethings, with full faith in His provision when it comes to finances, but bankrupt at this moment when it came to His love and goodness for my helpless boy. I know He doesn't heal everyone and He has His reasons, but why let a four year old encounter so much pain?
And that's when the Lord spoke and asked, "Do you trust Me?"
Repeatedly, the Holy Spirit gently asked that to me in that familiar still small voice and I had to reexamine whether my faith was merely intellectualism or true faith. Did I believe Jesus is good like I simply believe George Washington crossed the Delaware or did I know it to be true and hold onto it during this trial?
I am a man who likes to know details - not in any sort of micro-managing way, but I simply like knowing it all. All I need is a reason and I am good to go. Yet here I did not know the reason but the question remained, did I trust God? Do I fully know Him to be loving and good in spite of not getting a reason to help satisfy my wondering?
Now a few days later, Caleb is in a full cast on his left leg, having suffered a hairline fracture right below his knee but above his growth plate ("best" place for a break if one should happen) and is in fairly good spirits. He is not questioning the Lord's goodness or his father's love (as I had just gotten on the trampoline with him when it happened), nor is he constantly complaining. I found in me that I do trust Jesus, but still have lots of room for improvement in the area of faith when it comes to the full love of God in matters of small life affairs. It was a good moment of examination in my own walk with Christ and a way to once again surrender to the fact that God knows what He is doing (and if one is unsure, a quick read of Job 38-41 will remind us of our finite status and God's infinite standing).
Perhaps you are facing (or will face) one of those moments of testing/purification of your faith (James 1:2-4). Make sure what you hold onto isn't merely intellectual in nature but is something your truly believe. And if it is something you truly believe, walk in it so that you will strengthen it in your own heart and mind. Find time to praise Him in the midst of that. Pray, even when your faith is weak. These things strengthen us. We are bombarded constantly in our world, through global events, bad news, and our own conflicts, with questions of God's goodness that challenges whether we believe it simply in our heads or our hearts. But it comes back to those words which He asked me and will ask you,
Do you trust Me?
Friday, May 20, 2011
Is This Really Radical?
Having “grown up” spiritually and being in ministry within a Calvary Chapel for nearly 15 years, verse-by-verse, solid Bible teaching is a norm, as well as a sound Biblical base of ministry, so I’m not one to be drawn quickly to new books aimed to challenge the thinking of the church (after all, Calvary Chapels are solid and focused on equipping people to do the work of the ministry). I had read “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan and was impressed. I then heard David Platt speak at Liberty University and thought I should check out his book. In fact, I enrolled at bloggingforbooks.com for that very reason, simply to have a chance to read/own this book. However, it was not anything new that I had not already heard before which was a bit disappointing. I don’t say this because I feel I know it all or because being for a C.C. we have it all together, but the book didn’t really make me really have to stop and think the way other books have. However, to the Christian going to the church where the focus is on clever sermons than expository, deep teaching of the Bible (not simply about the Bible), or to one who hasn’t been exposed to this Biblical line of thinking, this book is one that should be considered on the reading list (though I would recommend first “The Upside Down Church” by Greg Laurie or “The Jesus Style” by Gayle Erwin first). David Platt’s heart is to see the American Christian’s heart stirred past the idea of the American Dream and instead focused on the heart of God, an idea to which all of Christians should strive. Is this really radical? Well for those who are striving after this way of thought, no. But to those who are living their lives according to the American Dream – extremely! The danger with this book: simply reading it and not putting into practice what you learn (or are reminded about again).
I would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for giving me a free copy of this book to review as a part of their review program
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