The Genealogy of Jesus
A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:1-16
(find this or any other passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
One Bible, the Word of God, 66 books, four Gospels. The Gospels do not contradict each other. They do tell different pieces of a story, from different perspectives, because they, initially, had four different audiences.
Matthew was written primarily to a Jewish audience, and so, begins with a genealogy starting with "father" Abraham, going through David, and ending with Jesus. This showed, in a very Jewish fashion, that Jesus did, in fact, fulfill the Messianic prophecies. But there was also something very unique about this genealogy...genealogies were nearly always purely male, and yet this list contains five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah's wife (who was Bathsheeba), and Mary.
It is surprising enough that women were listed at all, let alone these women! Tamar sold herself as a prostitute, Rahab was a Gentile prostitute, Ruth was a Gentile, and Bathsheba was an adulteress, infamous for her sin with David. Mary, a 'nobody', Jewish teenager.
Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth all have great stories of God's grace and provision, Bathsheeba possibly a reminder that even the great King needed redemption, Mary was proof that God can and does use anyone...anyone with a willing heart.
While much more can be read into and drawn from the place of these women in this genealogy, I would say this: Jesus, King of the Jews, is King for all. His heritage proves it. He did not come from a purely royal or purely Jewish line.
Jesus may have come to the Jews first...but He was always to come for everyone.
That's my King!
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Questions:
1. Have you ever noticed these women in this story?
2. Why do you think God placed them in this passage?
3. Does the mention of Gentiles, and women help you in any way?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"We have a God who delights in impossibilities."
Billy Sunday
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
ListenDaily - 28 November 2008; To everyone who has, more will be given...
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Jesus said: I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given... Luke 19:26
Are you a thankful person? Do you have gratitude toward your God? If you do, if you van present everything to God with thanksgiving, look what is made possible: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. God's peace..so amazing we cannot comprehend it... will be yours...it will guard your heart and your mind...everything you love, everything you think about...in Christ Jesus. The Savior, the very Son of God, He who holds the keys to Hell and Death, is enabled to step in front of you, to guard and protect you, if you only will give everything to God...
...with thanksgiving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God?
2. What spiritual things are you thankful for?
3. What do you hold back from Him?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS ON THANKS:
"Gratitude is the mother of all the virtues."G.K. Chesterton
Jesus said: I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given... Luke 19:26
Are you a thankful person? Do you have gratitude toward your God? If you do, if you van present everything to God with thanksgiving, look what is made possible: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. God's peace..so amazing we cannot comprehend it... will be yours...it will guard your heart and your mind...everything you love, everything you think about...in Christ Jesus. The Savior, the very Son of God, He who holds the keys to Hell and Death, is enabled to step in front of you, to guard and protect you, if you only will give everything to God...
...with thanksgiving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God?
2. What spiritual things are you thankful for?
3. What do you hold back from Him?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS ON THANKS:
"Gratitude is the mother of all the virtues."G.K. Chesterton
"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."George Washington
"The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels grateful and has no one to thank."Samuel Cavert
Thursday, November 27, 2008
ListenDaily - 27 November 2008; My letter to you.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:1-4
I am no Timothy, and I certainly am no Paul, however, I write to you today with the spirit of thanksgiving that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi.
I thank my God every time I remember you...As I sit down to write, and consider brothers and sisters who take time to read this, and who participate in the battle to advance the Kingdom of God, I give Him thanks.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...some of us have been coworkers, some attended or still attend church together, some have never met, and yet we are all partners in Christ, all part of the same body, and I give thanks for you.
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. There are many who still do not know Christ, and yet, if we seek to do God's will for us, many can be saved...God will provide...He will bring to completion the good works begun in us!
All glory, praise, honor, and thanks be to God!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God?
2. What are you thankful?
3. What spiritual things are you thankful for?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS ON THANKS:
"Gratitude is the mother of all the virtues."G.K. Chesterton
"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."George Washington
"The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels grateful and has no one to thank."Samuel Cavert
I am no Timothy, and I certainly am no Paul, however, I write to you today with the spirit of thanksgiving that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi.
I thank my God every time I remember you...As I sit down to write, and consider brothers and sisters who take time to read this, and who participate in the battle to advance the Kingdom of God, I give Him thanks.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...some of us have been coworkers, some attended or still attend church together, some have never met, and yet we are all partners in Christ, all part of the same body, and I give thanks for you.
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. There are many who still do not know Christ, and yet, if we seek to do God's will for us, many can be saved...God will provide...He will bring to completion the good works begun in us!
All glory, praise, honor, and thanks be to God!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God?
2. What are you thankful?
3. What spiritual things are you thankful for?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS ON THANKS:
"Gratitude is the mother of all the virtues."G.K. Chesterton
"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."George Washington
"The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels grateful and has no one to thank."Samuel Cavert
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
ListenDaily - 26 November 2008; WDJD?
Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. Mark 6:39-44
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you." Matthew 26:26-27
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you." Matthew 26:26-27
The Lord of the universe, He who had all creative power available to Him, "gave thanks" for a few fish, a little bread, and a cup of wine. And He wasn't just 'saying grace' to get it over with...everything Jesus ever did was genuine.
Should not we, who, at best make good use of the provisions God makes available to us, do any less? If Jesus Christ was genuinely thankful for even a small meal, how can we live as a saved people, people who have received eternal salvation, and not give thanks to God for every moment of every day?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God?
2. How often?
3. How about right now?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS ON THANKS:
"Gratitude is the mother of all the virtues."
G.K. Chesterton
"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God,
to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."
George Washington
"The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels grateful and has no one to thank."
Samuel Cavert
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ListenDaily - 25 November 2008; An Old Thanksgiving Tradition
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD:
He is good; His love to Israel endures forever." Ezra 3:11
Depending upon which set of historians you might choose to debate, the Thanksgiving holiday is between 387 and 443 years old, and took place either at the Plymouth Plantation or in St. Augustine.
To borrow a well-worn phrase from my kids..."whatever".
We may have named a day for it, but we did not invent the giving of thanks. God commanded thanks in the Law; not because He needs our gratitude, but because we need to be grateful. Our whole lives can be changed if our hearts become grateful, first through practice, possibly, but then through actual change.
And so the tradition of a nation giving thanks goes back, past 1621, past 1565. Let us look at today's verse, which predates Christ by some four centuries. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: He is good; His love to Israel endures forever. So, you might ask, what does Israel and God's love for it, have to do with us? We are the Nation of Israel! I do not want to get bogged down in semantics (or Semitics) here, but one needs just Read Romans 11 to understand that we Gentiles, through Christ, are grafted into His chosen people.
And so, His love to us endures forever.
Therefore, we should sing to the Lord, with praise and thanksgiving.
What a tradition!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God?
2. How often?
3. How about right now?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Instead of complaining that God had hidden himself,
you will give Him thanks for having revealed so much of Himself."
you will give Him thanks for having revealed so much of Himself."
Blaise Pascal
Pastor Jim Dorton
Wyoming UMC112 Broad StreetWyoming, De 19934(302) 697-6651jdorton@yahoo.com
Monday, November 24, 2008
ListenDaily - 24 November 2008; "How to"
To see this, or any other passage here: http://www.biblegateway.com/
That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD; Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
Make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; Tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; Seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:7-12
In this week that we focus on giving thanks, I think this passage is a good "how to" on giving thanks to God. We thank Him by: Making Him known; singing to Him; seeing glory in Him; rejoicing; looking to His strength, seeking His face; and remembering Him. Do you want to show thanks to God? Pick one of those items and do it, do it now as you are reading this.
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Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God
2. How often?
3. Are any of David's list helpful?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS: "How little chance the Holy Ghost has nowadays. The churches and missionary societies have so bound Him in red tape that they practically ask Him to sit in a corner while they do the work themselves." C.T. Studd
That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD; Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
Make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; Tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; Seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:7-12
In this week that we focus on giving thanks, I think this passage is a good "how to" on giving thanks to God. We thank Him by: Making Him known; singing to Him; seeing glory in Him; rejoicing; looking to His strength, seeking His face; and remembering Him. Do you want to show thanks to God? Pick one of those items and do it, do it now as you are reading this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you show thanks to God
2. How often?
3. Are any of David's list helpful?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS: "How little chance the Holy Ghost has nowadays. The churches and missionary societies have so bound Him in red tape that they practically ask Him to sit in a corner while they do the work themselves." C.T. Studd
Friday, November 21, 2008
ListenDaily - 21 November 2008; Decisions
To see this, or any other passage here: http://www.biblegateway.com/
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
...be transformed by the renewing of your mind...
Change your shape - by restoring your mind to a prior state. The ending to this portion of study is to emphasize the importance of our decision to renew. God is there to help you, and wants so much for your mind to be renewed! He sent His Son to break the world's pattern and sent His Holy Spirit to comfort, encourage, and strengthen you to be able.
But you must make the choice.
At this point, I am going to turn this over to my good friend Randy, who has stated this as well as I ever could, in an email earlier this week.
"Jim, I cannot read Romans 12:1-2 without hearing Romans 7:25 and 8:5-17. It is tempting to take the passive voice ("be transformed by the renewing of your mind") as something that God alone does in us. Of course, every good thing that occurs in us is the work of God's hand, lest we boast in any way. Yet the reality is that we must be 100% engaged in the mind-renewal business!
Romans 8:5 says: "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is live and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
The key to enabling God's mind-renewal is for use to set our minds on the things of the Spirit. This is subtle, and it is tempting to confuse the work of God with the decision of a man. It is always and only the work of God in us that changes us; but the trigger for God's power is our alignment with the Spirit. And even the power to pull the trigger is not something we can brag about.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:8)
It is an incredible mystery, indeed a paradox, that our transcendent, holy, omnipotent God loves us so much that he grants us the capacity to choose Him. Yet that is exactly what we are called to do as Christians. Therefore, the key question is this - how can we set or minds on the things of the Spirit? The answer is obvious - through intentional engagement in prayer, Scripture reading, Scripture study, meditation, serious dialog with our fellow Christians, and service. Anyone who says they don't know God's will for them can start right there. Thank you, Jim, for being used by God to "spur us on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24). Randy "
AMEN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you recall making an intentional decision to follow Christ?
2. Do you recall making an intentional decision to renew your mind?
3. Is it time to renew the decision to renew?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"How little chance the Holy Ghost has nowadays. The churches and missionary societies have so
bound Him in red tape that they practically ask Him to sit in a corner while they do the work themselves."
C.T. Studd
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
...be transformed by the renewing of your mind...
Change your shape - by restoring your mind to a prior state. The ending to this portion of study is to emphasize the importance of our decision to renew. God is there to help you, and wants so much for your mind to be renewed! He sent His Son to break the world's pattern and sent His Holy Spirit to comfort, encourage, and strengthen you to be able.
But you must make the choice.
At this point, I am going to turn this over to my good friend Randy, who has stated this as well as I ever could, in an email earlier this week.
"Jim, I cannot read Romans 12:1-2 without hearing Romans 7:25 and 8:5-17. It is tempting to take the passive voice ("be transformed by the renewing of your mind") as something that God alone does in us. Of course, every good thing that occurs in us is the work of God's hand, lest we boast in any way. Yet the reality is that we must be 100% engaged in the mind-renewal business!
Romans 8:5 says: "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is live and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
The key to enabling God's mind-renewal is for use to set our minds on the things of the Spirit. This is subtle, and it is tempting to confuse the work of God with the decision of a man. It is always and only the work of God in us that changes us; but the trigger for God's power is our alignment with the Spirit. And even the power to pull the trigger is not something we can brag about.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:8)
It is an incredible mystery, indeed a paradox, that our transcendent, holy, omnipotent God loves us so much that he grants us the capacity to choose Him. Yet that is exactly what we are called to do as Christians. Therefore, the key question is this - how can we set or minds on the things of the Spirit? The answer is obvious - through intentional engagement in prayer, Scripture reading, Scripture study, meditation, serious dialog with our fellow Christians, and service. Anyone who says they don't know God's will for them can start right there. Thank you, Jim, for being used by God to "spur us on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24). Randy "
AMEN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you recall making an intentional decision to follow Christ?
2. Do you recall making an intentional decision to renew your mind?
3. Is it time to renew the decision to renew?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"How little chance the Holy Ghost has nowadays. The churches and missionary societies have so
bound Him in red tape that they practically ask Him to sit in a corner while they do the work themselves."
C.T. Studd
Thursday, November 20, 2008
ListenDaily - 20 November 2008; What does it look like?
ListenDaily - 20 November 2008; What does it look like?
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
...be transformed by the renewing of your mind... Renew has a variety of related definitions, but the one that I think applies here is "to restore to a prior state".
Change your shape - by restoring your mind to a prior state. The "prior state" would not be some time earlier in your own life but, I think, to the state in which God created man's mind to be. What might that look like?
Consider these (not an exhaustive list) examples. It would be focused on God; Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Mark 8:33
It would be understanding of the Scriptures: Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45
It would be understanding of the Scriptures: Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45
It would not be divisive, but unifying and helpful: All the believers were one in heart and mind. Acts 4:32 Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Romans 14:13 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10
It would understand the relationship between God, man, and sin: So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:25 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5 The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:7 But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16It would full of life and peace: The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
It will pray: I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 1 Corinthians 14:15
It will have God's Law: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Hebrews 10:16
Change your shape - by restoring your mind to a prior state.
Tomorrow: Renewing your mind...God's help; your decision
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do any of these attributes cause a reaction in your mind?
2. How do you get your mind to be renewed?
3. Are there areas in your life not yet transformed?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater.
Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it."William Hazlitt
"A state of mind that sees God in everything is
evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart."Charles Finney
"The Gospel that represents Jesus Christ,
not as a system of truth to be received, into the mind,
as I should receive a system of philosophy, or astronomy,
but it represents Him as a real, living, mighty Savior, able to save me now."Catherine Booth
"When a man has quietly made up his mind
that there is nothing he cannot endure, his fears leave him."
Grove Patterson
"If we have not quiet in our minds,
outward comfort will do no more for us than
a glass slipper on a gouty foot."John Bunyan
"The mind of him that worketh ill is not always corrupt;
but the mind of him that defendeth evil is ever corrupt."Lancelot Andrewes
Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it."William Hazlitt
"A state of mind that sees God in everything is
evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart."Charles Finney
"The Gospel that represents Jesus Christ,
not as a system of truth to be received, into the mind,
as I should receive a system of philosophy, or astronomy,
but it represents Him as a real, living, mighty Savior, able to save me now."Catherine Booth
"When a man has quietly made up his mind
that there is nothing he cannot endure, his fears leave him."
Grove Patterson
"If we have not quiet in our minds,
outward comfort will do no more for us than
a glass slipper on a gouty foot."John Bunyan
"The mind of him that worketh ill is not always corrupt;
but the mind of him that defendeth evil is ever corrupt."Lancelot Andrewes
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
ListenDaily - 19 November 2008; Resisting Change
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
...be transformed...
"Transform"..."trans" = to change, "form" = shape. "Transform" = to change shape. But how?
Before we move forward to "mind renewal", I would like to look back to the "patterns of this world". For transformation to take place, for our shape to change, for our minds to be renewed, we must understand the power of the patterns. One perspective of breaking the pattern is that of a new believer who gives up their lives of sin to accept a new life in Christ. This is certainly a valid perspective. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Paul speaks here in the past tense, to believers who were taught this truth. However, he goes on, to admonish them for current actions: ...put off falsehood ...in your anger do not sin...do not give the devil a foothold...steal no longer...do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths...do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. He is speaking to people who have proclaimed belief in Christ, and yet have are still conformed to the pattern.
It's tough! "Old habits die hard', 'old dogs - new tricks' all those old sayings are true. But we must look at ourselves and ask; "Am I a different person with Jesus in my life? In what way am I different? How could I be in relationship with the Most High God and not be different?"
Patterns are hard to break. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Phil.4:13)
Tomorrow: Breaking the pattern, part III.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:1. What patterns do you seem to be stuck in?
2. Are you a completely different person than you would be without Jesus?
3. Are there areas in your life not yet transformed?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Will power does not change men.
...be transformed...
"Transform"..."trans" = to change, "form" = shape. "Transform" = to change shape. But how?
Before we move forward to "mind renewal", I would like to look back to the "patterns of this world". For transformation to take place, for our shape to change, for our minds to be renewed, we must understand the power of the patterns. One perspective of breaking the pattern is that of a new believer who gives up their lives of sin to accept a new life in Christ. This is certainly a valid perspective. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Paul speaks here in the past tense, to believers who were taught this truth. However, he goes on, to admonish them for current actions: ...put off falsehood ...in your anger do not sin...do not give the devil a foothold...steal no longer...do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths...do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God...get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. He is speaking to people who have proclaimed belief in Christ, and yet have are still conformed to the pattern.
It's tough! "Old habits die hard', 'old dogs - new tricks' all those old sayings are true. But we must look at ourselves and ask; "Am I a different person with Jesus in my life? In what way am I different? How could I be in relationship with the Most High God and not be different?"
Patterns are hard to break. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Phil.4:13)
Tomorrow: Breaking the pattern, part III.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:1. What patterns do you seem to be stuck in?
2. Are you a completely different person than you would be without Jesus?
3. Are there areas in your life not yet transformed?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Lord, when we are wrong, make us willing to change.
And when we are right, make us easy to live with."
Peter Marshall
"Will power does not change men.
Time does not change men.
Christ does."
Henry Drummond
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
ListenDaily - 18 November 2008; Changing your shape
http://www.biblegateway.com/
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
...be transformed... "Transform"..."trans" = to change, "form" = shape. "Transform" = to change shape.
...be transformed...
God is telling us here that we need to change our shape, change our structure, change what we look like. Man was created in God's image, but through sin in the world we stopped looking like God.
In order to come back into harmony with Him, we must regain His image.Christ is our example, born without sin; He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Col. 1:15) As Adam was created in the image of God, so may we, through Jesus - the firstborn of the new man, regain His image when we have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col. 3:9-10)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed...
Tomorrow: Breaking the pattern, part II.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What patterns do you see in your life?
2. Are you being transformed?
3. Where are you in that process?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"Do not grudge the Hand that is moulding the still too shapeless image within you.
It is growing more beautiful, though you see it not, and every touch of temptation may add to its perfection."
Henry Drummond
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
...be transformed... "Transform"..."trans" = to change, "form" = shape. "Transform" = to change shape.
...be transformed...
God is telling us here that we need to change our shape, change our structure, change what we look like. Man was created in God's image, but through sin in the world we stopped looking like God.
In order to come back into harmony with Him, we must regain His image.Christ is our example, born without sin; He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Col. 1:15) As Adam was created in the image of God, so may we, through Jesus - the firstborn of the new man, regain His image when we have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Col. 3:9-10)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed...
Tomorrow: Breaking the pattern, part II.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What patterns do you see in your life?
2. Are you being transformed?
3. Where are you in that process?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"Do not grudge the Hand that is moulding the still too shapeless image within you.
It is growing more beautiful, though you see it not, and every touch of temptation may add to its perfection."
Henry Drummond
Monday, November 17, 2008
ListenDaily - 17 November 2008; Thinking about thinking
You can look up this, or any other passage here: http://www.biblegateway.com/
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
I was blessed and impressed by all the responses, emails, and comments last week. They got me thinking about thinking. The Scriptures tell us not to lean on our own understanding, leaning on God instead (Prov. 3:5). We are also told that wise people are confounded by simple things (1 Cor. 1:27). But these are not warnings against thinking, but instead reminders to right thought, to filter our thoughts through the true wisdom of God.
Which brings us back to today's verse. Let us look at the first phrase: do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...
If we God tells us to stop doing something, the inference is that it is something we are doing. If we have never responded to this verse, we should consider what it might be saying to us.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...
Is there a worldly pattern to which you find yourself conforming, that harms your relationship with God? Is there a worldly pattern concerning your family, work, or church life that is different than what God is calling you to? Can you assume that if it is not a Godly pattern, that it must be a worldly one?
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...
Tomorrow: Breaking the pattern.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What patterns do you see in your life?
2. How were they created?
3. Can you assume that if it is not a Godly pattern, that it must be a worldly one?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
I was blessed and impressed by all the responses, emails, and comments last week. They got me thinking about thinking. The Scriptures tell us not to lean on our own understanding, leaning on God instead (Prov. 3:5). We are also told that wise people are confounded by simple things (1 Cor. 1:27). But these are not warnings against thinking, but instead reminders to right thought, to filter our thoughts through the true wisdom of God.
Which brings us back to today's verse. Let us look at the first phrase: do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...
If we God tells us to stop doing something, the inference is that it is something we are doing. If we have never responded to this verse, we should consider what it might be saying to us.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...
Is there a worldly pattern to which you find yourself conforming, that harms your relationship with God? Is there a worldly pattern concerning your family, work, or church life that is different than what God is calling you to? Can you assume that if it is not a Godly pattern, that it must be a worldly one?
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...
Tomorrow: Breaking the pattern.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What patterns do you see in your life?
2. How were they created?
3. Can you assume that if it is not a Godly pattern, that it must be a worldly one?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"They gave our Master a crown of thorns,
why do we hope for a crown of roses?"
why do we hope for a crown of roses?"
Martin Luther
Friday, November 14, 2008
ListenDaily - 14 November 2008; In all thing, yes, all things
You can look up this, or any other passage here: http://www.biblegateway.com/
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Another note: "God works together for good"..........hmmm. Maybe I need to learn more about that. Ever since I heard about the tragedy that killed both the family and the drivers of both vehicles in the collision in Harrington, I have struggled with trying to understand a seemingly senseless tragedy in which it seems thus far no one's failure caused the accident to happen. That is, neither driver appears to have been driving unsafely. So why did 6 people, who by all accounts were wonderful Christian people who were well and truly loved by many ,die? If God works together for good, does that mean that though God certainly did not cause the accident to happen nor did he wish those people to die in that way, maybe something good will come out of this terrible accident. I wonder if that is what the passage means? Priscilla
This is the main thing I have been wanting to say about this verse. We live in a fallen world. Every evil thing that has happened, is happening, or will happen, can be traced back to a poor exercise of free will by Adam and Eve. Every war, every illness, every innoncent child killed by a drunk driver, has occurred because of that initial bad choice, and bad choices made since. Don't get me wrong, people get sick, not because of their own sin* but because sin has made the world a sick place in which to live. Righteous-thinking people can be drawn into bad situations to try and stem the flow of evil. Bad things happen because we have evil desires within us, and Satan, unhindered, preys upon our every weakness. Sin is rampant on the Earth and terrible things happen every moment of every day. There is a deeper theological question of why God allows evil to continue, which is a study in itself, but I do like what Nicholi said, referencing C.S. Lewis: "We are told in scripture that with God all things are possible. But Lewis states that this does not mean that God can do anything. God cannot, for example, answer nonsensical questions. He cannot do both of two mutually exclusive things; for example, He cannot create creatures with free will and at the same time withhold free will from them."
*(There are, of course, sin-related illnesses, from drug misuse for example.)
We can come back to the question of why bad things happen, but they do happen. The question for today is; what happens next? Good parents take care of their children, and respond with kindness when something happens to their child. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matt. 7:11)
Children fall down and scrape their knees, they fall off their bikes, they get picked on by bullies, they make bad decisions, and good parents love them through it all, albeit sometimes tough love. They love them because they love them, and their continued nurturing through tough times, helps make good adults. Spiritually we fall down, Satan bullies us, and we make bad decisions. God loves us through it all. If we respond to His love by accepting His Son, our lives will be good. Hard maybe, but good. And by good, I mean, honoring God, advancing His Kingdom, and spending eternity with Him. It is hard to see the good in the senseless loss of lives, like in the accident Priscilla referred to, which recently rocked our local community. Maybe there was no good in it. But if the Body of Christ responds to the hurt left in the wake of the disaster, good can come because God will come. If those left behind will cry out to God, He will respond. And while circumstances can be terrible, no force exists that is greater than the love of God.
I have loved you with an everlasting love...and underneath are the everlasting arms...the Spirit helps us in our weakness...the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (from Jer. 31:3, Deut. 33:27, Romans 8:26-27 More to follow...!
I have loved you with an everlasting love...and underneath are the everlasting arms...the Spirit helps us in our weakness...the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (from Jer. 31:3, Deut. 33:27, Romans 8:26-27 More to follow...!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
Questions:
1. So, does God work all things for good?
2. How difficult is it to see eternal good through earthly eyes?
3. Any other questions or comments on this topic?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
2. How difficult is it to see eternal good through earthly eyes?
3. Any other questions or comments on this topic?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"I must not think it strange if God takes in youth those
whom I would have kept on earth until they were older.
God is peopling eternity, and I must not restrict Him to old men and women."
Jim Elliot
God is peopling eternity, and I must not restrict Him to old men and women."
Jim Elliot
Thursday, November 13, 2008
ListenDaily - 13 November 2008; Look up!
You can look up this, or any other passage here: http://www.biblegateway.com/ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Yesterday I made the following statement:
God's will is that things would go well for us; our will leads us astray.
If we will turn back to Him, He will work things for our good.
It was perhaps irresponsible on my part to leave it at that. My intention was to continue the thought today, which I will, but I should have stated "more to follow".
I received three responses that showed concern about that statement; one worried that I was encouraging works over faith (if we will...), the second, that I was saying bad things won't happen to us if we keep turned toward God (things would go well for us...). The third I will address tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
I so appreciate thinking believers! It is dangerous to take anything written by man without filtering it through the Word. I do not disagree with the essence of the replies I received, so this is not argumentative or a debate, let me just address those thoughts.
1) Salvation is of course a free gift which we cannot earn by our own merit: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)
I think it is worthwhile to discuss "works" requirements after salvation, but that is for another time!
There are some things that we must do, they are actions, but not works...and I don't want to argue over semantics, you can choose another word if you like, But we must accept, we must believe, we must love God, and we must repent. I do not see these as works, but they are requirements we must fulfill...not works, not merit, and not earning...but things to be done. ...God works for the good of those who love Him....whosoever believeth in Him...unless you repent, you too will all perish...these are words directly from Scripture, from an apostle and from Christ Himself. This is not an argument, at all, for works salvation, maybe for attitude alignment?
2) As for "things going well", consider this: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Coll.3:2) Certainly, Christians are not guaranteed a life where things go well by earthly standards; Jim Elliot and his mission team were slaughtered; Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged, Stephen was stoned, and they beat and Crucified our Lord. When God works things for good, I believe the implication is that they are "good" from an eternal perspective. Things may or may not go well here, but that does not change the truth of this verse. And I think we are in agreement. ("We" being me and the guy who wrote the letter...I hope you too!)
More to follow...!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think?
2. I'm not sure I worded it well, how would you state the "works" or "actions" I described?
OTHER'S THOUGHTS
"We are told in scripture that with God all things are possible. But Lewis states that this does not mean that God can do anything. God cannot, for example, answer nonsensical questions.He cannot do both of two mutually exclusive things; for example, He cannot create creatures with free will and at the same time withhold free will from them."Armand M. Nicholi
"Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind."Matthew Henry
"Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want."Martin Luther
Yesterday I made the following statement:
God's will is that things would go well for us; our will leads us astray.
If we will turn back to Him, He will work things for our good.
It was perhaps irresponsible on my part to leave it at that. My intention was to continue the thought today, which I will, but I should have stated "more to follow".
I received three responses that showed concern about that statement; one worried that I was encouraging works over faith (if we will...), the second, that I was saying bad things won't happen to us if we keep turned toward God (things would go well for us...). The third I will address tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
I so appreciate thinking believers! It is dangerous to take anything written by man without filtering it through the Word. I do not disagree with the essence of the replies I received, so this is not argumentative or a debate, let me just address those thoughts.
1) Salvation is of course a free gift which we cannot earn by our own merit: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)
I think it is worthwhile to discuss "works" requirements after salvation, but that is for another time!
There are some things that we must do, they are actions, but not works...and I don't want to argue over semantics, you can choose another word if you like, But we must accept, we must believe, we must love God, and we must repent. I do not see these as works, but they are requirements we must fulfill...not works, not merit, and not earning...but things to be done. ...God works for the good of those who love Him....whosoever believeth in Him...unless you repent, you too will all perish...these are words directly from Scripture, from an apostle and from Christ Himself. This is not an argument, at all, for works salvation, maybe for attitude alignment?
2) As for "things going well", consider this: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Coll.3:2) Certainly, Christians are not guaranteed a life where things go well by earthly standards; Jim Elliot and his mission team were slaughtered; Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged, Stephen was stoned, and they beat and Crucified our Lord. When God works things for good, I believe the implication is that they are "good" from an eternal perspective. Things may or may not go well here, but that does not change the truth of this verse. And I think we are in agreement. ("We" being me and the guy who wrote the letter...I hope you too!)
More to follow...!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think?
2. I'm not sure I worded it well, how would you state the "works" or "actions" I described?
OTHER'S THOUGHTS
"We are told in scripture that with God all things are possible. But Lewis states that this does not mean that God can do anything. God cannot, for example, answer nonsensical questions.He cannot do both of two mutually exclusive things; for example, He cannot create creatures with free will and at the same time withhold free will from them."Armand M. Nicholi
"Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind."Matthew Henry
"Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want."Martin Luther
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
ListenDaily - 12 November 2008; 'In All Things" not just 'All Things'
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 43:10-11
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,
who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Thanks to everyone who responded with questions and comments on the topic of God's will; please continue! We will stay with this topic until we address each comment, and probably a little longer. This note is from my pal Randy:
"Good morning! This verse is frequently misquoted as "All things work for good ..." which is one of the fallacies leading to great confusion about question #2. That's my only contribution at this point ... otherwise I'd spend my whole workday typing on the subject. Randy" What a great point, and what an important one; "all things" are not good, however, to those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose, God can make good things happen.
OK, you might ask, what is the difference? Consider those 'teachable moments' parents often use. A child runs into the street and almost gets hit; or they get picked on by a bully; or they watch TV and do not do their homework. Are any of these things (or thousands of probably better examples) they type of thing a good parent would encourage a child to do? Of course not. But a good parent will use these types of situations to move the child into a place of learning and maturation. Be careful, respond with kindness, decisions have consequences.
This is, perhaps, an oversimplification of Randy's point, and maybe we should talk more about it later. But there is a bottom line: God does not cause any evil, but He will use those moments to show us a better way.
God's will is that things would go well for us; our will leads us astray. If we will turn back to Him, He will work things for our good.
Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Psalm 27:11
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. Do you think God causes all things to happen?
3. How does He work our bad decisions into good?
THINKER'S THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM
"The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that they must be free. Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently He thought it worth the risk."C.S. Lewis "We are told in scripture that with God all things are possible. But Lewis states that this does not mean that God can do anything. God cannot, for example, answer nonsensical questions.He cannot do both of two mutually exclusive things; for example, He cannot create creatures with free will and at the same time withhold free will from them."
Armand M. Nicholi
"Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind."Matthew Henry
"Free grace can go into the gutter, and bring up a jewel!"
Charles Spurgeon
"God, having placed good and evil in our power, has given us full freedom of choice; He does not keep back the unwilling, but embraces the willing."
John Chrysostom "
A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all."
Martin Luther
"Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want."Martin Luther "God created things which had free will. That means creatures which can go either wrong or right. Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot. If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."
C.S. Lewis
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
ListenDaily - 11 November 2008; Freedom will?
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Thanks to everyone who responded with questions and comments on the topic of God's will; please continue! We will stay with this topic until we address each comment, and probably a little longer. This note from my dear friend Priscilla:
"Jim: When I have been in Kenya I many, many times heard people say, "No choice. God's will." It's a fatalistic attitude, don't you think, and comes from being powerless in a powerful society in which you have no say? The Kenyan government, democracy though it is, is a far cry from what we think of as Democracy. One of the things that so astonished the Kenyans about our election of Obama was how peaceful and orderly it was. My friends there, as well as others interviewed, expressed great surprise and inspiration from how orderly and peaceful the process was..........unlike Kenya's "democratic" election a year ago which erupted in violence that killed thousands, burned homes and villages, left many homeless etc. In this country we are used to believing we have a choice in what we believe and what we do, and who we vote for. Those things are the blessings of true freedom. Most "democratic" countries have no idea what that's like. We are so truly blessed. Priscilla Young"
I had never heard this put quite this way, and yet it makes so much sense. Our earthly vision so affects our ability to see beyond! Satan uses whatever he can to block and blur our view of God. Those so oppressed by their governments may never have experienced real freedom and so doubt it, even in the Heavenly realm. I wonder if those of us who have been so blessed by civil liberties may have forgotten the true author of liberty? Does the church in America, rarely under any real oppression, determine that it is America that grants the liberty? True freedom comes only from God through His Son: If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Whether free or enslaved or some degree in between, we can be free in Christ, and; We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
...in all things...in all times, in all circumstances.
The question arises then, do we who have been given so many freedoms need to 1) truly remember that freedom comes from God; 2) understand that freedom in Christ is better than, and does not rely upon, any earthly circumstance; 3) use our freedom to bring others to Christ?
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48
Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you think earthly oppression affects faith?
2. Do Americans have special responsibitlity to teach freedom in Christ?
THINKERS' THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM
"Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind."
"Free grace can go into the gutter, and bring up a jewel!"
"God, having placed good and evil in our power, has given us full freedom of choice;
He does not keep back the unwilling, but embraces the willing."
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Thanks to everyone who responded with questions and comments on the topic of God's will; please continue! We will stay with this topic until we address each comment, and probably a little longer. This note from my dear friend Priscilla:
"Jim: When I have been in Kenya I many, many times heard people say, "No choice. God's will." It's a fatalistic attitude, don't you think, and comes from being powerless in a powerful society in which you have no say? The Kenyan government, democracy though it is, is a far cry from what we think of as Democracy. One of the things that so astonished the Kenyans about our election of Obama was how peaceful and orderly it was. My friends there, as well as others interviewed, expressed great surprise and inspiration from how orderly and peaceful the process was..........unlike Kenya's "democratic" election a year ago which erupted in violence that killed thousands, burned homes and villages, left many homeless etc. In this country we are used to believing we have a choice in what we believe and what we do, and who we vote for. Those things are the blessings of true freedom. Most "democratic" countries have no idea what that's like. We are so truly blessed. Priscilla Young"
I had never heard this put quite this way, and yet it makes so much sense. Our earthly vision so affects our ability to see beyond! Satan uses whatever he can to block and blur our view of God. Those so oppressed by their governments may never have experienced real freedom and so doubt it, even in the Heavenly realm. I wonder if those of us who have been so blessed by civil liberties may have forgotten the true author of liberty? Does the church in America, rarely under any real oppression, determine that it is America that grants the liberty? True freedom comes only from God through His Son: If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Whether free or enslaved or some degree in between, we can be free in Christ, and; We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
...in all things...in all times, in all circumstances.
The question arises then, do we who have been given so many freedoms need to 1) truly remember that freedom comes from God; 2) understand that freedom in Christ is better than, and does not rely upon, any earthly circumstance; 3) use our freedom to bring others to Christ?
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48
Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you think earthly oppression affects faith?
2. Do Americans have special responsibitlity to teach freedom in Christ?
3. Do you have any questions or thoughts to add to this discussion?
THINKERS' THOUGHTS ON FREEDOM
"The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely,
voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most
rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water.
And for that they must be free.
Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way:
apparently He thought it worth the risk."
voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most
rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water.
And for that they must be free.
Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way:
apparently He thought it worth the risk."
C.S. Lewis
"We are told in scripture that with God all things are possible.
But Lewis states that this does not mean that God can do anything.
God cannot, for example, answer nonsensical questions.
He cannot do both of two mutually exclusive things; for example,
He cannot create creatures with free will and at the same time withhold free will from them."
"We are told in scripture that with God all things are possible.
But Lewis states that this does not mean that God can do anything.
God cannot, for example, answer nonsensical questions.
He cannot do both of two mutually exclusive things; for example,
He cannot create creatures with free will and at the same time withhold free will from them."
Armand M. Nicholi
"Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind."
Matthew Henry
"Free grace can go into the gutter, and bring up a jewel!"
Charles Spurgeon
"God, having placed good and evil in our power, has given us full freedom of choice;
He does not keep back the unwilling, but embraces the willing."
John Chrysostom
"A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all."
"A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all."
Martin Luther
"Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God.
Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved.
Now choose what you want."
"Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God.
Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved.
Now choose what you want."
Martin Luther
"God created things which had free will. That means creatures which can go either wrong or right.
Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot.
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible.
Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible,
is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."
C.S. Lewis
"God created things which had free will. That means creatures which can go either wrong or right.
Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot.
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible.
Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible,
is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."
C.S. Lewis
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Monday, November 10, 2008
Whose Will Be Done?
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
What is your first response to reading Romans 8:28? I was talking to a buddy of mine last week. He said something to the effect; 'Well, whatever happens is God's will.'
I don't think so.
If that were true, why would we need to seek His will? Wouldn't it just be done? Do we believe that the evil that happens in this world is the will of God? I don't...and yet I fully believe these words are true: ...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him...
Friends, as we begin to delve into this topic, if you have any thoughts or questions that relate to "God's will", please forward them to james.dorton@gmail.com and let me know if it is OK to use your name.
But whatever questions we have, whatever our circumstances have been and whoever caused them or allowed them to happen, we know this:
God has our ultimate good forever in His mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. To what extent, do you think, God's will happens?
2. Why do bad things happen to good people?
3. Do you have any questions or thoughts to add to this discussion?
"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises,
leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
What is your first response to reading Romans 8:28? I was talking to a buddy of mine last week. He said something to the effect; 'Well, whatever happens is God's will.'
I don't think so.
If that were true, why would we need to seek His will? Wouldn't it just be done? Do we believe that the evil that happens in this world is the will of God? I don't...and yet I fully believe these words are true: ...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him...
Friends, as we begin to delve into this topic, if you have any thoughts or questions that relate to "God's will", please forward them to james.dorton@gmail.com and let me know if it is OK to use your name.
But whatever questions we have, whatever our circumstances have been and whoever caused them or allowed them to happen, we know this:
God has our ultimate good forever in His mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. To what extent, do you think, God's will happens?
2. Why do bad things happen to good people?
3. Do you have any questions or thoughts to add to this discussion?
"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises,
leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Friday, November 7, 2008
Shine!
AN ELECTION WEEK CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS:
PRAY FOR THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALSPRAY WITH A FRIEND WITH WHOM YOU DISAGREE.
PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO SHOW LOVE REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME.
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
I have talked a lot this week about being gracious winners and losers, election-wise. Friends, this will bring you personal peace, which is good, but it is also for the building of God's Kingdom. Consider the following passages:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings
and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful
and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy2:1-2
The message here is first, that we need to pray for those in authority...period. The second part is that this act will bring us peace.
"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:14-15
Do not be afraid! This is one of the great messages of the Bible. Fear not! Do not let the issues that scare the world to frighten you. Then, when others ask you how you maintain your peace and joy...and they will ask you...be prepared to give an answer , because you have an answer; you have THE answer! But we must never make the mistake of beating people up with the Gospel. We are no better than the world, we just have received a gift they have not yet received; and we want them to have it. So always speak with gentleness and respect.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;
make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone for the hope that you have.
Colossians 4:6-7
The "outsiders' here, are those outside the faith. We really want everyone to be 'insiders' don't we? And yet church folks often, especially in political discussions, are as mean-spirited and condescending as the "outsiders". There is a great song by the Newsboys called "Shine". One line says:
Shine!
Make them wonder what you got;
make them wish that they were not,
on the outside looking bored.
Shine!
Let it shine before all men let´em see good works, and then let ´em glorify the Lord
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=edabf9e4b69008b0718d
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you see an opportunity to reach someone during this election season?
2. In your experience, do believers typically act well when discussing politics? When discussing faith?
3. If there is a difference in what we say and how we act, does it affect our effectiveness?
"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good,
but that God will make us good because He loves us;
just as the roof of a sunhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright,
but becomes bright because the sun shines on it."
C.S.Lewis
Thursday, November 6, 2008
My guy won the election(or my guy lost) so what do I do now?
AN ELECTION WEEK CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS:
PRAY FOR THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS
PRAY WITH A FRIEND WITH WHOM YOU DISAGREE.
PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO SHOW LOVE REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME.
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
Colossians 3:12-17: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
No matter how you may have voted, or if you did not vote, there is a significant portion of the population with whom you have significant differences. Since the election news is fresh, those differences are raised up everywhere you look.
There are those with whom you disagree but like very much, and there are those, well, you may not find so likable. People outside the faith may struggle with civility, manners, politeness, or whatever social pressures that cause them to behave well, in order to behave well. Others just do not behave well.
But church! We have a different, significant, specific, Kingdom calling. We are, as anyone who accepts Christ is, God's chosen!
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved;
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another;
Forgive as the Lord forgave you;
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity;
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace;
And be thankful;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...with gratitude in your hearts to God;
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus;
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Brothers and sisters, whenever there is disagreement, whenever there is division, those of us who believe God's promises to be true have the ability, occasion, and responsibility, to show Christ to the world. It is, He is, light in that darkness.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What role does God play in your political thinking?
2. What part does the church play in unifying people?
3. Is your church unified?
THOUGHTS ON UNITY AND WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER
"One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization
do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team.
The first requisite is life, always."
A.W. Tozer
"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all
tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?
They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other,
but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.
So one hundred worshippers meeting together,
each one looking away to Christ,
are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be
were they to become unity conscious
and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.
Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified.
The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier.
The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life."
A.W. Tozer
"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God,
and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen,
they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth."
"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God,
and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen,
they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth."
John Wesley
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thoughts on Election Week; ...and the winner is...
AN ELECTION WEEK CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS:
PRAY FOR THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS
PRAY WITH A FRIEND WITH WHOM YOU DISAGREE.
PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO SHOW LOVE REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME.
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
1 John 5:3-5: This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
We have a new President. We also have new Senators, Congressmen, mayors, state representatives, and many other positions, and many of these have incumbents that won their races as well. All across the country, from living rooms and front yards to hotel ballrooms, "victory" speeches were given. But once again, these are temporary victories, with important, but temporary consequences. But...everyone born of God overcomes the world!
And this is an eternal victory!
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
We are called, by God, to take part in the everyday concerns of this world. But friends, we must not let temporary circumstances cause us anxiety or depression, for we are eternal victors. The battle belongs to the Lord and His victory is assured.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What role does God play in your political thinking?
2. Can you see that you are part of something greater?
3. Will you pray for the winners, no matter who wins?
Order your soul;
reduce your wants;
live in charity;
associate in Christian community;
obey the laws;
trust in Providence.
Saint Augustine
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thoughts on Election Week; Following and Serving
A CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS:
PRAY BEFORE YOU VOTE!
PRAY AT THE POLLING PLACE.
PRAY WITH A FRIEND WITH WHOM YOU DISAGREE.
PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO SHOW LOVE REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME.
PRAY BEFORE YOU VOTE.
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
Joshua 24:14-15: "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
God sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt. As they prepared to cross the Jordan, Moses' time ended and Joshua was raised up to lead them; it was Joshua who spoke the stirring words: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
God sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt. As they prepared to cross the Jordan, Moses' time ended and Joshua was raised up to lead them; it was Joshua who spoke the stirring words: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua and Moses were leaders appointed by God; and as they reached their hands back to lead their people, their eyes were locked onto God. And yet, they constantly reminded the nation that they must make their own decision; not to just follow a man...but to follow and serve God.
We are not, as a nation, God's chosen people in the way that the Israelites were. As individuals we choose as a candidate, and as a country we choose a leader; we choose someone we will follow in Earthly matters. We must also choose the one we will serve.
Tomorrow, a little more than half of the country will have supported a victorious candidate; a little less than half will have supported a losing one. I hope that the entire country will support the new president. This is important, but as I said yesterday, it is also temporary. Though appointed by God, Moses and Joshua had temporary leadership roles, Obama or McCain's leadership will be even shorter.
God is eternal.
So today, go vote! Choose this day who you would like to follow in political matters...but more importantly, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..."
Tomorrow, a little more than half of the country will have supported a victorious candidate; a little less than half will have supported a losing one. I hope that the entire country will support the new president. This is important, but as I said yesterday, it is also temporary. Though appointed by God, Moses and Joshua had temporary leadership roles, Obama or McCain's leadership will be even shorter.
God is eternal.
So today, go vote! Choose this day who you would like to follow in political matters...but more importantly, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..."
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What role does God play in your political thinking?
2. Will the outcome of the election affect your faith?
3. Will you pray for the winners, no matter who wins?
Questions:
1. What role does God play in your political thinking?
2. Will the outcome of the election affect your faith?
3. Will you pray for the winners, no matter who wins?
"Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders,
or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God.
Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost;
but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved.
Now choose what you want."
Martin Luther
Monday, November 3, 2008
Thoughts on Election Week; I Already Know Who Will Lead Us
A CHALLENGE TO BELIEVERS:
PRAY BEFORE YOU VOTE!
PRAY AT THE POLLING PLACE.
PRAY WITH A FRIEND WITH WHOM YOU DISAGREE.
PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO SHOW LOVE REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME.
PRAY BEFORE YOU VOTE.
PRAY BEFORE YOU VOTE!
PRAY AT THE POLLING PLACE.
PRAY WITH A FRIEND WITH WHOM YOU DISAGREE.
PRAY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO SHOW LOVE REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME.
PRAY BEFORE YOU VOTE.
If you would like to look at a passage online, go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
1 Timothy 1:15-17 : Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen
Tomorrow is Election Day. Decisions will be made, leaders will be selected; from city halls to the White House. Does it make any difference who is elected? Certainly. From taxation policies, to foreign policy, to health care, and on and on, the newly elected officials will make decisions that will change the world.
For a time.
But friends, as Jesus said we are in this world, not of it. Believers may certainly take part in the process. We should seek God's leading as we vote; and for His purposes, He might lead us to different political leanings, different parties. Our faith should drive our politics...but out politics should never drive our faith.
Never.
Election Day will come and go. Whoever is elected will come and go.
But church, listen! We serve THE King who is eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God!
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What role does God play in your political thinking?
2. Will you pray before you enter the booth?
3. Will you pray for the winners, no matter who wins?
"In the Kingdom of God, service is not a stepping-stone to nobility:
it is nobility, the only kind of nobility that is recognized.
T.W.Manson
it is nobility, the only kind of nobility that is recognized.
T.W.Manson
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